Gdansk is a city full of vibrant buildings and historic architecture, set upon the Baltic coast of Poland. It's a city steeped in history and has endless landmarks, monuments and museums to explore. We want to make sure your Gdansk trip is full of adventure, so here are our top ten things to do for some getaway inspiration...

Explore the colourful Old Town

Gdansk's Old Town is one of the most charming and vibrant parts of the city. With buildings painted sky blue, lime green and burnt orange, there are eye-catching aspects at every turn. On your visit to Gdansk, make sure to walk through the Old Town and soak up the buzzing atmosphere. Visit the grand clock tower which was rebuilt after the Second World War, spot centuries-old buildings, take in the stunning architecture or pop into one of the charming coffee shops that fill the Old Town for a break on your sightseeing tour.

See the Westerplatte Monument

On your visit to Gdansk, you’ll see several monuments, buildings and museums relating to the Second World War, and the Westerplatte Monument is one of the most significant. This 25-metre monument is shaped like a bayonet and stands on the grounds where a Polish transit warehouse used to stand. It remembers the Polish soldiers who fought for seven days to hold off the German attack, and is well worth a visit for history and culture lovers.

Visit the iconic Neptune Fountain

The Neptune Fountain is one of the most famous landmarks in Gdansk. It stands below the picturesque tower of the old city hall and is surrounded by colourful buildings on the popular street of Długi Targ. The bronze statue of the Roman god of the sea has been standing since 1633, surviving the effects of the Second World War. You’re more than likely to run into the fountain accidentally as you’re exploring, thanks to it being in one of the most popular areas of the city, but make sure you put this on your to do list and snap a photo with this iconic statue.

Stroll through Oliwa Park

For a city, Gdansk has a surprisingly large amount of greenery on offer with one of the standouts being the beautiful Oliwa Park. This ten-hectare parkland is stunningly kept, and you’ll find all sorts of buildings hidden in the leafy scenery. Abbot’s Palace, one of the city’s oldest structures, stands within Oliwa Park. This stunning piece of architecture can be spotted from miles away with its grand structure and large pillars. You’ll also find a more modern structure called the Palm House, which boasts a stunning tropical plant collection inside! Roam Oliwa Park on your visit and see what treasures you can find.

Visit a museum

We've mentioned how historically important the city of Gdansk is, and the museums found here certainly do it justice. Whether you’re after museums documenting the Polish involvement in the war, or you want to learn about Gdansk itself and the Polish culture, the museums offer something for every visitor. Gdansk's National Museum, the National Maritime Museum and the Museum of the Second World War are just a few that are worth putting aside time for during your stay.

Explore the culinary scene

Welcome to the home of the pierogi! It’d be rude to not try them as many different ways as you can while in their homeland. Potato and cheese filling is a Polish classic, but you'll also find variations like sauerkraut, wild mushrooms, meat or smoked cheese. Dessert pierogis are a must try too. Summer fruits, like strawberries or blueberries, combined with sugar make for sweet and tangy pierogi fillings to delight in. You can also delve into a variety of other Polish delicacies during your trip to Gdansk. Try Golabki, which consists of minced meat, onions and mushrooms wrapped up in a white cabbage leaf and perfectly stewed. Or indulge in a hearty Polish goulash of tender beef in a broth of bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, onions and paprika, served in a hot dish with potato pancakes.

Climb the tower of St Mary's church

One of the most famous buildings in the city is the architectural beauty, St Mary's church. If you journey to the top of this Gothic masterpiece, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views over Gdansk. It was badly burnt in 1945, but refurbished after the war and it now stands as one of the largest brick churches in the world! Once you’ve made it to the top, you’ll experience majestic 360-degree views across the city, with views of the Old Town, the Motlawa River, Neptune's Fountain and the Gothic Town Hall. This is an adventure worthy of everyone’s time on your visit to Gdansk.

Find the best street art in the Zaspa neighbourhood

Located in the northern region of Gdansk towards the coast sits the revitalised suburb of Zaspa. It’s a perfect location to intertwine with a visit to Westerplatte, as its walkable from the monument! When visiting Zaspa, you’ll see vibrant street art and wall murals on every corner. Local artists were welcomed to this area in the early 2000s to use their art to revitalise the desolate suburb. Political artwork covers a lot of the buildings, but you’ll also find wacky murals like clip-art-style animals or divers exploring the ocean scaled up the sides of buildings. A visit to Zaspa guarantees your camera roll will be full of vibrant, unique pictures!

Visit the famous Golden Gate

The Golden Gate is one of the most historic pieces of architecture in the city and has been standing since 1614! It’s recognised as the most prominent part of the city centre, and you’ll find this architectural beauty on the same famous street as the Neptune Fountain. The grand arch opens the walkway onto the stunning Długi Targ street. Once you’ve passed through the arch of the Golden Gate, you’ll find rows of colourful, tall buildings filled with coffee shops and restaurants to pass your afternoon in.

Explore the beautiful Christmas markets

If there’s one thing Gdansk knows how to do, it’s put on stunning Christmas markets. Poland is known for hosting some of the best markets in Europe, but Gdansk shouldn’t be overlooked because of its smaller size. The city transforms into a wonderland in the final months of the year and boasts spectacular food, jewellery and trinket stalls hosted along the vibrant streets. The charming markets usually open their doors from the last week of November until Christmas, so you have plenty of time to bag a visit. To read more about this, check out or Gdansk Christmas market guide here!