Gdańsk

Gdańsk (also known by its German name Danzig) is a city in Poland on the Baltic Sea. It is the capital of Pomerania. Gdańsk with nearby Sopot and Gdynia are often referred as Tricity (pl: Trójmiasto). Gdańsk is considered one of the most beautiful cities on the Baltic Sea and has magnificent architecture.

Długa Street with the Main Town Hall in the background

Understand

Its position on the Baltic has made Gdańsk one of the most important port cities in Northern Europe, and the scene of a disturbing past. Gdańsk used to be the biggest and richest city in the Polish Kingdom. The first claim to fame for Danzig (as it was then known) was its membership in the Hanseatic League as an important Baltic port on the crossroads of North East and Central Europe.

World War II was ignited by a dispute over the control of the city. By the end of the war the city lay almost completely in ruins. The German population was expelled and replaced by Poles as the city came under Polish rule and changed its name to Gdańsk. However, the impact of its former German ties are still evident. Although most of the old buildings were damaged or destroyed in World War II, they have been painstakingly restored or rebuilt.

In modern history, Gdańsk is known as the birthplace of Solidarity (pl: Solidarność), the labour and democracy movement that helped to bring down the Communist government in Poland, which marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War and subsequent collapse of communism in other European countries. The movement was led by the charismatic leader, Lech Wałęsa, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 and in 1990 became Poland's first post-Communist president.

Do not be fooled by the fact that Gdańsk is famous for its shipyards, as it is a beautiful city with a charm of its own.

Tourist information

• 🌍 Tourist Information Centre, Długi Targ 28/29 (Next to Green Gate (Zielona Brama)), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• Tourist Information Point, Podwale Grodzkie 8 st. (In the tunnel near the Main Railway Station (Gdańsk Główny)), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• Tourist Information Point, Słowackiego 200 st. (At Lech Wałęsa Airport), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 PTTK Tourist Information, 45 Długa st (Just opposite the Town Hall (Ratusz Głównego Miasta)), ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 

Tourist Card

At every Tourist Information point you can buy the Tourist Card.

Within the "Gdańsk-Sopot-Gdynia-Plus" Tourist Card nearly 220 offers are available, including: accommodations, performances, concerts, exhibitions, souvenirs, books, amber jewellery purchase, dinners and other meals, water equipment hiring, car rental, paintball, Aquapark, visits in beauty salon, and entertainment.

Get in

Lech Wałęsa Airport

By plane

🌍 Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (Polish: Port Lotniczy Gdańsk im. Lecha Wałęsy GDN  ^IATA). West northwest of Gdańsk and not far from the city centre of the Tricity metropolitan area: Gdańsk 12 km (7.5 mi), Sopot 10 km (6.2 mi) and Gdynia 23 km (14 mi). The vast majority of flights to and from the airport are served by low-cost airlines Ryanair and WizzAir. (updated Sep 2018)

Transport from airport to city

Bus 210 — operates between the airport (bus stop: Port Lotniczy) and Gdańsk, and makes a stop at the train station, 35–50 minutes away. The fare is 3,20 zł if a ticket is bought from a news stand, ticket machine or Bilety shop, and 3.80 zł if the ticket is bought from the driver. Although the ticket has a picture of a tram on it, it is also valid for the bus. Make sure to get on in the right direction at the airport, because the bus goes into two directions from there. On the way to the airport, the bus picks up on the other side of the road, near the front of the Scandic hotel (look for the signs that have the 210 on them). From the tourist office in the tunnel, turn left, walk until you are outside and head right, go up the stairs, turn right, and the bus shelters will be in front of you.

N3 — night bus

Train — There's a train connection to the city center roughly every 15 min during the day (Airport stop: Gdańsk Port Lotniczy). Less frequent services in the morning, evening and at night. The train station is accessible from the west end of Terminal T2 via a covered bridge. Ticket machines are on the platforms. There are a few direct connections to the main train station in Gdańsk. For other connections to the main train station you need to switch trains in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz. Single tickets to the main train station cost 3.50 zł.

Airportbus shuttle — operates a transport service to Gdańsk centre for 9.90 zł (you can buy ticket directly in the bus). This is a direct line between airport and city's centre. Bus stop in Gdańsk is located in front of Mercure Hevelius hotel (it's 5 minutes walk from Main Railway Station). Journey depends on traffic and takes around 25–30 minutes.

Taxi — Avoid the unofficial, rip-off taxis who will pounce on you as soon as you have cleared security, unless you know how to deal with them. A taxi from the airport to the city centre should cost around 50-60 zł however will cost more in the evenings or at weekends. "Neptun" is an officially recognized company. Taxi drivers will be waiting in the arrivals hall offering fixed price transfers, 60-70 zł is not unreasonable for an evening (after 22:00) transfer to the centre of Gdańsk.

Private transfers — MPA Poland provides transport services around Tri-City and Pomerania region. An airport transfer from/to airport costs 100 zł up to 8 people.

By train

The main railway station, 🌍 Gdańsk Główny, is a beautiful historic building, although a rather confusing experience to non-Polish tourists. Information in languages other than Polish is almost non-existent. Ticket sellers at the Kasa may be able to help you in English and German, and there is a tourist information office at the back of the PKP station. The station operates as 2 separate stations, one for the PKP trains (intercity and long-distance journeys) and another for the SKM commuter trains. Each station has separate ticket offices and platforms; the PKP station can be accessed from inside the station and the SKM station is found to the right of the main station (do not go into the PKP station).

Beware of pickpockets and people who may try to intimidate you for money around the railway station, especially late at night.

PKP operates long-distance trains to other cities in Poland and Europe. Buy a ticket before you enter the train. It is advisable to write the name of your destination on a piece of paper and then show it to the ticket sales person, as other languages than Polish may not be spoken. Foreigners trying to pronounce the name of Polish destinations often cause confusion.

SKM (Szybka Kolej Miejska) operates frequent service between Gdańsk and Sopot and Gdynia, 35 minutes away. These trains are on the right side when entering the station. Tickets may be bought from a vending machine at the platform or from a ticket office in the subway below (access from the street or from the SKM platforms). Never enter these trains without a valid ticket and remember to validate your ticket before getting on the train as ticket controls checking passengers tickets are frequent. As a rule, tickets are valid for travel by one specific type of train only. Don't try to travel on a student ticket unless you have an ISIC student card, even if they sell you the ticket. The ticket inspector also asks for your student card, and if you just have a normal student card, they will likely refuse you.

By car

The motorway connects Gdańsk with Toruń, Łódź, and Katowice to the south. The connects Gdańsk with Warsaw and Kraków.

By bus

The 🌍 Bus Station (Dworzec PKS) is behind the main railway station. You can recognise it by the big letters 'Dworzec PKS' on top of the building. Buses can be used to travel to regional destinations that lack railway connections, such as the concentration camp in Sztutowo. Polskibus operates coach services from here, with direct connections going to Poznań, Wrocław and Warsaw.

By boat

Polish Baltic Philharmonic on the Motława river

Polferries operates ferry service between Gdańsk and Nynäshamn, just south of Stockholm, Sweden. The trip takes 18 hours and costs ~€70.

Stena Line operates ferry service between Gdynia and Karlskrona, Sweden. The trip takes 12.5 hours and costs ~€50.

Get around

By tram and bus

Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego, the City Transportation Office.

Trams and buses are cheap (3.80 zł/h) and frequent. Tickets can be bought from drivers, but it is easier to buy them from ticket machines (which are on most popular stops) and kiosks. The most popular website and mobile app for journey planning is jakdojade.pl. Do not rely on Google Maps for journey planning - there is no local transport data there.

Single journey tickets are valid until leaving the bus or tram. They cost 3,20 zł on standard services and 4,20 zł on night, fast, and night connections (line numbers marked with N).

Time tickets are based on travel time, so you must estimate the duration of the journey or have a few tickets extra to validate when your previous ticket expires. Time tickets are either valid for up to 60 min or up to 24 hr and allow any amount of journeys and changes within that time. The 60-min time ticket costs 3.80 zł on standard services and 4.80 zł on night, fast, and special services (line numbers marked with A or N). The 24-hr ticket costs 13 zł and is valid on all trams, buses during the day and on night buses.

All tickets need to be validated at the start of the journey.

By train

Use the commuter train (SKM) to quickly go to Sopot and Gdynia, ticket to Gdynia will cost 5 zł and Sopot will cost 3.40 zł.

By car

• Halorent Car Rental, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• MPA Poland, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Personalised private car hire with driver, or rental cars to self-drive. 
• As-Car Car Rental 24h/7, Stężycka 107, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Dec 2017)

See

Hall of the Main City (Ratusz)

Main city

The main city (Główne Miasto) is the historic part of Gdańsk and contains most of the sights. The Long Street (ulica Długa) and Long Market (Długi Targ) are two of the most beautiful streets in the city. They are enclosed first by the Upland Gate, then by the Golden Gate to the west and the Green Gate to the east close to the riverside. This entire stretch is also referred to as the Royal Way. Along those two streets there are many interesting sights.

• 🌍 Main Town Hall (Ratusz Głównego Miasta), ul. Długa 46/47, ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su. The old city hall (built 1378-1492) has a museum inside showing off a nicely decorated room where the town council once met and some historic exhibits about the history of Gdańsk. There are also impressive photos of the destruction after World War II. It is possible to purchase tickets to the tower, which offers a great view of the surroundings and St. Mary's Church. 12 zł adults, 6 zł concessions, tower 5 zł, Tue free. (updated Apr 2018)
• 🌍 Artus Court (Dwór Artusa), Długi Targ 43-44, ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su. Impressive mansion, a symbol of the city's power in the 16th and 17th centuries, served as an exchange and as the seat of St. George and the brotherhoods of rich patricians. Now part of the Gdańsk History Museum. 10 zł adults, 5 zł concessions, Tue free. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Neptune Fountain, Długi Targ. Statue of Neptune, patron of the city, installed in 1549. During World War II, the statue was hidden. In 1954 it was put back to its original location on the Long Market. 
• 🌍 Golden House (Złota Kamienica), ul. Długi Targ 41/42.  
• 🌍 Uphagen House (Dom Uphagena), ul. Długa 12, ☎ [phone]. Tu 10:00-13:00, W F Sa 10:00-16:00, Th 10:00-18:00, Su 11:00-16:00, M closed. Named after the merchant, Johann Uphagen, who bought this house in 1775. It was destroyed during the war in 1945, but completely rebuilt within ten years. In the 1990s, it was opened to the public. There are temporary exhibitions on the second floor. It is part of the Gdańsk History Museum. 10 zł adults, 5 zł concessions, Tu free. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Highland Gate (Brama Wyżynna). Also called Upplands Gate. It was built in 1576 as part of the city's fortifications. Once the main entrance to the city where the Polish Kings were officially welcomed.  
• 🌍 Prison Tower and Torture Chamber (Wieża Więzienna i Katownia), Targ Węglowy 26 (between the Highland Gate and the Golden Gate). The viewing platform of the tower is open in summer months. This building also houses the Amber Museum . 12 zł for admission to the Amber Museum, +5 zł for the tower.  
• 🌍 Golden Gate (Złota Brama).  
• 🌍 Green Gate (Brama Zielona).  
• 🌍 Motława River bank, Długie Pobrzeże. Impressive houses stand along the river bank. They can be nicely observed from the other bank of Motława. 
• 🌍 Crane over the Motława River (Żuraw), ul. Szeroka 67/68, ☎ [phone], [phone]. Opening hours for Dec and Jan: Tu-Su 10:00-15:00, M closed. The former port crane is one of the most well-known buildings in Gdańsk. It is first mentioned in 1367, but was rebuilt several times since then. During World War II it was partially destroyed again. In 1962 after final reconstructions it was turned over to the National Maritime Museum. It now houses an exhibition about the former port of the city. The mechanism for lifting the crane can be observed as well. 8 zł adults, 5 zł concession, 1 zł children. Last tickets sold 30 min before closing. Tickets available in the museum next door. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 St. Mary's Street (Ulica Mariacka). 
• Maiden in the window. 

Religious buildings

The huge St. Mary's Church

• 🌍 St. Mary's Church (Bazylika Mariacka), ul. Podkramarska 5. Open daily. Tower closed in winter months (around Dec-Mar) and at bad weather conditions. One of the largest Gothic churches in Europe and one of the three (almost equal sizes) second largest brick churches in the world. There is space for more than 20,000 people in the church. It is possible to take the stairs to the tower (78 m), but the view is not as inspiring as the one from Main Town Hall. The church also contains a large astronomical clock from 1464. There are tickets to visit the church and tickets to the tower, sold in different places. Apr-Nov: 6/3 zł including tower, 4/2 zł without tower; Dec-March: free (tower closed). (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 St. Nicholas Church.  
• 🌍 St. John’s Church.  
• 🌍 St. Catherine's Church.  
• 🌍 St. Bridget’s Church.  
• 🌍 Royal Chapel (Kaplica Królewska), ul. Świętego Ducha 58. Open only during Sunday mass. Differs from typical Gdańsk architecture. 
• 🌍 Oliwa Cathedral (Archikatedra w Gdańsku-Oliwie), ul. Biskupa Edmunda Nowickiego 5 (at the western side of Oliwa Park). Contains an organ built in the mid-18th century as the largest organ in Europe at that time with slightly fewer than 8,000 pipes. There are daily organ recitals which are generally free (with some exceptions). 

Other

• 🌍 Hall of the Old City (Ratusz Starego Miasta), ul. Korzenna 33/35. Built in the 16th century. Its most famous resident was the councillor and mayor of Danzig, Johannes Hevelius, who was also an astronomer in his later life and a brewer in his earlier life. The building is now home to the Baltic Sea Culture Centre. 
• 🌍 New City Hall (Nowy Ratusz). The current seat of the Gdańsk City Council. 
• 🌍 Memorial to fallen Shipyard Workers, Solidarity Square. Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers shot during communist regime in 1970 
• 🌍 Grand Mill, ul. Wielkie Młyny 16. Old mill (built 1350), with 18 water wheels up to 1939 produced 200 ton of flour daily, but now used as shopping centre. 
• 🌍 Günter Grass Monument, Plac Wybickiego (close to the train station Gdańsk Wrzeszcz). A statue of the author Günter Grass, who was born in Danzig, facing his famous character Oskar Matzerath from The Tin Drum. Installed in October 2015, six months after his death, and on his 88th anniversary. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Great Armoury (Wielka Zbrojownia), ul. Targ Węglowy. Old city arsenal from 1605. Great example of Dutch design with astonishing stonework. These days the Great Armoury belongs to the Gdansk Academy of Fine Arts and visiting inside is only possible during art exhibitions which are organised from time to time by the Academy. 

Museums

• 🌍 Archaeological Museum, ul. Mariacka 25/26. 
• 🌍 Tower Clock Museum, ul. Wielkie Młyny 10 (located in the tower of Saint Catherine’s Church), ☎ [phone]. M-W F-Su 11:00-19:00, Th 10:00-17:00. Part of the Gdańsk History Museum. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 European Solidarity Centre (Europejskiego Centrum Solidarności), plac Solidarności 1, ☎ [phone]. May-Sep: daily 10:00-20:00, Oct-Apr: daily 10:00-18:00. It's quite new (opened in 2014) center dedicated to the history of Solidarity (trade union which "fought" with communist government). Among other things, the building contains a museum and viewpoint at the roof terrace (freely accessible via elevator). There is free Wi-Fi in the building. Entry to the ECS building is free. 17 zł for exhibitions. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Gdańsk Post Office and Museum, ul. Obrońców Poczty Polskiej 1-2. M 09:00–13:00, Tu–Th 09:00–16:00, F–Sa 10:00–18:00, Su 10:00–16:00. There is a small museum which documents the events that happened on September 1, 1939 at the beginning of World War II. It also contains a small active post office. Even if the museum is closed, the square in front has a great (and free) series of billboards summarizing the start of the war. 8 zł adults, 5 zł concesssions, Mon free. (updated Apr 2019)
• 🌍 National Maritime Museum (Narodowe Muzeum Morskie), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail].  
• 🌍 Sołdek Ship (Museum), ul. Ołowianka 9-13, ☎ [phone]. Closed in winter. The ship was launched in 1948 as the first Polish ocean-going vessel and used as a coal and ore carrier. It was named after the "shock worker" Stanisław Sołdek. It is part of the National Maritime Museum. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Museum of the Second World War (Muzeum II Wojny Światowej), pl. W. Bartoszewskiego 1. (updated Feb 2018)

Further afield

• 🌍 Westerplatte (Take bus 106 from bus stop Akademia Muzyczna or 606 from train station to Westerplatte, the bus ride takes about 20 minutes and leaves hourly, check schedule via jakdojade.pl). Park with many information panels about the first battle of World War II that took place here in September 1939. You can also see disused bunkers and a crumbled command-post, as well as a large monument to those who fought in the battle. From the monument you have a view of the Nowy Port area and the lighthouse. The bus ride also takes you past the enormous (now defunct) shipyards. Free. 
• 🌍 Nowy Port Lighthouse, ul. Przemysłowa 6a (Tram 3 to Nowy Port, tram stop Latarnia Morska), ☎ [phone]. May-August daily 10:00-19:00, September only on weekends 10:00-17:00. A 28m high lighthouse built in 1893. It features a time ball which was used to synchronize clocks on ships. 10 zł/6 zł for students.  
• 🌍 Brzezno pier (take tram 5 to Brzezno, walk or bike along the coast with the sea on your right hand for about 1 km). A nice white-painted wooden pier. There is a small restaurant and an ice cream parlour. Free. 
• 🌍 Gdańsk Zoo, ul. Karwieńska 3, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Tricity Landscape Park (Trójmiejski Park Krajobrazowy). (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Wisłoujście Fortress (Twierdza Wisłoujście), Stara Twierdza 1, ☎ [phone]. (updated Dec 2015)

Do

• 🌍 Polish Baltic Philharmonic. Major orchestra for symphonic concerts and chamber music. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Gdańsk Shakespeare Theatre (Gdański Teatr Szekspirowski), ul. Wojciecha Bogusławskiego 1. Guided tours (in English and Polish) are available. (updated Jan 2016)
• Wyspa Institue of Art (Instytut Sztuki Wyspa, ISW), ul. Doki 1/145 B, ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su 12:00-20:00, M closed. Art Institute on the shipyard grounds. Exhibitions, concerts, performances. A bookshop, Zła Buka, has a selection of books on art and design. (updated Dec 2015)
• Swim in the sea. The water is usually cold. Almost all of Gdańsk's coast consists of sandy beaches accessible for recreation. There are multiple areas with lifeguards, food stands and bars; the most popular ones are in Brzeźno and Jelitkowo. A less crowded one is in Stogi. The beach that's the furthest from the city center (and thus not well accessible using public transport) is on Sobieszewo Island. 
• 🌍 Canoe-tour through the canals, ul. Żabi Kruk 15. 
• Play laser tag, Garncarska 18/20, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Great laser tag arena with four levels and a labyrinth. 
• 🌍 Walk the Mariacka street, Mariacka. Take an evening walk down one of the most picturesque Europe's streets. 
• St. Dominic's Fair (Jarmark św. Dominika). Large fair held since 1260 during mid-July and mid-August every year. 
• Water tram ride. ZTM offers a seasonal water tram service: route F5 Żabi Kruk - Westerplatte and F6 Targ Rybny - National Sailing Centre. A single ticket costs 10 zł. 
• Watch football ie soccer at Lechia Gdańsk, who play in Ekstraklasa, the top tier of Polish football. Their home ground is Stadion Energa Gdańsk, capacity 43,000, three km north of town centre.

Events

• "Cult" Film Festival (Festiwal Filmów Kultowych). Festival of esteemed films tqking place in June. There are many indoor and outdoor movie shows and concerts. Until 2017 the festival was organised in Katowice. 

Work

Teaching English is a possibility.

Buy

Market hall

Gdańsk is sometimes called the Amber Capital of the World. The surrounding area is the richest known source of this semi-precious stone, and the product can be found in many of the city's shops. The ones with insects in are much more expensive.

• Galeria Sztuki Kaszubskiej (Kashubian Art Gallery), ul. Św. Ducha 48 (near St. Mary's church: one block left when facing church entrance), ☎ [phone]. Hand-embroidered items in traditional and contemporary designs and colours including clothing, tablecloths, napkins, curtains, and other regional folk art souvenirs. 
• 🌍 Market Hall (Hala Targowa), Plac Dominkański 1. Fresh produce in the basement level. (updated Jan 2016)

Eat

Budget

• Bar Neptun (at the middle of ul. Długa (Long Street)). A milk bar serving hearty Polish meals at affordable prices. 
• Kafe Delfin, ul. Opata Jacka Rybińskiego 17, Oliwa (Take a tram 2,6,11 or 12 and get off at the Oliwa Pętla Tramwajowa stop), ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A charming, cozy cafe serving delicious apple pie and coffee. Try also cheap and tasty bread toasts. 
• Kafëbë Coffee&Bistro, ul. Piwna 64/65, Main Town (in between The Great Armory and St. Mary's Church). A cozy, regional cafe bistro with a view of the most important monuments of Gdańsk - the Great Armory and St. Mary's Basilica. Located in an original tenement house with a typical Gdańsk dome, one of the few remaining after WWII. Local products, drinks and dishes in traditional or modernized versions. Taste the riches of Pomeranian and Kashubian cuisine: Kashubian coffee, traditional cakes and desserts, delicacies (classic Kashubian Sunday dish), fish soup, baked fish, vegetable pies, dumplings and seasonal menu. The owners prepare their own preserves: juices, silages, honey and Polish wines. You can try them in prepared dishes and desserts, you can also buy a take-out jar. Kashubian beer from family brewery 10 zł. 

Mid-range

You can buy fish on one of bars on Motława River bank (25 zł/meal)

• La Cantina, ul. Długa 37/39 (up from Neptune Fountain), ☎ [phone]. Typical Polish restaurant. Try stuffed cabbage (19 zł) or the Polish sausage with sauerkraut (20 zł). They have heat lamps in the evening so you can sit comfortably outside. 
• Goldwasser (on the waterfront just behind Długi Targ). Hearty Polish fare. End the meal with a Goldwasser. (updated Apr 2019)
• El Paso, Stary Rynek Oliwski 7, ☎ [phone]. Mexican restaurant. 
• Pierogarnia U Dzika, ul. Piwna 59/60 (on Piwina), ☎ [phone]. Apparently known as the best Pierogarnia (Polish dumplings) in Gdańsk. This place is a large restaurant with an outside seating on the street behind the main drag (ul. Długa). Dzik is Polish for boar and this place is done out with all sorts of boar skins and stuffed animals. Try the specialty Pierogarnia Dzika (Wild Boar and Game Dumplings) - 22 zł, other fillings also available. Beer 9 zł. 
• Swojski Smak, ul. Heweliusza 25/27. Good value, nice food, in a nicely decorated venue. 

Splurge

• Restauracja Filharmonia, ul. Olowianka (in Philharmonia Baltica building), ☎ [phone]. 12:00-22:00 or until the last guest. "Molecular" cuisine in lovely building with great view on the river. Excellent service, but no vegetarian dishes. ~100 zł for 3-course meal. 
• Fellini, Moltawa area, near Hilton. High-quality Italian cuisine and top-notch service. ~100 zł for three-course meal. 
• Gdańska, ul. Św. Ducha 16, ☎ [phone]. An entertaining place to visit. The rooms are filled with antiques according to the principle less is not more, and the waiters are dressed like in the good old days. From 18-100 zł. 
• Tawerna Mestwin, ul. Straganiarska 20/23 (Old Town). A regional restaurant serving traditional Kashubian dishes. Pretty expensive, but worth it. 

Drink

Danziger Goldwasser, root and herbal liqueur which has been produced since 16th century is considered the city's drink (it is now made in Germany though). It's vodka-based, creamy and has small flakes of 22- or 23-karat gold in it. Cheaper alternatives include Gdańska Złotówka or Złota Woda.

"Gdańsk national drink" before World War II was Stobbes Machandel juniper vodka. After the war it was rejected and slightly forgotten due to association with German soldiers occupying the city, but today is gaining popularity again. There is a special ritual to be followed while drinking a shot of Machandel with a dried plum for a snack.

Bars

• Brovarnia Gdańska, Szafarnia 9 (on the other side of the river next to the old city). A mini brewery making their own really good beers in the basement of a hotel in restored 18 century granary. Food also served. Beer: 10 zł. 
• Buffet, Doki 1 (entrance through the Historic Gate at pl. Trzech Krzyży). 12:00 - 23:00 daily. A club on the premises of the famous shipyard. The interesting interiors are reminiscent of communist times. 
• Bar Shpinx, Długi Targ (Main street). Another bar on the main street. Beer: 9 zł. 
• Cafe Absinthe, ul. Św. Ducha 2 (in the theatre building, on the square), ☎ [phone]. A crazy little Bohemian bar, open almost 24 hours a day, frequented by artists, actors, freaks, among others, gets very, very crowded and people dance on the tables or on the bar. One of the best bets for an off night too - if there are no people there, there are no people anywhere. 
• Loft, ul. Młyńska 15 (near Jacks Tower). Nice late bar/club, no entry charges, free food late on weekends, good music and good young crowd. Beer: 6 zł, tatanka 8 zł. 

Sleep

Great Armoury

As the TriCity is in effect conjoined and there are good, fast transit links, you can just as well consider accommodation in Gdynia or Sopot.

Budget

• Dom Harcerza, ul. Za Murami (200 m east of Długi Targ). Simple but very clean and tidy rooms. Singles at 50 zł, double at 120 zł. Generous breakfast offered by the café in the back at 9 zł. 
• Baltic Hostel, ul Walowa 52 (~10-min walk east of Gdańsk Główny train station, 10-min walk from Molatawa river and old town), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Simple rooms in a one-story building near the old shipyard area. Dorm rooms at 40 zł, private rooms at 60 zł. Breakfast included. Free Internet (1 shared PC), coffee, tea.. 
• Gdańsk University of Technology, ul. Traugutta 115 (Take a bus 115 or 199 from Gdańsk Wrzeszcz railway station), ☎ [phone]. During summer University offers places in student dormitories. 50 zł/single room, 70 zł/double. 
• Old Town Hostel, ul. Długa Grobla 7, ☎ [phone]. Beds ranging from 40 zł/8 bed dorm, to 150 zł/double room. Free internet and breakfast. 
• Wolna Chata Hostel, ul. Krzywoustego 8, Oliwa (SKM from Gdańsk Główny to Gdańsk Oliwa station, once off the train head in direction Droszyńskiego street, then on the roundabout cross the street and go straight ahead for about 4 minutes and the hostel is on the left), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Free internet and breakfast. From 36 zł/night - please refer to website for up to date prices. 
• Grand Hostel, ul. Kołodziejska 2, Centrum, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Wi-Fi, warm drinks, breakfast, bike rental Please visit website for more information. 
• 5Point Hostel, ul.Podmurze 2, 80-835 Gdańsk, Śródmieście, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Local breakfast, comfortable beds and rooms with a good view Very affordable place to stay, visit website for information. 

Mid-range

• Hotel Willa Litarion, ul. Spichrzowa 18, ☎ [phone]. This small modern hotel is in the centre, just 150 m from the Długi Targ market. Comfortable, carefully arranged rooms with bathrooms have: TV, telephone, free wireless internet. From 255 zł per night. 
• Hotel Parnas, ul. Spichrzowa 27, ☎ [phone]. A quiet, small and elegant hotel located in the heart of the city. Rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated. From 300 zł per night. 
• Villa Palladium, ul. Czyżewskiego 20, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Hotel made from stones from all over the world with comfortable rooms and the bathrooms. From 180 zł per night. 

Splurge

• Qubus Hotel Gdańsk, ul. Chmielna 47/52, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Opened in 2009 Qubus Hotel Gdańsk offers richly equipped rooms with a breakfast, free internet access and view of the Motława River and the Old Town. 
• Hotel Wolne Miasto, Św. Ducha 2, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Helpful staff and central location. 320+ zł. 

Connect

Internet

Gdańsk provides an extensive network of public, free of charge wi-fi hotspots in public places, such as bus stops, parks, etc. clearly marked with 'GD@NSKwifi" logo. The map with all the hotspots is available on the project website. Free wi-fi is also available on all three major train stations, and in the majority of restaurants and bars.

Stay safe

If you take the usual precautions against pickpockets, you will feel perfectly safe wandering around Gdańsk. Gdańsk seems very well organized from a tourist's point of view. There are frequent police patrols and visitors usually get the feeling of Gdańsk being a secure and tourist-friendly city. Despite it's industrial heritage, Gdansk is a really safe place, and violent acts are rather uncommon.

In an emergency, telephone "112". This number connects to Police, Ambulance and Fire/Rescue services. You will be asked which of these three services you require before being connected to the relevant operator.

On the whole, Gdańsk is a safe place to visit and explore. Normal precautions for the safe keeping of your personal possessions, as you would in any other city, are suggested.

Go next

Gdańsk Bay:

• sea resort Sopot with the longest European pier
• sea resort and port Gdynia with the biggest Baltic port
• sea resort Puck

Many of the boats, to Sopot in particular, end up fully-booked and that you can't buy your ticket at the boat itself. This is a harsh lesson to learn when you have already waited in a huge queue. Tickets for the Sopot ferry must be purchased from an office directly across from the terminal. Also be aware that in Sopot you will need to buy an access ticket for the pier (around 5 zł, even if you already have a return ticket to Gdańsk) in order to board your boat back.

Vistula Bay:

• medieval town of Elbląg
• sea resort and medieval town of Frombork with the grave of Nicolaus Copernicus.
• sea resort Kadyny with one of the best European studs.

Kashubian Coast:

• Slowinski National Park with the biggest dunes in Europe
• sea resort Rowy
• sea resort Łeba
• sea resort Jastrzębia Góra
• sea resort Rozewie
• sea resort Władysławowo

On the Vistula Peninsula:

• the concentration camp in Sztutowo
• sea resort Krynica Morska

On the Hel Peninsula:

• sea resort Chałupy
• sea resort Jastarnia
• sea resort Jurata

Take the train to Hel. It's at the end of the peninsula opposite Gdańsk. SKM trains are the cheaper option. Train from Gdańsk Główny to Gdynia every 15 minutes and then SKM diesel to Hel. If you get the 09:45 from Gdańsk you have 7 minutes to change about 4 platforms across the underpass. The journey is wonderful - straight through pine forests and sometimes with the sea on either side. Single ticket costs 21.50 zł (get a 5.40 zł single from Gdańsk to Gdynia - and then the 16.10 zł single from Gdynia to Hel, just in case you miss the connection.) When you get to Hel have a walk into town - it's just a Polish beach resort full of holiday makers. You should have time for lunch and then get the hydrofoil from the end of the pier at 15:30. But make sure you buy the ticket from the office halfway down the pier or you could be walking back! The trip is 24 zł back to Gdańsk but it will be the best value trip you can get. It takes 1hr 50 min but the first hour is getting across to Gdańsk, then the next 50 minutes is navigating the canals back to the town centre. You could pay a tourist company for this trip - but the cost is in your ticket, you see Westphalia lighthouse where the first shots of World War II were fired, the huge ships and the massive remains of the former Lenin Shipyards.