Gdansk is Poland's Baltic gateway, a Hanseatic port city on the Motlawa river with a rebuilt Main Town of tall merchant houses, the Gdansk Crane and St. Mary's Basilica. The city of roughly 470,000 inhabitants anchors the Tricity with Sopot and Gdynia and is the birthplace of Solidarity.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Gdansk.
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1
Long Market (Dlugi Targ) and Neptune Fountain
The Long Market is the wide pedestrian square at the centre of the Royal Way, lined with the Main Town Hall, Artus Court and the Green Gate. The bronze Neptune Fountain in front of Artus Court dates from the early 17th century and is the symbol of the city.
Tip: Visit before 09:00 or after 20:00 for photographs without tour groups. · Compare menus before sitting down, as tables directly on the square are typically priced higher than side streets. · Combine with Artus Court and the Main Town Hall, both on or beside the square. · Wear flat shoes, as the cobbles are uneven. · Watch for pickpockets during busy summer weekends.
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2
Main Town Hall (Museum of Gdansk)
The Gothic and Renaissance Main Town Hall houses the Museum of Gdansk's historic interiors, including the Red Room, the Great Council Chamber and the Mayor's rooms. The tower observation deck is closed for renovation in 2026.
Tip: Entry is free on Mondays, but rooms are busier, so arrive at opening at 10:00. · Thursday is open until 18:00, which suits a late-afternoon visit. · The tower observation deck is closed for renovation in 2026, so check muzeumgdansk.pl before planning around it. · Check the website for holiday closures, including 24-26 December and 1 and 6 January. · A single visit pairs well with Artus Court and the Foregate Complex, which are also run by the Museum of Gdansk.
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3
Artus Court
Artus Court is the former merchants' meeting hall on the Long Market, known for its Great Hall with a tall Renaissance tiled stove and a ship model hanging from the ceiling. The Museum of Gdansk runs it as a branch with period interiors.
Tip: Arrive on a weekday morning to see the hall with few other visitors. · Entry is free on Mondays, but the hall is busier. · Combine with the Main Town Hall, run by the same museum, to plan one itinerary. · Photography of the interior is usually allowed without flash, but confirm at the ticket desk. · Check muzeumgdansk.pl for holiday closures before visiting.
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4
Golden Gate and Dluga Street
The Golden Gate (1614) is the ornate western entrance to Dluga Street and the start of the Royal Way. Its allegorical statues and gilded inscriptions face the street, which runs east towards the Long Market.
Tip: Visit in early morning for an empty street and good light. · Photograph the gate from the Highland Gate side to capture the arch framing the street. · Look up above the ground-floor shops to see the original decorative facades. · Start here and walk east to follow the Royal Way in order. · Watch your belongings in the midday summer crowds.
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5
Green Gate (Zielona Brama)
The Green Gate closes the eastern end of the Royal Way and opens onto the Motlawa river waterfront. Built in the 16th century in Dutch Mannerist style, it now houses a branch gallery of the National Museum in Gdansk.
Tip: Photograph the gate in late afternoon, when light falls warmly on the brick. · Walk through to the Motlawa quay and look back for the best composition. · Confirm gallery opening hours at mng.gda.pl before planning to go inside. · Combine with the Gdansk Crane, three minutes along the waterfront. · Expect crowds in the passage at midday in summer.
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6
Uphagen House
Uphagen House is a preserved 18th-century patrician townhouse furnished as the home of the Gdansk merchant Johann Uphagen. It shows how wealthy citizens lived, with a Rococo hall, a Dutch kitchen and period collections.
Tip: Entry is free on Mondays, but the house is then at its busiest. · Allow about one hour; the rooms are small and a slow pace helps. · Check opening hours on muzeumgdansk.pl, as Thursday closes later and Tuesday is closed. · Combine with the Main Town Hall and Neptune's Fountain, both a few minutes away on foot.
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7
St. Mary's Basilica (Bazylika Mariacka)
St. Mary's is one of the largest brick churches in the world and the main church of the Main Town. A tower with roughly 400 steps gives a panorama over the Old Town and Motlawa.
Tip: Check tower availability first, as it closes in storms and high winds. · Climb on a weekday morning to avoid queues on the narrow staircase. · Dress modestly and keep quiet, as services take place in the church. · Confirm current ticket prices at bazylikamariacka.gdansk.pl.
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8
Mariacka Street
Mariacka Street is a cobbled lane lined with terraced stoops and carved gargoyle drains behind St. Mary's Basilica. It is known for amber jewellery workshops and small cafes.
Tip: Come in early evening, when street lamps light the cobbles and crowds thin. · Compare prices and ask for authenticity details before buying amber. · Visit shops before 19:00, as many close after that. · Look for the gargoyle drainpipes on the stoops. · Pair with a visit to St. Mary's Basilica at the top of the street.
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9
Gdansk Crane (Zuraw)
The Crane is a medieval wooden port crane on the Motlawa that once lifted masts and cargo. Today it is a branch of the National Maritime Museum with exhibitions on the port's history.
Tip: Wednesday afternoon from 13:00 is free, but expect more visitors. · Last entry is 60 minutes before closing, so arrive early. · Closed on Mondays, so plan another day. · Photograph the crane from the opposite bank of the Motlawa for the full silhouette. · Pair with the Green Gate and the waterfront walk, only three minutes away.
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10
SS Soldek Ship Museum
Soldek was the first ocean-going ship built in Poland after World War II, launched in Gdansk in 1948 as a coal and ore carrier. It is now a museum ship moored on the Motlawa with engine room, bridge and crew cabins open to visitors.
Tip: Wear flat, non-slip shoes, as ladders and stairs on board are steep. · A combined ticket with the National Maritime Museum exhibitions costs 39 PLN. · Wednesday opens only at 13:00 and Monday is closed; confirm hours at nmm.pl. · Visit on a weekday morning to avoid groups.
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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- Currency is the Polish zloty (PLN); this guide uses 1 USD = 3.8 PLN, so 38 PLN is about $10 USD., Museum of Gdansk branches share one website for hours and tickets (muzeumgdansk.pl); the Gdansk Tourist Card is described at kartaturysty.visitgdansk.com., Use the jakdojade.pl app for tram, bus and SKM routes; a 24-hour ZTM ticket was listed at about 22 PLN (~$5.80 USD) in secondary sources, so check ztm.gda.pl., Westerplatte, Wisloujscie Fortress and some branches run seasonal hours from April to September., Tourist information and event listings: Gdansk Tourist Organisation, visitgdansk.com.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Gdansk?
Two days cover the Main Town, the Motlawa waterfront and the Solidarity sites. A third day adds Westerplatte, Oliwa and the Museum of the Second World War.
Which museums are free in Gdansk?
Museum of Gdansk branches such as the Main Town Hall are free on Mondays, the Museum of the Second World War main exhibition is free on Tuesdays, and the National Maritime Museum Crane is free on Wednesdays.
How do I get to Westerplatte?
Take a bus from the main station or Bartoszewskiego Square (check jakdojade.pl). Guardhouse No. 1 is open from April to September.
Where can I hear the Oliwa organ?
Short organ recitals take place in Oliwa Cathedral, ul. Biskupa Edmunda Nowickiego 5; check the schedule at archikatedraoliwa.pl.