There is no doubt that Gdansk has been an important city historically. But is it still worth visiting for travelers today, or is it better to focus on other Polish cities?
We definitely think Gdansk is worth visiting. It’s one of the most interesting destinations in Poland, probably only surpassed by Krakow, a city that is significantly different anyway.
Let’s look at some reasons why you should visit Gdansk – along with some reasons not to visit, just to see things from both sides.
Contents
Why you should visit Gdansk
- Easily accessible by flight or train
- Beautiful city center
- A historically significant city
- Beaches nearby
- Cheap public transport
- Affordable hotels and holiday apartments
- Generally very safe
Why you should skip Gdansk
We don’t actually think you should skip Gdansk. But like any place, it has a couple of downsides.
- Lack of English skills (or unwillingness to speak it)
- Restaurants are just OK – not amazing
- It can be hard to fit Gdansk into a Polish itinerary due to the northern location
- Cold weather from October to March
How many days should you spend in Gdansk?
If you are into sightseeing and history, make sure you spend at least 3 days in Gdansk. The sweet spot is probably 5 days. That allows you to see all the main museums and to properly enjoy the architecture of the city.
If you like to party, you can consider adding a few days – and make sure you spend a weekend in Gdansk since Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the most active days by default. The city has decent nightlife. The same can be said for Sopot, a nearby resort.
Speaking of Sopot, if you want to go to the beach in some of the areas in the vicinity of Gdansk, you may also want to add an extra day or two.
So to conclude: 3-5 days is ideal for sightseeing. Add a day or two if you want to party or if you plan to go to the beach in the summer months.
Gdansk is a cheap city to visit (by European standards), so a long trip to the city won’t cost you too much.
Alternative destinations to Gdansk
Other cities on the Baltic coast are the ideal alternatives to Gdansk. These would be Kolobrzeg and Szczecin in Poland, Kaliningrad in Russia, and Klaipeda or Palanga in Lithuania. Possibly Riga in Latvia or Rostock in Germany as well.
Of these options, Gdansk is probably the best option, with only Riga rivaling it culturally.
Other Polish cities can also be considered if you are coming to experience modern Polish culture and interact with Polish people. Warsaw and Krakow are the best options here, but Wroclaw can also be considered. We don’t think there are any other Polish cities that should be considered over Gdansk as a tourist destination – and possibly not even Warsaw or Wroclaw.
However, you may want to do a trip around Poland. If so, Gdansk can be one of several destinations, and this gives you a great chance to really experience this country.
Conclusion
Is Gdansk worth visiting? Clearly yes. It’s a city rich in culture and history, and it is very beautiful to visit. There are many tourist attractions and there are some other fun things to do as well – a decent nightlife, nearby beaches, and restaurants all over.
One of the main selling points is that Gdansk is a very affordable destination. Just check the prices on any booking sites – you won’t find prices like that in Western Europe.
If we had to recommend one hotel in Gdansk, it would be the Qubus Hotel. Centrally located, authentic and really comfy. Affordable as well. Just a great deal all around.
Read our other articles about Gdansk and Poland for more inspiration. It’s an exciting country to visit, so make sure you do it eventually.
