At the Heart of Gdańsk: The Main Town and Its Insider Tips

A fresh sea breeze, good food, and great sights: Gdańsk has a bit of everything and is a fantastic choice for a short city trip. In this article, travel blogger Tatiana will take you to this historic city.

Gdańsk in Poland often flies under the radar for travelers. This is a mistake, as the historic city is not only suitable for a detour to the Baltic Sea but also offers a wealth of cultural and culinary experiences. The only question is: Where does one begin? I'll share my personal tips and favorite spots in Gdańsk, beyond the usual sightseeing advice, so that you have a truly wonderful time!

Despite all its medieval splendor, the Main Town holds a secret that not everyone recognizes immediately: The historical charm of Gdańsk's Old Town isn't quite as historical as it seems! During World War II, Gdańsk's impressive center with its patrician houses was almost completely destroyed. However, in the post-war years, efforts were made to restore the glory of past days, especially by reconstructing the facades so authentically that Gdańsk's little secret is hardly noticeable at first glance.

By the way, my personal favorite street in the Main Town is Mariacka Street. It's actually a classic tourist trap with its many amber shops, but the narrow townhouses with their basement shops and romantic staircases are simply too beautiful!

Decision-making isn't really one of my strong suits, especially when it comes to food, and even more so when I am in Gdańsk. The selection is just too vast, too good, too exciting! Generally, Poland has become an absolute hotspot on the international foodie map in recent years, just like many other Eastern European countries, and Gdańsk is no exception.

As a mid-sized city with about 470,000 residents and an even larger number of tourists every year, Gdańsk offers a huge range of culinary highlights. Gone are the days when Polish cuisine only brought to mind extravagant meat platters! I'm sure you'll find it easy to discover a great café or restaurant in Gdańsk - but if you need a little inspiration, I can highly recommend these two locations off the beaten tourist path!

"I'll just list all the varieties for you!" I didn't expect such enthusiasm from the somewhat service-deprived Berliner in me. Stunned by so many exotic variations in a truly sugary shop, I hesitantly point to one of the colorful éclairs, unsure if I really understood the Polish sign correctly. Raspberry-Parmesan?

"Well, let's just start up here," comes the cheerful voice from behind the display. The staff at Eklerownia seem to know their desperate customers; patiently yet proudly, they present every variety to me. "This one is Earl Grey, this one is lavender with white chocolate, this is banana-peanut butter, and this is apple-caramel..." In the end, I settle on raspberry-parmesan, thanks to their advice, and what can I say? Go there, try it, and you'll understand why I'm now an absolute éclair fan!

To be honest, my tip for an elegant lunch or dinner doesn't look very special from the outside. Located away from the Old Town in an unadorned new building, it's simply named after the river that winds through Gdańsk: Motlava.

Inside, however, you'll find Polish cuisine with a modern twist reflected in its decor. So, if you want to try homemade pierogi or hearty cabbage rolls of the best quality, while avoiding rustic dive bars, then this is your spot! Motlava is a bit pricier than average but truly good and definitely not a tourist trap.

Following the motto "there's no bad weather, just bad clothing," I recommend taking a detour to Zaspa even in less than inviting temperatures. Because even under gray skies (or maybe especially then), the colorful murals that spread across the entire district are absolutely worth seeing.

Zaspa has a special history: Until 1974, this was the site of the former Gdańsk airport, which was closed when the current airport was opened. The vacant land was then used for much-needed housing, and the district of Zaspa was established. Many murals reference the aviation history of this particular place. You can even still see the former runway! This has been integrated as part of a main road into the current residential neighborhood.

In line with the communist idea, the residential blocks were planned to be very uniform: boxy high-rises, equally sized apartments, and a uniform layout. Nevertheless, Zaspa has always been a very popular residential area, regardless of the associations one might have when seeing the monotonous concrete buildings. A walk through the district makes it clear why: there are many green spaces, the streets are well kept, and all daily necessities like supermarkets or schools are within walking distance. A walk is also a great way to discover the many murals: it's best to make a little plan ahead of time! You can find a map of all the street artworks in Zaspa here.

If you're interested in historical contexts, you will be delighted here: Gdańsk is one of the hotspots of European history. With the invasion of German troops, Westerplatte is considered the starting point of World War II (for more, I recommend the Museum of the Second World War), and a workers' movement that emerged at the Gdańsk Shipyard in the 1970s challenged not only the political circumstances in Poland. The European Solidarity Centre vividly presents the entire history of the Gdańsk Shipyard and its influence on the political landscape of Eastern Europe.

It's also exciting to take a stroll on your own through the area of the former Imperial Shipyard. Equipped with many information panels, you can learn a lot about Gdańsk's history while experiencing genuine industrial flair among the old halls, most of which are still used commercially.

Tip: If it's not winter, you can even climb one of the huge harbor cranes and get a unique view over the shipyard.

A trip to the Baltic Sea is something you shouldn't miss while in Gdańsk: Long beach walks and the refreshing sea air are so soothing! Sopot, known for its endlessly long pier and elegant Grand Hotel right on the promenade, still exudes the grandeur of an old spa town. You can take a train from Gdańsk's main station to Sopot in just about three-quarters of an hour.

However, during the summer, you're rarely alone here, and if you prefer something quieter, I recommend the beach in Brzeźno. This area is still part of Gdańsk, is quicker to reach, and is much more peaceful. While its pier may be shorter than the one in Sopot, it is also free to enter. By the way, even in winter, a trip to the beach is worthwhile!