Gdansk in 7 days

Poland's gorgeous Baltic port: a rebuilt golden-age old town, amber, maritime history and seaside escapes. Best time to visit: May-September. Average daily budget: $70 to $120 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Główne Miasto (Main Town), The showpiece rebuilt old town with the Long Market, ornate facades and the iconic medieval crane.

Morning: The Royal Way & Long Market. Walk the grand main street past Neptune's Fountain and the ornate Artus Court to the Green Gate.

Afternoon: Explore Główne Miasto (Main Town), The showpiece rebuilt old town with the Long Market, ornate facades and the iconic medieval crane.

Evening: European Solidarity Centre. Explore the powerful museum at the shipyard where the Solidarity movement helped end communism.

Eat: Pierogi, Polish dumplings with sweet or savoury fillings

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Stare Miasto (Old Town), The quieter northern old town with the Great Mill, churches and the Solidarity sites nearby.

Morning: Museum of the Second World War. Tour the acclaimed, deeply moving museum near the riverside.

Afternoon: Explore Stare Miasto (Old Town), The quieter northern old town with the Great Mill, churches and the Solidarity sites nearby.

Evening: Riverside crane & amber. See the giant medieval port crane and browse amber, the 'Baltic gold', along Mariacka street.

Eat: Fresh Baltic fish, especially fried herring and cod

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Granary Island (Wyspa Spichrzów), A revitalised river island of restaurants, hotels and waterfront promenades opposite the old town.

Morning: The atmospheric, gargoyle-lined Mariacka street, the best place to browse amber.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Granary Island (Wyspa Spichrzów), A revitalised river island of restaurants, hotels and waterfront promenades opposite the old town.

Evening: The view from St Mary's Church tower, one of the world's largest brick churches.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Żurek, a sour rye soup served in a bread bowl

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Sopot, The elegant seaside resort up the coast, with Europe's longest wooden pier and sandy beaches.

Morning: A boat trip down the Motława River to the Westerplatte WWII site.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Sopot, The elegant seaside resort up the coast, with Europe's longest wooden pier and sandy beaches.

Evening: Sunset and fresh fish on the beach at nearby Sopot or Gdansk Brzeźno.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Goldwasser, the local herbal liqueur flecked with gold leaf

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Główne Miasto (Main Town), The showpiece rebuilt old town with the Long Market, ornate facades and the iconic medieval crane.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Główne Miasto (Main Town), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Główne Miasto (Main Town), The showpiece rebuilt old town with the Long Market, ornate facades and the iconic medieval crane.

Evening: Dinner at Pierogi, Polish dumplings with sweet or savoury fillings, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Główne Miasto (Main Town).

Eat: Pierogi, Polish dumplings with sweet or savoury fillings

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Stare Miasto (Old Town), The quieter northern old town with the Great Mill, churches and the Solidarity sites nearby.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Stare Miasto (Old Town), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Stare Miasto (Old Town), The quieter northern old town with the Great Mill, churches and the Solidarity sites nearby.

Evening: Dinner at Fresh Baltic fish, especially fried herring and cod, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Stare Miasto (Old Town).

Eat: Fresh Baltic fish, especially fried herring and cod

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Granary Island (Wyspa Spichrzów), A revitalised river island of restaurants, hotels and waterfront promenades opposite the old town.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Granary Island (Wyspa Spichrzów), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Granary Island (Wyspa Spichrzów), A revitalised river island of restaurants, hotels and waterfront promenades opposite the old town.

Evening: Dinner at Żurek, a sour rye soup served in a bread bowl, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Granary Island (Wyspa Spichrzów).

Eat: Żurek, a sour rye soup served in a bread bowl

Hidden gems

The atmospheric, gargoyle-lined Mariacka street, the best place to browse amber.
The view from St Mary's Church tower, one of the world's largest brick churches.
A boat trip down the Motława River to the Westerplatte WWII site.
Sunset and fresh fish on the beach at nearby Sopot or Gdansk Brzeźno.

Getting around

Gdansk's old town is compact and best explored on foot. The SKM commuter train links Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia (the 'Tricity') quickly and cheaply, making the beaches easy day trips, and trams and buses cover the wider city. The airport connects by train or bus in around 30 minutes, and ride-hailing apps are cheap and widely used.

Safety

Gdansk is very safe and excellent for solo travellers including women, day and night. Violent crime is rare and the old town feels relaxed and welcoming. The main caution is minor pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas and occasional rowdy stag groups in summer, so use normal city sense and you'll have no trouble.

Gdansk in 3 days | Gdansk in 5 days | Full Gdansk guide