2 days in Gdansk – perfect itinerary for first-timers

Spending 2 days in Gdansk and wondering what to see? I’ve listed the best landmarks, based on my recent visit.

Plan your trip to Gdansk – Quick tips

If you’ve got 2 days in Gdansk, you’re in for a treat. I just returned a few days ago and was blow away by how much there is to do here!

Gdansk, pronounced “Gddajnsk” has a unique history.

In 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Gdansk at Westerplatte and initiated World War II. 90% of the city was destroyed in the following years, but has since been rebuilt.

If you didn’t know, you’d never notice it, though. The charming buildings, streets and houses are full of rich history, Baltic architecture and vibrant local culture.

Ready to find out what you can cover in 48 hours?

Let’s go.

Best time to visit Gdansk

The best time to visit Gdansk is the late summer. I visited at the end of August, and it was busy but not crowded.

If you prefer a little more quiet, consider going in the spring or fall (May, June, September, or October).

Read next: 10 best day trips from Gdansk

Are 2 days in Gdansk enough?

2 days in Gdansk is enough time to visit the main attractions in the city center for sure.

You could even sneak in a quick trip to nearby places like Gdynia or Sopot.

But if you really want to make the most of those 48 hours, maybe go for a guided tour (⭐️ 5/5). It’ll help you get around faster and see the best landmarks without wasting time.

Read next: 30 amazing things to do in Gdansk

How to get around Gdansk

Getting around Gdansk is pretty easy.

Gdansk old town isn’t huge, so you can walk to all of the big attractions (except Westerplatte, which is 13 km away).

If you want to venture a bit farther or give your feet a break, there are plenty of options like the popular 2-hour sightseeing in golf cart (⭐️ 5/5), water trams, Uber, taxis, buses, and regular trams.

Get from the airport to the old town

Flying into Gdansk?

You’ll land at Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport, which is about 14 km west of downtown. Right outside the terminal, you’ve got a train station, and you can also take Bus 210 into the city.

If you’re looking to max out your time and prefer comfort, you can also book an Uber or a private car. The driver will meet you in the arrivals area and take you to your hotel. Super convenient!

Book a driver in Gdansk 👉 Gdansk Airport to Gdansk City

Where to stay in Gdansk

I recommend staying in the old town where the main landmarks are located. I stayed at IBB Hotel Gdańsk (⭐ 9.0), which is right on the main walking street (Długi targ).

There’s a great breakfast and they have a masseuse (I went there twice and highly recommend it!)

Check rates and availability here – IBB Hotel Gdańsk (⭐ 9.0)

2 days in Gdansk itinerary – Day 1

On your first day in Gdansk, explore the old town – there’s so much to see here, including beautiful historic buildings. It’s easy to walk so you won’t need public transportation.

Walk down Long Street

The first place you should go in Gdansk is Długa Targ (Long Street), which runs from the old city gate (white gate) all the way to the green gate and Motlawa River.

This route lets you hit major landmarks like the Golden Gate, Prison Tower, Neptune’s Fountain, and the Torture Chamber.

This is also where you’ll find lots of restaurants and live music.

Main town hall

The Main Town Hall is one of the first things you’ll see on Long Street (dluga street). This used to be the courthouse with a prison tower and a torture chamber.

You can visit the town hall for a small fee. And you can even head up to the top of the bell tower where you’ll get one of the best views in town!

Just a stone’s throw from Gdansk town hall and by Neptune’s Fountain is the Golden House (white building), designed by Johan Voigt in 1609. It has the richest facade in the city so make sure to look for it.

The Motlawa waterfront and Zuraw (great crane)

One of the top activities in Gdansk is walking along the Motlawa River waterfront.

First off, make your way to Granary Island. From there, you get an amazing view of the old town and Zuraw, this giant, old wooden crane that used to load cargo onto ships back in the day.

Then, head over to Olowianka. You can’t miss the AmberSky Ferris wheel and massive 3D Gdansk sign there.

Mariacka street

Mariacka Street, or as the locals call it, Ulica Mariacka, is a gem in Gdansk’s old town. It’s like stepping back in time with all those quaint old houses.

A little tip: Mariacka Street is famous for its amber jewelry shops. Make sure you stop into one.

Visit St. Mary’s church

The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption is the world’s biggest church made of brick.

We’re talking more than 300 tombstones, 31 chapels, and a 15th-century astronomical clock that looks like the one in Prague!

The real showstopper is the bell tower, though.

If you’re up for a mini workout (I mean, it’s 405 steps), go ahead and climb to the top for great views! It’ll give you a different perspective of Gdansk.

Amber altar in St. Bridget’s church

Next, walk for around 5 minutes to St. Bridget’s Church.

Originally built between 1394 and 1420 as a sanctuary for Solidarność leaders, the church was rebuilt in 1973 after being almost completely destroyed during WWII.

The reason you should visit is the Amber Altar, dedicated in 2017. It’s symbolic of Gdansk, which is known as the capital of amber. It costs a small fee to enter.

Visit the Amber Museum, amber altar, and other main sights 👉 Gdansk walking tour

Tower Clock museum

Right next to St. Bridget’s church is the tower clock museum.

The museum is located in Saint Catherine’s Church, the oldest in Gdansk, and it showcases ancient time-keeping devices and the world’s first pulsar clock.

The tower clock pays tribute to Jan Hevelius, a local politician and inventor who contributed to the field of time measurement.

Amber Museum

There’s a reason Gdansk is often called the world capital of amber. For centuries, artisans in the city have been crafting everything from amber jewelry to utensils.

The Museum of Amber offers a comprehensive look at this natural resin, showcasing everything from raw amber chunks to finished products.

Visit the Amber Museum, amber altar, and other main sights 👉 Gdansk walking tour

The Miller’s House & Love Bridge

This is one of the most beautiful places in Gdansk, so make sure to go here.

In front of the Amber Museum is the Miller’s House and the Love Bridge. Go stand at the bridge to get the below view – it’s so pretty.

Hang out at 100Cznia

100cznia is this cool hangout place at the old shipyard.

It’s made from stacked shipping containers that create a courtyard with a bar called 100cznia and various food trucks.

The place also has artificial beaches and stages, so you can sit and have a beer here. We did that and I really enjoyed it!

Gdansk itinerary – Day 2

Gradowa hill

Begin your day with a beautiful panoramic view of Gdansk from Gradowa Hill. It’s a little out of the way, but the view is well worth it.

The hill’s got a big cross that lights up when it gets dark, and there’s a 19th-century military fort up there, too.

Cemetery of lost cemeteries

At the foot of the hill is the Cemetery of lost cemeteries.

Opened in 2002, this memorial honors the lost dead of Gdansk, whose original graves were destroyed during WWII.

Museum of the Second World War

Gdansk has a lot of museums, so if you can only manage to visit one, make it the Museum of the Second World War.

Open since 2017, this place dives deep into the events leading up to WWII and how it impacted Poland.

Do yourself a favor and get tickets online to skip the queue. That way, you can dive right into the experience, which usually takes around 2-2.5 hours to fully appreciate.

👉 Book a guided tour of the museum here which includes a guide, skip-the-line ticket, and a visit to other nearby war sights!

Lunch at Montownia

Montownia is one of my favorite places to eat in Gdansk. I went here twice and will definitely be back for more Tan Tan Ramen!

MONTOWNIA is the biggest food hall in Gdansk with all sorts of cuisines. Think Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan—alongside timeless classics like Italian, American, and Alpine cuisine.

It opens at 11 and closes at midnight.

Polish post office monument

At the start of WWII, the Polish Post Office in Gdansk became a battleground. Attacked by an SS division on September 1st, 1939, 57 post office workers held off attackers for 15 hours.

A monument was later erected in 1979 at the site, depicting a fallen soldier and an angelic figure, reminding us of this often overlooked event in history.

Westerplatte – Where WWII Began

Earlier that same day, Germans had invaded Westerplatte, just 13 km from Gdańsk. This is where the first battle in World War II started.

You can visit Westerplatte by boat from the harbor or you can pre-book an organized tour, which is more convenient.

Pre-book a tour to Westerplatte – 2 hour private trip with luxury car

AmberSky

Now head to AmberSky, the city’s popular Ferris wheel.

Standing at 50m tall, this wheel’s got 36 cabins that can fit 8 people, and even a VIP cabin with a glass floor if you’re looking to splurge (it’ll cost you 250zł).

It costs 28zł for a standard ticket and just 18zł for kids.

I went late in the evening and I would recommend going before dark. Sunset would be a great time or just during the day so you can see the city from the top.

TIP: The footbridge connecting the old town to Olowianka island raises straight up in the air to let boats through every 30 minutes, for 30 minutes, so you may have to wait to cross.

Urban exploring at the shipyard

The Gdańsk Shipyard is one of the largest in Poland, and it’s also more or less abandoned. Go for a walk here.

The growing Imperial Shipyard Trail has 13 panels with stories and pictures of the shipyard’s history. It’s the perfect place for urban exploring!

Read next: How to plan a Chernobyl trip for a safe experience

Climb the Żuraw M3 crane

The M3 crane is Poland’s very first 360-degree viewing point, set atop a shipyard crane.

You can climb it if you dare – and from the top, you’ll see the Baltic Sea and the shipyard zones, especially the Imperial Shipyard, the Old Town, and the sturdy operational cranes against the backdrop of Gdańsk Bay.

See the Castaways robots

Head to the opposite end of the Imperial Shipyard to see the futuristic robotic sculptures called “castaways”, by Czesław Podleśny.

These artsy figures, made from car parts and machines, tell a story of shipwrecked folks coming ashore.

Created for Poland’s 30th free elections anniversary, these sculptures are all about human experiences and our consumer-driven world.

Read next: 10 great reasons to visit Poland

Hang out at Zuraf

End the day at Zuraf, another hang-out place near 100Cznia.

During the summer months, there’s a great vibe here at the old shipyard!

💭This trip was sponsored by Live More. Pomerania. As always, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

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