10 best day trips from Gdansk
Searching for the best day trips from Gdansk? There are lots of places to go whether you’re looking for WWII sights, nature, or cities.
Gdansk is an amazing city and you can easily spend days just wandering the streets and soaking it all in – that’s what I did for 4 days.
But Gdansk is also a great starting point for exploring other exciting parts of Poland.
Don’t have time to read the entire article?
This Door-To-Door Malbork Castle Tour is the best day tour experience you can get from Gdansk.
In this post, I’ve handpicked the 10 best day tours from Gdansk that you can take with Viator and Get Your Guide.
I’ve also included a top 3 for you below so you can see the best tours.
Let’s dig in.
This post contains referral links for products I love. Adventurous Miriam earns a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links. I appreciate your support ♡ Learn more
🇵🇱 Top 3 day trips from Gdansk
Malbork Castle Tour from Gdansk
Westerplatte private tour led by Expert-Guide
Gdansk Sopot and Gdynia 3 Cities Private Full-Day Tour
10 best day trips from Gdansk Poland
1. Malbork castle
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 from 18 reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6 hours | 🇵🇱 BOOK NOW
Did you know that the world’s largest castle is located in Poland? That’s right.
Malbork Castle was built in the 14th century by the Teutonic Knights, and it stands as Europe’s largest brick castle.
The castle spans three levels and will take half a day to explore. Factor in another 2-3 hours for the round trip from Gdansk.
A day tour includes a guide who will highlight key attractions, including the Grand Master’s Palace, St. Mary’s Church, and various exhibitions featuring medieval artifacts and the Amber Museum. You can also opt for a private tour.
2. Westerplatte
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 from 2 reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours | 🇵🇱 BOOK NOW
Westerplatte is where World War II started on the same day as the attack on the post office in Gdansk.
Now, it’s an open-air museum featuring a monument and the remains of barracks.
You can get there by bus, boat, or on a 1.5-hour guided tour. On the tour, you’ll be picked up from your hotel in an air-conditioned car.
On the way, your English-speaking guide will fill you in on the history of Westerplatte and the Free City of Danzig.
You’ll get to walk through the 1930s Polish military fortifications and hear the story of the troops who held out against Nazi German forces for seven days.
Note: The Westerplatte Museum is closed on Mondays and during the off-season.
3. Gdynia
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 from 31 reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours | 🇵🇱 BOOK NOW
Gdynia is one of the most popular day trips from Gdansk because it’s so easy to get to. Just a quick 30-minute ride on the train and you’re there.
Gdynia is a laid-back port city on the Baltic Sea, and it’s part of the Tricity area with Gdańsk and Sopot.
It’s got a solid connection to the sea, with cool spots like the old battleship “Lightning” and the frigate “Gift of Pomerania” that show off Poland’s history with boats and shipbuilding.
You can take a tri-city tour and discover the best of Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia in one day with this efficient private tour.
4. Sopot
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 from 31 reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours | 🇵🇱 BOOK NOW
Sopot is also part of the Tricity area, tucked between Gdańsk and Gdynia.
Sopot is known for having Europe’s longest wooden pier, great beaches, and a bustling main street called Monciak filled with shops and cafés.
You should also visit the crooked house!
5. Hel island
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | 🇵🇱 BOOK NOW
Hel peninsula is known for some of Poland’s best beaches and rich history so it’s a popular place for the Polish. On a day trip from Gdansk, you get to see all the highlights.
The drive will give you scenic views of Puck Bay and pine forests. Once there, visit the Museum of Coastal Defence, walk the Promenade, and see the Harbour.
Hel blends military history with a strong fishing culture.
6. Stutthof Concentration camp
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 from 22 reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4-5 hours | 🇵🇱 BOOK NOW
Stutthof was a former concentration camp that was established by the Nazis during World War II. It now serves as a monument to its victims.
On a guided tour, you’ll explore key areas of the camp and hear what happened in those locations. You’ll also visit the Stutthof Museum.
It’s an ideal day trip if you’re interested in WWII.
7. Wolf’s Lair
⭐️ RATING: 5 from 1 reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | 🇵🇱 BOOK NOW
Another WWII day trip from Gdansk is Wolf’s lair or “Wolfsschanze” in German – the former military headquarters of Adolf Hitler.
Located in a secluded area in East Prussia, the complex consisted of a series of bunkers, barracks, and other military installations.
On a tour, you’ll see exactly where Hitler coordinated several Eastern Front military campaigns and also survived the famous July 20, 1944, assassination attempt led by Claus von Stauffenberg.
8. Frombork
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: hours | 🇵🇱 BOOK NOW
Frombork is a small town with a long history, best known as the workplace of the famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
On a day trip, you’ll see the stunning Gothic cathedral that’s more than just a church—it’s a whole complex with museums and palaces.
One highlight is the Copernicus Museum, where you can dive into interactive exhibits.
9. Szymbark Kashubian Switzerland
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours | 🇵🇱 BOOK NOW
Kashubia, also known as Kashubian Switzerland, is home to the distinct Kashub ethnic group, who’ve lived in its untouched forests since the 7th century.
Gdansk is in the same region, which makes it the perfect day trip.
Szymbark is a small village tucked away in the heart of Kashubian Switzerland, and it’s worth the trip – especially to see the upside-down house!
Easy to get to by car, you’ll find stunning views from Wiezyca Hill and a chance to really get to know the local culture at the Center of Education and Region Promotion.
10. Warsaw
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 13-14 hours | 🇵🇱 BOOK NOW
If you’re in Gdansk, consider a quick day trip to Warsaw.
The Polish capital has got a mix of old and new that’s hard to beat. There’s history around every corner, from the Warsaw Uprising Monument to the peaceful Saxon Gardens.
So, make sure to wander the cobbled Old Town or check out the towering Palace of Culture and Science.
Like Gdansk, Warsaw is a city that has rebuilt itself from the ground up and is well worth the visit!
More posts from Gdansk you might like
- 2 days in Gdansk – perfect itinerary for first-timers
- 10 great reasons to visit Poland
- How to spend awesome 2 days in Krakow
- 30 things to do in Gdansk (+ hidden spots)