Gdansk Old Town (Gdańsk Stare Miasto)
Gdansk, POL
With its tall, colorful gabled houses, lazy river, and cobbled streets, Gdańsk Old Town (Gdańsk Stare Miasto) looks more akin to the Netherlands than the rest of Poland. Yet as you immerse yourself in the district’s museums, bars, restaurants, amber stores, and souvenir shops, you’ll find that the culture here is quintessentially Polish.
Many travelers start their Old Town explorations at Długi Targ (Long Market), home to Neptune’s Fountain, the Gothic-Renaissance town hall, and a host of restaurants and bars. But a cruise along the Motława River is an equally atmospheric way to see sights such as the Crane, a medieval crane lovingly reconstructed after World War II that can lift 2.2 tons (2 tonnes) using human power alone.
Gdańsk Old Town tours can be a great way to discover more of the city’s heritage and architecture. Walking tours often focus on the historical side of things, while street food tours, craft beer crawls, and vodka tastings are a fabulous way to discover the town’s vibrant culinary scene.
- Gdańsk Old Town is a must for any visitor to Gdańsk.
- Much of the Old Town is pedestrianized, so you can leave the car behind.
- Although sidewalks are smooth and the terrain is flat, cobbled streets and often unadapted heritage buildings mean Gdańsk Old Town is not the easiest destination for travelers who rely on wheelchairs.
Gdańsk Old Town is the beating heart of Gdańsk city. From the main Gdańsk Główny railway station, it’s about a 10-minute walk south. The nearest airport is Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport; trains run from the airport to Gdańsk Główny via the Gdańsk Wrzeszcz railway station, while the line 10 bus also links Gdańsk Główny and the airport.
Most travelers will find Gdańsk’s temperate climate is at its best during the summer and fall shoulder season—roughly June through September. From the second half of November to just before Christmas Day, a pretty Christmas market takes over swathes of the Old Town. If you’re lucky enough to get snow, it’s magical.
A Hanseatic trading city, Gdańsk was built around the water, and seeing the Old Town from the river delivers a fresh perspective. River cruises in boats sized from tiny yachts to substantial pirate ships are available, with historic Polish barges a particularly authentic option. You can also try your hand at kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
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