The gateway to the beaches of the Polish Riviera and once a major seaport for northern Europe’s Hanseatic League merchants, Gdańsk is a city framed by water and defined by proud maritime traditions. Famed as the birthplace of the European Solidarity labour movement in the late 20th century, its former worker neighbourhoods, islands and Baltic port districts have undergone a transformation in recent years.
To understand the city, you need to exploredistrict, which incorporates parts of the Gdańsk waterfront and its Old Town. The area’s pedestrianised is a legacy of the period before the 18th century when Poland had a monarchy and Gdańsk was one of the country’s three royal cities. Stroll past its mansions and former merchant houses, many built in the 16th and 17th centuries during Gdańsk’s Golden Age. This thoroughfare is also home to many major museums, including the which explores why Gdańsk is considered the world capital of amber. In summer, for a small fee, climb the tower in the nearby for the best view of the city. At the end of the Royal Way lies the lively Motlawa River Embankment, lined with cafes, restaurants and the brick-and-timber — a medieval port relic and symbol of the city’s trading heritage. Nearing the end of a two-year renovation, it’s set to reopen in spring with a new permanent exhibition inside. Across the river lies the Tickets grant entry to the museum, the Crane and several Bay of Gdańsk outposts, including the Shipwreck Conservation Centre.
