When you think of Poland, the first things that come to mind are pierogi, long and complex names, Auschwitz, Marie Curie, and beer.
The most popular cities to visit are Warsaw and Krakow, but many people believe that Gdansk needs to be included too.
A lot of travelers tend to overlook it, which makes it even better for you. There aren’t going to be a lot of massive crowds.
If you’re in a massive hurry, you can speed through Gdansk in a single day.
But if you want to immerse yourself in the Slavic culture, visit some of the best museums in Poland, and try to eat some of the best food in the world, then you better schedule a couple of days.
Why Is Gdansk Famous?
Many people are familiar with the name Danzig, which is what Gdansk was called when it was under German rule. It was one of the first cities to be overtaken by the Nazis during World War II. The first attack on September 1, 1939, happened just outside of this city.
After the war, the Soviets and the Allied forces bombarded the town with air raids because they still considered it to be German territory. After that, people decided they didn’t want anything to do with the German style, so they rebuilt it in French and Duch architecture. Here are some of the things you must visit!
Dlugi Targ
Dlugi Targ is the most famous street in Gdansk. It’s also called the Royal Way or the Long Market. The road is relatively short, around 550 yards, to be exact. Most people can walk through it in less than a few minutes. However, the beauty is in the things you can experience on the road.
First and foremost, there’s the Golden Gate. It’s one of the most famous landmarks and is usually crowded during the day. Visit the Neptun Bar if you want to experience the true Polish tradition. These milk bars popped up after World War I to help the people get good meals for a low price. Most of them have closed down, but a few are in the city center. When you try out the cuisine, you can visit the top of the Main Hall and see the museum or look at the city from the top of the tower.
The Waterfront
If you want to time-travel back to the medieval ages, take a stroll near the waterfront. To feel the city’s true essence, make sure you cover both sides of the river. One of the things that will stand out the most is the Zuraw. It’s a crane that merchants used hundreds of years ago.
They used it to load heavy cargo onto ships, and you can take a tour to find out more about it. When you cross the river, there are dozens of little shops and restaurants where you can sit back and relax. You’ll also take a picture near the Gdansk sign if you’re a proper tourist.
Mariacka Street
One of the most extraordinary things about this street is the gargoyle heads. Whenever it rains, there’s water flowing out of them. It’s like a measure of how much rain is falling outside. The street retains its old look, and all of the cafés look incredibly cozy. If the gargoyles start spitting rain, you can quickly get inside a bar and drink some beer until it stops.
The Second World War Museum
Gdansk was the place where everything started. Even though the museum was recently launched, you’ll remember the experience for a lifetime. It’s a must-see attraction to commemorate the events that happened. Getting the audio guide is better because you can look at things at your own pace.
Usually, the entire tour takes about three hours to complete, and it’s well worth the time. More than 2000 exhibits are donations from families directly suffering from the conflict. As you walk through the installations, it will feel like you’re really there. The best time to come is early in the morning because there can be crowds during the afternoons and evenings.
The Amber Museum
Before being attacked by the Nazis, Gdansk was the amber supplier to Europe. The Amber Museum depicts the value of amber for the economy and all of the medicinal and magical properties that people used to think it had. Some collections are from the 16th century that has been preserved meticulously. When you enter, it will give you a Jurassic Park vibe. That’s because bugs trapped in amber have been preserved for tens of millions of years.
What To Look Out For?
When you travel, you want to immerse yourself in the culture you’re visiting. However, some people forget that they see a foreign country. Gdansk is a safe city, and no one will try to rob or mug you, so you need to pay attention to online security.
Polish hackers frequently make the news. Recently, they’ve targeted their government, Russia, and Ukraine. That’s why you need to be careful when using public networks and use a VPN.
A VPN meaning a virtual private network, will hide your IP address and protect you from multiple cyberattacks. You won’t feel a difference while you’re browsing, and your personal and confidential information won’t be put up for sale on the dark web.
