NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Gdańsk is on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay on the Baltic Sea in Poland
POPULATION Around 457,600
VISITORS PER YEAR Around 700,000
DAYTIME TEMPERATURES Jan: 30°F (-1°C); Apr: 41°F (5°C); Jul: 61°F (16°C); Oct: 45°F (7°C)
Although the historic center of this port city was devastated during World War II, meticulous restoration has recaptured much of the former glory of its cobbled streets and Flemish architecture.
Attractions include the vast St. Mary’s Church, said to be the largest brick church in the world, the Gdańsk Crane, the largest medieval port crane in Europe, and the elegant façades along Ulica Długa.
This historic city saw the first shots of World War II fired in Gdańsk Bay in 1939, and was also the home of the 1980 Solidarity trade union, the formation of which is considered a key moment in the decline of the Soviet Union.
Practical Information
Getting There
Lech Wałęsa Airport is 9 miles (14 km) from the city. Avoid taxi promoters in favor of transfer buses into the center. You can also get to the city by rail.
Trains arrive at Gdańsk Główny train station on the edge of the Old Town – the station is a historic attraction in its own right.
When to Go
Summer is the most popular time to visit Gdańsk, both for the warmer weather and for the city’s extensive festival calendar – the Dominican Fair in July is a highlight.