Top 10 places to visit in Gdańsk

1. Trakt Królewski (Royal Way)
   This is the main street of the old town, lined with colorful buildings, cafes, shops and monuments. You can start from the Golden Gate, a 17th-century archway that marks the entrance to the city, and walk along the street until you reach the Green Gate, a Renaissance palace that overlooks the river. Along the way, you can admire the Neptune's Fountain, a symbol of the city's maritime heritage, and the Main Town Hall, a Gothic-Renaissance building that houses a museum and a tower with panoramic views.

2. St Mary's Church
   This is the largest brick church in the world, with a capacity of 25,000 people. It was built between the 14th and 16th centuries and features a 78-meter-high tower that you can climb using over 400 steps for a spectacular view of the city. Inside, you can see the impressive Astronomical Clock, a 15th-century masterpiece that shows the phases of the moon, the zodiac signs and the calendar.

3. Museum of the Second World War
   This is one of the best museums in Poland, dedicated to the history and consequences of World War II. It opened in 2017 and covers an area of 23,000 square meters. It displays over 2,000 exhibits, including weapons, uniforms, documents, photographs and personal stories. It also has an interactive section where you can experience what it was like to be in a bunker or a submarine.

4. Dlugie Pobrzeze (Long Embankment)
   This is a picturesque waterfront promenade that runs along the Motlawa River. It is a popular place for strolling, dining and enjoying the views of the old town and the ships. You can also see the Gdańsk Crane, a medieval port crane that is now a maritime museum, and take a boat tour to explore the river and the harbor.

5. Ulica Mariacka (St Mary's Street)
   This is one of the most charming streets in Gdańsk, with its cobblestone pavement, Gothic houses and amber shops. Amber is a fossilized resin that is found in abundance in the Baltic Sea and is considered a local specialty. You can buy amber jewelry, souvenirs or even raw amber stones from the vendors on this street.

6. Solidarity Center Museum
   This is a museum that commemorates the birth of Solidarity, the first independent trade union in communist Poland that led to the fall of communism in 1989. It is located in the former shipyard where Lech Wałęsa and other workers staged strikes and protests against the regime. The museum displays photos, videos, documents and artifacts that tell the story of Solidarity and its impact on Poland and Europe.

7. Oliwa Park
   This is a peaceful park that covers an area of 10 hectares. It was created in the 18th century as part of an abbey complex and features various gardens, ponds, bridges and sculptures. The highlight of the park is the Oliwa Cathedral, a baroque church that has a magnificent organ with over 7,000 pipes. You can listen to organ concerts or climb up to the tower for a view of the park.

8. European Solidarity Center
   This is another museum that focuses on Solidarity and its legacy. It opened in 2014 and has a modern design that resembles a ship's hull. It has seven exhibition halls that showcase different aspects of Solidarity, such as its origins, its achievements, its challenges and its influence on other movements around the world. It also has a library, an archive, a cinema and a rooftop garden.

9. Westerplatte
   This is a peninsula where World War II began on September 1st, 1939. The Polish military outpost on Westerplatte resisted the German attack for seven days before surrendering. Today, you can visit Westerplatte by boat or by bus and see the ruins of the barracks, bunkers and monuments. There is also a museum that explains the history and significance of Westerplatte.

10. Malbork Castle
    This is not technically in Gdańsk, but it is an easy day trip from the city. Malbork Castle is one of the largest and most impressive castles in Europe. It was built in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights, a German crusader order, and served as their headquarters and fortress. It covers an area of 21 hectares and has over 40 towers, walls and gates. You can explore the castle with a guided tour or an audio guide and see the various rooms, halls, chapels and museums.

These are some of the top ten places to visit in Gdańsk, but there are many more to discover. I hope you enjoy your trip to this wonderful city! 😊