Cheap flights to Gdańsk

Quick summary

Why track Gdańsk with SniperAir

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Airport and getting into town

An airport about 12 km out, with its own railway station

Distances and times are approximate, from Wikivoyage (EN, DE) and Wikipedia (FR, DE); schedules change, so check them before you travel. We do not quote fares.

Gdańsk has about 487,000 residents (Wikipedia DE, EN) and forms the Tricity (Trójmiasto) with Sopot and Gdynia, a conurbation of well over a million people. Wikipedia (EN, ES) dates the first written record to 997, around the mouth of the Motława on Gdańsk Bay. Wikivoyage (DE) lists Malbork and the Hel Peninsula among the usual day trips.

Landmarks

The Long Market, the Motława crane, Mariacka Street and the quays

Gdańsk was a Hanseatic League port and once the biggest and richest city in the Polish kingdom, says Wikivoyage (EN). The city lay almost entirely in ruins at the end of the Second World War, and the old town has been painstakingly rebuilt. The places below are illustrated; St. Mary's Church, Westerplatte and Oliwa are described at the end of the section.

The crane and the Motława

The old port crane (Żuraw) is first mentioned in 1367 and is one of the best-known buildings in Gdańsk, says Wikivoyage (EN). Partly destroyed in the war and rebuilt, it was handed to the National Maritime Museum in 1962 and now houses an exhibition on the former port. Its two brick towers are reflected in the river, lined with the houses of former merchants.

Neptune and the Long Market

Neptune's Fountain stands on the Long Market (Długi Targ) and ranks with the Town Hall, the Green Gate and Artus Court among the city's best-known landmarks, per Wikipedia (EN). The Long Market and Long Street together form the Royal Way, the longest surviving medieval urban axis, says Wikivoyage (DE). The narrow decorated facades recall the city's merchant golden age.

Mariacka Street

Mariacka Street, listed by Wikipedia (FR) among the city's most important monuments, is a cobbled lane lined with houses with front stoops; Wikivoyage (DE) lists it among the craft streets, and amber is a signature product, Gdańsk being nicknamed the world capital of amber (Wikipedia FR).

The Motława quays

The quays, the crane and the gabled houses make up the best-known image of Gdańsk. Wikivoyage (EN) notes excursion boats here and, from April to November, water trams to the Hel Peninsula leave from the Green Gate (Wikivoyage DE). A large old-style sailing ship is sometimes moored for pleasure cruises.

St. Mary's, Westerplatte and Oliwa

St. Mary's Church is the largest brick church in the Baltic region per Wikivoyage (DE) and one of the largest brick churches in the world per Wikipedia (EN); it was built to hold 25,000 people (Wikivoyage DE). Westerplatte, where the first battle of the Second World War took place in September 1939, is a memorial park about 20 minutes away by bus, says Wikivoyage (EN). Oliwa, to the north, adds its former cathedral and Abbots' Palace (Wikipedia FR, ES).

Museums and culture

The Museum of the Second World War and the European Solidarity Centre

Museum of the Second World War

Housed in an unusual skewed building, the Museum of the Second World War recreates a Polish street of 1930 and a shell-damaged scene with a T-34 tank, according to Wikivoyage (EN). It is closed on Mondays per the same source; check opening hours.

Solidarity and recent history

Gdańsk is the birthplace of the Solidarity movement, led by Lech Wałęsa, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 and became Poland's first post-communist president, says Wikivoyage (EN). The European Solidarity Centre, listed by Wikipedia (EN), tells the story of the movement that helped bring down the regime; Wikipedia (ES) mentions the shipyard where it was born.

The National Maritime Museum

The museum runs, among other sites, the port crane and the Sołdek, Poland's first ocean-going vessel, launched in 1948 and closed in winter according to Wikivoyage (EN). Wikivoyage (DE) also mentions a 90-day pass covering the city's museums. We do not quote fares because they change.

Food and drink

River fish, pierogi, pancake bars and Goldwasser

Fish and home cooking

Wikivoyage (EN) notes fish stalls on the Motława riverbank and many places serving traditional Polish food: pierogi, home-style dishes, steak tartare. Restaurants on the Long Market and Szeroka Street are busy in summer.

Goldwasser and drinks

Danziger Goldwasser, a root and herbal liqueur flecked with gold and produced since the 16th century, is considered the city's drink according to Wikivoyage (EN, DE); it is now made in Germany. Machandel juniper vodka is regaining popularity (Wikivoyage EN). Craft breweries across the river complete the picture.

St. Dominic's Fair

The Jarmark św. Dominika, a fair running for three weeks from the last weekend of July, has a tradition of almost 750 years and draws millions of visitors according to Wikivoyage (DE); food stalls concentrate around Targ Węglowy, Targ Rybny and Szeroka Street.

Getting around

On foot in the centre, trams and fast rail to Sopot and Gdynia

On foot and by bike

The old town is an easy walk from the main station, with the Royal Way linking the main sights (Wikivoyage DE). Cobbles and stoops call for good shoes.

Tram, bus and SKM

Trams and a dense bus network complement the fast SKM rail link between Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia, per Wikivoyage (DE) and Wikipedia (DE). Wikivoyage (DE) recommends a 72-hour ticket covering the Tricity.

Boats and beaches

In season, boats leave the Green Gate for Hel; the beaches of Gdańsk Bay (Brzeźno, Stogi, Jelitkowo) are well-equipped tourist areas, very busy in high summer according to Wikivoyage (DE).

Budget and precautions

A large port city that is good value, with prices to check by season

Price level

Wikivoyage (EN) lists a wide range, from cheap bars to pricier restaurants. We give no figures because we could not cross-check them on two independent open sources; prices vary with the season and neighbourhood.

Busy periods

Beaches and quays are packed in summer, and St. Dominic's Fair draws crowds in July and August. Book early.

Flying and precautions

SniperAir tracks prices to GDN and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets. Check entry requirements for Poland for your nationality with the official authorities. At the Baltic seaside, obey bathing flags and local instructions.

When to go

Mild summers and cold winters: May to September for beaches and terraces

Gdańsk sits between oceanic and continental climates according to Wikipedia (EN, DE), with cold winters and mild summers. We give no detailed monthly averages because sources differ.

By length of stay

What to do in Gdańsk depending on how long you stay

In pictures

Gdańsk in pictures

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about flights to Gdańsk