Introduction
Imagine immersing yourself in centuries of history, stunning architecture, and the vibrant atmosphere of one of Poland’s most captivating cities – all in just one visit. It might sound ambitious, but Gdańsk is a city that effortlessly blends the past and present, offering an unforgettable experience at every turn. From strolling through the charming, colorful streets of the Old Town to exploring the city’s maritime heritage and indulging in delicious local cuisine, this guide will help you make the most of your time in Gdańsk. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a foodie, or simply looking to soak in the Baltic charm, get ready to discover why Gdańsk is a must-visit destination – no matter how long you stay.
Saturday, 8th February 2025 – Our Weekend Trip to Gdansk
Planning and documenting a weekend in Gdańsk isn’t just about sightseeing – it’s about fully immersing yourself in the city’s rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant atmosphere. From the iconic landmarks you explore to the delicious local flavours you indulge in, every moment adds to the experience. On this unforgettable getaway, we dive deep into Gdańsk’s charm, blending cultural discoveries, maritime heritage, and Baltic coast beauty into a perfect weekend escape.
All costs mentioned are for two people, unless stated otherwise.
Getting There
02:55 GMT: Departure from Home
Our adventure began bright and early – well, perhaps just early, as “bright” isn’t the word that comes to mind at 2:55 in the morning! With the excitement of the journey ahead keeping us energized, we set off from home, ready to make the most of the weekend.
03:55 GMT – Arrived and Parked at Radisson Blu Hotel, Stansted
A short walk from the nearby car park (£51.49) brought us to security in no time. With the area relatively quiet, we breezed through the checks and quickly found ourselves in the departure lounge, ready for the journey ahead.
04:40 GMT – Breakfast at Wetherspoons
Before diving into the weekend’s adventures, it was time to refuel. We made our way to Wetherspoons for a hearty breakfast, treating ourselves to a classic combo— a croissant, a bacon butty, a refreshing pineapple juice, and a crisp pint of Poretti. It was the perfect way to kickstart the morning and fuel up for the journey ahead. The best part? A satisfying start to the day for just £21.49.
06:50 GMT – And We’re Off!
At 06:50 GMT, our weekend adventure to Gdańsk officially took off! Aboard Ryanair flight FR533, we departed from London Stansted (STN), eager to make the most of our getaway. The flight cost £95.96 for both of us, with an additional £33.00 for seat selection – well worth it for a more comfortable and stress-free journey. With excitement in the air (and under our wings), we were ready to embrace everything Gdańsk had to offer!
09:55 CET – Touchdown in Gdansk
We touched down at Gdańsk Airport at 09:55 CET, buzzing with excitement to kick off our adventure! Passport control took a little longer than expected, as every stamp in our passports was carefully checked. Once through, we followed the clearly marked signs to the train station, ready to make our way into the heart of the city.
Airport to Central Gdansk
10:30 CET: Train to Gdansk Bretowo Station
We made a quick stop at the ticket machine on the platform to purchase two single adult tickets to Gdańsk Brętowo station. The process was simple, thanks to the English language option. The total cost? A budget-friendly 13 PLN. Right on schedule, our train arrived at 10:42 CET, ready to take us one step closer to the heart of our adventure.
11.00 CET: Tram to Hucisko Tram Stop
At Gdańsk Brętowo, we quickly crossed the platform and hopped onto the waiting Line 10 tram. A simple tap of our contactless card on the ticket machine, and we were all set for the ride to Hucisko Tram Stop. The fare? An affordable 9.60 PLN – an easy and efficient way to continue our journey into the city!
Old Town, Gdansk
11:20 CET: Exploring the old-town
Stepping off at Hucisko Tram Stop, we made our way into the heart of Gdańsk’s charming Old Town. Our first stop? Ferber Café, where we warmed up with two rich hot chocolates and shared a delicious éclair for 46 PLN – the perfect sweet treat to start our adventure.
Fueled up, we continued exploring, snapping photos along the way. A must-visit landmark, the Neptune Fountain, called for a classic souvenir picture (10 PLN), followed by more snapshots at the model tram by the river bridge.
Strolling along the Motława River, we made a stop at the picturesque Mariacka Street, where we couldn’t resist picking up some local treasures – amber earrings for 45 PLN and a fridge magnet for 35 PLN. Continuing along the waterfront, we paused at the iconic #GDN sign, capturing scenic shots across the river with the AmberSky Ferris Wheel and Gdańsk sign in the background.
Crossing the river via the lifting bridge, we hopped on the AmberSky Ferris Wheel (78 PLN) to take in breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Before moving on, a quick restroom break set us back 5 PLN.
With time to spare before our next adventure, we wandered back across the river, soaking in the city’s charm, until we reached our meeting point for a pre-booked, one-hour golf cart tour – ready to dive deeper into Gdańsk’s rich history and hidden gems.
15:00 CET: Meeting Sonia for a 1-Hour Electric Car Tour
At 15:00, we met our friendly guide, Sonia, for an exciting one-hour electric car tour of Gdansk, booked conveniently through GetYourGuide for GBP 28.36.
The tour through Gdańsk was a whirlwind adventure, offering a fascinating look at the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. In just one hour, we explored some of the city’s most iconic monuments and attractions. Highlights included the stunning St. Mary’s Church, the historic Gdańsk Shipyard, and the impressive Golden Gate. We also marveled at the architectural beauty of the Crane, St. Nicholas Church, and the AmberSky Ferris Wheel, offering spectacular views of the city.
The tour also took us to peaceful spots like St. Bridget’s Church and the scenic Motława River, where we could appreciate the charm of Gdańsk at a slower pace. We even made a stop at Solidarity Square, a site of immense historical significance.
This guided golf cart tour was the perfect way to see so much of Gdańsk in such a short time – an enriching and thoroughly enjoyable experience that gave us a deeper appreciation for the city’s history and beauty!
16:20 CET: Check in at Fama Residence
After the tour, Sonia kindly dropped us off just a short walk from our hotel. We quickly checked into Fama Residence, a charming hotel nestled in the heart of Gdańsk’s Old Town. The building itself was full of character, perfectly located to immerse ourselves in the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Once we settled into our room, we freshened up and got ready to explore what Gdańsk has to offer after dark. The cost for our night’s stay was 304 PLN, a great value for such a central and cozy spot.
Evening Activities
16:45 CET: Bolt to Olivia Gardens
We booked a Bolt Taxi to take us to Olivia Gardens, the tallest building in Northern Poland, for 30.36 PLN. We had a pre-booked visit to the observation deck on the 32nd floor (32.20 PLN) and a dinner reservation at the Pizza Restaurant for 6 pm. However, upon arrival, we realised we had accidentally booked the wrong restaurant. Thankfully, the friendly staff at the front desk were able to accommodate us and find a table at the restaurant we originally wanted. It worked out perfectly, as it meant we could eat a little earlier, just in time to satisfy our growing hunger!
17:00 CET: Pizza Restaurant
We had a delightful meal at the Pizza Restaurant, starting with a shared Bruschetta as a starter. For mains, we enjoyed a classic Margherita Pizza and a flavorful Pepperoni Pizza, followed by a decadent chocolate cheesecake and a comforting apple pie for dessert. To accompany our meal, we sipped on a refreshing Polish beer and a delicious Clover Club cocktail. The total cost for this satisfying feast was 165 PLN
18:30 CET: Observation Deck
After our meal, we headed up to the Observation Deck to take in the stunning views of Gdańsk. As we looked out over the city, we admired the beautiful lights sparkling below, offering a breathtaking perspective of Gdańsk at night.
19:00 CET: Prosecco in the Tropical Garden Tiki Bar
Afterward, we made our way down to the ground floor, purchased a fridge magnet with the building on it, 5 PLN and entered the Tropical Garden. We stopped by the bar, where we were pleasantly surprised to receive two complimentary glasses of Prosecco. This was thanks to using the building’s app to collect points from our meal. It was a lovely touch that made the experience even more special!
19:50 CET: Bolt back to Old Town, Gdansk
We booked another Bolt Taxi to take us back to Gdańsk’s Old Town, with a specific stop at Flisak 76, a fantastic underground bar known for its themed cocktails (33.12 PLN). The atmosphere was unique, and we enjoyed sampling two different cocktails each. The total bill came to a reasonable 165 PLN, making for a fun and memorable evening in Gdańsk!
22:30 CET: Walk back to the Hotel
We left the bar at 10:30 PM and made our way back to the hotel, stopping by a nearby supermarket to grab some snacks for the walk. The total came to 15.19 PLN – a small but satisfying treat to end the night!
Sunday Morning Activities
09:30 CET: Old Town
After a restful night’s sleep, we woke up feeling refreshed and ready to dive into another day of exploring Gdańsk. We checked out of the hotel and headed back to Ferber Cafe for breakfast. After a bit of confusion with the order, we finally settled on scrambled eggs on toast, some buttered toast, and two hot chocolates to start our day. The total for our breakfast came to 96 PLN – a cozy and satisfying meal to fuel us for the day ahead!
10:30 CET: Souvenir Shopping
We spent the morning wandering through Old Town Gdańsk, soaking in the sights and picking up a few souvenirs along the way. We grabbed some fridge magnets for 50 PLN, a charming tea light house for 105 PLN, and a miniature replica of the hotel we stayed in for 115 PLN. It was the perfect way to bring a little piece of Gdańsk home with us!
Sunday Afternoon Activities
12:00 CET: High Five Bar, Hilton Hotel
Around 12:00 PM, we were craving a warm drink, so we headed to the High Five Bar at the top of the Hilton Hotel. There, we enjoyed two delicious hot chocolates (58 PLN) while taking in the stunning views of the city. It was the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the scenery!
13:00 CET: Bolt to Sopot
At 1:00 PM, we ordered a Bolt taxi to take us to the beach resort of Sopot (41.62 PLN). Once there, we strolled along the shores of the Baltic Sea, hoping to find some of the famous amber the area is known for. While we didn’t have any luck with amber, we did find some lovely sea glass. We also took a walk along the Sopot Pier, the longest wooden pier in Europe, soaking in the views and enjoying the fresh sea breeze.
We made a quick stop at some shops and picked up a couple more fridge magnets (27 PLN), then set out to find something to eat, as hunger was starting to set in. Being a Sunday, Sopot was bustling, and every restaurant we tried was fully booked. In the end, we decided to pop into McDonald’s, where we had a hamburger, a Big Mac, and two soft drinks, totaling 59.30 PLN. Not the meal we had planned, but it did the trick!
16:00 CET: Bolt to the Airport
It was time to head back to the airport, so we ordered another Bolt Taxi to take us there (54.12 PLN). The perfect, hassle-free way to wrap up our trip!It was time to head back to the airport so we ordered another Bolt Taxi to take us there.
19:20 CET: Ryanair FR592 Departs Gdansk Airport
At 19:20 CET, we boarded Ryanair flight FR592, bidding farewell to Gdansk as we took off, heading home after an unforgettable weekend.
20:45 GMT: Arrival at London Stansted Airport (STN)
At 20:45 GMT, we touched down at London Stansted Airport, marking the end of our whirlwind adventure in Gdansk.
Total Costings
Total Costs for the Weekend
After an unforgettable weekend in Gdansk, we tallied up the costs:
- GBP: £230.30
- PLN: 1597.51 PLN
Using an exchange rate of 0.20, 1597.51 PLN is equivalent to £319.50.
So, the total cost for our weekend trip came to £549.80, which breaks down to about £274.90 per person – a fantastic value for such an action-packed adventure!
Travel Tips
When exploring the Old Town, take time to wander off the main streets and discover the quieter, hidden courtyards and side alleys. These lesser-known spots often offer unique local shops, cozy cafes, and beautiful photo opportunities, away from the crowds. It’s a great way to experience the charm of Gdańsk beyond the well-known tourist attractions!
Finding Out More
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