11 Best Day Trips from Gdansk, Poland

Located in the north of Poland on the shore of the Baltic Sea, Gdansk is a great city to explore nearby towns on the Baltic coast, massive street art neighborhoods, and the largest castle complexes in the world, to name a few. So if you find yourself in the city, here are some of the best days trips from Gdansk to make. 

11 Best day trips from Gdansk

Created in collaboration with other travel bloggers, this list of the Gdansk day trips offers some of the places to visit near Gdansk that are within a reach of 2 hours either by car or a train. 

Zaspa 

Zaspa is a neighborhood in Gdansk city famous for its 60 huge murals adorning tall walls of the Soviet residential building complex. Touring the area is a must-do if you are into street art. You can do it yourself or request an English language walking tour in advance. Whether you do it yourself or join the tour, seeing all the murals will take around 2 hours in total. 

The district is an open-air gallery called a Monumental Painting Collection that began in 1997 to mark the 1000th anniversary of Gdansk. 

The area itself has a rich history. Although the district is around 48 years old, its existence traces back to the 13th century when the area was a fishing village on the shore of a lake of the same name. At some point, it housed a military compound and an airport used for various military exercises or parades during its existence. It is also where Germans executed Polish Post Office workers when Second World War broke out. 

Apart from all this, Lech Walesa, one of the founders of the Solidarity movement, together with other activists, lived here and even established the illegal radio station – Radio Solidarity – whose transmitters were complex to locate thanks to the specific layout of those buildings. 

If you are not yet convinced, one more thing that makes Zaspa a must-do day trip from Gdansk is that the tour guides are the residents of this complex themselves, telling stories in Polish and English about the art and artists who worked on those mesmerizing murals. 

Our guide Jarek Orlowski showed us the best murals of the complex and told us great stories and anecdotes about each piece we passed by, including what challenges artists faced while working on them or what inspired them to create those massive murals. 

Joining a tour is optional but highly recommended. Alternatively, you can DIY your tour by following the PDF guide and a map created by the organization that curates the area. 

Tours in Polish are free and happen three times a week in summer. 

English tours are done on individual requests from May to October. Get in touch with them here.

Price for English tours: 185 PLN paid to the guide, no matter if you are alone or a group of people. But double-check with the organization. 

---

---

Sopot 

Gdansk, Gdynia, and Sopot (and smaller towns nearby them) form a metropolitan area called Tricity. Therefore one of the days trips from Gdansk you need to make is to Sopot, between Gdansk and Gdynia. 

In summer, Sopot is a famous getaway town for many Gdansk residents or Poles, in general, seeking seaside vacation. 

Although sightseeing in Sopot is limited, it is still a nice place to spend half or a full day. Relax at the beach on warm weather days, have a walk on the longest wooden pier in whole Europe, or enjoy a cup of delicious hot chocolate from E. Wedel company. 

Other sights worth checking out in Sopot are the unusually shaped Krzywy Domek right on the main Ulica Bohaterów Monte Cassino street or stroll down Jana Jerzego Haffnera street for a glimpse of lovely private manors and residential houses. 

ADVICE: always travel with comprehensive travel insurance that also covers COVID. I personally use SafetyWing. 

Gdynia

Immerse yourselves in the beauty of the serene port city, Gdynia, on a day trip from Gdansk. This modern city blends well with its picturesque port, making it one of the trendiest cities to live in Poland. 

Located close to Gdansk, it is popular amongst visitors seeking a relaxing beach destination. You can reach Gdynia by a 30-minute train ride from Gdansk Glowna train station. 

Gdynia’s port is also a sailing spot for many luxury cruises and yachts. There are many bars and restaurants lined up along the beachside promenade. 

Though the city lacks a historic center, you will find many museums that treasure the historical anecdotes of Polish culture and the city’s maritime past. The fascinating museum that has tales of Polish families is the Emigration Museum. 

To enjoy the views of the city’s coastline and the skyline, take a funicular ride to Kamienna Gora, a peak in the heart of the town. This is also a great place to catch the sunset views over the waters.

Recommended by Cheerful Trails

Malbork Castle

Nestled about 65 Km southeast of Gdansk, Malbork Castle is one of the top day trips from Gdansk. Also called the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, this imposing brick castle was built in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights – German Roman Catholic Crusaders. 

The Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest castle in the world by area – you would be amazed by its size. Therefore, plan about 3-4 hours to explore it and learn about its fascinating history.

If you are traveling by public transport, the most convenient way to reach Malbork Castle is by train from Gdansk Glowny. The journey typically takes about 45 minutes, but that may also vary depending on the type of trains you take. Alternatively, you can book this private transfer to the Castle from Gdansk, Sopot, or Gdynia. 

Opening Hours: varies by season and public holidays. Double-check here

Entrance Fee: Adults – 60 PLN of the castle ground and interiors with audio guide included. FREE on Mondays, but only Castle’s grounds, and you’ll pay for an audio guide. Check prices here. 

Recommended by Chasing the Long Road

Stutthof concentration camp

Poland is also home to hundreds of concentration and slave labor camps, among many fascinating things. 34 km away from Gdansk near the village of today’s Sztutowo lies Stutthof, a Nazi concentration camp established right after the invasion of Poland. 

Therefore, it was the first concentration camp outside Germany that started operation on September 2, 1939. It was also the last discovered and liberated by the Allies. It was also the most secluded and best kept secret camp compared to other Nazi camps, where even locals from nearby villages had no idea of its existence. 

Nazis initially used it to imprison Polish intelligentsia and leaders. But over the years, it became one of the most diverse death camps with registered prisoners of 28 different countries aside from Poles and Jews. An estimate of 63-65 thousand people of this and its subcamps died here for various reasons. 

It’s a known fact that Nazis were famous for conducting bizarre and inhumane scientific experiments on camp prisoners. Sadly, Stutthof was no exception. There was a myth that Nazis mass-produced soap made from human body fat for many years. Although there is no evidence of ‘mass-production,’ there IS small-scale proof of a soap made from human corpses from the Stutthof death camp. 

While visiting such places is not easy, it is still worth going if you are not fainthearted to experience, understand, and pay your respects to those who suffered here. 

After the war, most of the camp’s infrastructure was dismantled or destroyed. And in 1962, whatever was left of it was turned into a memorial museum. 

Getting there from Gransk is relatively easy. Regular buses are going to the site taking around 1:20hrs to get there. You will need to get to the Gdansk bus station to catch the one going to the camp. Look for the ones going to Sztutowo or Krynica Morska. The buses depart every hour during the high season and less frequently in the off-season. Alternatively, book a regular tour with a guide, transportation, all the fees included. 

Opening Hours: every day from 8 am – 3 pm; Double-check here

Entrance Fee: FREE; donations are welcome. 5 PLN to watch a short, 20-minute documentary. 

Wladyslawowo

For fun-filled day trips from Gdansk, find yourself heading north to Wladyslawowo. The easiest way to get there is by car, reachable within 2 hours. Although, it is also doable by train. 

Like other seaside towns, Wladyslawowo is a popular summer getaway to enjoy swimming at the beautiful beach area and activities along the promenade. Families with young children frequent the site, but it is also great for couples looking for fun. 

Wladyslawowo is a great place to visit in Poland with its all-around seaside location surrounded by beautiful nature, combined with some great local restaurants. 

Two of the top things to explore are the Ocean Park (sea-themed amusement park) and the Lunapark Sowiński (mini theme park), even if you are not into these types of parks. Alternatively, visit the lookout tower for 360 panoramic views along the Polish coastline. You can also see the port and many people participating in the local water sports from here! 

Finish your day trip with a bite at Restaurant Skipper for the best fish dishes before heading back to Gdansk. 

Recommended by Together In Transit

Krynica Morska

Krynica Morska is a small village located on the Baltic Sea coast boasting beautiful white sand beaches and many restaurants to try authentic Polish food.

Why is it worth traveling more than 1 hour from Gdansk to visit Krynica Morska? The answer may surprise you. It’s the boars!

If you are lucky, you can sunbathe on the beach with wild pigs. They often walk peacefully between the tourists. Some of them hand-feed them; however, local authorities don’t recommend it. At the end of the day, we are talking about wild animals.

The boars are not aggressive so you can take some photos with them. Because of it, Krynica Morska is sometimes called the Polish Bahamas.

Why do the boars come on the beaches of Krynica? They are simply looking for food. Their population is growing, and it’s easy to eat something when people surround them.

There is no train station in the village, so you need to use a bus or a car to get there. 

Recommended by Polish Foodies

Elblag

If you are looking for a charming city without crowds, you should consider Elblag for a day trip from Gdansk. Located just 60 km southeast of Gdansk, Elblag is famous for its beautiful lakes and jaw-dropping landscapes. 

Getting to Elblag from Gdansk is very easy and convenient. You can take a train or bus that takes less than an hour. 

Elblag is one of the oldest cities in Poland. Although WWII badly treated the city, you can still find its natural beauty and attractions in its central part.

Visit the Nicholas Cathedral built in the 13th century to admire the Gothic interior and climb up the tower to get the city’s best view. Another high building not to miss is the Brama Targowa to enjoy the view of the Old Town free of charge. 

Although it’s a small city, it features numerous historical buildings built in different structures and colors. And if you are curious about its history, visit the Museum of Archeology and History. And before heading back to Gdansk, enjoy a nice walk along the Elblag River in the evening.

Recommended by Dog Travel Buff

Elblag Canal

The Elblag Canal is the longest navigable canal still in use in Poland and one of the most interesting in Europe. It’s unique because of the particular choice made by engineers 150 years ago. Due to the almost 100 meters difference in height, it was impossible to build traditional locks. Instead, they designed a system of inclined planes where the boats are lifted out of the water and dragged across the land. Therefore, visiting the canal makes an excellent option for day trips from Gdansk. 

A trip along the canal can start from Buczyniec or Elblag. By car, the drive from Gdansk takes 40-70 minutes, depending on the chosen starting point. If you rely on public transportation, buses, and train routes, connect Gdansk to Elblag, which will probably be your starting point. Don’t forget to check the schedule in advance. Another option is to join a tour from Gdansk to Elblag Canal. 

The most comprehensive boat trip crosses the canal and part of Druzno Lake, an ornithological nature reserve. The contrast between the two areas is interesting to see. But the total length of the trip is almost 5 hours. Besides, you’ll need another hour to return to the starting point (transport by bus is provided for a small fee).

If you don’t have so much time, there’s a short version that only crosses a canal segment but can only be done from Buczyniec. A return trip would take around 3 hours. 

Recommended by Travel With A Spin

Torun 

Situated south, Torun is an excellent destination for a day trip from Gdansk. Torun is one of the oldest cities in Poland, steeped in history and impressive medieval architecture. Torun is also renowned for its century-long tradition of gingerbread making and the birthplace of one of the most famous astronomers of all time – Nicolaus Copernicus. 

Stroll the historic old town of Torun that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb the city hall’s tower to get a spectacular panoramic view of this picturesque city set on the banks of River Vistula. Check out the city’s most iconic landmark – Torun Cathedral. And last but certainly not least, visit the Gingerbread Museum and don’t forget to buy freshly made gingerbread! 

Torun is 170 km from Gdansk, and the best way to get there is by car, which should take well under two hours via a brand new motorway. There are also regular buses from Gdansk to Torun and indirect trains. 

Recommended by Raw Mal Roams

Kwidzyn 

Kwidzyn is a small town in northern Poland known for its beautiful Teutonic Castle, one of the best Castle in Poland. 

Located 90 km south of Gdansk, the town also has many old churches worth visiting. And if you’re interested in history, Kwidzyn makes one of the options to consider when thinking of day trips from Gdansk.

Initially built in the 13th century, the Castle has been remodeled and renovated many times over the years. It is famous for its enormous sanitary and defensive tower. In times of peace, the knights used a tall tower connected to the Castle via a wooden bridge as a toilet. However, they would hide in the tower during the castle occupation and burn the bridge, making themselves inaccessible to the enemy.

If you have a car, Kwidzyn is an easy drive from Gdańsk. The trip takes about 1:30hrs, and on the way, you can stop and see the old town in Tczew. Alternatively, you can take a train and make a stop in Malbork.

Opening Hours: Open every day. Closed on Mondays and some public holidays. Double-check here

Entrance Fee: Adults – 20 PLN with audio guide included. FREE on Tuesdays, but you’ll need to pay for an audio guide and follow the directions. Check prices here. 

Recommended by The Travelling Twins

---

---

Spread the word!