How to Spend 2 Days in Gdansk, Poland – Solo Female Guide
I chose to visit Poland for my first solo trip for a variety of reasons. It’s safe, it’s affordable, there’s lots of history and culture to explore, and it’s easy to get around. I spent 3 days in Krakow before heading to Gdansk for 2 days. While Krakow was lovely (and I want to go back!), Gdansk was where I really started to feel confident traveling solo. The Old Town of Gdansk is very walkable, the people were friendly, and it was easy to do lots of activities solo. If you’re looking for how to spend 2 days in Gdansk (especially as a solo female traveler), this itinerary will help you plan the perfect trip!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
[RELATED: Solo female guide to 3 days in Krakow]
A Very Brief History of Gdansk
For a little background, Gdansk (formerly known as Danzig) dates back over a thousand years. During the Middle Ages, it became an important center for shipping and trade. More recently, Westerplatte (just outside the city) was the site of the first conflict of WWII. In 1945, the city was almost entirely destroyed by the Soviets. It was rebuilt to what we see today using old paintings as reference. Only a handful of original buildings remain. Today, the city is famous not only for its history and Dutch-style buildings, but also for St. Dominic’s Fair, an annual festival that runs for 3 weeks during July and August, drawing thousands of visitors to the city.
How to Get to Gdansk
Gdansk is located at the northern edge of Poland, right on the edge of the Baltic Sea. You have lots of options for getting here, depending on where you’re coming from.
Train
Like most of Europe, Poland has an extensive rail network. If you’re already in Europe, the train might make the most sense for you. I recommend Polishtrains.eu for searching and booking train tickets.
Plane
The Gdansk airport (GDN) is only about 20 minutes outside the Old Town of the city, making flying to Gdansk a very easy option.
I flew from Krakow to Gdansk with a layover in Warsaw on LOT Polish Airways and it was very easy.
Once you arrive at the airport, you can take a bus or train into the city, or opt for a taxi or Bolt (a version of Uber). I downloaded the Bolt app and easily got a car to take me straight to my hotel.
Car
This depends where you’re coming from, but driving around Poland is straightforward, so renting a car to get to Gdansk is absolutely an option. Driving in the Old Town of the city is very difficult and limited, so you’d probably be better off parking outside of Old Town.
Where to Stay in Gdansk
Given that most of the top things to see in Gdansk are located in Old Town, that’s where I recommend you stay. All of Old Town is very walkable.
I stayed at the Hampton by Hilton Gdansk Old Town, which was perfectly situated near Neptune’s Fountain and featured a delicious free breakfast buffet. It also felt very safe. One of the biggest downsides of solo travel is how expensive accommodations are, so I was happy that the price at this hotel was very reasonable. In fact, hotels across Gdansk are very affordable – even during peak season you shouldn’t expect to pay more than $200/night for the very nicest hotels.
For a room with a view, I recommend booking a hotel on the riverfront. Radisson Hotel & Suites and Hotel Hanza are great options.
Here are some more great places to stay:
- Old Town Studio Apartment (very affordable, perfect for solo traveler)
- Radisson Blu Hotel Gdansk (great location, close to everything in Old Town)
- Liberum Residence Old Town (offers single rooms with a twin bed specifically for solo travelers)
- PURO Hotel Gdańsk Stare Miasto (offers single rooms with a twin bed specifically for solo travelers)
Day 1 Itinerary
Neptune’s Fountain
After breakfast at my hotel, I set out towards the Museum of the Second World War. On the way, I stopped by Neptune’s Fountain, one of the most iconic landmarks in Gdansk. Dating back to the 17th century, the fountain depicts Neptune, God of the Sea, bowing towards the buildings that used to be the Polish King’s residence when he’d visit the city. It was damaged (and moved) during WWII but has since been restored to its former glory.
This is just a short stop but one of many examples of the centuries of Gdansk history that have left their mark on every piece of this city.
Museum of the Second World War
In stark contrast to the Dutch-style buildings in Old Town is the Museum of the Second World War, a modern building rising out of the ground at odd angles. This museum, fittingly located in the city where WWII began, is fascinating and devastating to walk through. The ticket and audio guide cost less than $10USD, but don’t let the low-price fool you – this was one of the most impressive museums I’ve ever visited. It was so well done and you can easily spend hours here.
It’s one thing to learn about WWII in school in the United States and its an entirely different thing to see the war from the Polish perspective, which is what this museum provides. The Polish lost 20% of their population during the war, more than any other country. The only issue with this museum is that it devotes shockingly little space to talking about the war in Asia, but again, this museum is largely about the Polish perspective.
Note: this museum is closed on Mondays and holidays. You can buy your ticket in advance online or on-site like I did.
Free Walking Tour
I am a big fan of free walking tours. I’ve done them around the world and find them to be a great way to learn about a new city and get a lay of the land. I did the Walkative Main Town Gdansk tour, which was about 2.5 hours and our guide Paul taught us so much about Gdansk. I bet you didn’t know Fahrenheit was invented here! We also went past many of the most iconic sites, from the Main Town Hall to Golden Gate.
The most iconic spot on the tour had to be the medieval harbor crane, which was the largest of its kind at the time. This crane is what helped Gdansk be such a big hub for trade in the Middle Ages.
As a reminder, free walking tours aren’t really “free,” as you’re expected to tip your guide at the end. I always make sure to tip roughly the equivalent of $10 USD or more depending on the quality of the tour.
AmberSky Ferris Wheel
If you love a Ferris wheel and want some aerial views of the city, the AmberSky Ferris wheel is a fun way to spend a few minutes. I just spontaneously decided to take a ride. It cost 28 PLN (~$7 USD), but was one of those moments that really made me appreciate solo travel. If I was traveling with my husband, he might suggest we skip it, but I had no one to talk me out of the fun!
Day 2 Itinerary
Museum of Amber
Gdansk is widely considered to be one of the best places in the world to buy amber jewelry and that’s because amber products have been produced here for centuries. The Museum of Amber is located in the Old Grand Mill, a building that dates all the way back to 1364.
I spent about 90 minutes walking through the museum and read every plaque, so you could easily go through it quicker. I most loved the pieces of amber with insects in them and the amber chess set. Tickets are 35 PLN for adults (~$9 USD) and you can purchase them on site.
Note: this museum is closed on Tuesdays and holidays.
Amber Altar at St. Bridget’s Church
Just around the corner from the Museum of Amber is St. Bridget’s Church, which features a beautiful amber altar. There’s a mandatory 5 PLN (~$1.25USD) donation to enter the church and see the altar, but this money goes towards buying more amber to continue adding to the altar. It’s a pretty cool thing to see knowing it will continue evolve as time goes on.
Outside of the church, there were posters with photos from President Ronald Reagan’s visit to St. Bridget’s Church. In fact, Ronald Reagan has a park named after him in Gdansk because he was such an important figure in the fall of communism in Poland.
Climb St. Mary’s Church Tower
My free walking tour took us inside St. Mary’s Basilica to see the astronomical clock, which puts on a show for 3-4 minutes every day at noon. I later came back again on my own to climb the bell tower, which cost 16 PLN (~$4 USD). The church dates back to 1343 and is the largest brick church in the world. It takes 410 steps to get to the top of the towers.
I found the views to be great, but the climb itself was a bit spooky. There were very few people around on the climb, it was dimly lit, and you see above the rafters of the church, which was different from many church towers I’ve climbed.
Kayak Tour
I ended my short visit to Gdansk with a kayak tour that took me past the crane, the shipyard, Granary Island, and more. I visited Gdansk in October (shoulder season) and ended up being the only person on my tour, so I scored a private tour at no extra cost! Kayaking allowed me to see the city from a unique vantage point.
The tour lasted about 2.5 hours and the company had lockers for me to store my belongings.
If You Have More Time
Hel
Despite its devilish name, Hel is a lovely fishing village just north of Gdansk. If you want to literally go to Hel, you can get there via car, train, or ferry. On a warm summer day, the beaches in Hel are perfect for relaxing. While Hel is definitely an outdoor destination, the Fisheries Museum would be a good alternative if the weather takes a turn.
Westerplatte
Westerplatte is the site of the first conflict of WWII in September 1939. Today, there stands a monument to honor those who fought to protect Gdansk (at the time it was the Free City of Danzig). If you’d like to visit it, I recommend a water tram tour that will take you there.
There are multiple companies that run water tram tours, each with their own time tables. Generally, these tours only run during the warmer months (~April-October).
Malbork Castle
Malbork Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be the most famous castle in Poland. It makes a great day trip from Gdansk. It’s about 30-60 minutes outside the city depending on how you get there. Trains are an option or you can also book a tour to take you to the castle from Gdansk.
I recommend purchasing your ticket online in advance to avoid a long line when you arrive. Plan to spend 3-4 hours here exploring the castle and grounds.
Where to Eat
Gdansk Old Town has countless restaurants, but here are the ones that came most recommended from the locals I met on my trip:
- Pierogarnia Stary Młyn (traditional Polish food, including pierogis)
- Mono Kitchen (great for dinner)
- Dobra Pączkarnia (donuts)
Tips for Visiting Gdansk
- If you’re planning to visit during St Dominic’s Festival, book your accommodations early, as prices will be higher and hotels sell out! Also pack your patience and expect large crowds.
- Be aware that the bridges raise on a schedule, which can slow you down significantly if you end up on the wrong side.
Final Thoughts
Gdansk is such a special city and a really great choice if you’re wanting to take a solo trip but don’t know where to go. This was my first time traveling solo and I was incredibly nervous going into this trip, but this city made me feel safe and welcome. It’s also small enough that you can cover a lot of ground on foot and in just 2 days. I hope to come back one day and experience St. Dominic’s Festival next time!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
You may also like: