This old port city on the Gulf of Danzig was established in the 10th century. We think it's one of Poland's loveliest cities. Allow at least a day to see the ornate row houses in the Old City (Stare Miasto) and to visit the port. Don't miss the beautifully restored 14th-century Town Hall (the interior is overwhelmingly ornate); the magnificent houses along the Royal Way; the city's gates; the prison tower (and its torture museum); and the huge St. Mary's Church (the largest brick church in Poland). Gdansk was almost totally leveled during World War II, which makes the restored buildings and monuments all the more remarkable. The city is the birthplace of Gabriel Fahrenheit (of thermometer fame), philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, writer Gunter Grass, the Solidarity trade union (a monument to the organization can be found at the shipyards) and its leader, Lech Walesa. Another monument stands at Westerplatte, the promontory at the mouth of the harbor, to mark the spot where 182 Polish soldiers held out for a week against Nazi dive-bombers, troops and a battleship during the opening battle of World War II. Visit the nearby suburb of
Oliwa, to see and hear the famous organ in the cathedral. The organ is really something—mechanized angels blow trumpets, ring bells and fly around when the organ is playing.
Two other cities, Sopot and Gdynia, are often included on a tour to Gdansk. Sopot is a nice seaside town with an excellent beach (the water is usually quite chilly) and the longest pier (1,680 ft/512 m) on the Baltic Sea. It also hosts various music festivals during the year, including a jazz fest. Gdynia is a port city with a large marina and a maritime museum. In September, it hosts the annual Polish Film Festival. You may also want to take a minibus or train from Gdynia to the charming Hel Peninsula. Gdansk is 180 mi/290 km northwest of Warsaw.
