Cruise port · Poland · Baltic Sea
Gdańsk cruise port guide
Gdańsk is a handsome Hanseatic city on Poland’s Baltic coast, rebuilt after World War II and known as the birthplace of the Solidarity movement. Most cruise ships dock in neighboring Gdynia, about 30 to 45 minutes away, so plan on a transfer by coach, taxi or commuter train. The colorful Main Town and Malbork Castle are the big draws.
- WWII history
- Medieval castles
- Good-value food
- Hanseatic architecture
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- Poland
- Region
- Baltic Sea
- Type of stop
- Cruise port
- Language
- Polish. English is common in tourist areas and among younger people.
- Currency
- Polish złoty (PLN). Cards are widely accepted; euros are not generally used.
- Best time to visit
- June–August
- Average highs
- 36–72°F through the year
About Gdańsk
Gdańsk’s Main Town was almost entirely destroyed in 1945 and painstakingly rebuilt, and today its gabled merchant houses, Gothic churches and riverside cranes look much as they did in its trading heyday. It’s also where World War II began, at Westerplatte, and where the Solidarity strikes at the shipyard helped bring down communism in Europe.
The Tri-City of Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia runs together along the coast. A typical day combines Gdańsk’s Long Street and riverfront with the European Solidarity Centre, or a trip to Malbork, the vast red-brick castle of the Teutonic Knights. Poland is good value, and the food is hearty and delicious.
Where cruise ships dock in Gdańsk
Most cruise ships berth in the port of Gdynia, roughly 19 miles (30 km) northwest of Gdańsk’s Main Town. Ships usually provide a shuttle to Gdynia’s center or station, and SKM commuter trains run frequently to Gdańsk Główny in about 35 to 40 minutes; taxis take 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Some smaller ships dock in Gdańsk’s port, still a drive from the Main Town. Malbork Castle is about an hour from Gdańsk and further from Gdynia. Allow a full day.
Best things to do in Gdańsk on a cruise
- 1
Long Street and Long Market
history
Gdańsk’s Royal Route runs from the Golden Gate along Ulica Długa and Długi Targ, lined with tall, colorful facades. Highlights include the Neptune Fountain, Artus Court and the Main Town Hall tower. It ends at the Green Gate on the Motława River.
- 2
St. Mary’s Basilica
history
One of the largest brick churches in the world, with a vast whitewashed interior, a 15th-century astronomical clock and a tower you can climb, around 400 steps, for sweeping views of the old city and shipyards.
- 3
Motława riverfront and the Crane
scenery
Walk the Long Embankment past riverside restaurants to the medieval Crane (Żuraw), a wooden port crane once among the largest in Europe, now part of the National Maritime Museum. Mariacka Street nearby, with stone terraces and amber shops, is one of the city’s prettiest.
- 4
European Solidarity Centre
history
A powerful museum at the gates of the former Lenin Shipyard, telling the story of Lech Wałęsa and the 1980 strikes that led to the Solidarity trade union and the fall of communism. Allow about two hours. The monument to the fallen shipyard workers stands outside.
- 5
Malbork Castle
history
The headquarters of the Teutonic Knights, a UNESCO site and by area one of the largest castles in the world. Its red-brick halls, chapels and defensive walls take at least three hours to explore. It’s about an hour from Gdańsk by road or train, so it’s a long day from Gdynia.
- 6
Westerplatte and the Museum of the Second World War
history
German forces fired the first shots of World War II at the Polish garrison at Westerplatte on September 1, 1939. A memorial and ruins mark the site. In the city, the Museum of the Second World War offers a comprehensive and sobering look at the war.
- 7
Sopot
beach
Between Gdańsk and Gdynia, Sopot is a seaside resort with a sandy beach, the long wooden Sopot pier and the lively Monte Cassino Street, home to the whimsical Crooked House. It’s on the SKM train line, so it’s easy to stop on your way back to the ship.
Gdańsk weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 362 | 383 | 436 | 5010 | 5915 | 6820 | 7021 | 7222 | 6619 | 5613 | 457 | 394 |
| Low °F (°C) | 31-1 | 320 | 341 | 394 | 489 | 5714 | 6016 | 6216 | 5613 | 479 | 405 | 351 |
| Rain in (mm) | 2.666 | 2.051 | 1.641 | 1.537 | 1.845 | 2.256 | 4.1104 | 2.769 | 2.460 | 2.769 | 2.870 | 2.870 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
What to eat and drink in Gdańsk
Polish food is satisfying and inexpensive. Try pierogi (dumplings) filled with meat, cheese and potato or seasonal fruit, żurek (sour rye soup with sausage and egg), and bigos (hunter’s stew). Smoked and fried Baltic fish is popular on the coast. Toast with Goldwasser, the herbal liqueur with flakes of gold leaf that originated in Gdańsk. Milk bars (bar mleczny) offer cheap, traditional meals.
Tips for your port day
- Check whether your ship docks in Gdynia or Gdańsk; most dock in Gdynia, and the transfer shapes your day.
- The SKM commuter train is cheap and frequent between Gdynia, Sopot and Gdańsk. Validate paper tickets before boarding.
- Poland uses the złoty, not the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; withdraw cash from bank ATMs, not exchange booths.
- Malbork plus Gdańsk is too much for one day. Pick one.
- Amber is sold everywhere. Buy from reputable shops with certificates.
Cruise lines that visit Gdańsk
Often on the same itinerary
Gdańsk cruise FAQs
Where do cruise ships dock for Gdańsk?
Most dock in Gdynia, about 19 miles (30 km) from Gdańsk’s Main Town. A few smaller ships dock in Gdańsk’s port, still a drive from the old city.
How do you get from Gdynia to Gdańsk?
Take the SKM commuter train from Gdynia to Gdańsk Główny, about 35 to 40 minutes, or a taxi, 30 to 45 minutes. Ship shuttles usually take you to Gdynia’s center or station.
Is Malbork Castle worth it on a cruise?
Yes, for castle lovers. It’s one of the largest castles in the world, but it’s about an hour from Gdańsk and further from Gdynia, so it takes most of the day.
Do I need złoty in Gdańsk?
Not much. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. If you want cash, use a bank ATM and decline any offer to convert to dollars.
What is Gdańsk known for?
Its rebuilt Hanseatic Main Town, amber, the start of World War II at Westerplatte and the Solidarity movement born in its shipyard.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.