Things to do in Gdańsk 2026
Gdańsk is the jewel of the Baltic coast — a Hanseatic port city of tall, gabled merchant houses, amber-filled lanes and a history that runs from the medieval Teutonic Knights to the birth of the Solidarity movement that helped end communism in Europe. Reconstructed in glorious detail after the war, its Main Town is one of the most beautiful urban ensembles in Poland.
Quick answer
Gdańsk is the jewel of the Baltic coast — a Hanseatic port city of tall, gabled merchant houses, amber-filled lanes and a history that runs from the medieval Teutonic Knights to the birth of the Solidarity movement that helped end communism in Europe. Reconstructed in glorious detail after the war, its Main Town is one of the most beautiful urban ensembles in Poland.
Gdańsk anchors the wider Tricity (with neighbouring Gdynia and the seaside resort of Sopot), and that gives 2026 a packed coastal calendar. The city itself hosts the centuries-old St. Dominic's Fair across its Old Town from late July, and a lovely Christmas market on the Targ Węglowy in winter. Just 30 minutes away in Gdynia, the Kosakowo airfield stages Open'er — Poland's biggest festival — in early July, the Globaltica World Cultures festival follows in mid-July, and the Polish Film Festival takes over Gdynia in September.
Top Gdańsk & Tricity events in 2026
- Open'er Festival (1–4 Jul) — Poland's biggest festival, at the Gdynia-Kosakowo airfield around 30 minutes from Gdańsk.
- Globaltica World Cultures (17–19 Jul) — a vibrant world-music festival in Gdynia.
- St. Dominic's Fair (25 Jul–16 Aug) — one of Europe's oldest trade-and-culture fairs, filling Gdańsk's Old Town for over three weeks.
- Polish Film Festival in Gdynia (21–26 Sep) — the leading showcase of Polish cinema, held in neighbouring Gdynia.
- Gdańsk Christmas Market (20 Nov–23 Dec) — the atmospheric festive market on the Targ Węglowy in the heart of the Main Town.
What to see in Gdańsk — top sights
- Długi Targ (Long Market) — the showpiece pedestrian heart of the Main Town, lined with ornate merchant houses and crowned by the Golden Gate.
- Neptune's Fountain — the bronze 17th-century fountain on the Long Market, Gdańsk's best-loved symbol.
- Mariacka Street — the romantic, amber-shop-lined lane running to St. Mary's, famous for its carved stone terraces.
- St. Mary's Church — one of the largest brick churches in the world, with a tower offering sweeping views over the city and the Motława.
- European Solidarity Centre — the striking museum at the former Gdańsk Shipyard telling the story of Solidarity and the fall of communism.
- Motława riverfront and the Crane (Żuraw) — the historic waterfront promenade and the medieval port crane, now part of the Maritime Museum.
- Artus Court — the lavishly decorated former merchants' meeting hall on the Long Market.
- Westerplatte — the peninsula where the first shots of World War II were fired, now a memorial site reached by boat or bus.
- Sopot — the elegant Tricity spa resort with Europe's longest wooden pier, a short train ride from Gdańsk.
- Oliwa Cathedral — famous for its monumental baroque organ, with regular recitals, in the leafy Oliwa district.
Why visit Gdańsk
Gdańsk combines extraordinary beauty with genuine historical weight. The reconstructed Main Town, with its Long Market, Mariacka Street and waterfront crane, is among the most photogenic in Poland, while the European Solidarity Centre at the old shipyard makes the city essential for anyone interested in modern European history. The amber trade gives it a distinctive character you won't find elsewhere.
It is also a perfect base for the Baltic coast. The Tricity links Gdańsk seamlessly with the seaside glamour of Sopot and the modern port of Gdynia, all on one commuter train line, so beaches, festivals and history are within easy reach. With Open'er and Globaltica nearby in summer and a lovely Christmas market in winter, Gdańsk rewards a visit in any season.
FAQ
- What is there to do in Gdańsk in 2026?
- The big 2026 events are St. Dominic's Fair (25 July–16 August) in Gdańsk itself, and nearby in Gdynia, Open'er Festival (1–4 July), Globaltica (17–19 July) and the Polish Film Festival (September). Year-round, the Long Market, Mariacka Street, St. Mary's Church and the European Solidarity Centre are unmissable.
- Is Open'er Festival in Gdańsk?
- Open'er is held at the Gdynia-Kosakowo airfield, about 30 minutes from central Gdańsk in the neighbouring city of Gdynia. The whole Tricity (Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot) is connected by the SKM commuter train, so Gdańsk makes an excellent base for the festival.
- What is St. Dominic's Fair?
- St. Dominic's Fair (Jarmark św. Dominika) is one of Europe's oldest trade and culture fairs, dating to 1260. For over three weeks from late July, Gdańsk's Old Town fills with hundreds of stalls selling crafts, antiques and amber, alongside concerts and street performances. It is free to wander.
- How do I get from Gdańsk airport to the city centre?
- Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN) is about 12 km from the centre. The SKM/PKM commuter train links the airport to Gdańsk Główny station, and buses and taxis are also available.
- Is Sopot worth visiting from Gdańsk?
- Yes — Sopot, the third city of the Tricity, is a short SKM train ride away and known for its long sandy beach, the longest wooden pier in Europe, and a lively summer promenade. It pairs perfectly with a Gdańsk city break.
