Are you looking to check out some of the best day trips from Gdansk, Poland? This guide has you covered – keep reading!
If youʻre booking your trip to Gdansk last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!
🇵🇱 Top Experiences and Tours in Gdansk:
- City Cruise on Historical Polish Boat (top-rated tour in Gdansk!)
- Stutthof Concentration Camp Regular Tour (day trip option)
- Pub Crawl with Free Drinks (great for groups!)
- City Tour by Electric Golf Cart
- Traditional Polish Food Private Tour (perogies for all!)
🛌 Top Hotels in Gdansk:
- IBB Hotel Gdańsk (we stayed here- best views of old town!)
- Hotel Hanza (also stayed here & has great restaurant!)
- Gotyk House (stylish interior in a house from 1451!)
🚗 Looking for the best way to get around Gdansk? Click here to check rental car rates for Poland!
Gdansk has plenty to do (and enough reasons to stay for a while), but if you’re looking for an escape, these Gdansk day trips take the cake!
From the Baltic Sea to commemorating lives lost at a nearby concentration camp, there are a variety of places to visit near Gdansk.
Did we miss any of your favorite places near Gdansk? Let us know below!
Best Day Trips from Gdansk
1. Sopot
Distance from Gdansk: 12.1 km (18 minutes)
The seaside town of Sopot is the right place to explore the sands of the Baltic Riviera, and it is one of the top things to do in Gdansk (especially for summer visitors).
As a major tourist destination, Sopot welcomes families, sports lovers, and sun seekers, offering pristine waters and fabulous beaches.
Soak up the Baltic Sea air at the town’s famous pier, the longest and oldest wooden pier in Europe. It provides an ideal view for sailing events and hosts live music and food festivals.
Check out the famous symbol of the area, the Baroque Grand Hotel. This five-star hotel is a venue where Marlene Dietrich and Fidel Castro stayed, and the first disco nightclub in communist Poland was organized.
Looking for restaurants, pubs, and bars, head to Monciak, the main and favorite promenade of locals. See here the Crooked House, another symbol of Sopot.
To dive into the historical background of the town, visit exquisitely restored 18th-century villas like the Herbst Villa, Villa Hestia, the Werner Villa, the Basner Villa, and the Claaszen Villa, housing the Sopot Museum.
2. Kaszubski Park
Distance from Gdansk: 49.4 km (55 minutes)
Kaszubski Park was established in 1983 and is located in the central area of Kashubia, the Kashubian Lake District. It borders five protected landscape areas, boasting the wonders of animate and inanimate nature as well as rich historical heritage.
The Kashubian Landscape Park offers hiking trails, bicycle routes, kayak trails, popular sights, nature-educational paths, and a car excursion route.
Two marked hiking trails run across the area: the Szymbarskie Hills and the Kashubian Trail. These quite long trails are often divided into smaller sections.
Explorers can find an array of natural and landscape complexes in the park, like Chmielno Obnizenie, a complex of lakes, peninsulas, and slopes; Rynna Brodnicko – Kartuska, a lake at the entrance of the area with harmonious forest landscapes; and Rynna Potęgowska.
Among popular attractions, check out the Łeba valley in Miłoszów, Golden Mountain, Tamowa Góra, and Jastrzębia Góra.
3. Gdynia
Distance from Gdansk: 21.4 km (31 minutes)
Dive into the rich maritime heritage of Gdynia, enjoy its sandy beaches, and admire the striking architecture. Start your exploration at the city’s harbor. See the ORP Blyskawica destroyer, dating back to the 1930s.
This is the oldest preserved destroyer in the world. Another captivating vessel is the Dar Pomorza tall ship, built in 1909.
She completed 102 training voyages throughout her 52 years of service in the Polish Merchant Navy.
Your journey is never complete without spending a day on Gdynia Beach, which boasts a pretty pier, white sand, and pedestrian promenade.
Soak in the sun, watch the sunset, surf, or head to one of the waterfront restaurants. Dive into Polish history at the fascinating Emigration Museum, a former major port of the city.
Join the Gdynia Modernism Route to observe the innovative architecture of the area. In addition, visit the ZUS building, the Polish Sailor’s House, and the luxury Banker’s Tenement.
4. Elblag
Distance from Gdansk: 60.3 km (40 minutes)
In the northern part of Poland, you’ll discover one of the oldest cities in the country, Elblag, dating back to the early 13th century. The city had a glorious past and was packed with attractions.
However, WWII brought disastrous fights, turning the place into ruins. Very few buildings were preserved.
The majority of the city’s attractions are located in its central part, between the Elblag River and Rycerska Street.
See St. Nicholas Cathedral, the 13th-century Gothic church with a 97-meter tower and an impressive interior. You can walk up the stairs and relish the panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Another sight to stop at is Brama Targowa, or the city gate, situated at the end of Stary Rynek. This 14th-century structure is the only remnant of the former city walls.
Enjoy modern culture in the former St. Mary’s church. The Gothic 13th-century church was rebuilt after the war and transformed into Galleria EL.
5. Malbork Castle
Distance from Gdansk: 62.3 km (51 minutes)
Don’t miss your chance to explore one of the iconic landmarks of Poland.
Find Malbork Castle in the north of the country, on the River Nogat’s east bank. The structure is a vivid example of a Gothic brick-built castle complex.
This 13th-century fortified monastery belonged to the Teutonic Order and was enlarged, becoming the seat of the Grand Master.
The immersive fortress represents the symbol of the Teutonic Order state in Prussia.
The complex embodies the conflict of late medieval Christianity.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the castle was the subject of constant restoration works, throughout which many forgotten medieval art and craft techniques were rediscovered.
During WWII, the landmark was severely damaged and completely restored once more. Today, the castle is a significant symbol of Central Europe’s history.
Visitors can explore the High Castle, Middle Castle, and Outer Bailey as well as two masterpieces of Gothic architecture, the Great Refectory in the Middle Castle and the Grand Masters’ Palace.
Address: Starościńska 1, 82-200 Malbork
6. Warsaw
Distance from Gdansk: 339.3 km (3 hours, 31 minutes)
While Warsaw is often thought to be one of the best weekend trips from Gdansk, you can still ‘technically’ head there on a day trip (although we advise staying longer!).
Start your tour of Warsaw at the impressive Old Town, boasting 700 years of history. The Old Town Square is a bustling area packed with outdoor summer cafes.
You’ll see the statue of the Warsaw Mermaid, standing proudly in the center, the symbol of the city.
Among the meticulously renovated buildings of the Old Town, you can stop at the Museum of Warsaw, the Gothic St. John’s Cathedral, and the Chapel of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński.
To continue your journey, join the Royal Route, which includes the Presidential Palace, the Academy of Fine Arts, and the Ministry of Culture and Art.
See the former royal residences like the Baroque Royal Castle, the Palace on the Water in Royal Łazienki Park, and the former residence of King Jan III Sobieski in Wilanów.
In addition, explore the riverbanks of Warsaw, which have well-kept beaches and boulevards.
7. Pelplin
Distance from Gdansk: 57 km (39 minutes)
Pelplin is a tiny, peaceful town in northern Poland. Stroll through the tranquil streets and see the holy town’s attractions. The main draw of the area is Pelplin Abbey. Dating back to the 13th century, this huge monastery is a functioning cathedral church.
Officially known as the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it has been the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pelplin since 1824.
Take a short walk out of the town to the huge hill. Admire the fantastic landscapes and see the cross dedicated to the Polish Pope, who once preached here.
Visit the Diocesan Museum and discover one of the original copies of Gutenberg’s Bible.
Just behind the Abbey, you come across the Gardens and the Bishop’s Palace. Even though the area is private, you can still walk around and see its beauty.
See also the Town Hall on the main street and the Pilgrim’s House.
8. Hel Peninsula
Distance from Gdansk: 83.7 km (1 hour, 22 minutes)
Explore one of the most unspoiled and picturesque spots on the Baltic Coast. Enjoy stunning beaches by the sea or shores of the Bay of Puck, try one of the numerous sports opportunities, and dive into the local history.
The Hel peninsula is a stunning combination of Kashubian culture and fishing tradition.
You can visit three coastal towns known for their charming beaches, historic sights, museums, seafood restaurants, and antique shops.
The small town of Hel boasts sandy beaches, cycle paths, and a traditional pier. Relax on lovely beaches, do some watersports, and check out sights like the Fisheries Museum and the Coastal Defense Museum.
Jastarnia offers sweeping views of beaches, cozy restaurants, taverns, and water sports. Visit the seaside resort Kuźnica to enjoy the atmosphere of old fishing villages.
Chalupy is a small Kashubian village famous for the perfect conditions to experience water sports, especially kitesurfing and windsurfing.
9. Stutthof Concentration Camp
Distance from Gdansk: 54 km (44 minutes)
The town of Sztutowo, often called Stutthof, is situated close to the sea and has been a fishing area for ages. In 1919, it became a part of the Free City of Gdansk and during WWII was incorporated by Germany.
Although the neighboring areas recovered from the damages of the war and transformed into popular summer resorts, Stutthof is still popular for the concentration camp that the Nazis constructed here.
Stutthof Concentration Camp Museum is one the most important martyrologic spots in northern Poland.
From the beginning of the war, the first concentration camp was set up here to exterminate Polish people and other nations.
Throughout five years of the camp’s history, 110 thousand people were imprisoned here.
The remains of the camp were turned into the Stutthof Concentration Camp Museum in 1962 by Polish Authorities.
During your visit, you’ll see the barracks, the main gate, the gas chamber, and the headquarters. The museum operates from 8 am to 3 pm. Entrance is free.
>> Click here to check day tour rates to Stutthof Concentration Camp Museum
10. Poznan
Distance from Gdansk: 310.5 km (2 hours, 57 minutes)
Poznan is a major cultural, economic, and tourism center in Western Poland. Explore this 1,000-year-old city located on the River Warta.
Start your journey at the magnificent Town Hall with a three-tiered arcaded loggia front and portraits of Jagiellonian kings on the top floor.
See the vibrant, Baroque-style tenements around the Market Square and its four fountains, three with modern figures of Apollo, Mars, and Neptune and an 18th-century one with a statue of Proserpine.
The oldest part of Poznan is Cathedral Island, with the country’s oldest cathedral, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.
Among other sights to see, check out the former Imperial Castle, the Museum of the Poznań Uprising, and an interactive Poznań Croissant Museum.
For a shopping adventure, find Stary Browar, which combines retail space with an art gallery of installations and sculptures.
Water sports enthusiasts should head to Lake Maltańskie, situated in the heart of the town. Art lovers should visit the National Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.
11. Slowinski National Park
Distance from Gdansk: 104.6 km (1 hour, 20 minutes)
In the Pomerania Region, along the Baltic Coast of Northern Poland, explorers can find Slowinski National Park. The area was established to protect the nature of the seaside coastline, including lakes, meadows, woods, and peat bogs.
The most important mission of the park is to preserve the most exceptional belt of moving dunes in Europe.
Moving along the Mierzeja Lebska, the dunes uncover ancient tree stumps and the remains of the forest that once grew there.
You’ll come across abundant unique plants in the park, from coastal pinewoods and dune grasses to marsh plants.
Slowinski is home to many rare bird species, like the eagle owl, the white-tailed eagle, the cormorant, and the black stork.
Hike one of the numerous paved paths to best experience the area. Admire the sweeping vistas of the dunes and the rolling waves of the Baltic Sea.
The park’s observation towers provide even better vantage points. At the entrance to the Slowinski National Park, the resort city of Łeba is situated.
12. Torun
Distance from Gdansk: 169.7 km (1 hour, 43 minutes)
Exploring Poland is never complete without visiting Torun, one of the most significant cultural and tourist hubs in the country. Established in the 13th century by Teutonic Knights, Torun consisted of the old and new towns.
The Teutonic Knights constructed their castle between these two towns.
Today, visitors can explore two historical market squares. In the center of the Old Town Square, you’ll see the impressive Town Hall.
Above its gate, an angel holding a key and a gate with three towers stand, the symbol of the city. The traces of the area’s glorious past are still evident as you stroll around historical Torun.
You’ll be amazed by Gothic churches, town gates, and walls.
As a former fortress, the city’s medieval walls had 12 gates, 60 keeps, and two barbicans. See the most famous keep, the Leaning Tower.
Another attraction you shouldn’t miss is the Teutonic castle, dating back to the 13th century. To really appreciate the city, take a boat tour along the Vistula.
Did we miss any of the best day trips from Gdansk? Let us know in the comments!
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now splits her time between Frankfurt, Germany and Arctic Finland after also living in Norway, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.