Gdansk holidays

Gdansk is perched on the Baltic Coast, just a 15-minute drive from the seaside. It forms part of the Polish Riveria, along with neighbouring Gdynia and Sopot, where you’ll find long sandy beaches and ice-cream trucks serving sweet, crunchy waffles topped with whipped ice cream.

Brzezno Beach is a firm fave among tourists and locals alike. In the warmer months, people flock to this place to top up their tans and go for a dip, while the famous pier welcomes visitors all year round. It’s 140-metres long and faces out to Gdansk Bay, where you can watch the sunset with a tipple from one of the nearby bars.

The clue’s in the name with this one – Sobieszewo Island is an island in the Baltic Sea. Its off-the-beaten-track location means it’s got a secluded shoreline that’s much quieter than some of the beaches closer to Gdansk, so you won’t have to fight for a sunbathing spot. It’s not hard to get to, either – this hidden gem’s just a 30-minute drive from the Old Town.

If you like a market trip on your city breaks, it’s worth adding the Gdanski Bazar Natury to your itinerary. It sees stalls set up shop just outside the city’s historic centre to sell local produce like cheese and honey, fresh fish and cakes. It’s open on Thursdays and Saturdays, so you can swing by if you’re in town for a long weekend.

Forum Gdansk – known by locals as the Forum – lines up over 200 shops, eateries and a cinema right in the modern part of the city centre. Swing by to splash your cash on high-street favourites like H&M, Mango and Zara. It’s open every day, but most shops will be closed on Sundays – that’s the case for most places in Poland.

Anyone who likes their labels mustn’t miss a trip to the Designer Outlet Gdansk. This place sells big-name brands like Calvin Klein, Levi’s and Nike for up to 70% of the usual retail price, and it’s only a 20-minute drive away from the city centre. Just make sure you’ve got room in your suitcase to make the most of all the discounts on offer…

Gdansk is home to heaps of quirky places to grab a drink and watch the world go by. If you’re into your beer, pop by one of the city’s cool dimly lit breweries. Or, if sipping cocktails while the sun sets is more your thing – and the weather’s warm enough – head to a rooftop bar in the city centre or by the beach.

You’re not short of places to go if you’re after a big night out in Gdansk – the city’s full of nightclubs that keep the party going from dusk ‘til dawn. You’ve got multi-level spots in the Old Town, which play different music on every floor, plus swanky live music venues around the shipyard.

These pillowy dough balls, which look like a mix between a dumpling and a gyoza, are a staple in Polish cuisine. They’re typically stuffed with meat, cheese and veggies, then boiled, fried, baked or steamed. Enjoy them with a slab of melted butter, or alongside a traditional dollop of sour cream.

This one’s for sweet-toothed city-trippers. Paczki is essentially a Polish donut, with all the hallmarks of the bakery classic us Brits know and love. Think rich dough fried until golden brown, fruity jam fillings – often flavoured with roses or plums – and a powdered sugar topping.

You’ve got plenty of brews to pick from when it’s time to crack open a cold one in Gdansk. Poland’s famous for its beer, thanks to a thousand-year-long history of producing pints flavoured with local hops like the spicy, citrussy Lubelski. Zywiec and Tyskie are two of the most popular brands, and there are loads of independent craft brews to try, too.

Boiled cabbage leaves and a mixture of rice and minced pork or beef come together to make hearty stuffed rolls in this popular dish, often served in a rich tomato sauce. Add a healthy serving of onion, garlic, paprika and Worcestershire sauce, and you’ve got a flavour-packed main course.

This one’s as fancy as it sounds. Danzig Goldwasser – which translates to ‘gold water of Gdansk’ – is a vodka-based liqueur filled with 22-carat gold flakes. It’s flavoured with roots and herbs, like cardamom and cinnamon, and was invented all the way back in 1598.