As much as I love Northern Ireland and all of the class things it has to offer, one of my other favourite things is exploring other countries and cities. Over recent years, the constant trips and weekends away have got a bit out of hand, so I thought it only right that I start sharing the details with all of you lovely people to somewhat legitimise the constant travelling.
I started the year off in Gdansk, Poland, so here are a few recommendations and tips to inspire you to explore somewhere new!
- Currency: PLN
- Airline from Belfast: Ryanair
- Highlight: War museum
- Fun Fact: Starting site of WW2
- ‘2 Beers Please’ in polish: 2 piwa Proszę
I’m sure you’ve all heard of people jetting off to Krakow and Warsaw for a long weekend, but what about Gdansk? Not just somewhere hard to pronounce, Gdansk is a beautiful little port city on the baltic coast of Poland and it has had a long and varied history over the years as it has changed hands many times. Formerly the Free City of Danzig, Gdansk has been a part of everywhere from the Kingdom of Prussia, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Nazi Germany before returning to Poland once again.
With beautiful (yet distinctly non-Polish) architecture, a bustling waterfront area, in-depth museums and some stunning beaches, Gdansk really does have it all.
How to get to Gdansk from Belfast
You can fly to Gdansk directly from Belfast International Airport with Ryanair to Gdansk’s Lech Walesa Airport which is around 20 minutes from the city centre by taxi. When you arrive at the airport there are taxis waiting as usual, but it is usually much cheaper to book an Uber to take you directly to where you are staying.
Where to stay in Gdansk
We stayed in this light and airy little apartment located on Ogarna street in the heart of the Old Town that we booked through Booking.com, but there are plenty of Airbnbs up for grabs too. Because we went to Gdansk over the New Year we wanted somewhere fairly central to avoid having to wait for public transport or being stuck in traffic on the big night itself after the festivities, and we couldn’t have stayed in a better location! By sheer luck, the square where the New Year’s party would be (near the Prison Tower) was less than 5 minutes walk away and there was a Christmas market up in the square which was a nice touch at this time of year. I would definitely recommend staying near the Coal Market if you can, especially Ogarna street which has plenty of places to eat and drink and you aren’t too far from the Shipyard or the Main Town if you want to visit any museums or other sights.
How to get around Gdansk
Because we stayed so central to everything we walked everywhere in Gdansk, but if you do find yourself staying a little further out, or you want to give your feet a rest, then the public transport system is quick, easy to use and cheap. Gdansk has buses and tram lines that go everywhere, and tickets are available in the ticket machines (which have an English language option) at bus and tram stops, as well as kiosks around the town. Like most European cities, you will need to validate your ticket once on board, and the 110 and 210 buses to and from the airport have ticket machines inside so you don’t need to worry about finding a machine and missing your bus! A one-way ticket to anywhere in Gdansk is 3,20PLN (roughly 65p).
What to see and do in Gdansk
Gdansk is rich in history, and as the site of the start of the Second World War (I didn’t know that either!) you won’t be short of historical sights to see on a trip to the Main or Old Town. If you are even remotely interested in the Second World War, then the Museum Of The Second World War is a 15 minute walk along the Motlawa river where you will pass The Crane, which is a Medieval crane that was once the biggest working crane in the world. There’s also the European Solidarity Center where you can catch up on some history, or one of the many Free Walkative Walking Tours which give you a guided walking tour of the city in exchange for a tip of whatever you see fit.
If you are in Gdansk during the summer months, then I’ve heard the resort town of Sopot is lovely, it’s around 30 minutes drive from Gdansk and has a beautiful beach and spa area too.
Gdansk is also the centre for the world’s amber trade, so if you’re in search for some Baltic Gold, then you can’t go far wrong with Mariacka Street.
Where to eat in Gdansk
Every new city has loads of hidden gems when it comes to eating and drinking, and Gdansk is no different! If you’re looking for a super cool spot to grab a glass of wine and a cheeseboard, then Canis is the ideal location – just opposite our apartment on Ogarna street, this was often our port of call on the way home from a day of exploring. For traditional Polish breakfasts then Cafe Libertas and Pomelo Bistro definitely fit the bill, whilst Elephant Club on Dlugi Targ (long Market) and Bez Rezerwacji on the historic Piwna (which translates directly as ‘Beer Street’) are where you will find such Polish delights as Kotlet schabowy (pork schnitzel) and hot wine.
A really interesting, historical and friendly city, Gdansk is somewhat of a hidden gem when it comes to Poland. There’s plenty to see and do here, so forget your Krakow’s and your Warsaw’s and make Gdansk your next Polish destination!
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