Gdańsk

The Tricity

Three towns, one trip

Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia together make up the “Tricity” on the Baltic coast. The area is both rich in history and modern, and it takes only 10–30 minutes to get between the towns by train.

History

The largest of the three and a port and trading city for centuries. The Old Town charms with colourful merchants' houses, magnificent churches and narrow streets — and this is where the Second World War began.

The beach

Sopot

A small, pretty seaside town, known for the longest wooden pier in Europe, health resorts, spas and lively nightlife. For those who want to combine relaxation and entertainment.

The sea

Gdynia

The youngest of the three, modern and closely tied to the sea: museum ships at the quay, a seaside boulevard and festivals, concerts and a film festival all year round.

The map follows your search. Click a dot to see more, open the place in Google Maps or get directions.

Shopping

The shopping paradise on the Baltic

Prices in Poland are in a different league from those at home — brand names, cosmetics and children's clothes at prices that sometimes pay for the flight. Click a place to see it on the map or open it directly in Google Maps.

Closed on SundaysShopping centres and most shops are closed on Sundays, apart from a handful of “trading Sundays” a year (including before Christmas). Plan your shopping day for a Friday or Saturday.

Tax FreeIceland is outside the EU, so you are entitled to a VAT refund when you spend 200 PLN or more in the same shop. Ask for a Tax Free form at the till, have your passport with you and get a stamp from customs at the airport before you fly home.

The Polish brandsReserved, Sinsay, Cropp, House and Mohito all belong to LPP — which has its headquarters in Gdańsk. Also CCC (shoes), 4F (sportswear) and Smyk (children's goods).

Rossmann & HebeThe beauty and health chains where Icelanders fill their suitcases — sunscreen, vitamins and skincare at a fraction of Icelandic prices. You'll find them in every shopping centre.

Food

Eat like a local

A full meal with a drink at a good restaurant typically costs ISK 2,500–4,500. Polish cooking is a pleasant surprise — and there are also Michelin-recognised restaurants here at prices unheard of at home.

Pierogi 🥟Poland's national dish: boiled or fried dumplings filled with meat, cheese and potato (ruskie), mushrooms and cabbage — or sweet ones with berries.

Also tryŻurek (sour rye soup served in bread), bigos (hunter's stew), placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes), śledź (herring) and pączki (Polish doughnuts).

Tipping and reservationsA tip of around 10% is customary if the service was good. Book a table at weekends, especially for groups — most places take bookings online.

Bar mleczny“Milk bars” are canteens from the communist era: home cooking for ISK 800–1,500. An experience in itself.

Bars & cafés

Cheers — na zdrowie!

Gdańsk is one of Poland's beer capitals: half a litre of craft beer costs ISK 600–900 and a cocktail ISK 1,200–1,800. Also try Goldwasser, the golden liqueur with flakes of gold, which has been made here since 1598.

Things to do

More than a shopping spree

A thousand-year-old port city, the place where the Second World War began and the cradle of Solidarity — and then there are beaches, Sopot and Gdynia a short train ride away.

Events

What's on?

The Gdańsk year in a nutshell — ordered from today's date, so whatever is coming up next comes first.

Dates shift from year to year. Confirm on the event's website before you book your trip.

Spa & pampering

Treat yourself

Massages and spa treatments typically cost a third to half of what they do at home. Sopot is the spa capital of Poland — book treatments a few days ahead, especially at weekends.

Stay

Where to stay?

A four-star hotel within walking distance of the Old Town typically costs ISK 15,000–25,000 a night. The Old Town is best for a first visit; Sopot for beach, spa and peace and quiet — the train between them takes a quarter of an hour.

Practical

What you need to know

~3.5 hrsdirect flight Keflavík–Gdańsk (Wizz Air; check seasonal frequency)

Złoty (PLN)1 PLN ≈ ISK 31 (see the converter at the top) — cards work everywhere, always choose to pay in PLN

The SKM trainGdańsk ↔ Sopot in 15 min for ~ISK 150 — runs every 10 min

Bolt & UberApp-based taxis: city centre ↔ airport ~ISK 1,500–2,500

Sample pricesCoffee ~ISK 450 · beer ~ISK 700 · dinner ~ISK 3,000 · haircut ~ISK 2,500

SafetyGdańsk is a safe city; ordinary common sense is enough. Emergency number 112

TimePoland is 1 hr ahead of Iceland in winter and 2 hrs in summer

ElectricitySame sockets as at home (230 V) — no adapter needed

From the airportBolt/Uber ~20 min to the city centre, bus 210 to the main station or the PKM train to Wrzeszcz

CashRarely needed. Avoid “Euronet” ATMs and the kantor at the airport; always decline conversion to ISK

Water & pharmaciesThe tap water is drinkable. A pharmacy is called “Apteka”; painkillers are also sold in Rossmann and Żabka

ŻabkaThe green frog shop on every corner: open early and late, on Sundays too

A few wordsDzień dobry (good day) · Dziękuję (thank you) · Poproszę (I'd like…) · Na zdrowie (cheers)

Getting between the towns

🚆 The SKM trainRuns along the coast every 10–15 min. Gdańsk–Sopot about 15 min, Sopot–Gdynia about 10 min, Gdańsk–Gdynia about 30 min. Tickets from machines at the stations or in the Jakdojade app.

🚖 Uber and BoltConvenient in a group and in the evenings: the app shows the price and arrival time straight away and payment is electronic. Gdańsk city centre–Gdynia costs about 80–120 PLN. Use only licensed taxis or the apps.

🚌 Buses and tramsReach suburbs and beaches that are not on the train line, but are slower between the towns because of traffic.

🛴 E-scootersDott and Bolt are widespread, especially in Sopot. Scan the QR code in the app, use the cycle paths and park in marked areas. Not on the beach.

Emergency numbers

112General emergency number: police, ambulance, fire brigade

997 · 999 · 998Police · ambulance · fire brigade

+48 22 278 77 77Tourist information line (English/Polish)

Health insuranceThe European Health Insurance Card is valid in Poland; travel insurance is recommended all the same

Cards, cash and your bank at home

Cards and contactless paymentsCards are accepted almost everywhere and Apple/Google Pay is the safest option — but always carry the card itself. Credit card for shops, hotels and car hire; debit card for ATMs.

CashIt's good to have a little złoty for small places. Withdraw from ATMs attached to banks, not stand-alone machines, and always pay in PLN, not ISK.

PIN and fraudNever keep your PIN with your card. Nobody should ask for your PIN for a refund. In your banking app you can freeze cards and set how they can be used abroad.

Electronic IDSMS confirmations can fail abroad. Set up the Auðkenni app before you go; otherwise restart your phone and make sure you are on a mobile network.

TippingNo fixed rule, but 10–15% is common if the service is good.

Pickpockets and documentsKeep an eye on valuables at tourist sights, on public transport and in shopping centres. Keep your passport in the hotel safe.

410 4000Landsbankinn — emergency service 9–23 every day

444 7000Arion banki

440 4000Íslandsbanki — emergency service around the clock

546 2200Indó

470 1100Sparisjóður Austurlands (Norðfjörður)

525 2000Rapyd — lost cards outside the banks' opening hours

Good to know your way to

Offers & partnerships

Offers in Gdańsk

Special offers from shops, restaurants and hotels in Gdańsk and the surrounding area appear here — only from businesses in the area.