Gdansk
Gdansk is one of Poland's most beautiful cities, with a population in excess of three million people. It lies on the southern coast of the Gdansk Bay, in a conurbation with the spa town of Sopot, the city of Gdynia and suburban communities, which form a metropolitan area called the greater Gdansk or the Tricity (Trimiasto).
Gdansk has been an important seaport since medieval times and more recently has been a principal ship-building centre. Today the city remains a significant industrial centre, together with the nearby port of Gdynia. It is famous as the birthplace of the Solidarity movement which, under the leadership of Lech Walesa, played a major role in bringing an end to Communist rule in the Eastern Bloc.
Main sights
The city boasts many fine buildings from the time of the Hanseatic League. Most tourist attractions are along Ulica Druga (Long Street) and Drugi Targ (Long Market), a pedestrian thoroughfare lined with buildings reconstructed mostly in 17th-century style and capped on either end by elaborate city gates. This part of the city is sometimes referred to as the Royal Way because it formed the procession route for visiting kings.
Gdansk is the starting point of the EuroVelo 9 cycle route, which continues south through Poland, then into the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia, before finally ending at the Adriatic Sea in Croatia.
In order to avoid the coldest weather, I would recommend travelling to Poland between May and September.
Restaurants
Tawerna - address: ul. PowroÅonicza 19/20
The menu at Tawerna (Tavern) is replete with the best the sea has to offer, including fish and squid, along with traditional Polish dishes.
Pirate Cruise: Molo Sopot
This on-board restaurant offers a good range of tasty Polish and seafood dishes, as well as hearty beers and old-fashioned rum. During the holidays there's live music on board after 6pm.
Konstelacja: Targ Rybny
This restaurant opened in 1999, and is located on an old 35m trawler, which was built in 1945. Rebuilt in 1999, the ship is moored at the wharf by the Fish Market and offers a choice of fish dishes to up to 200 people. The restaurant is open from 10am until the last customer during the season, and from noon until the last customer at other times.
Pubs
Bacawka
Open 24/7, this is a traditional Polish wooden pub, with discounts for sailers and students, and live concerts.
Jazz Club
Open from 2pm till 12am (or until the last customer leaves), this Polish Jazz Club offers free entry, live jazz and blues, and a wide variety of Polish beers.
