What places and attractions to visit in Gdansk in winter
The winter capital of Pomerania is a place for those who appreciate peace, atmosphere and real contact with the history of the city. If you are wondering what to do in Gdańsk in winter, we have the answer for you: everything. From walks on the beach in the winter sun, to tasting oysters in intimate lounges, to visits to museums without queues and crowds. We have prepared a detailed guide to the attractions that will make the winter weekend on the Baltic Sea one of the best trips this year.
This fair beat Vienna. Here are 5 things you won't find anywhere else
The Christmas market in Gdansk received the title of the best in Europe in 2024, overtaking such giants as Vienna or Strasbourg. More than 92 thousand votes from fans of Christmas markets from all over the world leave no doubt — this is a must-visit place.
Deadlines and first steps
The fair starts on November 21 and runs until December 23, 2025. The official opening ceremony took place on 22 November at 16:00 on the stage at the Węglowy Market. Half an hour later, the parade entitled “Winter Night's Dream” started - a colorful parade of elves, fairy-tale characters and sung carols, which crossed the fairways. Opening hours are thoughtful, with everyone in mind - from Sunday to Thursday the stalls operate from 12:00 to 20:00, and on Fridays and Saturdays they remain open longer, until 21:00. year the fair occupies a record space — in addition to the traditional Coal Market, it spills into Bogusławski Street (up to the Shakespeare Theater), includes the Armory of Arts and Crafts, Tkacka Street and for the first time courtyard in front of the Gdansk Forum. There are more than 220 stalls scattered throughout the historic center of the city.
A culinary journey through the world
Targ Węglowy becomes a real food court under the open sky. Among more than 220 stalls you will find traditional Polish dumplings — with cabbage and mushrooms, Russian, with meat — each costing about PLN 12-15 per serving. Next to them are the smell of lard pilaf, sprinkled with chives and served with pickled cucumber. Hungarian langousches — pies fried in deep oil and sprinkled with cheese, garlic or cream are a hit every year. Queues also line up for churros, Spanish donuts sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, served with hot chocolate.
Corners full of magic
Market streets have their names — Chocolate, Cinnamon, Angel, Christmas. Each leads to a different zone full of attractions.Armory is a kingdom of craftsmen and artists who present products available only here — hand-blown baubles, Gdańsk gold (amber products), woolen sweaters, wooden toys. This is the place where you will find a gift that you will not buy anywhere else.Venetian carousel — 12 meters in diameter, more than 11 meters high — this is no ordinary attraction. It was made especially for Gdansk in an Italian manufactory, with hand-painted figures representing the regions of Poland. Horses, cups, chariots — every piece is a work of art. The ride costs PLN 10. Rotating roller coaster “Spinning Roller Coaster” with barrel-shaped carriages made a splash last year. The track wraps into an eight, and the carriages rotate around their axis — sometimes you go forward, sometimes backwards. The ticket costs about PLN 15-20. For lovers there is a special corner under the mistletoe with romantic lighting — a perfect place for a photo or a proposal.
Gdańsk's old town illuminated with winter illumination
After being saturated with the atmosphere of the fair, it is worth moving into the heart of the old town. A winter walk through the Long Market is a journey through history — each tenement house has its own story, and the winter lights bring out architectural details from the shadows that you might not notice in the summer.
Długi Targ
Cobbled streets reflect the light of lanterns like wet diamonds. The Uphagen townhouse shines with a warm glow through the ornate windows. The House of Gold The tenement house sparkles with gilding, and the Neptune Fountain — surrounded by festive decorations — becomes a favorite place for commemorative photos. In December, thematic illuminations are often installed here, which after dark create a fairytale scene.The Town Hall of the Main Town, the Gothic-Renaissance pearl of Gdańsk, can be visited in winter without a summer queue. The Town Hall Tower (401 steps to climb) offers a panorama of the city covered in snow or shrouded in morning fog - a sight worth the effort.
Mariacka Street
Mariacka Street In winter, it's a different reality. The characteristic portholes with carved railings look like they are from a Gothic drawing, and when snow appears, the whole thing resembles a scene from ancient times. Amber shops — “Gdańsk gold” — offer peace of mind in winter and the opportunity to see the products in real time.Enter one of the workshops. The owners will passionately tell about inclusions (insects trapped in amber millions of years ago), show different colors of amber (from milky to cognac) and explain how to distinguish real amber from a fake. In winter, these conversations are possible. In the summer, there is no time for such details.
St. Mary's Basilica
The largest brick church in Europe makes an even greater impression in winter. Step inside around noon as the sun breaks through the stained-glass windows — colored light falls on the white walls creating a kaleidoscope of colors. The astronomical clock strikes an hour, and an echo resounds in an almost empty nave. In winter, you can spend a moment in concentration here, which in summer, in a crowd of tourists, simply cannot be done. The entrance to the tower (more than 400 degrees) costs 10 zł and leads to an observation platform with an amazing view of the winter Gdansk. In December, when it gets dark at 4:00pm, you can see illuminations all over the city — this is one of the most beautiful views in Poland.
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Oliwski Park
About 30 minutes by tram from the center and you will find yourself in another world. The Olive Park, founded as a monastery garden, turns into a gala of light and shadow in winter. From the end of November to the end of December, the park is filled with illuminations - illuminated trees, light installations, colorful projections on the Palace of the Abbots. High hedges form natural alleys, which in the evening, illuminated by LEDs, look like corridors in a fairytale castle. It is a favorite place for couples looking for a romantic setting, but also for families with children who love to run between light installations.After a walk, you can enter the Cathedral of Oliwa — historic organs, concerts and silence, which is often missing in the city bustle. The old town is just a warm-up. You will discover the true charm of winter Gdansk by the sea — where the wind blows the strongest and the iodine in the air acts as a natural therapy.
Winter Baltic — natural iodine therapy in action
Gdańsk is not only monuments and fairs. This is primarily the sea, and in winter it reveals its most therapeutic properties. What is a pleasant addition in summer becomes the main asset in winter: iodine in the air.
Why the winter sea is a dose of health
Marine aerosol (a mixture of iodine, bromine, salt and magnesium suspended in the air) in winter is much richer than in summer. High wind speed and higher waves cause seawater molecules to mix with air to form a natural inhalator.The closer to the shoreline, the greater the concentration of iodine. Therefore, it is not enough to look at the sea from the promenade - you need to go down to the beach and approach the water. Breathe deeply, with full lungs. Iodine supports the work of the thyroid gland, bronze has a calming effect, magnesium relaxes muscles, and salt has antiseptic properties. This is not pseudoscience - it is a proven action that sanatoriums all over the coast use.
3 beaches where you will find peace in winter
Beach in Brzezno — wide, with a long wooden pier. In winter, you can walk a kilometer on the water listening to the roar of the waves under your feet. The pier leads to a small platform where — in strong winds — you can feel the structure swaying slightly. This is a strange feeling, but safe.After descending from the pier, it is worth sitting in one of the seaside cafes. Hot chocolate by the window overlooking the sea is a way to warm up before a further walk. On weekends, walruses meet on the beach in Brzezno, but about that in a moment. Jelitkowo and Jelitkowski Park is a combination of the beach with a green seaside park. You can walk along the avenue right by the shore, where pine trees grow and oaks twisted by the wind. Benches facing the sea are an ideal place for a break with a thermos. Jelitkowo is calmer than Brzezno — fewer people, more space. If you are looking for solitude and time to think, this is your point.Stogi — the least touristy of Gdańsk beaches. Locals come here, who know every corner. The beach is narrower, but this is what creates a more intimate atmosphere. In winter, at sunrise (around 7:30-8:00 in December), you can meet photographers hunting for shots with morning fogs over the water.
Morse — not for everyone, but worth considering
Every Sunday, in winter at 12:00, Gdańsk walruses meet on the beach in Brzeźno. This is not a closed club — anyone can join (although it's worth starting by talking to your doctor, especially if you have heart or blood pressure problems) .The procedure is simple: warm up on the beach (10 minutes of vigorous exercise), enter the water (1-3 minutes depending on temperature and experience), go out and quickly dry yourself and your clothes. When you get out of the water, you feel a wave of heat - it is the body that triggers the defense mechanisms. Euphoria can last for several hours.Remember: Morse is not bravado. This is a thoughtful activity that requires preparation, common sense and, initially, the company of experienced people.
Sopot pier — meditation on the water
Twenty minutes by SKM train and you are in Sopot. The 511 meter long pier is the longest wooden structure of its kind in Europe. In winter, without crowds, a walk here is almost a meditative experience.The boards creak underfoot. Waves hit the piles. Seagulls circle overhead, sometimes sitting on balusters. At the end of the pier you feel as if you are in the middle of the sea — only water and horizon around. Entrance to the pier in the winter season (November-March) costs PLN 3.50, so it is a symbolic price. It is worth coming at dusk — then the lighted lanterns of the pier form a line of light leading into the Baltic Sea.
Where to stay after a winter day?
Winter Gdansk is a city that understands what a frozen tourist needs. After hours of walking in the frosty air, when your cheeks are baking from the wind and your gloved fingers barely move, you need a place that will receive you with warmth. Literally and figuratively.
Secret Room — where taste meets atmosphere
After a full day of exploring Gdansk in winter, you need a space where the atmosphere is as important as the food, where the light is dimmed to the ideal level for conversations and where time stops chasing.Secret Room is an atmospheric lounge in the center of Gdańsk — a few steps of stairs below street level, which immediately gives the feeling of entering another world. Moderate lighting, comfortable seats, background music at a level that allows you to talk without raising your voice.
Winter Special
Birthday of the restaurant (December 12-14) — these three days are special for us. We celebrate with our guests, preparing a surprise for everyone who visits us - guests with a loyalty card will receive gifts. On December 12-13, a DJ will play in the restaurant, and on December 14 a live band will perform. Reservations are mandatory — places disappear within a few hours.Christmas offer (December 25-27) — Christmas in an elegant setting instead of a home table? For many, this is an attractive alternative. We are preparing a special festive menu. And, of course, festive rotisserie, the recipe of which is our secret. Fresh oysters — Secret Room chefs serve fresh oysters with aromatic lime and author's sauces. Available at certain times (preferably call and confirm availability):
- 3 pieces — 79 zł — perfect for a start, taste test
- 12 pieces — 239 zł — classic tray for two
- Unlimited — 179 zł — for real enthusiasts
Cocktails and hot drinks
The Secret Room bar is a space where we take every cocktail seriously. We do not buy ready-made croutons in a bottle. Each ingredient is weighed, each proportion refined. We choose wines specifically for each variant. The fruits are fresh or from the best frozen foods. Honey from local beekeepers.Our roaster is available in several versions — from classic to author's experiments.
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Every month something new
We present a new offer every month — seasonal specialities, limited dishes, cocktails inspired by the seasons. It is worth following our social media or just drop by and ask what's new on the menu.We invite you to Secret Room — your winter oasis in the heart of Gdańsk. Because after a whole day of winter adventures, you deserve a place that will welcome you with true hospitality.
Practical guide
Public transport
During the Christmas market (especially on weekends), parking in the center is a mission impossible. The city is launching additional tram lines leading to Targ Węglowy.
- One-time ticket: PLN 4.60 (valid for 60 minutes)
- 24-hour ticket: PLN 16 (paid for 4+ trips)
- 72-hour ticket: 40 zł (perfect for the weekend)
You can buy tickets in vending machines at stops, in the jakdojade or MobileT app, or from the driver (more expensive — 6 PLN) .Trams run until about 23:00, then night buses (the same tickets) .SKM (Szybka Kolej Miejska) — connection Gdańsk-Sopot-Gdynia. A ticket from the Gdansk area to Sopot is approximately PLN 4.50. Trains every 10-15 minutes.
Best time to visit
- End of November — beginning of December (fair before the summit): Less tourists, all the stalls are already working, festive atmosphere to the max. Hotels cheaper than in the peak of December.
- Christmas weekend (third week of December): The summit of the fair. The most people, the best atmosphere, but also the biggest crowds. Hotels more expensive by 20-30%.
- Winter holidays (February): Gdańsk holidays are full of events for children, special workshops in museums, lower hotel prices than in December. The weather can be capricious — snow, rain, sun, all in one day.
- New Year's Eve: Gdańsk organizes city events, fireworks over the Motława River. Book hotels at least 2 months in advance — everything is bought first during New Year's Eve.
Atmosphere, flavors, sounds
Gdansk in winter is not the Light version of the city. It's not “well, okay, if I can't in the summer, it's hard, I'll come in the winter.” This is Gdansk at its best — no masks for tourists, no rush, no crowded restaurants and queues for every attraction.This is a city that breathes the rhythm of its inhabitants in winter. Where in a cafe on Mariacka Street you can talk to the owner about the history of the building where his family has been sitting for generations. Where in the amber shop you have time to listen to the story of “Gdańsk gold” instead of being driven by the crowd.The Christmas market in Gdansk (the best in Europe) is just the beginning. Then there are winter walks on the Baltic, where iodine in the air acts as a natural therapy. There are museums without queues, where you can spend as much time as you want. There are holidays in Gdańsk full of workshops, games and learning for children.And there is food — from dumplings at the fair, through fresh oysters, to exquisite fusion dishes. And grzaniec — a drink that in Gdańsk has a tradition dating back to Hanseatic times, and today available in dozens of variants.
