Poland

Medieval churches, Baltic amber and Golden Age architecture

Day 1. Gdansk

The great city of Gdansk is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, which managed to be the Teutonic fortress, an independent state, the largest port in Poland and the pearl of the Tricity. People come here to see with their own eyes the forged icons and the amber altar of the St. Brigid's Church, as well as to walk along the Royal Way, saturated with the atmosphere of the Golden Age.

Restauracja Gdańska is an ode to the city in every sense. The interior of the institution reflects the history of Gdansk, inextricably linked with the sea and shipping, and the cuisine reflects the gastronomic traditions of the people. Grilled pork knuckle with potatoes and vegetables, juicy lamb shank, beef "zrazy" and the famous Polish duck with baked apples await guests. Before baking, the meat is marinated in mead, so it turns out very soft.

Restauracja Gdańska

Next to the austere St. John's Cathedral, the cheerful tavern Mestwin has opened its doors , famous for its classic interior and no less classic dishes of the Kashubian people inhabiting northern Poland. Guests especially praise the potato pancakes, pork chops and zawijaniec pie, which is baked in the form of a roll stuffed with meat or bacon. You can sit on the terrace or inside the colorful hall and enjoy your meal.

Tawerna Mestwin

Kubicki is one of the oldest restaurants in Gdansk. Like more than half a century ago, the institution is famous for authentic Polish cuisine and high society parties with live music. For a snack, take the Baltic herring and blood sausages. On the menu you will find the king of Polish cuisine, Żurek soup. The delicacy is cooked on sourdough with garlic and kept for several days, after which fried onions, sausage and bay leaf are added.

Kubicki

The gem of Pierogarnia Mandu is the Gdansk pierogi, boiled dough products with meat, cheese or sweet filling. An international dish common in Eastern Europe, where the delicacy is called dumplings. Here, pierogi are simmered in the oven, boiled and fried until golden brown.

Pierogarnia Mandu

Gdansk

The "Vyzhinye" or Highland Gate in the Renaissance style was built on the site of the moat that surrounded Gdansk. The gate is the beginning of the Royal Way. Through these gates, Polish monarchs entered the city and followed to the Golden Gate and Dluga Street, welcomed by local authorities and citizens. On the way, the King observed the richest and most beautiful buildings of Gdansk: Uphagen's house, the old town hall and the Lion's Castle. Today the Royal Way is a pedestrian tourist route.

Highland Gate

The National Museum is one of the oldest and most important museums in Poland. Unique collections of paintings, furniture, photographs, sculpture, jewelry and textiles from Gdansk and European masters  are collected here. The galleries of the National Museum feature paintings by Jan Brueghel the Younger, Anthony van Dyck and the legendary triptych "The Last Judgment" by Hans Memling.

National Museum of Gdansk

The statue of the god of the seas is a symbol of Gdansk, which was nicknamed "the city of Neptune". The figure was cast in the 16th century, and since then it has enjoyed the extraordinary love of the townspeople. The bronze Neptune even appeared on the emblem during Euro 2012. In 1634, the fountain was surrounded by a grate, and then an urban legend was born: everyone who touches the bowl gets lucky.

Fountain of Neptune

In 1503 Gdansk saw a monumental Gothic cathedral that could simultaneously accommodate up to 25,000 parishioners. St. Mary's Basilica is the largest brick cathedral in Europe, the construction of which took 160 years. Johann Bach himself claimed the post of bandmaster. In 1945, during the battles for the city, half of the arch collapsed, the bells melted, but the interior of the temple miraculously survived. St. Mary's Basilica is worth a visit because of the majestic interior decoration, tall white vaults, colorful stained-glass windows, bas-reliefs, statues of saints, a gilded main altar and 15th century decorations. If you want to look at the old Gdansk from the height of 82 meters, climb the bell tower of the cathedral, which leads to 400 steep steps.

St. Mary's Cathedral

The museum's collections will tell about the ancient inhabitants of the Baltic coast. Walk through the ancient halls and learn about the beliefs and magical rites of primitive people, about shamanic amulets and hunter's tools. The museum occupies a Gothic building that previously belonged to the city's society of naturalists. The mansion adjoins the majestic St. Mary's Gate, which was built in the 15th century.

Archaeological Museum of Gdansk

Walking around the city, it’s hard not to notice the bizarre Crane. The medieval gate was built in the 13th century and then reconstructed two centuries later. With the help of the “crane”, cargo was lowered from the ships and masts were installed. Today, the Crane Gate is part of the Gdansk Maritime Museum.

Crane Gate

The most unusual temple in Gdansk was erected at the end of the 14th century in honor of St. Brigid of Sweden, a Christian who founded a new monastic order. The relics of the saint are still kept in the crypt. What makes the church extraordinary is its interior decoration - an abundance of details and bas-reliefs made of iron, as well as an 11-meter altar made of amber. The piece of jewelry, unparalleled in beauty and elegance, was made for almost 20 years and was finally opened in 2017.

St. Bridget's Church

The Amber Museum occupies a historic building that was once a city prison. Some of the halls still keep the memory of those times, and the other is a collection of amber products. Gdansk has always been famous for its amber craft. Stones were used not only in jewelry, but also for decoration of sculptures, icons, cutlery and even musical instruments. Amber is mined all over the world, but Baltic amber is distinguished by its bright honey color, for which the local people called it "sun stone" and "tears of the sea."

Amber Museum

The Old Town Hall is one of the symbols of Gdansk. A magnificent building of red brick in the Gothic style adorned the city in the 15th century. Today, the headquarters of the Historical Museum is located here, but the doors of the Town Hall are open to tourists. Here you can admire the authentic historical interiors, frescoes about the history of the city, wander around the Courtroom and the Council halls, climb the 50-meter observation deck and listen to the chime of bells.

Old Town Hall

The baroque palace on the banks of the Motława River is one of the best hotels in Gdańsk, where elegant rooms furnished in the spirit of the 18th century go hand in hand with first-class service. Podewils Hotel guests receive a private limousine transfer and breathtaking panoramic views of old Gdansk.

Grand Hostel Gdansk

The hostel is located in the heart of old Gdansk just a few steps from Motlawa River embankment from where you can reach the most popular attractions. For the comfort of guests the Grand Hostel offers free WI-FI and a shared kitchen with unlimited tea and coffee. In addition you can book a private room with a seating area offering a breathtaking view of the river.

Bonum The Hotel is located in a baroque building of the 18th century in the very center of Gdansk. Convenient location and cozy rooms in bright colors attract active tourists who appreciate comfort. Bonum Hotel is a great place to dive deeper into local gastronomy, as the hotel's restaurant serves Polish and Kashubian cuisine.

Bonum Hotel

Craft Beer Central Hotel has turned the former railway station of Gdańsk into a fashionable hotel with a technological design. Guests have at their disposal modern comfortable rooms with internal telephones for free international calls and Internet access, as well as two spacious conference rooms.

Craft Beer Central Hotel

Original buildings, archaeological finds and the beach of Sopot

Day 2. Sopot

Cheerful Sopot has come a long way from a fishing village to a fashionable resort, which is part of the Tri-City agglomeration. Sopot is an oasis between the cities of Gdynia and Gdansk with healing springs and pristine beaches. Come to Sopot for this relaxing atmosphere with long dinners in taverns and pleasant resort bustle.

Stylish Dwie Zmiany offers an equally stylish and thoughtful menu, where there is a place for vegan dishes and international finds like scrambled eggs shakshuka and hummus. Among the Polish gastronomic classics, varenyky and sorrel soup szczawiowa, a summer dish served with a hard-boiled egg, are prepared here.

Dwie Zmiany

Browar Miejski Restaurant welcomes guests with hearty folk dishes and homemade beer. In the menu, we advise you to pay attention to the broth with kołdunami, beef dumplings; rich soup flaczki from beef tripe vegetables and spices; potato dumplings kartacze stuffed with meat; juicy goose leg and gołąbki, minced beef wrapped in cabbage leaves.

Browar Miejski Sopot

Restaurant Błękitny Pudel dilutes the classic European menu with local delicacies, such as goose pies and kaszanka, black pudding, in which, in addition to minced meat, buckwheat or pearl barley is added. Kaszanka recipes date back to the 17th century. The dish was prepared not only by peasants, but also by court cooks for aristocrats in Poland, Germany and Denmark.

Błękitny Pudel

Cafe Zascianek is a cozy cafe where delicious hot chocolate is brewed. Enjoy classic charlotte, ice cream, fresh pastries, surrounded by interesting interior: an old gramophone, paintings, photographs and antique furniture.

Cafe Zascianek

Walking along the Sopot beach, stop for lunch at the Koliba cafe, which serves Baltic herring with onions, Oscypek smoked sheep's cheese and homemade lard with black bread. For the main dish, try bigos, a traditional Polish soup made from cabbage, bacon, and selected meats with spices and herbs. Seafood lovers will find baked cod, halibut, trout with garlic sauce and potatoes, as well as salmon with spinach and tomatoes.

Koliba

Sopot

Souvenir shops, restaurants of Polish cuisine, bars and shops are located on the main tourist artery. The attention of tourists is attracted by curious sculptures, for example, a bronze statue of a fisherman with a net. The installation has been decorating Monte Cassino since 2008 and reminds residents and visitors of Sopot's past, which is inextricably linked with fishing. The street is closed from cars, so it is safe to move along it.

Bohaterów Monte Cassino

The Gothic cathedral was built in 1901. Funds raised from theatrical performances, fairs, concerts and donations from the imperial couple, William II and Augustine Victoria, went to the construction of the temple. The cathedral belonged to the Protestants, and after the Second World War passed to the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholics changed the decor and decorated the temple with icons and stained-glass windows with images of Polish saints, but retained details from the original interior: benches, an organ, chandeliers and a bas-relief of the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus.

Catholic Church of St. George

It is impossible to walk past the mall Bohaterow Monte Cassino. The crooked building, completed in 2004, has become a local celebrity. The project belongs to the Polish architects Shotinsky and Zalewski, who were inspired by optical illusions, deconstructivism and postmodernism.

Crooked House

The decoration of postcards and photographs is actually a fancy chimney, which was built for the boiler room of the balneological factory in 1903. The sailors used the chimney as a guide, but the design was officially recognized as a "lighthouse" only in 1977.

Sopot Lighthouse

The city beach stretches for four kilometers with a wide strip of velvety sand. Thanks to the developed infrastructure, vibrant resort life and safety, the coast of Sopot has become famous as a great place for a summer holiday. The beach is equipped with changing cabins, rental of sun loungers and umbrellas, volleyball courts, rescue towers and decking. In summer, concerts and sports competitions are held here.

Sopot Beach

The pier is a symbol of Sopot and the longest pier not only in the Baltic area, but also in Europe. Its length is 511.5 meters, where the most length lies in the waters of the Gulf of Gdansk. In summer, the entrance to the pier is paid.

Sopot Pier

Do you want to know how the inhabitants of the Tri-city dressed 100 years ago, what kind of furniture the wealthy bourgeois preferred, and what was on the site of modern hotels and inns? Then be sure to book an excursion to the local history museum, which contains 10,000 exhibits: photographs, art objects, household items and documents that will tell the history of the region.

Sopot Museum

Hotel Scandinavian-style Sopot offers a spa, private parking, a playground, a kids club and an author's restaurant. The rooms are pet friendly. The hotel is located 180 meters from the beach, so the terraces and balconies delight guests with sea views.

Hotel Sopot

Sofitel Grand Sopot is easily confused with a real palace. Built in 1927, the hotel immediately entered the list of the most luxurious buildings in Sopot, thanks to its harmonious interior and first-class infrastructure. Today, vacationers will find here 126 luxury rooms, a spa with a pool and saunas, a gym, a private beach, a pier, a restaurant and a bar overlooking the sea.

Sofitel Grand Sopot

If you want to live two minutes from Bohaterów Monte Cassino, but surrounded by peace and comfort, choose Villa sedan. The Art Deco exterior will give you a taste of pre-war Poland, while the on-site restaurant serves seafood and freshly caught fish dishes.

Villa Sedan

Camping PARK 45 is a detox for body and soul. Regular yoga classes, a balanced and healthy restaurant menu, as well as fresh air filled with iodine and the scent of pine needles await guests.

PARK 45

Military museums, an amber mine and a magnificent beach

Day 3. Swinoujscie

Swinoujscie is the warmest resort in Poland, where the Baltic Sea warms up to a record 25 degrees. Several centuries ago, the quiet Swinoujscie remained a haven for Slavic pirates, and then a military town, until a spa wave swept over it in the 19th century. Today it is a popular Polish health resort, famous for mineral mud and springs enriched with iodine, soda and bromine.

Once the ancient building was called Villa Merkur and belonged to a wealthy merchant family, and today excellent Polish cuisine is served here. The menu includes only traditional dishes: pierogi, fish soup, Silesian noodles and Baltic seafood bought from local fishermen.

Rybna Chata

Cafe Tawerna w Sieciach is famous for its extensive menu with pizza, fish and meat dishes. For guests, tender cod and salmon fillets are cooked here, Baltic herring is served with boiled potatoes as well as hake fillets in oil with the addition of beer. In sunny weather, we recommend booking a table on the outdoor veranda.

Tawerna w Sieciach. Restauracja

Walking along the Świnoujście sea promenade, stop by for lunch at the Promenada Baltic Park Fort . The restaurant's menu combines Polish, European and Mediterranean dishes. Here Silesian dumplings, duck breast with baked apples, smoked eel go well with beef carpaccio and risotto. Enjoy quality cuisine on the spacious outdoor terrace.

Restauracja Promenada Baltic Park Fort

Swinoujscie

The museum occupies the oldest building in the city, the former town hall, built in 1806. The collections tell the story of Świnoujście, closely connected with the sea, from ancient fishing to modern Baltic shipping. Among the exhibits there are navigation instruments, ancient dishes, miniature models of sailboats and ships, representatives of the flora and fauna of the Baltic Sea, Antarctica and the tropics, aquariums with live piranhas, sharks and turtles.

Swinoujscie Museum of Sea Fishery

The only Catholic church in the city has an elegant neo-Gothic facade and a colorful interior. The walls of the temple are decorated with frescoes and stained-glass windows with biblical scenes and images of the Virgin and Child. It also did not do without a marine theme, because translated from Latin Stella Maris personifies not only the Virgin Mary, but also translates as the "polar star", a celestial body that was used by sailors for navigation.

Church of the Holy Mother Star of the Sea

The park in Świnoujście is one of the most popular places in the city for sports, walking and enjoying music concerts. The green space was laid out at the beginning of the 19th century, at about the same time that Świnoujście was gradually turning into a resort. Alleys were arranged for vacationers on an area of 58 hectares and planted beeches, oaks, chestnuts, lindens, honeysuckle, firs, pines, and many other trees and shrubs. The first seedlings were sent from Sanssouci Park, the former residence of the Prussian King Frederick II the Great. The modern resort park was complemented by benches, latrines and playgrounds.

Resort Park

Fort Aniola was built in 1857 as part of the Świnoujście fortress, where light infantry artillery was located. A century later, the fort was used by German troops as an observation position, and after World War II, Aniola served as a point of contact with Soviet ships. In addition to the military exhibition, the museum has an amber mine, where you can mine and polish gold stone yourself.

Angel's Fort

The coast of Swinoujscie is 10 kilometers of sand dunes washed by the cool Baltic Sea. The beach is marked with the "Blue Flag",  an international award that confirms the comfort and safety of the beach. In some places, the width of the coast reaches 70 meters, so those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle will definitely find a place to relax. Here you can admire the seagulls and swans, dine in a cafe, rent a sun lounger or buy everything you need to relax in special beach shops.

Beach of Świnoujście

The lighthouse in the form of a windmill is a symbol of the city, which adorns the western breakwater. The structure was erected in 1877 and has since been rebuilt many times. The Lighthouse is a favorite of tourists who like to walk around and take pictures with the picturesque windmill.

Lighthouse

Aparthotel Baltic Park fort by Zdrojowa are stylish self-catering apartments with a functional design. Baltic guests Park Fort get a 50% discount in the water park and the gym, as well as access to the SPA center with a Finnish sauna. The elegant complex is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea, 300 meters from the beach.

Baltic Park Fort by Zdrojowa

West Baltic Resort Wellness & Spa offers standard double rooms and family suites, a sauna complex, an open-air jacuzzi and a treatment center where guests can not only relax, but also improve their health under the supervision of doctors and specialists. Hotel is surrounded by a pine park and the coast, which is 300 meters away.

West Baltic Resort Wellness & Spa

Poland's coastline is the longest in Europe with kilometers of sand dunes, relict coniferous forests and high cliffs with a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Get ready for a massive adventure, which will tell the story of the Baltic coast.

Baltic Heritage