Dreaming of cobble-paved Old Towns that have remained virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages, soaring church spires that seem to touch the sky, and the kind of mouthwatering food you can hardly pronounce, let alone describe?
Europe is surely at the top of your wish list this summer, and if we’re being honest, it’s the same for us, but let us tell you a little secret:
Paris, London, Milan and the like are just not IT in the high season.
From the maddening crowds to the crazy prices, they are far from being the idyllic getaway you’re craving, but hey, we’ve got you! We’re called Travel Off Path for a reason, after all.
If it’s Old World charm, fascinating history, and cheap prices you seek, this gorgeous Polish city is where it’s at:
This Isn’t AI, Folks
One of the most underrated summer destinations in Europe, Gdańsk is a medieval gem near the Baltic Coast, famous for its ornate house façades, quaint riverside, lined with laid-back cafés and historic edifices, and World War II History.
Seen from atop the red brick St Mary’s Basilica, it almost looks like a bunch of colorful Lego pieces carefully arranged in rows in between cobbled lanes.
Yep, this isn’t AI, folks, it’s a real place.
Better yet, Gdańsk is nothing short of a budget traveler’s paradise.
We’re talking beer for $3, centrally-located hotels within walking distance of all the main landmarks for an average $45, and an estimated budget of around $231 for a weekend escapade.
To sum it up, it truly doesn’t get much cheaper than this.
Gdańsk Is An Absolute Bargain In Summer
For instance, going for lunch in a Milk Bar (a Polish-run local eatery serving home-cooked dishes), which typically includes pierogi, the world-famous Polish dumplings, and hearty stews, will set you back an average $10.
If you’re looking to eat cheap in the Old Town, try Bar Mleczny Neptun, or Bar Turystyczny.
Craving global cuisine? There are numerous bistros and restaurants near the water serving pizza, pasta, and burgers, oftentimes with a Polish twist: Pizzeria Nataniel is one such example, where you can try their kurczakowa pizza flavor: sauce, cheese, chicken, pepper, and corn.
As far as accommodation goes, Hotel Vesper House has single rooms starting from $130 (per 2 adults), or around $65 each.
Now, if you’re truly on a super-strict budget, and you’re a solo traveler, Rooms4Less offers double rooms a bit farther out from the historic center, yet easily-reached with public transport, from only $41. Finally, a 5-star stay at the local Hilton Gdańsk will run you up $216-a-night.
Even transportation is fairly inexpensive: bus and tram tickets cost $0.83 for 75 minutes of access to the transport system.
@vinigoesglobal Malbork, Poland 🇵🇱 #funfacts #castle #interesting #history #poland #europe #traveltiktok #travelinspo A Medieval Tale – BGM President
If you’re in fancy for a day trip, maybe to Marbork, home to the world’s largest castle, or the Polish coastal paradise of Gdynia, where golden sands and refreshing Baltic waters await, traveling on one of those short-distance, regional trains will set you back roughly $14.
Cooler Weather Than Mediterranean Europe
Affordability aside, why choose a largely unheard-of Gdańsk as a summer destination? Isn’t it freezing cold, even though it’s August?
It’s true that weather can be a bit unpredictable in Northeastern Europe, particularly on the Baltic Coast, but most days, you’re looking at pleasant highs of 73°F in the daytime, and lows of 58°F in the occasionally-chilled evening.
This is not Mediterranean Europe, for sure, but when — and it’ll, at some point—you’re hit with a Polish heatwave, you’ll want to have your swimming shorts handy.
It’s a good thing Gdynia and its sandy beach, gelato shops and seafood eateries are a short 19-minute train ride away.
Speaking of weather, did you know Fahrenheit, the inventor of the namesake scale, was actually born here? You can even visit an ornate Fahrenheit thermometer, right on Długa Street.
That’s not the only thing Gdańsk is famous for. Well, in some circles, anyway:
Fascinating History
It’s home to a National Maritime Museum, housed in a medieval crane, the oldest and best-preserved crane in Europe, looming over the calm waters of the Motława River.
A short 5-minute walk from the riverfront, the gorgeous St Mary’s Church is one of the largest brick churches in the world. The street leading down to it, Mariacka, is lined with historic houses with beautifully sculpted porches and jewelry stands.
Gdańsk’s historical relevance cannot be understated, either:
For starters, in case you slept through much of your History course, scholars widely accept that Gdańsk is where World War II officially started.
More specifically, its Westerplatte Peninsula is where the Germans first made landfall on their incursion into Poland—though at the time, Gdańsk was an independent city-state.
Technicalities aside, the ruined barracks scattered around the park, with bullet holes and other war-era scars, are a must-see for WWII enthusiasts.
Furthermore, Gdańsk is also where the succession of events that led to the fall of communism across Eastern Europe was kick-started, or so some experts believe:
It hosted the first-ever large-scale public demonstrations against the communist regime west of the Berlin Wall, and in the European Solidarity Center, you’ll find an immersive museum taking you on a highly informative walk through that turbulent period.
As you can see, there’s plenty in Gdańsk to keep you busy for days on end!
It’s not like it’s just postcard-ready, ornate house fronts with floral motifs, after all.
Going to Europe this summer? Don’t forget to use our TOP Entry Checker to verify entry and stay regulations at your destination, including Poland.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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