Port guide: Gdansk, Poland
Eastern Europe's great port city takes you from medieval trading times to the anti-Soviet movement, and into a lively 21st-century revival.
Who goes there
Those with good memories or a liking for recent history might assume Gdansk is a grimy industrial city, but it has one of Europe's liveliest and most attractive old towns. That makes it a regular port call on Baltic cruises which often start in Stockholm, Copenhagen or Amsterdam. Among regular visits are ships from companies such as Azamara, Celebrity, Cunard, MSC, Princess, Oceania, Ponant, Silversea and Viking, as well as several British-based companies.
Sail on in
Gdansk Bay is enormous and the city sits inland beyond the well-controlled mouth of the Motlawa River. Smaller ships tie up at one of two quays at the harbour entrance, so don't expect great drama from the ship's decks. Larger ships have an even less exciting arrival in the industrial port at Gydnia further around the coast. If you're tucking into your buffet breakfast during the arrival, you won't miss much.
Berth rites
Obroncow Westerplatte and WOC II quays don't have much by way of facilities. The town centre is a 15-minute drive in fixed-price taxis with fares that are clearly posted. Westerplatte sits beside a fortress and World War II memorial monument, as well as a small marina from which you can take local cruise-tours into town. Gdynia, meanwhile, is a 45-minute drive. It's a pleasant, lively seaside town, but you'll want to trek into Gdansk if you haven't been before.
Going ashore
Gdansk (or Danzig in German) was an independent Hanseatic League trading port. While it doesn't have individually outstanding sights, only some small museums, the old-town ensemble is mighty fine. Churches, half-timbered merchant houses and historical warehouses fuse German and Scandinavian styles. The streets are lively with cafe terraces, students and buskers. The Maritime Culture Centre addresses Hanseatic history and amber-trading routes.
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