Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot
Tri-City is located on the Baltic coast and consists of three cities, Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot. The three cities are situated adjacent to one another forming one of the most-visited tourist destinations in Poland. Each of the cities are proudly independent and have their own unique character and history. You’ll find Gdynia in the north, Gdańsk in the south and Sopot in the middle with great transport links between each other.
Within Tri-City, Gdańsk is the most well-known Internationally. In the 1980s, Gdańsk was the birthplace of the Solidarity movement, which played a major role in bringing an end to communist rule in Poland and helped precipitate the collapse of the Eastern Bloc, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact. Gdańsk is also famous for being the location where the first shots of World War II were fired. Not surprisingly, two of the city’s main attractions are the World War II Museum, and the European Solidarity Centre.
There’s plenty to explore in Gdańsk including the picturesque Old Town, which includes the Royal Way leading to the riverfront via several city gates.
Gdansk’s little sister but still a tourist hotspot is Sopot, one of the most fashionable towns in Poland and Tri-City’s primary party destination. The town’s reputation as a spa resort began in the early 19th century, this quickly grew into a reputation as a playground for Europe’s elite, many of whom purchased summer homes there.
See the Top 10 things to do in Tri-City.
Around and about
The city is a hip and happening place with buzzing nightlife, quality hotels and spas, sheltered beaches and plenty to do and see. Sopot has the longest wooden pier in Europe, at 515.5 metres, stretching out into the Bay of Gdańsk. For active types, Sopot provides kilometres of bike paths and forest trails to explore.
The most happening place in Sopot, Tri-City is ul. Monte Cassino, the city’s main pedestrian thoroughfare. It is lined with bars, clubs and restaurants and leads directly to the pier and beaches.
Gdynia is a major seaport and is a regular stopover on the cruising itinerary of large, luxury passenger ships. As a relatively new city, Gdynia lacks the 1,000-year history of its better-known neighbour but still has lots to offer. You’ll find beautiful beaches, great walking routes and an active nightlife scene.
Tri-City is located within the Pomeranian Voivodeship, a region which has 316 km of coastline with sandy beaches and a staggering 2,901 lakes. If you wanted to swim in a different lake every day, it would take you almost eight years.
Just 62km away from Tri-City, is Malbork Castle, the largest castle in the world measured by land area and was designated a World Heritage Site in December 1997 by UNESCO. Located on the east bank of the River Nogat, this Gothic brick-built fortress once belonged to the Teutonic Order, and it served as their headquarters for almost 150 years.
Pomerania also boasts two national parks, Slowinski National Park and Bory Tucholskie National Park, it also has nine landscape parks and 127 nature reserves.
Explore the city, while hearing fascinating facts about what makes it so special. Discover the multiple Town Halls in Gdansk, pass by the famous Golden House and see the largest brick church in Europe. Learn the purpose of the Beer Bell and intriguing facts about this Baltic port.
The Museum of the Second World War is housed in a striking piece of modern architecture decorating the northern end of Gdańsk’s waterfront and is one of the top tourist attractions in Tri-City. As the name suggests, the museum is dedicated to World War II, in particular how the conflict changed the lives of millions of Poles and focussing on the human suffering it caused. The museum is divided into different sections and includes exhibits of Nazi propaganda posters, a haunting Holocaust section, a Sherman tank, street mock-ups, uniforms, weapons, maps, films and much more. You’ll need a minimum of three hours to do the exhibits justice and note that the museum is not suitable for children of any age. There’s a 200 visitor limit to avoid queues so purchase your ticket in advance online.
Pomerania (Pomorskie) is Poland’s most northern province. It covers an area of over 18,300 square kilometres and has the Baltic Sea on its northern border and Russia (via the Vistula Spit) to the north-east. The region has 316 km of coastline with sandy beaches and a staggering 2,901 lakes. If you wanted to swim in a different lake every day, it would take you almost eight years! The epicentre and capital of Pomerania is Gdańsk, northern Poland’s metropolis, which together with Gdynia and Sopot forms a conurbation called Tri-City – one of the main cultural, commercial and educational centres of Poland inhabited by over 1.2 million people. Like most of the region, Gdańsk has changed hands many times over the centuries, with each invader leaving their mark on the architecture and culture of the city for today’s visitors to enjoy.
Discover Gdańsk from the water on board of a replica of a Polish river boat used for over 400 years. An intimate, wooden and spacious 12-seater boat will take you to places unavailable to large ships and thanks to the low number of passengers you’ll feel at ease and special. You will start the cruise from the former areas of the Gdańsk Shipyard, which once was a workplace for nearly 18,000 people and which has been unavailable to visitors for over 170 years until recently. The shipyard in Gdansk has been established after 1945 in the place of the former German shipyards. It was here that the movement “Solidarity" began in 1980, leading to the fall of communism in Poland. During the trip, you will sail around Ostrów Island, where the fifth largest ship repair yard in the world is located. This is a unique opportunity to see specialized ships, the harbour cranes (the cranes are a symbol of the city) and the internal quays of the Port of Gdansk. The only commercial vessels allowed to float in the shipyard waters are those of this tour.
Beginning with hotel pick-up and transportation to the Malbork Castle in a comfortable AC minibushis, this 6-hour guided tourn in English is a must-do for anyone visiting Gdansk. Explore the 14th-century Palace of the Grand Master, which was at one point the residence of the so-called Grand Master of the Teutonic Order and see the castle’s various permanent and temporary exhibitions including the collection of weaponry, armor, flags and enormous Amber Museum. Malbork Castle covering 143,591 square meters is the largest castle in the world! Built with 12-15 million bricks it is even bigger than Windsor Castle. Malbork Castle is listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by over 500,000 tourists each year. Right now it holds a museum with 40 thousand items.
Kayak your way around Gdansk on the Motlawa river to see the city from a different perspective. Your Guide will lead you to many interesting stops like the Crane, one of the defining symbols of Gdansk representing what little is left of the city’s great trading age. You will learn about Gdansk’s history at the SS Sołdek, a former Polish coal and ore freighter. Your route takes you around two islands of Gdansk: Granary Island and Olowianka Island. Gdansk’s unique location at the crossroads of sea and river routes, waterways of the Vistula river at the Baltic estuary, as well as the Radunia and Motlawa rivers, had a great impact on the history of the city as it is known today. Grab a paddle and follow the canals to see places ferries cannot access. Seize the opportunity to experience a completely different Gdansk to the one you’ve seen on land.
Explore Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot on a 7-hour sightseeing tour. Discover beautiful beaches, charming old towns and visit a city made from dreams! This is a perfect tour for who wants to see as much as possible of the Tri-City area on a full-day private sightseeing coverin all the major highlights from Gdansk to Sopot. Visit the center of Gdansk, restored after World War II with Long Street, the Neptune fountain and the Island of Granaries. You will also see the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers on the Solidarity square, where the famous movement had its beginning. Passing through the city, don’t miss the Polish Amber Football Stadium and Falowiec – the second-longest European residential wavy-shaped building, 800m long, displaying typical communist architecture. Afterward, you will go to Oliwa – relax in the French garden and hear one the organ concert in the cathedral. The tour continues in Sopot along the Monte Casino street, probably the most famous promenade in Poland. Stroll near the art nouveau caf cafés and shops, soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere and admire the beachfront attractions, including the longest wooden pier in Europe and the beautiful waterfront Spa Park. The final destination is Gdynia, where the battleship “Lightning” and frigate “Gift of Pomerania” are reminders of the rich history of the Polish Navy and the country’s shipbuilding traditions.
Tri-City Tours & Experiences
Get your Guide – Tours & Experiences
Your English speaking driver will pick you up from your hotel in a comfortable air-conditioned mini bus and take you to Sztutowo where the former camp and the Stutthof Museum are located.