Gdansk or Krakow: which Polish city is best for you?
Both former royal cities, Gdansk and Krakow offer pastel-hued centres and oodles of charm. But beyond this, they're very different indeed.
Perched on northern Poland's Baltic coast, near the seaside resorts of Sopot and Gdynia, Gdansk is known for its maritime heritage and as the 'world capital of amber', which you can dive into at the quirky amber museum, part of the Museum of Gdansk.
At the opposite end of the country, not too far from the Tatra Mountains, Krakow was once Poland*'s capital while its medieval core and nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine were the nation's first UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A fun fact? Both cities have a trail of small bronze mascots, likely inspired by Wroclaw's famous dwarves; keep an eye out for Gdansk's lions (named 'Hewelions' after astronomer Jan Heweliusz) and Krakow's Wawel dragons (more of which below) as you walk around.
Where to stay: browse the current offers on stays at Hilton Hotels in Poland* across Gdansk and Krakow.
What's Gdansk like?
Once part of the Hanseatic League, a powerful network of market towns and merchant guilds, Gdansk* subsequently became Poland's top seaport and even its wealthiest region in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Fast forward to 1939, however, and it had the less enviable fortune of witnessing WWII's first battle at Westerplatte; much of this Baltic stunner was later destroyed and its fine city centre has been faithfully rebuilt.
The results of this restoration are glorious; lining the waterways are tall Dutch-style Mannerist façades, with red brick and stepped gables, while streets like the Royal Way host equally regal merchants' houses. Painted in pastels, boasting ornamented parapets and intricate murals, these are peppered with grand landmarks.
It's not all about the old though. Projects such as Granary Island see centuries-old storehouses jostle with dynamic new buildings, housing hip restaurants and hotels.
Things to do in Gdansk
Start around the Motlawa River, where two little islands, Granary and Olowianka, add to the watery charm. On Olowianka you'll find the Soldek ship and main exhibition buildings of the National Maritime Museum, which offers a ferry to its other Gdansk locations, including an iconic medieval crane, on the opposite bank.
Consider lunch at one of the area's myriad restaurants or perhaps come back for dinner; it's especially magical at night when reflections light up the water.
Afterwards, wander through the arches of the palatial Green Gate, built as a monarchical residence and presently among several branches in the National Museum in Gdansk.
You're now on the Royal Way, once the preserve of parading Polish kings and choc-full of landmarks like Artus Court and Uphagen House (note, these are part of a separate collection of museum venues under the Museum of Gdansk).
Other photogenic streets around here include Mariacka, where amber sellers tout overpriced wares alongside unusual gargoyle gutters, but it's all so very pretty; climb up the tower of the Main Town Hall or St Mary's Church for a bird's eye view. And talking of churches, don't miss St Bridget's, whose amber altar is a true masterpiece.
A little out of the centre, you'll find sites like the Home Army Museum and the European Solidarity Centre, a rusty edifice by the revitalised Gdansk Shipyard; this tells Gdansk's story as the birthplace of a movement that sparked the end of communist rule.
Nearby is the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970, commemorating those who died during riots against the regime.
What's Krakow like?
It may not have Gdansk's watery allure but Krakow* has other trump cards up its sleeve. Having escaped destruction during WWII, its UNESCO-listed centre, a meld of Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque, is the real deal.
And although much bigger than Gdansk, as Poland's second-largest city after capital Warsaw, it still feels pleasantly compact. Abundant natural spaces are a bonus too, with Planty Park wrapped around its historic heart like a green scarf.
Krakow has to manage huge tourist numbers, exacerbated by an additional reputation for stag parties; the city feels less pristine than Gdansk, and there's an undeniable veneer of tackiness in some areas.
Authorities are trying to cope, with measures such as a 'night mayor', but you can help by visiting responsibly and avoiding the peak season; measures that apply anywhere but are especially valuable in honeypots such as Krakow.
Things to do in Krakow
An apt place to begin your sightseeing is Krakow's Main Market Square: one of Europe's largest medieval market squares and home to landmarks like the Renaissance Cloth Hall, where souvenirs have replaced the spices and silk once traded among its arches.
Upstairs is the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, part of the National Museum in Krakow, a large network of venues crowned by the Main Building, which hides a superb art collection behind its austere façade.
Pop into St Mary's Basilica, one of the most sumptuous church interiors in Europe, and gaze up at its soaring blue vaulted ceiling sprinkled with stars.
Then leave Main Square to visit the equally decorative Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, which shares hallmarks like Art Nouveau stained glass by Stanislaw Wyspianski (stained-glass lovers should also check out the muWi Stained Glass Museum, among various speciality museums in Krakow).
You could spend a few more hours around this area, with its jewel-box churches and grand thoroughfares like Grodzka, or return for its buzzy evening atmosphere.
As for headline sights, next up is the enormous Wawel Royal Castle, spanning stately rooms to the Dragon's Den; the latter is the mythical lair of Wawel's legendary dragon, with other dragon-themed sites including its supposed 'bones' outside Wawel Cathedral and a fire-breathing statue.
Meandering down from Wawel leads you to the Jewish district of Kazimierz: renowned for its indie bars and boutiques, as well as zapiekanki (toasted open sandwiches loaded with toppings).
Museums here range from Galician Jewish culture to Polish ethnography, and there are some striking synagogues too. Across the Vistula River is the enamel factory of Oskar Schindler, who sheltered over a thousand Jews during the Holocaust.
It now hosts a branch of the Museum of Krakow, telling this poignant tale, plus the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow.
Compare weather
Use the graphs below to compare the weather in both destinations. Find out more about the climate in Gdansk and the climate in Krakow as well as conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in Poland.
Gdansk vs Krakow
Maximum daytime temperature (°C)
Hours of sunshine per day
Days with some rainfall
Monthly rainfall (mm)
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