Imagine wandering through a Christmas market where Dutch-inspired architecture meets Polish holiday traditions. That’s exactly what you’ll find at the Gdansk Christmas market.
A Touch of Amsterdam in Poland
Gdansk is a charming port town on Poland’s northern coast. I was surprised to see the striking resemblance to the Netherlands. Turns out, in the 16th century, Gdansk’s merchants shifted their trade focus towards the Netherlands. For over a century, Dutch architects were the master builders, designing most of the city in the Dutch Renaissance style.
The city, like many, experienced heavy destruction during WWII. After the war, Gdansk decided to build the city up again, as it originally was. Hence today, you can still experience Dutch architecture in all its splendor. What I loved most was the colorful narrow houses. Just like Amsterdam, yet painted bright hues.
I found this unique blend of Polish and Dutch architecture absolutely captivating, especially when adorned with twinkling Christmas lights.
While the Christmas spirit may not be as intense as that in Dresden, Gdansk did not disappoint. The city sparkles with festive lights and a towering 17-meter tall Christmas tree stands proudly at the center of the Long Market. The perfect holiday mood.
What to eat and drink at the Gdansk Christmas Market
Even after many days of indulging in Polish Christmas specialties in Wroclaw and Poznan, I was still excited by the fare at the Gdansk Christmas market.
Must-try savory delights:
- Oscypek: This Polish mountain cheese. You can have it on its own or wrapped in bacon and served with cranberries. This treat always filled the air with an irresistible aroma. I explain more about it in my Wroclaw post.
- Pierogies: We sampled various fillings, from pork to duck to cheese and potato. While delicious, they couldn’t quite match the ones we had in Wroclaw. I’m still dreaming about those.
- Other Polish classics we filled up on included kielbasa, bigos, pork shashlik and soup.
Must-indulge sweet treats:
There is no shortage of sweet treats at the Gdansk Christmas market, that’s for sure. We mostly stuck with the mulled wine, but they have both Polish and international favorites.
The must-trys include:
- Perniki (Polish gingerbread)
- Sernik (Polish cheesecake)
- Spiked hot chocolate
We tried a slice of Sernik at Kaffe Perro Negro. The perfect cozy cafe to warm up in.
Beyond Eating and Drinking
In addition to delicious food, the Christmas market in Gdansk offers plenty of shopping and options for children. There are carnival rides, a Christmas simulator ride, an indoor snow room, visits with Santa and a small ice skating rink just across the street.
Tips for visiting the Gdansk Christmas Market
- Bring cash, though most stalls accept card, some do not.
- Consider bringing a thermos to keep your drinks warm or buy the signature mug.
- Try mulled wine from different stalls – each has its own unique recipe. We preferred a not too sweet one from a stand close by to the talking moose.
- Yes, that’s right, don’t miss the talking moose – a quirky attraction we also encountered in Wroclaw.
- To avoid crowds, skip the weekend and peak hours (6-8 pm).
Practical Information
Location: Targ Weglowy, with smaller markets on Tkacka and Boguslawskiego streets. There’s also an indoor craft market, great if you are looking for homemade gifts.
Check the official website for opening hours, a map and more.
Where to stay and what else to do
We loved the Holiday Inn Gdansk in the City Centre. Its central location made it easy to explore the city and the Christmas market on foot. Be sure to expand your trip beyond the market itself. The city is beautiful and full of Christmas cheer.
St. Mary’s Church viewpoint
To see the city from above, climb the 412 steps to the top of the St. Mary’s Church. The St. Mary’s Church is the tallest brick temple in the world, standing at 80 meters high. The viewing platform is small and exposed to all the wind and cold, so be prepared. If you are afraid of heights or claustrophobic, I don’t recommend this adventure. There are many other viewpoints in the city as well, choose one and enjoy.
Watefront and the Motlawa river
Take a walk along both sides of the river. From the green Gate you just cross the bridge and walk along the river. Note: there was a lot of construction on this side when we visited, but the views are still quite great, and it’s a peaceful break from the Christmas markets. There’s a famous medieval crane here called Zuraw. This was used hundreds of years ago to load cargo into ships. Today, it’s an important symbol of Gdansk. You can also take a tour of the crane if you like!
Mariacka Street
Mariacka Street (also known as Maiden Street) is one of the coolest streets in Gdansk, and so far, the most beautiful street I’ve seen in Poland. The street is cobbled and lined with wide porches and little galleries selling art and local amber as well as some cafes. Come here if you need a souvenir or a special gift. The prices are fair as there are so many shops. Also look for the gorgoyle heads that locals call “pukers”. If it rains, you’ll see them spit out water. More history about this incredible street.
In conclusion, Gdansk’s Christmas market (and Gdansk itself) is a delightful blend of Polish traditions and international flair, set against a backdrop that feels surprisingly Dutch. Grab your winter coat and get ready to experience the magic.
For my full European Christmas market roadtrip, visit this article. And to explore more Christmas markets in Poland, check out my experiences in Wroclaw and Poznan.
