Gdansk Mysterious Places - Attractions That Guides Don't Tell You About
- Damian Brzeski
- 5 hours ago
- 11 min read
Do you know Gdańsk from the Neptune and Długi Targ side? Great. And now forget about what the guidebooks show – it's time to go off the beaten track and look where history speaks in whispers and the walls have a soul.
In this guide you will discover abandoned mills, underground secrets, urban legends and forgotten alleys that hide the second, more mysterious face of Gdańsk. Ready for a journey to places where the spirit of the past still hovers in the air?
Mysterious Places in Gdansk - A Guide for Explorers
Gdańsk is not only Neptune on Długi Targ, St. Mary's Basilica and golden tenement houses on the Motława River. It is a city with a soul , which - if you allow yourself to leave the tourist trails - will reveal to you its more intimate and sometimes even disturbing face.
In this guide, I take you on a journey through the mysterious places of Gdańsk , where history intertwines with legend, darkness with beauty, and the past still whispers from under layers of bricks and cobbled streets.
These are not the classic tourist attractions of Gdańsk that you will find in brochures from the information office. These are nooks and crannies where it is worth seeing Gdańsk from a completely different side.
You will find places worth visiting if you are fascinated by abandoned spaces, alternative culture, ghosts of the past, unusual views or architectural curiosities. There will be viewpoints , old fortifications and places with chills.
Do you want to discover the most interesting attractions of Gdańsk , which are not mentioned in the guidebook from the kiosk? You've come to the right place. Let's go - before us is the city of Gdańsk as you have never known it.
Delving into the Depths: Gdansk's Underground and Hidden History
Imagine: you're walking through the center of Gdańsk, right next to Hala Targowa, a crowd of tourists pass you by, and you turn into an inconspicuous street. There, at Pańska 1, Piwnica Romańska awaits you - a place so old that it still remembers the times when Gdańsk was just becoming a real city.
This is the oldest preserved interior in Gdańsk. Hidden beneath the surface, it was once part of the Dominican monastery, serving as a dining room and kitchen.
Today – as a branch of the Archaeological Museum – it reveals to visitors its 13th-century walls, brick vaults and… an ossuary. Yes, you read that right. It also houses the bones of the dead from the 16th and 17th centuries.
This amazing space was only opened to the public in 2014, so many locals don’t even know they have such a treasure under their feet.
What makes it even more special? That literally in the very center of the city – right next to the everyday hustle and bustle – there is a place of silence, contemplation and authentic contact with history.
If you dream of an alternative tour of Gdańsk , this is where you should start your journey. Because Gdańsk, the real one, often begins where the advertising brochures end.
Off the Main Streets: Unconventional Urban Explorations
Sometimes it's enough to take just a few steps off the beaten track to discover a completely different side of Gdańsk. In this part of the city, you won't find crowds, ice cream from the vending machine, or selfie sticks. Instead, you'll find atmosphere, history, and places that live their own rhythm - quietly, majestically, or completely the opposite.
Wałowy Square – a mosaic of the ages
At first glance, it looks like an inconspicuous courtyard in the Old Suburbs. But if you look closer, Plac Wałowy turns out to be a real gem for lovers of urban planning and history.
On one side, the 19th-century Wiebe Barracks, on the other – the Small Armoury, designed by Jerzy Strakowski in the 17th century.
And that's not all - around there are rows of original tenement houses and the former Loan Office from 1867. All this creates the history of the city of Gdańsk written in the walls - quiet, not obvious and as if forgotten by guidebooks.
The roof of the Forum Gdańsk – a viewpoint that no one expects
Forum Gdańsk is a place that is usually associated with shopping and chain coffee. But who would have thought that on the roof of this shopping center , one of the most interesting views of the Main City awaits you? Take the elevator to the parking lot – and voilà.
A panorama of the Main Railway Station, the Wyżynna Gate and old Gdańsk awaits you. It is especially magical here after dark, when the city lights spread like gold over the cobbled streets. This is the perfect way to see Gdańsk in an unusual way – from above and without the crowds.
Zaułek Zappia – silence in the heart of the Main Town
A few steps from the crowded Motława embankment there is a place that resembles a shelter from the world – Zaułek Zappia , also known as Aleja Zakochanych. Surrounded by brick walls, adjacent to the Church of St. John, it seems to be completely forgotten by tourists.
But it is named after no one else – Zachariasz Zappio, a wealthy brewer and founder who supported this very church.
They say it's the perfect place for a romantic walk... but also for a moment of reflection. Especially if you like a place with a legend - here is a story of love that was supposed to last for centuries.
Elektryków Street – the post-industrial pulse of the city
If you think that the Gdańsk Shipyard area is just history, then Ulica Elektryków will certainly surprise you. Among the containers, scaffolding and remnants of the industrial landscape, a vibrant center of alternative culture has emerged.
There are concerts, parties, food trucks, art installations and walls covered with murals. All of this right next to the B90 club and the Plenum space. Elektryków Street is like Hyde Park and Berghain in one – only in the Gdańsk version. In the summer, this place simply lives its own life.
100cznia – colors, containers and freedom
For dessert, something that looks like a construction site from a distance, and up close – like a holiday festival. 100cznia is colorful containers against the background of the shipyard panorama, which in the summer turn into a bar, beach, concert stage, art studios, relaxation zones and world cuisine all in one.
This "temporary project" attracts with its looseness and originality - it is a modern attraction of Gdańsk , which shows that post-industrial spaces can get a second life and become a new center of urban life.
Each of these places proves that an alternative tour of Gdańsk can be not only interesting, but also deeply moving. Because it is here, on the sidelines, that the true charm of the city of Gdańsk is hidden.
Gdansk Fortifications and Their Secrets
Gdańsk has not only a rich interior, but also solid walls. Literally. It is the fortifications – both forgotten and proudly restored – that hide many stories about defense, power, ghosts… and drinking water.
Fortress Park – between the moat and memory
In Grodzisk, in the shadow of the popular Hevelianum and Gradowa Góra, there is the Park Poforteczny – a green enclave where the past speaks to us quietly but clearly. This is where you will find the "wet moat", the Neubauer Bastion and the monument to Russian soldiers from 1898.
This peculiar neighbourhood – traces of Prussian fortifications next to a tsar’s monument – reminds us that the history of Gdańsk is not only a source of pride, but also a complex mosaic of influences and conflicts .
Bastions Żubr and Gertrudy – when walls turn into parks
Little has survived from the 16th and 17th century fortifications of the Historic City Centre , but what has survived has changed beyond recognition. The Żubr and Gertrudy Bastions are now green spaces where you can take a walk, sit by the water, or simply breathe in history.
Bastion Żubr, from the early 17th century, and Kamienna Śluza – these are fragments of the city's former defenses from the Żuławy and Tczew sides. Their current form – open, friendly, natural – says a lot about how the city of Gdańsk is able to adapt the past to the present .
Wisłoujście Fortress – a stronghold that has seen it all
The fortress is a place with a history so long that one could write a saga about it. The Wisłoujście Fortress , guarding the mouth of the Vistula since the 14th century, was not only a fort - it was also a lighthouse. In 1482, a stone tower was built here, which not only watched the enemies, but also directed ships.
Fort Carré, bastions, ramparts... a military machine that has survived for centuries. Although it lost its importance after World War I and suffered severe damage in 1945, today - under the wings of the Gdańsk Museum - it is still alive. And how! They say that at night the ghosts of Luiza and Adam walk there... See? It is not only a historical place - it is a legend in itself.
Gradowa Mountain – with ghosts and a view
If you like panoramas and old walls, Góra Gradowa is a must-see. Once part of the Grodzisk defensive complex, it now serves as a picturesque viewpoint and educational park.
But don’t be fooled by the modern paths – there’s still history beneath your feet. And if legends are to be believed, this place was once inhabited by the pagan prince Hagel. Mysterious? Definitely. Gradowa Mountain is the perfect place to reflect on how a battlefield hill can be transformed into a green space for everyone.
The fortifications of Gdańsk are not just relics of military might – they are living testimonies of the changes the city has undergone. And a reminder that history is more than dates – it is a space that you can touch, walk around and feel under your feet today.
Stories in Stone and Brick: Historic Places with Atmosphere
Every city has its monuments. But only some have a soul hidden between old bricks. In Gdańsk, it is in the walls, alleys and houses with history that a climate lurks that cannot be faked.
These are stories hidden in architecture – about merchants, craftsmen, ghosts, gold-infused drinks and industrial powerhouses.
Tenement houses "Pod Łososiem" - a history that tastes of gold
At ul. Piwna 82–84 you will find tenement houses full of Renaissance details, Mannerist portals and... alchemy.
This is where the story of Goldwasser begins – a liqueur with gold flakes. Although the name "Pod Łososiem" refers to the old fish merchants, it was the restaurant on Szeroka Street, founded in 1598 by a Dutch Mennonite, that made this place famous.
The original building was destroyed during the war, but its history survived. Since 1975, you can once again feel the atmosphere of old Gdańsk here – with a glass of sparkling drink in your hand.
The Abbot's Granary – from grain to culture
In the heart of Gdańsk's Old Town stands the 17th-century Opacki Granary – a former grain warehouse, now home to the Youth Culture Centre. Gothic arches, a façade with soul and the history of trade that runs through the walls.
It's hard to believe that this place once belonged to the Oliwa abbot, who was also associated with the legendary restaurant "Pod Łososiem". Here, you can clearly see how the past permeates the present.
The water mill in Stogi – the power of water that has survived
On the outskirts of Gdańsk, amidst greenery and peace, stands a water mill from the olden days. Brick, with a classic wheel, it recalls the times when grain was ground not by electricity, but by nature.
The same one once stood in Bąk. Today, the mill in Stogi is a tourist attraction , but above all – a history lesson about old crafts and the cunning of a man who was able to tame water.
Artus Court – the Gdansk Round Table
Want to feel the atmosphere of the old elite? Artus Court is a place where wealthy merchants, craftsmen and politicians met. Inspired by the legends of King Arthur's knights, it was built in 1477 and to this day it dazzles with its Mannerist portal, royal medallions and a huge, 12-meter stove. Legend has it that right at the entrance hangs... the devil's fang. Symbolism, history and prestige radiate from every corner.
Wrzeszcz with atmosphere: Kuźniczki Manor and Wajdeloty Street
In the heart of Wrzeszcz Dolny, which miraculously survived the turmoil of war, lies the Kuźniczki Manor – one of the oldest buildings in the district.
Next to it – Wajdeloty Street , where 19th-century tenement houses meet modern gastronomy. Vegans, vegetarians, hipsters and old Gdańsk residents – all coexist here in an atmosphere that combines the past with the present.
Radunia Canal – Medieval Engineering in a Modern Center
Imagine: you are walking through the Forum Gdańsk shopping mall, and a 14th-century canal flows beneath your feet. The Radunia Canal , laid out by the Teutonic Knights, is still alive, flowing through the gallery courtyard. Once it powered mills and supplied the city with water, today it is a reminder of how cleverly planned Gdańsk was 700 years ago.
Reservoirs with a history: Stara Orunia and Stary Sobieski
On the hills of Gdańsk you will find not only views, but also architectural wonders of technology and . The Stara Orunia Water Reservoir is a brick place, resembling a church crypt.
And Stary Sobieski ? It is already an underground amphitheater with a 7-second echo. Built in 1911, today it houses an exhibition on the history of waterworks and an escape room. Neoclassical facade, reinforced concrete monolith, 8,238 cubic meters of history.
Each of these buildings and nooks is more than just bricks – it is a living story about Gdańsk , which does not forget its roots, and at the same time is constantly changing.
Whispers of legends: places shrouded in mystery, a bit dark
Not all stories are written in guidebooks. Some are heard only when darkness falls and the city falls silent. These are the mysterious places in Gdańsk , where time has stopped and the echoes of the past still circulate among the ruins, trees and tombstones. Here legend meets reality, and every step can be the beginning of a story...
Mill in Bąk – ghosts of the past
In Bąk, somewhere on the outskirts, among the trees, stand the ruins of an old water mill . This place, abandoned and covered with moss, resembles a setting from a Gothic tale.
It is said that whispers can be heard here at night. In the past, it was believed that such buildings were the habitat of spirits and evil forces. Today – they arouse nostalgia rather than fear, but the mysterious aura remains. It is an abandoned place with a soul , which has something melancholic, almost cinematic about it.
The old TVP villa – witches, freemasons and the devil's hill
The former headquarters of TVP Gdańsk , built in 1910, has a completely different atmosphere. Abandoned until 2015, falling into ruin, it became a shelter for the homeless and... well, maybe not only for them.
Local legends speak of Masonic meetings and witch rituals held on the nearby "devil's hill." The mystery of this villa is darker, more disturbing - perfect for those who like a shiver down their spine.
Srebrzysko Cemetery – between memory and oblivion
This is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Gdańsk – picturesquely situated among hills and trees, with a history dating back to 1924. The Srebrzysko Cemetery was to be the main necropolis of the city until the Łostowicki Cemetery was established.
During World War II, German soldiers and civilians were buried here. After the war, their fate became unclear – some sources say they were exhumed, others that the remains are still there, only the tombstones were removed.
Srebrzysko is a place where history cannot be told unequivocally – where silence says more than the inscriptions on the slabs .
Military cemetery in Zaspa – generations of heroes
In the heart of the Zaspa district, between housing estates and parks, there is the Polish Army Soldiers Cemetery – a place of remembrance that often escapes the attention of even local residents.
Soldiers who died during World War II, participants of the Warsaw Uprising, and people associated with the city's post-war history are buried here.
It is not just a cemetery like many others in Poland – it is a place of national remembrance that deserves a moment of pause, especially if you are looking for places in Gdańsk where history touches you directly and without pathos.
All these places have one thing in common – they tell a different story . Not through dates and facts, but through an aura that you can feel under your skin. If you want to get to know Gdańsk with its mysterious face , this is where you will hear its quietest, but most moving whispers.
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