Are you just waking up and the English weather is outside, cold, wet and windy enough to blow your mind off? Theoretically, it wouldn't be such a problem if it weren't for the fact that you are on a long-awaited vacation. Gdańsk with its beautiful Old Town and sandy beaches seems to be a perfect place to spend a long weekend or holiday.
Unfortunately, this wonderful city, with a wonderful seaside climate, is also characterized by not entirely predictable weather. And of course, a rainy week always happens when you plan a long-awaited vacation. But is this really a reason to worry?
Of course, if you are looking for an ebony tan and a cold beer on the beach, a few days of bad weather may spoil your mood. In this article I will try to show you how many interesting places this city has to offer, regardless of the weather outside. I invite you on a fascinating journey through the weather-resistant tourist attractions of Gdańsk.
Gdańsk in the rain has its own unique charm. This is the time when raindrops gently tap on the cobbled streets of the Old Town, and cafes and museums invite you to warm interiors, full of history and culture. Here are some places that will make you love Gdańsk even on a cloudy day.
Here's a list of the best attractions you can visit if the weather isn't on your side.
They are all located in the Old Town or in the Center so that you don't have to travel too far in this weather:
Museum of the Second World War: One of the most important places in Poland commemorating the history of World War II world war, with fascinating exhibitions and multimedia presentations.
European Solidarity Center: Cultural and educational center dedicated to the history of Solidarity and opposition movements in the eastern block, with interactive exhibitions.
Shakespeare Theater: A unique theater space where you can watch classical and modern plays , including Shakespeare's works in new interpretations.
Centrum Hewelianum: Educational science center with interactive exhibitions, ideal for families with children and all those interested in science and technology.
Contemporary Art Galleries: There are several galleries in Gdańsk presenting contemporary art, including local artists and international exhibitions.
National Museum in Gdańsk: The museum offers rich art collections, from the Middle Ages to contemporary times, including works of painting and artistic crafts.
Amber Museum: Discover the history and secrets of the "gold of the Baltic Sea" in this specialized museum.
Uphagen House: A historic merchant's house that is an excellent example of a middle-class house with 18th century, with original furnishings.
Gdańsk Museum: Learn about the history of the city in the museum located in the Main Town Hall .
Museum of the Second World War
The Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk is one of the most modern and moving museums in Poland, dedicated to the history of World War II. Its unique architecture, with a distinctive glass block towering over the city, already announces a unique experience from the outside.
The main exhibition is divided into several sections telling about pre-war events, the course of the war and its effects. The exhibits include everyday objects and unique military artifacts, photographs, documents, as well as multimedia and reconstructions that help understand the context and scale of the events. The narrative is conducted in an accessible and emotional way, focusing on the human dimension of war.
Interactive exhibition elements, such as simulations and multimedia, allow visitors to deeper immerse themselves in the realities of those times. Poignant eyewitness accounts, soldiers' letters, and sound recordings additionally enhance the experience.
The museum not only presents the history of World War II from a Polish perspective, but also sheds light on the experiences of other nations, which makes it an educational place of international importance.
M2W was connected some time ago with another facility, namely the Westerplatte museum. Currently, it operates under the name of the Museum of Westerplatte and the War of 1939.
This place is so large and interesting that you can easily spend half a day there. And you definitely won't get out sooner than after four hours.
European Solidarity Center (ECS)
The European Solidarity Center is not only a museum, but also a dynamic educational and cultural center that plays a key role in commemorating the Solidarity movement and its impact on the history of Poland and Europe. This place is a symbol of the fight for freedom and democracy.
Exhibition at ECS is interactive and engaging, enabling visitors to understand the socio-political context of the 1980s in Poland. The exhibition presents the history of Solidarity, from the strikes in the Gdańsk Shipyard to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. The exhibits include original artifacts, documents, photographs and multimedia that illustrate this fascinating story.
Multimedia installations and reconstructions allow visitors to deeper understand and experience the events of that period. A significant part are also the accounts of direct participants of the events, which add authenticity and an emotional dimension.
The European Solidarity Center is also a place of debates, workshops and cultural events that focus on dialogue and civic education. It is a place where history meets the present, inspiring reflection on contemporary challenges of democracy.
Shakespeare Theater
The Shakespeare Theater in Gdańsk is a place that seems to be the perfect setting for a rainy day. Imagine this scene: gray and stormy weather outside, and you are walking towards a building that looks like it was taken out of a modern story. The architecture of the theater is a combination of futuristic design with the spirit of tradition - something that catches the eye and arouses curiosity.
There is a different world inside the theater. The repertoire is as diverse as the city's flavors. From classic Shakespeare plays, through experimental productions, to modern interpretations. Shakespeare Theater is not afraid to experiment and often surprises. This is a place where you can see performances that will stay in your memory for a long time.
But what makes this theater truly unique? Maybe it's a movable roof that opens on warm days, inviting viewers to watch performances under the open sky. Or maybe it's the fact that this theater is more than just a place to watch plays. It is a cultural center teeming with life. Festivals, workshops and meetings are organized here - the theater becomes a place of dialogue, inspiration and creativity.
The theater's location in the heart of Gdańsk makes it easily accessible to both residents and tourists. Even if you are not a die-hard theater fan, the building itself and the atmosphere here are worth seeing.
Hevelianum Center
The Hevelianum Center in Gdańsk is a place that, at first glance, may seem to be just another research center. But as soon as you cross its threshold, you will quickly understand that it is more than just a museum or educational center. It is a time capsule that takes both younger and older explorers into the world of science, history and technology.
Located on Gradowa Hill, with historic fortifications around, the Hevelianum Center combines elements of the past with a modern approach to science. Instead of traditional, static exhibits, here visitors can experience science through interactive exhibitions, experiments and shows. It's a place where you can touch, feel and understand science, not just read about it.
What makes Hevelianum so special? Maybe it's the fact that everyone will find something for themselves here. For children, there are fascinating science shows and workshops that arouse curiosity and encourage them to explore the world. Adults can immerse themselves in the history of the place, learn more about astronomy, and take part in interesting lectures.
But it's not only the interior that is impressive. The surroundings of the Center, green hills and old walls, create a unique atmosphere. It's like a piece of history combined with modernity, creating a space where science meets nature.
Centrum Hevelianum is the perfect place to spend some time, especially on a rainy day. It is a space that inspires, educates and entertains. In Gdańsk, it is one of those places where even the cloudiest day can become an opportunity for extraordinary discoveries.
Contemporary Art Galleries
Contemporary Art Galleries in Gdańsk are true treasure troves of modern expression and creativity. Come with me, let's take an umbrella and immerse ourselves in a world where each work speaks with a different voice, and each exhibition room is another chapter of the story about contemporary art.
When the rain outside the window constantly paints gray landscapes, contemporary art galleries in Gdańsk offer a shelter full of colors, forms and ideas. Each of them is a unique space where artists from Poland and around the world share their vision, emotions and reflections. Walking through these places, you can feel the pulsating energy of modern art, which often forces you to stop, think, and sometimes even discuss.
What makes these galleries unique? It's not just what hangs on the walls. It's the whole atmosphere, the people who create and visit them. These are places where art is not only for the chosen few, but for everyone who wants to break away from everyday life at least for a moment.
In Gdańsk you will find galleries in various corners of the city, each of them has its own character and specialty. Here you can find both works by famous artists and debuts by young artists who are just starting their adventure with art. Some galleries focus on specific trends or topics, others offer a broad overview of contemporary trends.
Visiting a contemporary art gallery in Gdańsk is the perfect way to spend a rainy day. It allows you not only to shelter from the rain, but also to immerse yourself in a world that is full of imagination, inspiration and different perspectives. It's like a colorful accent in gray everyday life that can completely change your day.
National Museum in Gdańsk
The National Museum in Gdańsk, one of the oldest museums in Poland, is a unique place that combines rich history with artistic expression. Created from the merger of the Municipal Museum and the Museum of Artistic Crafts, this museum is home to the impressive Jacob Kabrun collection, which includes thousands of works by European masters, from the late 15th to the early 19th centuries_22200000-0000-0000-0000-00000000 0222_ .
Set in historic buildings, the museum offers a variety of permanent exhibitions that transport visitors to different eras and styles. In the Ancient Art Department, located in a late Gothic Franciscan monastery, you can admire works of art that tell a story through their visual beauty and detail.
One of such exhibitions is the "Palace Interiors" exhibition. at the Museum of Noble Tradition in Waplewo Wielkie, where palace interiors are presented, referring to the originally arranged spaces from the times of the former owners, the Sierakowski family. These interiors exude the atmosphere of a noble residence, where furniture and decorations tell about old times, history and culture.
Another fascinating exhibition is "Folk culture of Gdańsk Pomerania", where you can learn about the traditional forms of rural economy of various ethnic groups living in Gdańsk Pomerania. From fishing, through farming, animal husbandry, to home food processing, this exhibition shows what everyday life in the countryside was like in the past.
The National Museum in Gdańsk is not only a meeting place for art and history, but also a space where everyone, regardless of age or interests, will find something for themselves. It's the perfect destination for a rainy day in Gdańsk, where you can delve into the past, gaining inspiration and knowledge.
In the Gdańsk branch you will see, among others:
Triptych "The Last Judgment" Hans Memling: This is a work known all over the world, one of the most important not only in the collections of the National Museum in Gdańsk, but also in Polish art collections in general. It is a masterpiece of Flemish painting that attracts attention with its detail and history.
Works of Flemish and Dutch painting: The museum has works by such masters as Peter Bruegel the Younger, Jan Brueghel the Elder, Jacob Swanenburgh, Paul Vredeman de Vries, Jan Fyt and many others. This is a rich collection of paintings that covers a wide range of art history from the 15th to the 17th century.
Gdańsk Painting: The museum's collection includes over 260 works of Gdańsk painting, created from the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Among them are works by Hans Vredeman de Vrie, Daniel Schultz, Anton Moller and Andreas Stech, representing the most important trends and artists in old Gdańsk art.
Amber Museum
The Amber Museum in Gdańsk, now located in a new location in the Great Mill - the largest mill in medieval Europe, offers an extraordinary visual and educational experience. There are over 1,000 amber exhibits presenting the rich history and diversity of this unique stone. This exhibition, one of the largest collections of amber in the world, includes both nuggets with inclusions from 40 million years ago, as well as contemporary designs by artists.
On the first floor, visitors can learn about the process of creating amber, learning about its different varieties, ages and colors. On the second floor, amber products are exhibited, from historic objects that testify to the skill of old amber craftsmen, to modern, contemporary jewelry. We will also find here stories about the amber room, which is an important element of the history of Gdańsk.
The Amber Museum in Gdańsk provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of amber and its rich history, making it an ideal place to visit, especially on a rainy day.
Uphagen's House
Uphagen's House, located at 12 Długa Street in Gdańsk, is a unique place that takes visitors back in time, offering a rare opportunity to see how the burghers of Gdańsk lived and lived in the 18th century.
This house was purchased in 1775 by Johann Uphagen and thoroughly modernized. It was inhabited by Uphagen until his death in 1802, and then remained in the hands of his family throughout the 19th century, which was a rarity at that time.
Johann Uphagen, a wealthy Gdańsk burgher, purchased the tenement house in 1775, transforming it into an elegant residence, which served him until his death in 1802. Uphagen's house survived the centuries, passing through different eras and changing owners, until it became a museum in 1911. Despite the war damage, it was restored to its former glory and reopened to the public in 1998 as the Museum of Burgher Interiors
Currently, in the Uphagen House you can see various residential and utility rooms, such as a hall, a small merchant's office (currently a museum shop), a mezzanine living room with wainscoting with Chinese scenes, a representative living room with white wainscoting and panels depicting ancient buildings, a large dining room with wainscoting with mythological and ancient themes, and small lounges in the side annex with wainscoting decorated with representations of insects, flowers and birds. On the second floor there are former bedrooms and a living room, which currently serve as temporary exhibition rooms.
The Uphagen House is not only a valuable historic interior, but also a testimony to the rich history of Gdańsk, presenting the everyday life of the townspeople in the past. It is the perfect place to visit on a rainy day, offering not only shelter from bad weather, but also a fascinating journey back in time.
Gdańsk Museum in the Town Hall
The Gdańsk Museum, originally known as the Museum of the History of the City of Gdańsk, is an institution documenting the rich history of Gdańsk from the Middle Ages to the present day. It was founded in 1970 and currently consists of 10 branches throughout the city, each of them presenting different aspects of the city's culture and history.
The main seat of the Museum is located in the Main Town Hall, the historic heart of Gdańsk. In addition to the City Hall, the Gdańsk Museum includes such facilities as Artus Court, Uphagen's House, Wisłoujście Fortress, as well as Guardhouse No. 1 on Westerplatte, each of them presenting unique exhibits and exhibitions reflecting different eras and aspects of life in Gdańsk_22200000-0000-0000-0000- 000000000222_.
The museum not only collects and presents exhibits, but also organizes exhibitions, symposia and lectures, cooperating with other cultural institutions. It is a place that combines history with cultural and educational activities, making it an ideal place to visit, especially on a rainy day, for those who want to explore the history and culture of Gdańsk_22200000-0000-0000 -0000-000000000222_.
