Gdańsk and its Main and Old Town

In Warsaw, Poznań, or other cities in Poland, the historical city center is often referred to as the 'Old Town' or 'Starówka.' This is where you find the most landmarks of the city, vibrant life both day and night, and for tourists, it's the first point of exploration on the map. Interestingly, Gdańsk doesn't have a typical 'Old Town' that we all know by name. The correct term defining the place where you'll find the most characteristic landmarks and attractions associated with Gdańsk is the 'Main Town.' Therefore, our exploration will start from here 😊

From Hotel Milo to the city center, there are several ways to get there:

● If you enjoy public transportation and exploring the city during your journey, we recommend taking the direct bus 210. Although it takes about 45 minutes, you can use this time to admire the city through the windows or plan your further points of the trip.

● Another, probably the most comfortable and certainly the fastest means of transportation, is a car. In the afternoon, you can reach the center in as little as 25 minutes, and traffic jams usually occur in the opposite direction at that time. The potential downside here is finding a parking space, which may be challenging during the Dominican Fair or on weekends.

● An interesting and scenic option is choosing the Pomorska Metropolitan Railway (PKM), which offers pleasant landscapes in the less crowded, greener part of Gdańsk.

We have arrived!

To feel like a true local, you should start your walk from the so-called 'Lotto.' This old building, with its architectural charm, is a well-known meeting point for locals, leading to pubs or restaurants. Behind you, you'll see the Forum shopping gallery, opened a few years ago, and on the right, the first historic object of the Main Town of Gdańsk - the Wyżynna Gate. Right after it, don't miss the Przedbramie Complex with the Gdańsk Museum, the Torture Museum, and a small Observation Tower. Take a moment to get acquainted with the characteristic buildings and monuments of Gdańsk described on the four sides of the world. A taste before the further walk.

The next point of the excursion is entering the Golden Gate onto the most famous street for tourists, Długa Street. From there, on the left side, you can admire the Main Town Hall, dominating the Royal Route's panorama, the most representative route in this part of the city. Continuing from Długa Street to Długi Targ, on the left side, you'll pass Neptune's Fountain and the Artus Court (a branch of the Gdańsk Museum).

Don't forget to look around in every direction to admire the beautiful, colorful tenements, the city's business card and symbol. Although most of Długi Targ's buildings were destroyed due to wartime activities, the reconstruction aimed at partially preserving the original architecture and sculptural decoration.

At the end of Długi Targ is probably the oldest water gate in Gdańsk - the Green Gate, and behind it, a bridge over the Motława River and Granary Island, which recently became the new entertainment center of the city with restaurants, pubs, hotels, and apartments. It's not surprising that life has moved there. The view of the Motława is phenomenal, and the density of gastronomic points in one place allows everyone to find something for themselves. Perhaps it's time for a meal?

After lunch, it's worth returning to the opposite side of Granary Island. That's where you'll find the Gdańsk Crane, another landmark of the city. A walk along the Long Embankment will take you to the so-called Gdańsk Eye, an observation wheel that provides a view of the magnificent city panorama. This is also the direction to choose when heading to the Museum of the Second

World War or back into the heart of the Main Town to reach St. Mary's Basilica, one of the largest brick churches in the world, from whose tower you can also enjoy views. To get to the top, you only need to climb 409 steps 😊

In addition to the above-mentioned attractions, below are many other places you must see while in the Main Town:

• Mariacka Street – popularly known as the 'Amber Street'
• Piwna Street – an intimate, atmospheric, and charming alley with numerous cafes, pubs, and restaurants
• Shakespeare Theatre
• Wybrzeże Theatre
• Baltic Philharmonic on Ołowianka, in the immediate vicinity of the Main Town

Main attractions and monuments of the Old Town and its surroundings include:

• Great Mill
• Main Railway Station
• Madison Shopping Mall
• Forum Shopping Mall
• Old Town Hall
• Gradowa Hill on the outskirts of the Old Town
• St. Catherine's Church with surrounding tenements
• St. Joseph's Church
• St. Bridget's Church
• Small Mill
• Museum of Solidarity