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The following eight articles will feature the delights and attractions of Gdansk and Sopot. I hope you enjoy them. Here are the top 10 Reasons to visit Gdansk: I’ve picked 10 at random, but there are many more. These give you the value you seek in a destination holiday or discovery.

Value for money – The cost of living, especially accommodation and daily expenses, is significantly lower than in many other European countries.

Friendly and helpful people – Polish people are known for their hospitality and enjoy highlighting their country’s culture and history. Showing an interest in Polish culture and learning a few basic phrases can be greatly appreciated by locals.

Interesting Cultural attractions are everywhere. Read my articles for more information.

Długi Targ walk

Fantastic food – Polish cuisine is hearty, flavourful, and deeply rooted in tradition. It’s known for dishes like pierogi, bigos, and various meat-based meals, often incorporating vegetables, mushrooms, and spices. Many international restaurants are also available and very authentic.

It is less hectic and crowded than other European destinations, and don’t forget that the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are close by.

Natural beauty abounds, and beautiful countryside is nearby.

Bike-friendly and wonderful walking paths and trails.

Historical sights provide context and understanding of Poland.

Don’t forget the many museums available and the tourist card to see them.

Safety – It is one of the safest in Europe. Serious crime against foreigners is rare; pickpockets can occur, but in our three months there, we never saw any crime or experienced any worry.

There are many more reasons I speak about in my articles.

Gable Buildings

Speak Polish!

Conversing on a fundamental level is always fun in any country you visit. I have an index card in my pocket with 10-15 commonly used phrases in Poland. Of course, I have my Polish wife to prompt me! Be aware, though, that the young people of Poland learn English at school and are very keen to use it, as are some middle-aged people.

As an initiation to Polish, it’s helpful to know a few everyday expressions:

Dzień dobry– good day (jane DOH-brih) pronunciation
Dobry wieczór– good evening (DOH-brih VYEH-choor) pronunciation
Dobranoc– good night (doh-BRAH-notes) pronunciation
Cześć– hello (cheshch) pronunciation
Do widzenia– goodbye (doh vee-DZEN-ya) pronunciation
Proszę– please / here you are (PROH-sheh) pronunciation
Dziękuję– thank you (jen-KOO-yeh) pronunciation
Dzięki– thanks (informal) (JEN-kee) pronunciation
Przepraszam– I’m sorry / excuse me (psheh-PRAH-shahm) pronunciation
tak– yes (tahk) pronunciation
Nie– no / not (nyeh) pronunciation
Nie wiem– I don’t know (nyeh vyem)
Jak się masz?– How are you? (informal) (yahk shay mahsh) pronunciation
Nie mówię po polsku.– I don’t speak Polish (nyeh MOO-vyeh poh pohl-skoo) pronunciation
Nie rozumiem– I don’t understand (nyeh roh-ZOO-myem) pronunciation
Na zdrowie!– Cheers! / Bless you! (lit. For health!) (nah ZDROH-vyeh) pronunciation

Getting to Gdansk

There may be an impression that Gdansk, Poland, is difficult to get to. This is far from the truth. All major European airlines fly there, plus Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, and Fly Dubai, among others.

For more information on Gdansk, see my articles before and after this one. We will do a series of ten articles.