Travel Guide 02 02 04 04 Quick view Travel etiquette Health 05 05 08 08 Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants 09 10 11 Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Fotolia LH.com/travelguide 01/12
02 Quick view a brief overview s pre-eminent port city wears its international influences with pride. Its food, architecture and traditions are a heady mix of the cultures which have passed through its streets over hundreds of years. Huge, impressive churches, excellent beer gardens and winding streets make this a city that s easy to fall in love with. Take a river cruise, steep yourself in the area s fascinating mercantile history and learn how the demise of communism in began right here in the shipyards. Krakow and Warsaw might get the headlines, but is every inch one of s best cities. General Information Country overview One of Europe's most underrated countries, offers a huge amount for travellers of all stripes, from the wild scenery of its mountainous south, with its great skiing and hiking, to the stunning Old Towns of Cracow, Zamość and Gdańsk, and the wilderness of the Białowieża National Park and the Great Masurian Lakes in the country's north. 's scenic beauty is as varied as it is extraordinary. The Baltic coast has some excellent sandy beaches, as well as the Słowiński National Park with its ethereal forests, bogs and sand dunes. The Cracow-Wielun Upland with its limestone areas, caves and medieval castles is another highlight, while perhaps most beautiful area of all is around the Carpathian Mountains in the far south. Geography shares borders to the east and northeast with Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, to the south with the Czech Republic and Slovakia and to the west with Germany. To the north lies the Baltic Sea. The Baltic coast provides almost 525km (325 miles) of sandy beaches, bays and steep cliffs; between Gdańsk, and the port city of Szczecin to the west there are many seaside towns offering unpolluted water and some fine beaches, with sunbeds and umbrellas available for hire. These sand and gravel deposits also form the shifting dunes of Słowiński National Park, the sand bars of Hel and the Vistula Lagoon. Northern is dominated by lakes, islands and wooded hills joined by many rivers and canals. The Masurian Lake District to the northeast is a patchwork of lakes and forests with Lake Hańcza, the deepest lake in, located here. The longest river, the 1,090km (675 mile) Vistula, or Wisła, rises in the Tatra mountains and empties into the Baltic, cutting a wide valley between the capital, Warsaw in the heart of the country, to Gdańsk on the coast. The rest of the country rises slowly to the Sudety mountains, which run along the border with the Czech Republic, and the Tatra mountains, which separate from Slovakia. To the west, the River Oder, with Szczecin at its mouth, forms the northwest border with Germany. counts almost two dozen national parks, covering an area of 3,200 sq km LH.com/travelguide 02/12
03 (1,235 sq miles), and including the oldest, Białowieża National Park, east of Warsaw on the border with Belarus, and one of the largest, Bieszczady National Park, part of the Carpathian mountain range. These parks are home to European bison (the largest mammal in Europe), brown bears, lynx, wolves and even some wild horses. And Białowieża contains a fragment of the forest that once covered Europe prehistoric times, with some oaks dating back half a millennium. Polish forests are largely pine though, accounting for two-thirds of the total. General knowledge Key facts Population: 38383809 Population Density (per sq km): 123 Capital: Warsaw. Language Polish is the official language. There are a few small German-speaking communities primarily in the southwest. English and, increasingly less so, Russian are also spoken. French is also popular. Currency Złoty (PLN; symbol zł) = 100 groszy. Notes are in denominations of zł200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. The coins are in denominations of zł5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 groszy. is required under the terms of its accession to the European Union in 2004 to adopt the Euro as its national currency sometime in the future but this is not expected to happen for at least three years. Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz; continental plugs with two round pins. General business opening hours Most offices in major industries open Mon-Fri 0830-1700. Government offices are open Mon-Fri 0830-1630. A few independent businesses may open on Saturday morning. Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2018 - December 2019 period. 2018 Nowy Rok (New Year s Day): 1 January 2018 Święto Trzech Króli (Epiphany): 6 January 2019 Pierwszy dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Sunday): 1 April 2018 Drugi dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Monday): 2 April 2018 Międzynarodowe Święto Pracy (Labour Day): 1 May 2018 Święto Narodowe Trzeciego Maja (Republic Day): 3 May 2018 Pierwszy dzień Zielonych Świątek (Whitsun): 20 May 2018 Dzień Bożego Ciała (Corpus Christi): 31 May 2018 Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny (Assumption): 15 August 2018 Wszystkich Świętych (All Saints Day): 1 November 2018 Narodowe Święto Niepodległości (Independence Day): 11 November 2018 Pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Christmas Day): 25 December 2018 Drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Second Day of Christmas): 26 December 2018 2019 LH.com/travelguide 03/12
04 Nowy Rok (New Year s Day): 1 January 2018 Święto Trzech Króli (Epiphany): 6 January 2019 Pierwszy dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019 Drugi dzień Wielkanocy (Easter Monday): 22 April 2019 Międzynarodowe Święto Pracy (Labour Day): 1 May 2019 Święto Narodowe Trzeciego Maja (Republic Day): 3 May 2019 Pierwszy dzień Zielonych Świątek (Whitsun): 9 June 2019 Dzień Bożego Ciała (Corpus Christi): 20 June 2019 Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny (Assumption): 15 August 2019 Wszystkich Świętych (All Saints Day): 1 November 2019 Narodowe Święto Niepodległości (Independence Day): 11 November 2019 Pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Christmas Day): 25 December 2019 Drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia (Second Day of Christmas): 26 December 2019 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions Poles are friendly, industrious people and foreigners are usually made very welcome. There are vast contrasts between urban and rural life and the Polish peasantry is very religious and conservative, maintaining a traditional lifestyle. Roman Catholicism plays an important role in daily life and criticism or jokes about religion are not appreciated, despite the general good humour of the people. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting; an older man will often kiss a woman's hand. Normal courtesies are observed when visiting private homes, and it is customary to bring flowers, preferably in odd numbers. Fairly conservative casual wear is the most suitable attire, but dress should be formal when specified for entertaining in the evening or in a smart restaurant. Smoking is banned in public places, including railway stations, restaurants and bars. Photography Military installations including border points should not be photographed. Health Health Main emergency number: 112 Food & Drink Mains water is normally chlorinated, and while relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Do not drink water from rivers or lakes even if they look pristinely clean as it may contain bacteria or viruses that can bring on diarrhoea and vomiting. Make use of the public wells for better tasting water; bottled water is available everywhere. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Two words of caution - a lot of dishes in Polish cuisine are stuffed or wrapped. Avoid them at a cafeteria or buffet if they look like they have outlasted their shelf life. Also, Poles can be big drinkers and vodka is the national drink. You definitely won't be able to keep up with your fellow drinkers for long. Go easy and either miss LH.com/travelguide 04/12
05 a few turns or sip your drink in stages. Otherwise count on the mother of all hangovers and an upset stomach the next day. Other Risks Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended. Another one is against tick-borne encephalitis. This is spread by small insects that burrow under the skin and in recent years has become a common problem in parts of central and eastern Europe. Encephalitis is a serious infection of the brain, and vaccination is advised particularly for campers and hikers. Anyone who is considering spending a lot of time outdoors in affected areas should consider getting the jab before they leave home. Two inoculations of the vaccine will protect the recipient for a year while three doses provide protection for up to three years. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone Country code: +48 Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-eu state do not benefit from the new arrangement. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Oliwa Cathedral With an 800-year history, Oliwa Cathedral is one of s most important religious sites. Built by Cistercian monks and reconstructed constantly over the following centuries, its biggest feature is its stunning organ. Check local listings for recitals. Biskupa Edmunda Nowickiego 5 Tel: 58 552 4765 Daily 0900-1700 (cathedral) Mon-Fri 1000-1700 Sat 1000-1500 (museum, Jul to mid- Sep) www.archikatedraoliwa.pl St Mary s Church Regarded as the largest brick-built church in the world, St Mary s is one of Old Town s main attractions. Its immense size was only reached in 1502, almost LH.com/travelguide 05/12
06 200 years after the original, smaller church was founded. Podkramarska 5 80-834 Tel: 58 301 3982 Mon-Sat 0900-1730 Sun 1300-1730 (Mar-May) Mon-Sat 0900-1830 (Jun-Sep) Sun 1300-1830 Mon-Sat 0900-1700 Sun 1300-1730 (Oct-Nov) www.bazylikamariacka.pl National Maritime Museum Spread over a series of buildings, the National Maritime Museum explores s relationship with the sea. From exhibitions of local art to interactive, multimedia tools looking at how the city relies on the water, this is a fascinating and worthwhile visit. Ołowianka 9-13 80-751 Tel: 58 301 8611 Tue-Sun 1000-1600 (winter) Daily 1000-1800 (summer) hours vary however according to venue and month www.nmm.pl Historical Museum of The main outpost of the Historical Museum is located in the Main Town Hall. Different rooms reflect the changing styles of down the ages, with impressive carvings and large artworks. There s also a large exhibition on the city s destruction during WWII. Długa 46-47 80-831 Tel: 58 767 9100 Tue 1000-1300 Wed and Fri-Sat 1000-1600 Thur 1000-1800 Sun 1100-1600 www.mhmg.pl Upland Gate This impressive ornate gate marks the entrance to Old Town and the start point of the old Royal Way, along which Polish kings paraded. You can even see the original pulleys used for the drawbridge. Today, the gate plays home to a handy tourist information centre. Wały Jagiellońskie 80-853 Roads to Freedom Exhibition The most vital sight in. Delve into this old bunker to discover how the LH.com/travelguide 06/12
07 locals fought communism between the 1940s and 1980s. Listen to speeches by dockworker and Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa and explore the impact totalitarian rule had on the city. Waly Piastowskie 24 80-855 Tel: 58 308 4428 Tue-Sun 1000-1800 (May-Sep) Tue-Sun 1000-1700 (Oct-Apr) www.ecs.gda.pl St Nicholas s Church This stunning Dominican church is the only Catholic place of worship to have escaped WWII without so much as a scratch. Its ornate altar and wall decorations are some of the most beautiful in. Świętojańska 72 80-840 Tel: 58 301 3577 Daily 0800-1900 www.gdansk.dominikanie.pl St Catherine s Church Rebuilt after a major fire in 2006, St Catherine s is the oldest church in, stretching back to 1220. The church towers over the Old Town and is another religious monument you should be sure to add to your itinerary. Profesorska 3 80-856 Tel: 58 301 1595 Daily 1000-1800 www.gdansk.karmelici.pl Artus Court Museum A branch of the Historical Museum, Artus Court is one of the most striking buildings in. A 14th-century marvel, it was destroyed during the war, but rebuilt with impressive exactitude in the years after. Stop by to see classic Polish furniture and artefacts. Długi Targ 43-44 80-831 Tel: 58 767 9180 Tue 1000-1300 Wed and Sat-Sun 1000-1600 Thu 1000-1800 www.mhmg.gda.pl Crane Part of the Maritime Museum complex, the Crane is worth some special attention. One of the last surviving relics of the old shipyard, it served as a working crane from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Szeroka 67-68 80-835 Tel: 58 301 6938 Daily 1000-1800 (Jul-Aug) Tue-Sun 1000-1500 or 1000-1600 (Sep-Jun) LH.com/travelguide 07/12
08 www.nmm.pl Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas There are major malls along the city s ring road, so if you ve hired a car, you can easily drive out for a day of shopping. There s an out-of-town discount park, the Fashion House Outlet Centre (Przywidzka 8), as well as some excellent shopping to be had in the Old Town. The latter is ideal if you re not too keen on travelling out to spend up. Markets Hala Targowa (Plac Dominkański 1) is a 19th-century covered market which was once the city s key shopping destination. Alas, malls have seen it become a shell of its former self, but it s still worth a visit to pick up bargains and get a glimpse of old. Zielony Rynek (Czerwony Dwór 33) is an open-air market that is also definitely fun to check out. Shopping Centres Galeria Baltycka (Aleja Grunwaldzka 141) is the hottest mall in town. Just outside of the centre, it plays home to big brands like Carrefour, H&M and Zara. Madison Gallery (Rajska 10), in the heart of, is now a major destination in its own right. Restaurants Restaurants in is becoming more and more popular with the city break crowd. As such, the restaurant scene has received a major boost, as competition for hungry tourists hots up. There s a decent blend of local Polish delicacies and international flavours across town. Filharmonia Restaurant Seasonal food with a futuristic, molecular take on Polish classics. Ołowianka 1 80-751 Price: Expensive Kubicki Highly rated, with a tasteful dining room, Kubicki serves some of the best fish dishes in the city. Wartka 5 80-841 Price: Expensive a One of the city s most renowned eateries, dishing up hefty Polish meals in an LH.com/travelguide 08/12
09 impressive, traditional setting. Świętego Ducha 16 80-834 Price: Moderate Pod Łososiem Resolutely old school and stunningly opulent, head here to taste local salmon washed down with Goldwasser vodka. Szeroka 52-54 80-835 Price: Moderate Bar Pod Ryba Great-value jacket potatoes are the star of the menu here, piled high with inventive fillings and sauces such as salmon, herring or wild mushrooms. Piwna 61-63 80-831 Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in Stag dos are an unfortunate byproduct of the affordable bars across the city. But that s not to say there aren t plenty of decent joints for grabbing a drink or going dancing. Hotel bars offer a great way to add a bit of luxury to proceedings, with great views to match. Brovarnia In an old granary building, this microbrewery serves s best beers. Szafarnia 9 80-755 Sure Bar, Radisson Blu Hotel Overlooking Długi Targ, this hotel bar is a cut above your usual hostelry, with superb cocktails and a classy setting. Długi Targ 19 80-828 Cafe Absinthe Absinthe is the big draw here, but the selection of beers is impressive too. Świętego Ducha 2 LH.com/travelguide 09/12
10 80-001 Cafe Szafa A decent pub atmosphere with a huge range of strong local tipples. Podmurze 2 80-835 Buffet Club Gigs, club nights and exhibitions are always on at this hip hangout in the old Lenin shipyards. Doki 1/145B Calendar of events Calendar of events Opener Festival This annual music festival features a variety of artists, including past performances from Foster the People, Alt-J, and more. Festival goers can purchase tickets ranging from a single day pass to a four-day campsite ticket. 4 June - 7 June 2018 opener.pl Venue: Gydnia-Kosakowo Airport Dance Festival If you love music and dance, this festival is for you. Each year features a different theme with group performances and dance competitions. You can even brush up on your ballet skills with workshops. June 2018 www.gdanskifestiwaltanca.pl/en/ Venue: Various venues Baltic Sail This sailing event is open to both tourists and locals, and sees participants take cruises around the Baltic Sea for a small fee, while meeting people who share a similar love for sailing and the sea. 5-8 July 2018 balticsail.pl Venue: Fish Market (Targ Rybny) LH.com/travelguide 10/12
11 Shakespeare Festival Commemorating Shakespeare and his works, this festival has various plays and performances. Visitors can also meet the cast and directors after shows. 27 July - 5 August 2018 festiwalszekspirowski.pl/en/home-2/ Venue: Various venues St Dominic s Fair This open-air market draws over six million visitors annually. The event is the largest of its kind in with hundreds of stalls offering a variety of items, including arts, crafts and antiques. Parades, performances and competitions also take place during this three-week fair. 28 July - 19 August 2018 jarmarkdominika.pl Venue: Various venues New Year s Eve Ring in the New Year with this annual party when fireworks light up the sky and almost every restaurant and bar in town is open until late. 31 December 2018-1 January 2019 Venue: Dlugi Targ Hotels Hotels in has some excellent hotel options, whatever your budget.there are clean and comfortable inexpensive spots, plenty of decent business-style boltholes and luxury pads housed in historical buildings. Hotel Podewils Traditional and luxurious, this Old Town spot is right in the heart of the action. Szafarnia 2 80-755 Category: Expensive Hanza Hotel Right by the river, this modern hotel has sharp, well-designed rooms. Tokarska 6 80-888 Category: Expensive LH.com/travelguide 11/12
12 La Petite A highly rated bed and breakfast with smart rooms and a central location. Na Zboczu 39 80-110 Category: Moderate Hotel Fahrenheit In a historical building, this 4-star spot has cosy and well-appointed rooms. Grodzka 19 80-841 Category: Moderate Hotel Logos A business hotel that won t break the bank, with a good menu of Polish dishes. Jana Uphagena 28 80-237 Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 12/12