Group Shore Excursion of Gdansk and Oliwa Cathedral from Gdynia
Description
Make the most of your limited time ashore with this half-day group shore excursion, designed exclusively for cruise passengers docking in Gdynia. Discover the highlights of Gdańsk, Poland’s cultural gem, on a guided walking tour through the beautifully reconstructed Old Town — including Long Street, the Neptune Fountain, St. Mary’s Basilica, and the picturesque Mariacka Street. Enjoy free time to explore on your own, then relax on a panoramic drive showcasing modern Gdańsk, with views of the striking Amber Stadium and the enormous Falowiec, one of Europe’s longest residential buildings. The tour continues to the peaceful Oliwa district, where you’ll visit the stunning Oliwa Cathedral, known for its baroque interior and extraordinary pipe organs. Time permitting, enjoy a stroll through the nearby Oliwa Park. Return to the Gdynia port well in advance of your ship’s departure.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour begins just outside the cruise terminal in Gdynia, where you will meet your professional local guide and board a modern, air-conditioned coach. This shore excursion is designed specifically for cruise passengers, with careful timing and a guaranteed return to the port well before your ship’s departure. You will be traveling with fellow guests from your ship, allowing you to relax and enjoy the day with complete peace of mind.
Arriving in Gdańsk, you will explore the beautifully reconstructed Old Town, known for its elegant architecture and rich, layered history. The guided walking tour is comfortably paced and brings the city’s fascinating past to life, from its medieval trading roots to its role in modern European history.
Stroll along Long Street and Long Market, the heart of historic Gdańsk. Admire the colorful merchant houses, the Main Town Hall, and the iconic Neptune’s Fountain, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
Follow the riverside promenade to see the historic medieval Port Crane and the scenic Granary Island, once the commercial center of this important Hanseatic city.
Visit the interior of St. Mary’s Basilica, one of the largest brick churches in the world. Its vast interior and peaceful atmosphere make this stop both impressive and memorable.
Enjoy a walk along charming Mariacka Street, famous for its decorative stone terraces and amber shops, offering insight into local craftsmanship and long-standing traditions.
After the guided walk, enjoy free time in the heart of Gdańsk. Take photos, browse local shops, or relax with a coffee at one of the many inviting cafés.
During the drive, see some of Gdańsk’s modern and lesser-known landmarks from the comfort of the coach, including the striking Amber Stadium, a stunning example of modern design.
You will also see the Falowiec, the second-longest residential building in Europe. This 800-meter-long complex from the communist era houses around 4,000 residents and remains a striking example of post-war architecture.
Travel to the peaceful district of Oliwa to visit the magnificent Oliwa Cathedral. This Baroque masterpiece is renowned for its richly decorated interior and world-famous pipe organs, featuring moving figures and an extraordinary range of sound. Depending on the day’s schedule, you may experience a short organ performance, a truly memorable highlight of the tour.
Time permitting, enjoy a relaxing stroll through Oliwa Park, a beautifully landscaped garden surrounding the cathedral and offering a calm contrast to the city.
At the end of the tour, return comfortably to the port of Gdynia with ample time to reboard your ship. This excursion is ideal for guests seeking a well-organized, insightful, and worry-free introduction to one of Poland’s most beautiful regions.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for travelers with severe mobility issues
- The order of sights and activities may vary depending on local conditions, traffic, or scheduling considerations.
- Attendance at the organ concert in Oliwa Cathedral depends on scheduled performance times. Generally, at least one concert takes place per day. In rare cases where no concert is scheduled on the day of your excursion, or if the concert time does not align with the ship’s docking schedule, you will still visit the cathedral, but the concert will not be included.
- Visits to the interiors of churches, including St. Mary’s Basilica (Bazylika Mariacka), are subject to opening hours and may be restricted during religious services, special events, or masses. Alternative sightseeing options will be offered when possible.
Reviews(19)
The guide was very courteous and helpful. I was disappointed that we did not have enough time in old town. I think there should be less time at the Oliva church
Dear Daniel, Thank you very much for your kind feedback about the guide. We also appreciate your comments regarding the time allocation during the tour. Group shore excursions are designed to include several highlights within a limited timeframe, which sometimes means that time in each stop must be carefully balanced. For guests who would prefer to spend more time in Gdańsk Old Town and less time at other sites such as Oliwa Cathedral, a private tour can be a great option, as it allows for a more flexible itinerary tailored to personal interests and pace. Thank you again for sharing your experience — your feedback is truly appreciated. Kind regards, Natalia Vexperio
This was a brilliant tour led by Chris. Thought about order and busy places. Constant relevant commentary in great English. Organised, especially when silly people got lost. Extra care and inclusion of park visit and organ recital (fabulous 30 mins). A real treip highlight for us. Thankyou.
One of the best places to visit. Our guide was very helpful. An educational tour for us. We would want to visit again.
Everything was great! Chris was so accommodating for all! It was a great tour. A little tiring due to the hot weather, but we really enjoyed it. The driver made sure to have the car air running when we got in which was such a great relief! Loved the itinerary and enjoyed the piano program at the cathedral in Oliwa. A great touch to end the tour! Thank you!
This was a great experience! Gdansk is a wonderful city, our guide was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend this tour.
Pretty disorganized and rushed... started some people couldn't find the bus. Then changed neet up time several times at church... which meant people waiting around.. Fair amount of walking without really knowing what you were seeing. Finally ended up with maybe 1 hr on our own and had to get food so not much time to look around. Narration to and from gdansk very rambling...
Dear Theresa, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear the experience did not meet your expectations. We understand your concerns regarding the organization, timing changes, and the pacing of the tour. This is not the standard we aim to deliver, and your comments will be shared with the local operator so they can review what happened on the day and improve coordination and communication going forward. We’re glad you found Gdańsk itself beautiful, but we regret that the tour structure limited your enjoyment of it. Kind regards, Natalia Vexperio
OK, but not great. This was the first excursion I have been on where the company didn't even bother to give you a map of the town even though these are available free from the Tourist Information office. A city tour is rather more enjoyable if you can see where you are going.
Dear David, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear the tour did not fully meet your expectations. Printed town maps are typically available free of charge at local tourist information offices, and guests are encouraged to collect them there, as they are regularly updated and widely accessible. This approach also helps reduce unnecessary paper waste, as many travellers now prefer digital maps on their phones. That said, we understand your point and appreciate your suggestion. We will pass your comments on to the local operator for review as part of ongoing service improvements. Kind regards, Natalia Vexperio
Guide was excellent and easy to understand. Very knowledgeable about Poland and its history
Michael was a great tour guide. Very knowledgeable and good English. Gdansk was beautiful and we learnt a lot about its history. Driver was great too.
This was a great tour! Loved the history, different stops, and free time to shop in Gdansk and sample Polish food. Try the perogies and nalesniki (a crepe like pancake filled with sweet cream cheese and fruit). Delicious. Our guide, Christoph, was so great. Highly recommend this excursion from the cruise terminal.
