Gdańsk is compact, so almost anywhere central puts the Main Town within walking distance. The real choice is between the river, the station and the sea. The riverside and Granary Island are the most atmospheric; the Old Town district near the main station is the most practical; and Sopot, a short train ride along the coast, swaps city views for the beach. Here is how the main areas compare, with a hotel we would book in each.
The Motława riverside: character and views
The banks of the Motława, facing the Main Town across the water, are the most romantic place to stay. You wake up to the masts in the marina and the facades of the riverside, cross the footbridge to the Long Market in minutes and come back in the evening along the lit quay. Hotel Gdańsk Boutique is the pick here: a five-star hotel in a seventeenth-century granary and a modern marina wing, with Brovarnia, which it calls the oldest craft brewery in the city, and a Balinese spa. It suits couples and beer lovers especially well. Summer evenings by the river can be lively, so ask for a quieter room if you need one.
Granary Island: style in the middle of everything
The island between the two arms of the Motława, long left in ruins after the war, has become one of the city's most dynamic quarters, with new hotels, restaurants and apartments. It is right next to the Green Gate and the Long Market. PURO Gdańsk Stare Miasto is a stylish, design-led hotel with more than two hundred soundproofed rooms, the PRISMA Spa with a sauna, the Magari restaurant and the INK Above bar. It offers some of the best value for style in the city; expect some construction nearby as the island continues to develop.
The Old Town district by the station: convenience and value
North of the Main Town, the Old Town district (Stare Miasto) is less picturesque but extremely practical, with the main station, trams and the European Solidarity Centre all close by and the Main Town a five-minute walk away. It is the best base if you plan day trips to Malbork and Sopot or are arriving by train. Mercure Gdańsk Stare Miasto is a comfortable four-star with the Winestone restaurant, a fitness room, an early breakfast and secure parking. Next door, ibis Gdańsk Stare Miasto is the reliable budget choice, with air conditioning, a breakfast buffet from 6:30 and on-site parking, ideal for families and drivers.
Sopot: the seaside alternative
If you want the beach as well as the city, stay in Sopot and take the SKM train into Gdańsk; it takes less than half an hour. Sofitel Grand Sopot is the grand hotel of the Polish Baltic, opened in 1927 beside Europe's longest wooden pier, with a private beach, outdoor and indoor pools and an art deco bar. It is the splurge in this guide and ideal for couples and special occasions, and in summer it is the most glamorous address on the coast.
Our recommendation
For a first trip of three days, stay on the riverside or Granary Island if your budget allows, as it puts the whole Main Town on your doorstep. If you have an early train, plan day trips or travel with a car, choose the Old Town district by the station. If you want the sea, a few nights in Sopot make a perfect contrast to the history of Gdańsk.
