Gdansk by bike

For years, Gdańsk has been ranked among the top cities that prioritize cycling. In practice, this means a number of concessions to cyclists. At the same time, it's one of the most beautiful, oldest, and most interesting cities in Poland, attracting an increasing number of tourists each year. Numerous investments in infrastructure and overall economic development have made it a city that, in many respects, rivals Western metropolises. That's why it's worth taking your bike to Gdańsk. The total length of bicycle paths in Gdańsk is approximately 717 km. This is a significant amount, considering that Gdańsk is smaller than many other provincial capitals in terms of area and that a significant portion of it is covered by green areas, such as the Oliwa Forests and Sobieszewo Island.

What to drive?

The "MEVO" metropolitan bike sharing system was introduced in Gdańsk (as well as throughout the Tricity area and several Pomeranian municipalities) in March 2019. While the system had a rocky start, it's worth remembering that this is the first system in Europe featuring electric bikes equipped with GPS modules, which users can return anywhere within the system's coverage area. In the near future, the system will be expanded with additional bikes. This makes it a perfect way to explore Gdańsk for those who don't own a bike or don't want to transport one. Simply download the app to your phone and find any bike at the station or outside. The project is subsidized, so bike rental costs are low (for 10 PLN, you can ride for a whole month and up to 90 minutes a day).

Where to sleep?

We highly recommend staying at the Novotel Marina, located on the border of Gdańsk and Sopot, about 100 meters from the sea. This modernized hotel has been carefully restored to its 1990s feel. It's not uncommon to encounter celebrities from the worlds of show business, sports, art, and more. It's also a great place to start your first suggested cycling trip, especially since the hotel offers bike rentals. If you want to stay closer to the city center, you can choose from reputable options like the Mercure Gdańsk Stare Miasto Hotel. However, you should expect a higher price for such a stay. Even higher prices, luxury, and prestige can be found at the renowned Hotel Podewils at Szafarnia Street 2. This historic, small hotel is located near the Old Town, near the Baltic Philharmonic. If you're on a budget, you can find relatively inexpensive accommodation in hostels in the southern part of Gdańsk, such as the Orunia district. However, caution is advised, as this district is notorious for being unsafe.

Suggested routes

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From central Gdańsk (from Brzeziński Park) to Gdynia Cliff, one of the most beautiful bike paths in Gdańsk stretches along the beach. This route is a must-do for cyclists. About halfway along, it passes the aforementioned Novotel. There are several points worth stopping at along the route: the Brzeźno Pier, Reagan Park, the famous Sopot Pier and nearby Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street, the Orłowo Pier, and the Orłowski Cliff, a majestic, steep bank right by the sea, worth a stroll (and a ride up). It's also worth noting that there are many good restaurants and cafes along the route.

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Another route worth exploring runs along Gdańsk's main arteries, starting in the city center, passing through Victory Avenue and Grunwaldzka Street, and ending in Oliwa Park. A little further on, the Oliwa Forests begin. It's worth locking up your bike for a moment and heading up the observation tower on Pachołek Hill. From there, you'll see a stunning panorama of the Tricity metropolis and the vastness of the aforementioned forests stretching to the west. It's worth bringing binoculars. Near Pachołek Hill, there's a zoo (which can be seen from the tower itself). It's a perfect place to end the trip. If you're feeling peckish, you can stop at Pizzeria Stella del Nord, which serves authentic Italian pizza. And if dusk falls, you can always take the Fast Urban Rail (SMB) (Gdańsk Oliwa station). Ticket prices are comparable to bus tickets and can be purchased on this website , for example. There's no extra charge for transporting bicycles. There's usually plenty of space for them, too—just remember to look for the end carriages.

Fun fact

Gdańsk chooses bicycles – this inscription can be found on special bicycle stands.

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Another must-see is a visit to the Old Town. Considered one of the most beautiful places in Poland, it boasts a unique medieval atmosphere. The 16th-century tenement houses, carefully rebuilt after World War II, and numerous historical monuments attract large numbers of tourists in the summer. A typical Old Town tour begins by passing through the historic Golden Gate, which served as the entrance gate to the city proper in the Middle Ages. After passing through the gate, you'll reach Długa Street. You can cycle along this street, as well as throughout the Old Town (though the crowds of tourists can sometimes make this a challenge). Riding along the street, we'll enter Długi Targ and pass the famous Neptune Fountain. Finally, we'll reach the Motława River, along which we can continue our journey, encountering numerous attractions (for example, we can switch to a pedal boat or kayak). It's worth exploring nearby Mariacka Street, famous for its amber artefacts, as well as St. Mary's Church itself (it's possible to climb the church tower). There are several museums in the Old Town. One of the most interesting is the Museum of the Second World War, which is about a three-minute bike ride from Długa Street. Admission to this museum is free every Tuesday.

Old Town - mini gallery

Fun fact

Gdańsk is exceptionally friendly to cyclists. Riding on the sidewalk is generally a misdemeanor, ruthlessly enforced in some Polish cities. However, it's sometimes difficult to avoid. In Gdańsk, there's a friendly habit of turning a blind eye to such situations. In some places, there are even footrests for cyclists riding on the sidewalk. However, this courtesy shouldn't be abused, especially if there's a bike path nearby. Furthermore, many one-way streets and no-entry streets are marked "not for bicycles." There are 221 of them, to be exact.

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Finally, a suggested excursion to a place less known and practically unvisited by tourists, but definitely worth seeing, especially if you're looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The 19th-century Oruński Park, located in the south of Gdańsk, will surely enchant you with its beauty, lush nature, and the usually peaceful atmosphere. Paved roads, unused by cars, ponds, benches, and—for those with children—modern playgrounds, will make your time there even more enjoyable. Among the attractions you'll find there is a 17th-century icehouse on Five Brothers Mountain. Gdańsk certainly offers too much to cover in a short stay. Other places worth considering include the Monument to the Defenders of the Coast on Westerplatte, accessible via a newly constructed bike path ; the beach in the Stogi district; Górki Zachodnie ; and nearby Sobieszewska Island – although the latter two, and particularly Sobieszewo, are a bit further from the city center and should be noted that these routes are for more patient cyclists. A bike path leading to the destination is now complete. Bicycle repair shops: There are many bicycle repair shops in Gdańsk. Unfortunately, not all are recommendable. Fortunately, there are also those where we can count on good professionals and enthusiasts. Two reliable places include "Rowersi" at Chałubińskiego Street 13 and "Wysepka" at Grunwaldzka Avenue 470.

Fun fact

There are approximately 30 cycling monitoring points in Gdańsk. Data from the devices is available on the website rowerowygdansk.pl . This gives city officials insight into the popularity of cycling in Gdańsk. Author: Bartosz Szczepaniak