The attractions of the Tri-City include numerous monuments, interesting places and city beaches. Whether in Gdańsk, Gdynia or Sopot, there is no shortage of interesting architecture, mementos of a lush past or modern facilities where you can spend your free time. The entire area in which the Tri-City is located is extremely attractive for tourists. For this reason, it is visited by crowds of holidaymakers seeking sun and monuments every year.
The attractions of the Tri-City are varied, after all, the entire area consists of three separate cities with their own history and character. The main magnets for tourists here are historical streets, historic buildings and everything that tempts travelers to visit coastal and port towns. Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia are also attracted by various events and cultural events that are regularly organized here.
It is also worth mentioning the typical seaside attractions of the Tri-City, such as the longest pier in Poland, an ancient port crane, or historic ships and sailing ships, open to visitors. There is no shortage of entertainment venues, open until late at night, or gastronomic facilities offering local delicacies. However, on the nearby beaches you can just relax and catch some sun rays.
See also: monuments and attractions of Gdańsk.
Sightseeing of the Tri-City
The Tri-City is best explored by simply walking, but when it comes to getting around, it is best to use your own transport or quite well-organized public transport. Thanks to the local network of railway connections, it is easy to get to any of the Tricity cities. However, it is worth remembering that in each of these agglomerations, different bus and tram tickets are valid.
To visit all the attractions of the Tri-City you will need at least a week, and this may not be enough time to see everything. However, a weekend trip to the seaside will be a good opportunity to see some interesting places and facilities in the Tri-City. You can always return to the Tri-City and visit other points of interest on the tourist map of these places.
When it comes to the best time to visit the Tri-City, it lasts practically all year round. Every season is good to visit Gdańsk, Gdynia or Sopot. It is known that the most tourists will be here in summer, then high temperatures can effectively discourage vacationers from visiting other monuments. If someone does not like hot weather, crowds and does not intend to lie on the beach, then they can come to Tricity in spring, when it is already warm, or in autumn, when it is no longer hot. Winter is also an attractive time to visit, because then there are fewer tourists in the cities, and the winter beach is an additional attraction.
Monuments in the Tri-City: The Royal Route in Gdańsk
One of the most important historic places in the Tri-City is the Royal Route in Gdańsk. It is the former main thoroughfare used by the most affluent citizens of our country. Currently, it is an area that is occupied by Long Street and Long Market in Gdańsk – it is here that the most attractions and monuments in the city are located, which makes the area heavily crowded with tourists.
Within the borders of the Royal Route in Gdańsk, we can see, among others: the Main Town Hall, the Artus Court, the Golden Gate, the Schumann House, the Green Gate and the Uphagen House. Due to its high popularity along Long Street and Long Market, there are also many dining options such as cafes, pubs and restaurants serving local delicacies. There are also stands and shops with all kinds of souvenirs. However, the greatest tourist attraction of the Royal Route in Gdańsk is undoubtedly the historic Neptune Fountain, which came here in the 17th century and immediately became a symbol of this city.
The Gift of Pomerania museum ship and the ORP Błyskawica (Lightning) museum ship in Gdynia
Known monuments in the Tri-City are also two floating museums in Gdynia, i.e. the Gift of Pomerania sailing ship and the destroyer ORP Błyskawica. Both are open to the public, so tourists can see how life at sea used to be in the past.
The first of them, Gift of Pomerania, is a true symbol of Gdynia. Built in 1909, it began to serve the Polish nation in 1929 after it was bought with money collected by the people of Gdynia. It was at Gift of Pomerania that over 13,000 students were trained. Currently, you can see here not only the cabins and engine rooms, but also the officer’s wardroom or the sails warehouse.
The second floating monument and a symbol of the city of Gdynia is the OPR Błyskawica. A true legend of the Navy and the only destroyer that actively participated in World War II. It is also the oldest unsunk warship. He retired in 1976 and now you can visit the engine rooms, boiler rooms and the armed deck, as well as all the exhibits on it, which are preserved in excellent condition.
Before you go to the beach, take care of your health and see cosmetics for sunbathing: Sunscreen creams, lotions, sprays, oils.
The Forest Opera in Sopot
The most famous historic building in the Tri-City is also the building of the Forest Opera in Sopot. The Sopot amphitheater is a cult place in Poland. The Forest Opera, as the name suggests, was located in a wooded area, and more precisely in the Oliwa Forests. It was erected in 1909 and from the very beginning various concerts, competitions and festivals have been organized here. However, the stage of the Forest Opera in Sopot is mainly associated with the music festival, organized here every year. The facility itself was modernized in 2009-2012 and currently, on an area of 4 hectares, it can accommodate over 5,000 seated spectators. The greatest advantage of the Forest Opera in Sopot is not only its recognition, but also excellent acoustics and a charming location.
Tourist attractions in the Tri-City
Westerplatte and the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk
A tourist attraction in the Tri-City is definitely Westerplatte and the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk. Both sites are closely related to the hostilities that hit the country. Westerplatte is a symbolic place where World War II began on September 1, 1939 at 4.45 am. At present, you can visit guardhouses No. 1 and the small cemetery of the Fallen Defenders of Westerplatte and the hill with a monument in honor of the Defenders of the Coast.
The second attraction for tourists in Gdańsk is the Museum of the Second World War. Placed in a modern building, in this memorial site you can see what the life of normal residents during the war looked like, for this purpose one of the pre-war streets was partially reconstructed. Interesting exhibits at the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk are certainly the Enigma encryption machine and the Soviet T-34-85 tank. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are also temporary exhibitions.
Kościuszko Square and the Southern Pier in Gdynia
One of the most famous tourist attractions in the Tri-City is undoubtedly Kościuszko Square and the adjacent Southern Pier in Gdynia. Kościuszko Square is a place where not only tourists meet, but also the inhabitants of this city. It is in these surroundings that a fairly characteristic fountain is located, and it is here that all kinds of outdoor events take place. At Kościuszko Square, apart from stalls and eateries, there are historic tenement houses and interesting monuments.
The Southern Pier, on the other hand, is a further part of the promenade and favorite walking routes in Gdynia, which runs right next to Kościuszko Square. It is here that two floating museum ships, about which we wrote earlier – Dar Pomorza and OPR Błyskawica, moor. Hence, you can go on a cruise on a passenger ship on the Bay of Gdańsk and the port of Gdynia. Near the South Pier, there is the building of the Gdynia Aquarium, more about it later.
The Sopot molo
A major tourist attraction in Sopot is also the most famous pier in Poland. A showcase of this city, the history of which dates back to the 19th century. Initially, the pier was a kind of a local marina, then it was transformed into a walking and entertainment facility with the development of the spa. It was recently named after Pope John Paul II.
The pier in Sopot consists of two parts: a wooden one, which is 511.5 meters long, which makes it the longest structure of this type in Europe, and a land one, which, in the form of a square, covers an area of 20,000 square meters. In addition to the main walking part, the pier also includes lower and side decks to which passenger ships and yachts can land. In summer, this facility experiences the greatest siege due to tourists, although the entrance is paid here.
See also what the most important monuments and attractions of Warsaw are worth visiting.
What is worth seeing in the Tri-City?
European Solidarity Center in Gdańsk
In the Tri-City it is definitely worth seeing the European Solidarity Center in Gdańsk. It is located right next to the entrance to the famous Gdańsk Shipyard, where historically important events for Poland took place. The building of the European Solidarity Center itself is modern and its structure resembles the hull of the ship.
Inside, you can closely follow the rise of “Solidarity” and the very signing of the August Agreements. All this is presented in an interesting multimedia form. Here you can listen to the reports of the striking shipyard workers, see leaflets issued by the great conspiracy, or sit at the replica of the Round Table. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the European Solidarity Center in Gdańsk also houses a library, an archive and the headquarters of other non-governmental organizations.
Gdynia Aquarium
A place worth seeing in the Tri-City is also the Gdynia Aquarium. It operates within the framework of the Sea Fisheries Institute and is located near Kościuszko Square and the Southern Pier. This slightly unusual zoo presents the flora and fauna of aquatic and semi-terrestrial environments.
In the Gdynia Aquarium you can see over 1,600 animals, including rays, piranhas, moray eels as well as amphibians and reptiles from other continents. The whole is divided into seven parts, where we can admire, among others, the Coral Reef, the Amazonian environment and organisms inhabiting the deepest corners of all oceans. A big attraction in the Gdynia Aquarium is the so-called Wet Hall, where you can, for example, stroke a fish.
Promenade of Monte Cassino Heroes and Crooked House in Sopot
Another place worth seeing in the Tri-City is also the Promenade of Monte Cassino Heroes with the Crooked House in Sopot. It is the main walking street in this city, where the lives of both tourists and its inhabitants are concentrated. Promenade of Monte Cassino Heroes is completely closed to car traffic. Popularly known as Monciak, it is a natural extension of the Pier in Sopot. The most popular restaurants and clubs are located next to it. At the Promenade of Monte Cassino Heroes, you can also see the original sculpture of an umbrella and the famous Spatif club, which once hosted the Sopot bohemia.
However, the biggest attraction in recent years on Monciak is the Crooked House. As the name suggests, this building is completely crooked. Its style fits into the architecture of Monciak, but in its form it refers to the drawings of Jan Marcin Szancer and Per Dahlberg, placed in well-known fairy tales. Some people see references to Gaudi’s work in the Crooked House.
See also the most important attractions and monuments of Krakow.
Interesting places in the Tri-City
Oliwa Park with the Cathedral in Gdańsk
An interesting place in the Tri-City is the Oliwa Park with the Cathedral in Gdańsk. Considered one of the most romantic spots, it is often open air for wedding sessions for newlyweds. The Oliwa Park, on an area of just over 11 hectares, offers a part decorated in French and an English style. There are numerous walking paths and ponds on its territory. In the Oliwa Park, you can admire various species of plants that grow on other continents.
During a visit to the Oliwa Park, it is also worth entering the local cathedral. Inside, you can see the impressive main altar and, above all, the Oliwa organs known throughout Poland. During the concert, they make all sorts of sounds, reminiscent of wind noise, ringing bells or sounds of animals.
Stone Mountain in Gdynia
Stone Mountain in Gdynia is also an interesting place in the Tri-City. The hill is a natural viewpoint over the entire city. You can get to the top of Kamienna Góra using the free funicular or simply climbing the stairs. At the top there is an observation deck and a large cross. It is the perfect place to see the panorama of Gdynia, along with the port and Kościuszko Square.
Check also the monuments and attractions of Wrocław.
The Lighthouse in Sopot
Another interesting place in the Tri-City is the Lighthouse in Sopot. An old, but well-preserved building, which at one time served as a navigation for vessels. Since 1999, it is no longer officially recognized as a lighthouse. Interestingly, its interiors can be visited today.
The rather unusual shape of the Lighthouse in Sopot is directly related to its history, because it was initially built as a tower – a boiler house chimney. When it was no longer needed, a light source was placed in it. After another modernization, the chimney became a fully-fledged lighthouse.
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