Overall Score
Lithological records of Gdansk date back to 997 Gdansk. The archaeological evidence of the settlement dates back five centuries. From the 12th century, the Germans began to occupy the city, and in 1308, the Teutonic Order took over the settlement, which then became part of Prussia. Soon Danzig (the German name for the city) becomes one of the members of the German Union, which had an impact on the economic life of the city. The destruction of the Tuvinian order in 1466 was not a hindrance to its future prosperity. Gdańsk became a Polish city, but the Polish city has gained wide privileges and de facto autonomy for itself. The second time the city fell under Russian rule was at the end of the 18th century, with the collapse of the Polish Revolution. Napoleon, who conquered Danzig in 1807, established a autonomous state here – the Republic of Danzig, which lasted only seven years. The Russians besieged Gdansk, and the 1814 Vienna Congress sealed the city to Prussia, which retained its autonomy over Danzig.
Between the two world wars, from 1920 to 1939, there was the Walled City of Danzig – a formally independent state-city under the guardianship of the League of Nations. In 1939-45 it was under German-Fascist occupation. Since 1945 it has been part of the Polish Republic under the name of Gdańsk.
The historic center of the city – a sneak peek into the era of the Hanseatic Merchants, the atmosphere of the mid-century and new age sea port. The architecture has been imbued with the traits of German urbanism and Polish architecture. The citys main attractions are there: The 80-meter tall structure of the main city (14th and 15th centuries), the Corylovski Route with the streets of Drugg and Dluga (formerly the Palace of the Elites), the Golden and Green Gate, the Court of Artus, the Fontaine de Naphtuna, and the Ababata Palace, the Castle of the Cloisters, the Castle of St. Mary (13th-16th centuries), the Great Arsenal, the Jubilee of the Matthlawe, the Great Pulpit, the Chapel of the King, the Castle of Malarok and many other culturally and artistically historic sites. Gdansk has many museums, parks, and popular city beaches. The influence of Western Europe, in particular Germany, is particularly noticeable among the Polish cities, and this is why Gdansk has a wonderful tourism scene.
The citys popularity among tourists was the deciding factor in the selection of the cities where the 2012 FIFA Football matches took place. The new PGE Football Arena – a new modern cultural facility in the city.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 32 US AQI Good. Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- Tap water: Yes, safe to drink
- Religious government: Non-religious
- Population: 460,000 people
- GDP: $12,332 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 230V50Hz
- Internet: 28 Mbps
- Best wireless: Plus
- Pay without cash: Yes, cards OK almost everywhere
- Tipping: In Poland tipping is expected for good service in restaurants, especially in touristy areas such as Krakow or Warsaw. The norm is to tip around 10% of the bill. You can tip 15% if the service was exceptionally good.
- Apartment listings:
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Uber
- Online electronics shop: Saturn
- Best hospital: Swissmed Centrum
- Best short-haul air carrier: Ryanair
- Best intl air carrier: LOT Polish Airlines
- Monthly costs for expat: $1050
- Monthly costs for family: $1900
- Monthly costs for local: $550
- Meal: $5
- Small Cola: $0.7
- Beer 1 Pint: $2
- Coffee: $1.3
View Larger Map