Car hire Gdańsk

Introduction

Gdańsk is a cozy former Hanzeatic city with a beautiful historic center, beautiful churches (including the largest in Poland), a huge medieval castle and interesting museums. But it is not only the sights that make Gdańsk a fun destination for a city trip. The city has an extensive shopping area and good restaurants. The Lenin shipyard (that no longer bears this name) in the port, was the birthplace of the Solidarity trade union and the struggle against the Communists. If you're looking for beautiful amber jewelry: Gdańsk has plenty of them available at low prices.

Population

The city has a population of almost half a million. Gdańsk is located in an elongated urban area, which includes Gdynia and the seaside resort of Sopot as well, and where more than one million people live.

Location

The city is located in the north of Poland on the Baltic Sea.

Economy

Gdańsk was and is Poland's most important port. Related to this are its shipbuilding and (petro) chemical industry. In recent years, more and more companies from other sectors move to Gdańsk, including electronics, telecommunication and pharmaceutical companies. Along the Baltic coast amber is extracted and the processing of this fossilized tree resin into jewelry is an important economic activity.

Airports

Gdańsk airport is located fourteen kilometers west of the city. It is a popular destination for budget airlines. Lech Wałęsa Airport is easily accessible by rental car.

Public Transport

Gdańsk has an excellent public transport system, consisting of buses, trams and an underground. Trams only service the city; buses also go to different destinations, including Gdynia and Sopot. The underground also goes to these two cities (Szybka Kolej Miejska - SKM). The underground system will be expanded for the Eurocup in 2012.

Traffic and Parking

The old town of Gdańsk is partly car free. Furthermore, many streets are one-way and directions on road signs can be confusing. Driving in the center of town is not recommended, but a rental car is a great means of transport for exploring the region and driving to quiet beaches. In the center of Gdańsk, you will have to pay when parking in the streets.

Hotels

Gdańsk has a wide range of accommodations, from simple guesthouses to luxury hotels. In summer, many Poles go to Gdańsk and its surrounding beaches on the Baltic Sea. The hotels are often full then and therefore we recommend you to book your accommodation well in advance when visiting Gdańsk in high season. Especially the hotels on the so-called Royal Road are popular amongst tourists. It is also possible to rent an apartment in Gdańsk.

External Sources

For more information about Gdańsk we recommend Google and the following resources:

• Wikipedia, Gdańsk
• Official website Gdańsk (multilingual)
• Tourist Information Gdańsk (English, Polish)