As someone who loves both Christmas and Poland (it’s just an hour’s flight from home), Gdańsk has a special place in my heart. The city has come a long way in recent years, transforming into a truly magical destination, especially during the holidays.
Over the years, I’ve visited the Christmas market in Gdańsk three times, and every year the market has become bigger and better. And when I read that it had received the prestigious Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2025 award, I knew I had to make the trip this year as well.
In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know before visiting the market, from what to eat and buy to how to get there and get the most out of your visit.
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Article overview
Christmas in Gdańsk overview
Ready to start planning your visit to Gdańsk Christmas market? Here’s what you should know.
Dates & opening hours
The Gdańsk Christmas Market runs from November 21 to December 23, 2025.
From December 1st, the whole city transforms into a Christmas wonderland, with Christmas trees lit in 15 different districts. You’ll find the main tree at Długi Targ.
Opening times are:
- Sunday–Thursday: 12:00–20:00
- Friday–Saturday: 12:00–21:00
Where is the Christmas market?
It takes place at Targ Węglowy (Coal Market), the Academy of Fine Arts Armoury, Bogusławskiego Street, Tkacka Street, Kołodziejska Street and Przedbramie. The main entrances are from Targ Drzewny and Św. Ducha Street.
The market in the Forum Gdańsk Courtyard is returning after a two-year break. You’ll find food and craft stalls along with a beautiful, fairly light walkway and a huge tree. Don’t forget to also check out the beautiful Christmas lights inside Forum.
And for the first time, the fair takes over the entire Bogusławskiego Street, which boasts a brand-new, container-style structure inspired by the Shakespeare Theatre. Don’t miss this area, it was so much calmer than the rest. And I had one of the best burgers I’ve ever had there.
Best time to visit
From Monday to Thursday, the market is noticeably quieter, making it easier to browse the stalls, take photos at the Instagram spots, and enjoy the food without long lines.
If you want the most magical atmosphere, plan your visit for late afternoon into early evening, when the Christmas lights are fully glowing. I went out at 3:00 pm most days.
There are also usually fewer crowds right after it opens in late November. However, not all the Christmas lights in town are lit yet. Weekends, especially the last two before Christmas, are definitely the busiest.
Accessibility
Due to the historic layout of the Old Town, some surfaces are cobblestoned and uneven, which may pose challenges for visitors with limited mobility. However, the market has made significant efforts to improve accessibility.
Parking spaces for people with disabilities are located in the Paid Parking Zone on Bogusławskiego Street, Św. Ducha Street, Targ Drzewny Street, and at Targ Węglowy Street.
To the right of the Targ Węglowy entrance from Targ Drzewny Street, there is a men’s and women’s sanitary container and a toilet adapted for people with disabilities, with barrier-free access.
Money & payments
Most stalls at the Gdańsk Christmas Market accept card payments. Poland is a card-friendly country; most vendors support contactless payments, including Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Still, I like to have a small amount of Polish złoty (PLN) on hand for some smaller vendors and street performers. It’s also helpful in case a card terminal stops working — I have experienced this before.
I usually withdraw cash at the airport; however, ATMs are easy to find throughout the Old Town. And, as always, avoid the currency conversion option and choose to be charged in PLN for the best exchange rate.
Is it expensive?
No, I wouldn’t say the Gdańsk Christmas Market is expensive. Gdańsk, and Poland in general, is still one of the more affordable destinations in Europe. However, prices have definitely risen significantly in the last few years.
Food and drinks: You’ll find classic Polish fare like pierogi, meat sandwiches, and soups for 20–50 PLN per item. I paid 40 PLN ($11) for a small bowl of chicken noodles in peanut sauce from a Thai stall. I was also tempted by pasta made in a cheese wheel for 45 PLN.
Mulled wine (grzaniec) in a paper cup costs 25-30 PLN ($7-8), depending on the flavor — expect fruity options like raspberry or plum, as well as non-alcoholic versions. Other drinks include local liqueurs and beer, which range from 15–35 PLN per shot or cup.
Handcrafted goods & souvenirs: The market is full of stalls selling artisan treasures — think amber jewelry, carved wooden ornaments, ceramics, and leather accessories.
Prices for these vary widely. I bought a Christmas tree bauble for 35 PLN and knitted mittens for 50 PLN. I also found a beautiful wooden tray for 80 PLN, but I didn’t have room in my suitcase.
Gdańsk Christmas Market
I’ve visited Gdańsk twice this year alone, and each time I’ve been impressed by how beautifully the city embraces the seasons. After seeing the Halloween decorations, I knew I had to come back for Christmas — and it did not disappoint.
While I don’t think it beats my favorite, Wroclaw Christmas Market, it is definitely one of the most atmospheric and biggest markets in Poland. It’s the perfect size: big enough to explore for a few hours over a couple of days, yet cozy, charming, and totally walkable.
It’s also easy to see that a lot of thought and work has gone into this market. Like Christmas trees with lights between each stall.
What to buy
You can expect a great mix of traditional Polish crafts and more modern, creative gifts.
One of the first things you’ll notice is all the beautifully handmade items: carved wooden cutting boards, bowls and utensils, embroidered linens, wool hats and mittens, and, of course, plenty of amber jewelry (because Gdańsk is practically the capital of amber!).
There are also tons of cute and cozy Christmas decorations — everything from rustic wooden stars and angels to baubles, candles, and winter-themed ceramics.
I always find myself stopping at the honey and jam stalls; both make such great gifts. I have also bought the chocolate shaped as tools for my dad and grandad many times. So I skipped them this year, although they are super cool.
And if you love higher-end products, you’ll appreciate the local artists selling prints, leather accessories, and handmade bags.
What to eat and drink
If you’re anything like me and plan your Christmas market visits around all the food you must try, the Gdańsk Christmas Market is going to be heaven.
With stalls representing more than 20 different cuisines, you’ll find everything from comforting Polish classics to international favorites that keep the festive atmosphere fun and varied.
The Polish dishes are, of course, the stars of the show. I always make a beeline for the warm, homestyle comfort foods — rich stews, slow-cooked meats, and those iconic winter flavors that instantly warm you up.
You’ll smell smoky cheeses grilling over open flames, hear sausages sizzling, and spot trays of beautifully spiced baked goods that look almost too pretty to eat.
But the market doesn’t stop there. If you want a break from local flavors, you can wander into little corners of Italy, Spain, Georgia, or Asia, where you’ll find everything from fresh pasta to dumplings, tapas-style bites, and fragrant street-food bowls. I even found langos, my favorite Hungarian street food.
And then there are the sweet treats — gingerbread in every size and shape, freshly baked pastries, and sugary, cinnamon-coated delights that make the whole market smell like Christmas itself.
The Polish donuts below were the highlight for me. Wow, they were crispy on the outside, yet so light they just melted in my mouth. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name of the stall, but it was right in the middle of the main market area. Just eat them while they’re warm, or else they get soggy.
To wash it all down, you’ve got plenty of festive drinks to choose from. The mulled wine is always my go-to, but you’ll also come across warm honey drinks, fruit-infused liqueurs, and the famously quirky Polish mulled beer — which sounds strange, but trust me, it’s worth trying.
Want to explore more of Gdansk through food? Check out the popular tour below 👇
☕️ Porcelain mugs >> This year, the Gdańsk Christmas Market is introducing porcelain deposit mugs for mulled wine — an eco-friendly option that also makes a lovely souvenir.
You pay a 30 PLN deposit, which you can easily refund at any of the return stations around the market if you don’t want to keep it. The mugs come in a special holiday design, a little more basic than I expected.
Plan your visit to Gdańsk
❄️ The Weather Can Be Very Cold (and Sometimes Wet) >> Every time I come to Gdańsk in winter, I forget how cold it actually is. As a Norwegian, I’m used to the temperature, usually around 0°C (32°F), but it’s the Baltic Sea wind that gets me.
It can snow, but more often you’ll get a mix of frost, rain, and cloudy days. Layers are essential — thermal leggings, warm socks, scarves, gloves, and a windproof coat.
🛌 Book accommodation early >> December is a busy month in Gdańsk thanks to the award-winning market. Hotels in and around the Old Town fill up quickly — especially on weekends.
How to get around
The Old Town is very walkable, so most of the time you’ll find yourself strolling between the festive lights, cafés, and waterfront streets. When you need to travel a bit farther, the city’s public transport system — a network of trams, buses, and commuter trains — is efficient, inexpensive, and simple to use.
Use the JakDojade app to plan routes, but also lets you buy digital tickets straight from your phone, which is much easier than hunting for a ticket machine at a stop. You can buy single rides, day passes, or longer tickets depending on your plans.
Getting from the Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport to the city centre is just as straightforward. Budget-friendly options include bus 210, which goes directly to Gdańsk Główny (the main station), or the PKM train, which departs from Terminal 2 and connects through Wrzeszcz before continuing into the city. There’s also the N3 night bus if you arrive late.
For a more comfortable and direct option, ride-hailing services like Bolt and Uber work very well in Gdańsk — and personally, I usually find Bolt cheaper. I paid 82 PLN ($22) last time.
🚘 If I arrive late at night or just want the smoothest, most stress-free experience, I often book Welcome Pickups. It’s a pre-paid private transfer, so your driver waits for you inside the terminal and takes you straight to your accommodation with no hassle — perfect after a long travel day.
So is Christmas in Gdańsk worth it?
Absolutely. While Kraków will always have a special place in my heart — I used to live there, after all — Gdańsk genuinely impressed me this year. The market feels fresh, beautifully organized, and full of charm, with so many thoughtful details and festive touches.
That said, if we’re ranking Christmas markets in Poland, my personal number one is still Wrocław, with its magical setting covering the entire market square surrounded by brightly colored, historic buildings. I also think there are fewer people than in Gdańsk, Warsaw and Kraków.
Still, Gdańsk is 100% worth it. But if you can, visit them all. You can easily take the bus, train or even fly between some of the big cities.
🌟 Read next >> 2 days in Gdansk: The perfect itinerary for first-timers
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