Gdansk: Food & Sightseeing Tour with Tastings & Vodka

Summary

Polish flavors, city legends, wild boar and vodka in Gdansk’s Old Town

You’ll wander Gdansk Old Town with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Taste 13+ Polish specialties (yes, including wild boar), sip craft beer and local vodka in hidden spots, hear personal tales from communist days, and end up feeling oddly at home among strangers.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the start because I got lost by the Brama Wyżynna — Google Maps spun me in circles and my umbrella flipped inside out. Bart, our guide, just grinned when I arrived flustered (and slightly damp), handed me a napkin for my glasses, and said something about “real Gdansk weather.” That set the tone: relaxed, slightly chaotic, very human. We started weaving through Gdansk Old Town right as the rain eased up and the cobblestones started to shine under streetlights. There was this smell — bread baking somewhere nearby — that made my stomach growl embarrassingly loud. Bart pretended not to notice but passed me a tiny pickled herring at our first stop anyway.

The tour wasn’t just about eating (though we did plenty of that). At Długi Targ, Bart pointed at Neptune’s Fountain and told us how locals used to sneak coins into the water for luck — he shrugged and said it never worked for him. We ducked into a cellar beneath Artus Court for our first starter; I still remember the tang of horseradish on my tongue. Later at a PRL-style pub, we tried flavored vodka (I coughed on the cherry one — nobody else did) while Bart talked about Solidarity and his uncle’s stories from the 1980s. The walls were plastered with old posters; one had a cartoon sausage that looked suspiciously like Bart himself. He laughed when I pointed it out.

Somewhere between wild boar in mushroom sauce and a dessert I couldn’t pronounce (makowiec? I probably butchered it), we wandered past the Gdańsk Crane and over to Granary Island. It’s fancy now — all glass apartments looking over the river — but Bart remembered when it was just warehouses and stray cats. The rain had stopped by then but everything smelled wet: stone, wood, even the air felt thick with history or maybe just humidity.

I left full but also… sort of connected? Like I’d eaten my way through someone else’s memories as much as through Gdansk itself. And yeah, I still think about that first bite of herring whenever it rains now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Gdansk culinary and sightseeing tour

• Join culinary journey in Gdansk
• Visit Brama Wyżynna and medieval prison
• Pass through the Golden Gate
• See second-largest armory in Europe
• Visit Dom Uphagena museum
• See Old Town Hall and St. Mary's Basilica
• Stop at Długi Targ for starter
• Visit Polish pub and try local vodkas
• See Daniel Fahrenheit monument
• Visit Green Gate
• Explore Granary Island district
• See Gdańsk Crane
• Enjoy main course at restaurant

Top questions

How long is the Gdansk food & sightseeing tour?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

What food is included on this Gdansk culinary tour?

You’ll try at least 13 different Polish tastings across several restaurants plus dessert.

Is alcohol served during the tour?

Yes, you get one craft beer and one Polish vodka shot; non-alcoholic options are available for those under 21.

Does this tour include sights beyond food stops?

Yes, you visit landmarks like Brama Wyżynna, Golden Gate, Dom Uphagena museum, Długi Targ, Artus Court cellars, Granary Island, and see St. Mary’s Basilica.

Is pickup included in this Gdansk food tour?

No hotel pickup; you meet at a central location in Gdansk Old Town.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

Please advise dietary needs when booking; gluten or lactose intolerances cannot be accommodated.

How many people join each group?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers per tour.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting time is 17:00 (5 PM). The guide waits up to five minutes before starting.

What’s included

Your evening includes a guided walk through Gdańsk Old Town with at least thirteen tastings across three or more restaurants (think wild boar stew or pickled herring), one craft beer plus a shot of Polish vodka (or non-alcoholic alternatives for younger guests), all led by a local guide sharing stories about city life and traditions along the way.