Gdansk & Malbork Castle Tour from Warsaw with Lunch

Summary

Visit Gdansk’s Old Town and Malbork Castle on a day trip

You’ll wander Gdansk’s Old Town with a local guide who brings history alive, taste traditional Polish lunch (think pierogi and soup), and explore Malbork Castle’s echoing halls before heading back to Warsaw — with small moments you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice in Gdansk to be the smell of fresh bread drifting out of a bakery as we stepped off the minibus. Our driver, Marek, had been quietly humming along to 80s Polish pop for half the ride from Warsaw (it’s about three hours, but he made it feel shorter). When we finally arrived, our local guide Anna waved us over near the Neptune Fountain and immediately started telling stories about Solidarity — she spoke like someone who’d actually lived through it. I kept glancing at her hands as she gestured; they moved fast, like she was still caught up in those days.

The walking tour around Gdansk Old Town was more layered than I thought it would be. Anna pointed out scars on old brick walls and explained how the city rebuilt itself after WWII — “not just buildings, but people too,” she said. We ducked into a little side street where someone was selling amber jewelry from a wooden cart. The air felt salty and sharp from the Baltic breeze, even though the sun was out. At lunch (pierogi and chicken soup — simple but honestly perfect), everyone at our table tried to pronounce ‘żurek’ correctly. Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin — probably butchered it.

After that came Malbork Castle. It’s massive up close — all red brick and echoing hallways that made my footsteps sound way louder than usual. Our guide there had this habit of pausing mid-sentence to let us take in the silence or the distant clang of some unseen door shutting far off. There were moments where I just stood still, touching the cool stone wall, thinking about how many people must have done exactly that over centuries. The drive back was quieter; maybe everyone was tired or just letting it all soak in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Gdansk Castle and Old Town Tour

• Visit Medieval castle
• Walking tour in Old Town
• Stop at popular location en route

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Warsaw to Gdansk and Malbork Castle?

The tour lasts a full day, with travel time between Warsaw, Gdansk, Sopot (a popular stop), and Malbork Castle included.

Is lunch included on this Gdansk & Malbork Castle tour?

Yes, a traditional Polish lunch is included — usually pierogi, chicken soup or schnitzel plus water.

Do you get a local guide in Gdansk?

Yes, there is an English-speaking guide for your walking tour of Gdansk Old Town.

Is hotel pickup provided for this tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Warsaw.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Can I request a guide in another language?

Languages other than English are possible if requested in advance and available.

How big is the group on this small group tour?

This is not a private tour; you’ll share transport with other travelers unless you book private transportation separately.

What happens if I have symptoms before the tour?

If you or anyone in your group has symptoms before departure, contact the operator to reschedule your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Warsaw, guided walking tours with local experts in both Gdansk Old Town and Malbork Castle, transportation by car or minibus (with all health measures observed), plus a traditional Polish lunch featuring dishes like pierogi or schnitzel before returning home that evening.