Start our historical journey from the very heart of Gdansk - the Long Market. It's a place that has been bustling with life for centuries and is a landmark of the city. Dlugi Targ, formerly the main shopping square, is today the heart of the Main Town and one of the most important points on the tourist map of Gdansk. Here you will find beautiful townhouses, including the famous Zlota Kamienica, whose facade is decorated with figures of prominent Poles.

Getting to Długi Targ is very easy - we can use public transportation (streetcars and buses run frequently to the 'Brama Wyżynna' stop), and from there it's just a few minutes' walk. For motorists, the nearest parking lot is located on Fish Market Street, about a 5-minute walk from Dlugi Targ.

At Dlugi Targ you can't miss the symbol of Gdansk - the Fountain of Neptune. This 17th-century structure, depicting the Roman god of the seas, is not only a beautiful work of art, but also a witness to many historical events. The fountain is open from spring to autumn, and in the summer season (from May to September) you can admire its illuminations in the evening.

Right next to the fountain is Artus Court - a branch of the Gdansk Museum. This is a place where history comes alive before our eyes. The building, originally the seat of merchant fraternities, now houses fascinating exhibits and stories about old Gdansk. The mansion is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (until 6:00 pm in the summer). Tickets cost PLN 16 for adults and PLN 8 for children and teenagers (as of 2023), but it's worth checking current prices on the museum's official website.

For families with children, there are special tours and interactive elements that present the city's history in an accessible way. Note the impressive tiled stove - the largest monument of its kind in Europe!

After visiting Artus Court, take a walk along Dlugi Targ, admiring the architecture of the townhouses. Finally, you'll come across the Golden Gate - a monumental structure from the 16th century, which was the main entrance to the city from the west. The Zlota Gate is an excellent example of Renaissance architecture and a testament to the former power of Gdansk. Today, it houses a tourist information point where you can get maps and guidebooks.

There are many restaurants and cafes in the area where you can relax and enjoy local specialties. For the youngest, we recommend ice cream from one of the numerous ice cream parlors at Dlugi Targ - a great way to cool off on warm days!

Keep in mind that Dlugi Targ and the surrounding area is a lively place all year round, but during the summer season it can get quite crowded. It is advisable to plan your visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds and be able to admire the beauty of this historic place in peace.

Our journey through the history of the Tricity would not be complete without visiting places that witnessed key events of the 20th century. One such place is Westerplatte - a symbol of the heroic defense of Poland in September 1939.

Westerplatte is located on a peninsula in the northern part of Gdansk, about 7 km from the city center. It can be reached by city bus 106 or 138 from Dworzec Główny bus stop, the trip takes about 30 minutes. During the summer season, a water streetcar also runs from the Fish Market. For motorists, paid parking is available at the entrance to the monument.

The Monument to the Defenders of the Coast and the ruins of the New Barracks - remnants of the buildings of the Military Transit Depot - await us at the site. It is worth taking a walk along the educational path, which leads through the most important points of the peninsula, telling the story of the seven-day defense. Special information boards with simplified descriptions and interesting facts have been prepared for families with children.

Admission to Westerplatte is free and possible all year round. However, it is worth remembering that this is a memorial site, so proper respect and silence should be maintained. Due to the open area, it is advisable to bring headgear and water, especially on sunny days.

The next point on our historical journey is Gradowa Mountain, located in the center of Gdansk. This hill, which houses the remains of 19th-century fortifications, offers not only a history lesson, but also a beautiful view of the city skyline.

You can get to Góra Gradowa by bus or streetcar to the 'Powstańców Warszawskich' or 'Nowe Ogrody' stop, from where it's a short walk uphill. There is a small paid parking lot on site.

At the top of Gradowa Mountain is the Hewelianum Center - an interactive science and history museum. It's a perfect place for families with children, where you can learn the secrets of fortifications and the history of Gdansk through play. The center is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (until 8:00 pm in the summer). Tickets cost PLN 20 for adults and PLN 15 for children (as of 2023), but it's worth checking current prices on the website.

In addition to the Hevelianum Center, on Gradowa Mountain you can visit the remains of fortifications, including the Jerusalem Bastion. A walk along the ramparts is not only a history lesson, but also an opportunity to admire the panorama of Gdansk.

At the end of this part of our trip, visit the Wisłoujście Fortress - a unique monument of defensive architecture, located at the mouth of the Vistula River into the Gulf of Gdańsk. It is one of the oldest sea fortresses in Europe, with a history dating back to the 15th century.

You can get to Wisloujscie Fortress by bus 106 from the center of Gdansk (stop 'Wisloujscie Fortress'). A water streetcar also runs in the summer season. A small parking lot is available on site.

The fortress is open to the public from May to September, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets cost PLN 16 for adults and PLN 8 for children (as of 2023). The fortress features a tower-lighthouse, bastion fortifications and an exhibition on the history of the site.

Special tours and quests have been prepared for families with children, which provide an interesting insight into the history of the fortress. It is worth remembering to wear comfortable shoes, as the tour involves a lot of walking on uneven terrain.

These three places - Westerplatte, Gradowa Mountain and Wisloujscie Fortress - are not only a history lesson, but also an opportunity to actively spend time outdoors and admire beautiful views. It's the perfect way to combine education with family entertainment during a weekend in the Tri-City.

Our historical journey through the Tri-City would not be complete without visiting the city gates of Gdansk, which for centuries guarded the entrance to the city and witnessed its turbulent history. We invite you to discover three unique gates that will take us back in time and let us feel the atmosphere of old Gdansk.

We will start with the Upland Gate, which was the main entrance to the city from the west. Located at 2A Waly Jagiellońskie Street, it is easily accessible on foot from the city center or by public transportation - the nearest stop is 'Wyżynna Gate'. The gate, built in the 16th century, is an impressive example of Renaissance defensive architecture. It now houses the Pomeranian Regional Tourist Organization, where you can get information about the region's attractions.

The Upland Gate is open to the public daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (until 7:00 pm in the summer). Admission is free of charge. Worth noting are the coats of arms adorning the gate: Republic of Poland, Royal Prussia and Gdansk, as well as Latin inscriptions that testify to the city's rich history.

The next point on our route is the Golden Gate, located at 1 Dluga St. This is a Renaissance triumphal gate, which was a representative entrance to the city. It can be reached by the same means of transportation as the Upland Gate, as the two gates are only a few minutes' walk apart.

The Golden Gate, although no longer serving a defensive function, impresses with its richly decorated front. The attic features allegories of the civic virtues of Peace, Freedom, Wealth and Fame. The gate is available for viewing from the outside all year round, 24 hours a day. It's the perfect place for a family photo and the start of a stroll through the historic part of Gdansk.

The final point in our gate trilogy is the St. John's Gate, located on Swietojanska Street. This is one of the water gates of Gdansk, located on the Motlawa River. It can be reached on foot from the city center (about 15 minutes walk from Dlugi Targ) or by streetcar to the 'Hucisko' stop.

Swietojanska Gate, although less grand than its 'sisters', has its own unique charm. It now houses a restaurant, which gives you the opportunity not only to admire the architecture, but also to taste local specialties. The gate is available for viewing from the outside all year round.

For families with children, we recommend a small city game - searching for architectural details on each of the gates. You can prepare a list of items to find, such as coats of arms, sculptures or inscriptions, making the tour more interactive and engaging for the little ones.

It is worth remembering that all of these gates are located in the very center of Gdansk, within walking distance of each other. They can be combined into one tour, which will take about 2-3 hours, depending on the pace of the tour and time spent taking photos or resting.

There are many cafes and restaurants near the gates, where you can relax and have a bite to eat during the tour. For the youngest tourists, we recommend a visit to a nearby ice cream shop on Dlugi Targ - a great way to make the walk more pleasant, especially on warmer days.

Visiting the Gdansk gates is not only a history lesson, but also an opportunity to admire the craftsmanship of ancient architects and builders. It's a journey back in time that allows you to understand the important role these structures played in the life of the former city. Each gate has its own unique history and character, making visiting them a fascinating adventure for the whole family.

Keep in mind that the area around the gates, especially during the summer season, can be quite crowded. It is advisable to plan your visit in the morning or evening hours to avoid the biggest crowds and be able to admire these historical gems in peace.

To conclude our historical tour of the Tri-City, it is worth noting that visiting these places is not only a history lesson, but also an opportunity for family time, taking beautiful photos and creating unforgettable memories. The Gates of Gdansk, along with other monuments of the city, create a unique atmosphere that makes every weekend spent in the Tri-City a unique experience for history lovers of all ages.