Weather
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Gdańsk is a temperate climate. Temperatures range from 13° to 24°C/ 55° to 75°F, with July being one of the warmer months. Daily weather can vary between mild and wet or warm and sunny. We recommend that attendees bring a light jacket and/or raincoat. Make sure to take the temperatures into consideration when packing.
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Time
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Gdańsk is in the Central European time zone (CET). They are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1). Daylight Saving Time is in effect from early spring until late autumn and moves the clock one hour ahead of their standard time.
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The current time in Gdańsk is:
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Language
Polish is the official language. You will also find German and English. Many of the hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions will have individuals that speak English. Below are a few words to help get you started:
| Polish | English |
| Tak |
Yes |
| Nie |
No |
| Dzień dobry |
Good Morning/Good Afternoon |
| Dobry wieczór |
Good Evening |
| Proszę |
Please |
| Cześć |
Hi |
| Dziękuję |
Thank you |
Currency
Legal tender is the Polish Złoty (PLN, zł). There are 100 groszy (gr) per złoty. Notes have the values of 10 zł, 20 zł, 50 zł, 100 zł and 200 zł. The most useful coins are 5 zł, 2 zł, and 1 zł. You may also encounter 50 gr, 10 gr, 2 gr and 1 gr coins.
Though Poland is a member of the European Union (EU), the euro does not circulate in Poland and cannot be used for making purchases. Some hotels or business may quote their rates in euros and accept euros as payment, but this is not common practice. It is best to carry Polish Złoty.
Foreign currencies and traveler’s checks can usually be exchanged at banks, some hotels and bureaux de change - KANTOR. Keep in mind that traveler’s checks are not accepted at shops, hotels and restaurants. For currency conversion rates, Convert your currency.
Credit Cards & Automated Teller Machines
Major credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Keep in mind that your financial institution at home will automatically make the currency conversion on purchases abroad before you receive your monthly statement. Inquire about any fees your financial institution may charge for using your card abroad before you travel. Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found throughout Gdańsk. Exchange rates are often better through ATMs than through currency exchange offices or hotels. It is important that you check with your credit card company or financial institution before you travel to ensure that your cards will work in Gdańsk.
Health CareGdańsk (and Poland) has universal health care coverage. If you require medical attention, you can ask for assistance from your hotel or go to the nearest public hospital. With the exception of accident and emergency treatment, all non-EU members will be charged for medical treatment and must have adequate health insurance when travelling. For non-emergency cases, you should expect to provide payment onsite. Vaccination certificates are not usually required. Check with your local physician before traveling as requirements can change.
It is important to obtain travel health insurance before leaving home since your regular health insurance may not include coverage outside of your country of residence. Contact your health insurance provider to determine your best option. Be sure to pack any prescription medication you will need during your trip. Pharmacies are widely available, but may not be able to fill a prescription from outside of Poland.
| Emergency Number | Service |
| 112 |
From Mobile Phone |
| 997 |
Police |
| 998 |
Fire Department |
| 999 |
Ambulance |
Electrical Conversion
The standard electrical voltage is 220 volts, 50Hz, so adaptors and converters are needed for 110-120-volt appliances and electrical equipment. The majority of electrical outlets in Gdańsk take a two round prong plug.
Safety
Gdańsk is considered a safe city for tourists. Like many tourist-attracting cities in Europe, pickpockets can be an issue. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep a close eye on your belongings. If you encounter a problem with theft, be sure to report it to local police by calling 997.
Sales Tax
Value Added Tax (VAT) is applied to consumer products as well as services at hotels and restaurants. The current VAT rate in Poland is 23%, with the exception for most food & beverage and housing that are assessed a rate of 8%.
If your country of residence is outside the European Union (EU), you may request a tax refund for your retail purchases. Be sure to check that the retail stores you shop in participate in the Retail Export Scheme as not all do. When you make a purchase, make sure to request the proper form for the purchase and complete the form in the store before leaving.
Tax-free receipts and purchased products must be presented at the customs office at the airport. Once receipts are stamped, take them to a VAT refund office in the airport. There you will receive a refund in the form of cash, check or credit card adjustment.
Dining
Meal times in Poland are generally:
Breakfast 6:30 – 11:00 AM
Lunch 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Dinner 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Many classic Polish dishes are offered at restaurants. The national dishes, bigos or pierogi, come from eastern Poland. Fish is a prominent staple, where herring (śledź) is a central part of the diet. Rolmops po kaszubsku (marinated herring wrapped around pickled onion, then spiked with cloves and dipped in soured cream) are widely enjoyed. Other popular fish are freshwater trout (pstrąg) – served simply grilled with boiled potatoes. A treat in early summer is smoked salmon served with spears of fresh asparagus (łosoś wędzony ze szparagami) which is in season then. Other delicacies are:
- Bigos – hunks of meat and sausage are simmered with sauerkraut, cabbage, onion, potatoes, herbs and spices.
- Smalec – this snack consists of fried lard, liberally sprinkled with sea salt, and eaten with chunks of crusty bread. It can be found as a bar snack in most pubs and makes a good accompaniment to beer.
- Pierogi – these ravioli-style dumplings may be stuffed with meat, sauerkraut, mushrooms, cheese or fruit.
- Barszcz – this beetroot soup, flavored with lemon and garlic, may be served clear or with beans or potatoes.
- Makowiec – a rich yeasted dough wrapped around a sweet poppy-seed filling and baked until lightly golden.
- Precle – these popular, freshly baked, street snacks can be found at train and bus stations first thing in the morning.
For those who have special dietary requirements or are vegetarian, it is important you ask before you order about an item’s ingredients. A pierogi may be listed as only having vegetables as the filling, but could be served with a meat garnish.
Tipping
Tipping etiquette can be confusing for foreigners. While in other countries it’s polite to say thanks when a waiter collects the money, in Poland, uttering the word thank you is taken as a sign that you won’t want any change back. This cultural slip-up can get very expensive. For the most part it is common to reward good service with a 10% tip once you have received your change.
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