River cruise around Gdansk
Enjoy an unforgettable, atmospheric cruise on the Motława River aboard a 12-passenger replica of a vintage Polish galar boat. Thanks to the small number of passengers, you’ll feel the freedom you have never experienced on any tour before. See Gdańsk from the water level – admire the monuments, architecture and beauty of the city from a completely new perspective. We guarantee you views, that you won’t see anywhere else!
Galar is a boat of small size, thanks to which it is able to sail through places that are inaccessible to larger vessels. When you become its passenger, you will gain a unique opportunity to enjoy a one-of-a-kind river cruise around Gdańsk, learn about its history and see the city’s famous panorama from our galar’s deck.
River cruise on the iconic boat | Gdańsk
Climb aboard a replica of the iconic Polish riverboat and experience an unforgettable cruise on the waters of the Motława River! Galar boats had their heyday in the eighteenth century – at that time they were one of the main means of timber transport in Poland. In the past, the galar’s crew consisted of 6 to 8 raftsmen, who were in charge of floating their cargo by rivers. It is worth mentioning that rafting traditions have been included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Thus, a river cruise on our galar is not only a way to spend leisure time, but also to return to the roots and commune with tradition. History lovers surely will be delighted!
Cruise on the Motława River | Where do we leave from?
Our cruise on the Motława River begins at the Galar Harbour, located next to the Gdańsk Shipyard. This place hides an amazing history, affecting not only the fate of Poland, but the entire European Union! It was the Gdańsk Shipyard that was the center of the workers’ strike in 1980, which resulted in the signing of the August Agreements. This event not only initiated the formation of Free Trade Unions, but most importantly inspired many other European countries to fight for their freedom and democracy.
River cruise around Gdańsk | Itinerary
Climb aboard the galar boat, sit back and enjoy the charms of the Gdańsk’ Old Town center, which is the first destination of our journey. From our vessel you will be able to see, among other things:
- Teutonic castle ruins,
- Motława River Embankment (Długie Pobrzeże) with water gates leading to the city,
- the famous wooden Crane from the 15th century,
- charming old tenement houses and their new surroundings.
Continue the trip, admiring monuments and new buildings of Ołowianka and Granary islands, that are located in the very center of Gdańsk. First of these lies on the border of Motława River and the Stępka Canal. It was created as a result of the digging of the Canal in 1576. At that time it was called “Szafarnia” – today we can find a street with this name on Ołowianka. Granary Island, on the other hand, is the more affluent area of Gdańsk, where we can admire exclusive yachts moored in the docks. Cruising along the Motława River aboard a galar, we will also see a unique port crane (Żuraw) – the largest in medieval Europe.
A galar cruise around Gdańsk is an unrepeatable opportunity to see up close ships, historic buildings and the quay of the Port of Gdańsk. The tour ends in the same place where it began – at the Galar Harbour near the Gdańsk Shipyard. If you need to get off the deck a little closer to the Old Town of Gdańsk, tell the Captain about it – for one sincere smile you will surely reach an agreement.
Gdansk Cruise – Location
1 Dokowa Street, 80-863 Gdansk
There is a parking fee of PLN 3 per hour or PLN 12 per 24 hours throughout the entire Imperial Shipyard. The payment can be made directly at the parking meter or via the ePARK app. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about cruises in Gdansk.
Gdansk boat trips – price list
You will be provided with:
- bottled water,
- blanket,
- storyteller in Polish/English,
- life jacket.
Cruises on the waters of Gdańsk are an excellent option for everyone – regardless of age, gender or interests. Our offer is a perfect choice:
- for adults, who are looking for peace and relaxation,
- for young people, who want to spend time with friends,
- for children, who always dreamt of adventures on the water,
- for families, who want to spend time together,
- for people with disabilities, who want to enjoy the charms of a cruise,
- for companies that want to organize an unforgettable event for their staff.
Our experienced captains and crew always make sure that all passengers feel safe and comfortable on board. Galar is equipped with facilities that allow people with disabilities to enjoy the cruise freely.
If you are looking for a place for a school trip, our offer may sound interesting to you. Our river cruises around Gdańsk gives the opportunity to learn about the history of Gdańsk from the unique, water perspective, which will surely appeal to all students.
We invite everyone to take advantage of our offer and experience unforgettable moments on the waters of Motława River!
If you have additional questions about cruises around Gdańsk, feel free to email us: hello@galar.org.
Why should you take a cruise with us? | Gdańsk
If you want to feel the real atmosphere of Gdańsk and see the city from a previously unknown perspective, then take a galar cruise on the Motława River. It is an unforgettable experience for any tourist who wants to learn about the history and culture of the famous Polish city Gdańsk and admire the beautiful landscapes from the water level.
Galars are traditional boats that have been sailing on the Motława River and Vistula for centuries. During a galar cruise, you will feel the magic of the old days, when the raftsmen used those vessels to transport their goods between cities. The tour will also allow you to see many interesting places, including beautiful tenement houses and historic bridges, as well as huge ships moored along the waterfront. You will also have the opportunity to admire the panorama of Gdańsk and take a photo with it as your background.
During the cruise you will learn many interesting facts about the history of the city and what important events took place there in the past. You will hear about the famous residents of Gdańsk and the importance of this city in the history of Poland and Europe. What’s more, a galar cruise is also a great opportunity to fully relax and take a break from the urban hustle and bustle. The tranquility and gentle rocking of the boat will make you feel unwinded, and all your problems will be forgotten.
Don’t hesitate to take our river cruise on the Motława River – it’s an unforgettable experience that will stay in your memory for a long time.
River cruise | See the beauty of Gdańsk
If you want to look at Gdańsk from the perspective of the water, but cruises on large, overcrowded ships do not give you joy, take an unforgettable trip on the Motlawa River by our galar! With us, you will see the most beautiful places of the city in comfortable conditions. During the cruise you will hear many fascinating stories and have a chance to ask questions to our helmsmen. This way you will learn many interesting facts about Gdańsk that you had no idea about.
Do you want to get your children interested in history? Or maybe you are looking for an original idea for group integration? Visiting the Gdansk Shipyard and admiring stunning buildings of the city will impress everyone – regardless of age or interests. Cruises in Gdansk aboard a replica of a historic boat are a guarantee of great fun in a cozy atmosphere and rest from the crowded streets. Contact us and plan a unique attraction for you and your loved ones!
