This historic Polish city has a restored medieval old town, a Gothic cathedral from 1246, and sits along a river connecting to the Baltic Sea. Home to 100,000 residents.
Walk through medieval brick streets in Elbląg, a city in northern Poland that rebuilt its historic center after World War II. Watch boats climb hills on railway tracks at the Elbląg Canal, see the city from 97 meters up in St. Nicholas Cathedral's tower, or examine 800-year-old trading tools at the Archaeological Museum. Stop by the 1872 brewery to taste lager made with local spring water using traditional methods.
Getting to Elbląg
Trains run regularly between Gdańsk and Elbląg, with the journey taking about 1 hour. From Warsaw, you can take a direct bus (5 hours) or change trains at Malbork. The main station sits 2 kilometers from the Old Town, with local buses connecting to the center every 15 minutes.
Exploring the Old Town
After extensive archaeological research in 1989, builders reconstructed the Old Town using original medieval blueprints. Walk through Mostowa Street to see surviving medieval brick buildings, including a covered walkway with Gothic arches. Look for the Market Gate, built in 1319, which marks the entrance to the Old Town. Climb to its viewing platform for views of red-tiled roofs and the Elbląg River.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
The 13th-century Gothic cathedral rises 97 meters above the Old Town. The interior contains medieval frescoes, baroque altars, and a 15th-century astronomical clock that still keeps time. Climb 365 steps to reach the tower's viewing platform, open daily from April to October.
The Engineering of Elbląg Canal
Built between 1825 and 1844, the Elbląg Canal uses a system of five inclined planes where boats ride on rail carriages between water levels. The mechanical system lifts boats 100 meters uphill using only water power and counterweights, without motors or engines. Take boat trips from May to September - the full route to Ostróda takes about 11 hours.
Museums and Culture
Step into medieval Elbląg at the Archaeological and Historical Museum, located in a former Dominican monastery. See merchant scales, medieval coins, and amber trading tools from the city's Hanseatic past. Visit the EL Gallery Art Center in a converted church for rotating contemporary art exhibitions and concerts. Watch performances at the Aleksander Sewruk Theater, performing in its 1912 neo-baroque building.
Day Trips from Elbląg
Visit Malbork Castle, the world's largest brick fortress, 30 kilometers away. Trains make the 25-minute journey regularly. Travel to Frombork, 30 kilometers north, to see the cathedral where Nicolaus Copernicus developed his theory of heliocentrism. Local buses reach Frombork in about 45 minutes.
