National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk

The National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk is Poland’s principal maritime museum, presenting the nation’s seafaring, shipbuilding and port history across several historic waterfront sites.

Exhibits range from medieval port infrastructure and navigation charts to ship models, maritime trade history and material culture related to the Baltic and global shipping. The museum operates the medieval Żuraw port crane as a display location and maintains the preserved freighter SS Sołdek as a museum ship.

The institution was established in the 20th century to centralise maritime collections and has since developed into a multi-branch museum that uses historic harbour buildings and vessels to present maritime themes. Its collections document local shipbuilding, naval trade and seafaring life.

Locations are concentrated along the Motława River in Gdańsk Old Town, with easy access from the city centre and other Old Town attractions.

• Multi-site museum: The museum operates multiple waterfront branches across Gdańsk including historic buildings and a preserved ship, making it suitable for multi-site visits in summer.
• Ship visit note: Touring the SS Sołdek is seasonal and large-ship access can be weather dependent; check opening times for vessel visits.

What to See #

• The Crane (Żuraw): The medieval port crane known as the Żuraw, an iconic waterfront structure that houses part of the museum's historic port displays and dates to the 14th-15th centuries.
• SS Sołdek (museum ship): The museum ship SS Sołdek, a preserved coal and ore freighter launched in 1949 and open for visitors to tour its decks and engine spaces.
• Granaries and main exhibition galleries: Main exhibition stores and granary galleries presenting Polish maritime history, shipbuilding, navigation charts and amber collections.