UPDATED March 12, 2026 BY Olha Kurochkina IN Plum Ride no comments Gdask A Cycling Capital In The Heart Of PolandWhen I first heard that Michael was working on designing the Plum Ride Cycling Tour, I literally screamed with joy. Yes actual squealing. If you know me, even a little, you probably know that I have a special affinity for Poland. The fact that the sections of the tour are named Slivovitz, Plinka, and Rakia already makes me smile but thats a story for another time.What truly made me happy, though, was learning that the tour will start in Gdask. Ive been there once before. I remember taking a cozy train from Warsaw just three hours and suddenly you arrive somewhere completely different. The air smells of the sea, the light feels softer, and before you know it, youre standing on the shores of the Baltic. Its one of those places that instantly feels both grand and welcoming at the same time. But did you know that Gdask is actually part of something bigger?The TricityGdask belongs to what locals call the Tricity a unique urban area made up of Gdask, Gdynia, and Sopot. Though each city has its own personality and history, together they form one continuous coastal region along the Baltic Sea. Gdask is the oldest and most historically rich of the three, with centuries of maritime trade and cultural influence. Gdynia is the youngest a modern port city that rose rapidly in the 20th century when Poland needed a new gateway to the sea.And Sopot, nestled between them, became the regions beloved seaside resort, famous for its beaches, elegant villas, and lively summer atmosphere. Today the three cities are seamlessly connected by trains, bike paths, and coastal promenades. You can move between them effortlessly which makes exploring the area by bicycle truly delightful. And if youre arriving for a cycling tour well, youre already doing it right.Gdask: History On The Baltic CoastGdask is one of those cities where history is everywhere you look. For centuries it was one of the most important trading ports on the Baltic Sea and a powerful member of the Hanseatic League, the medieval network of merchant cities that connected northern Europe. Walking through the historic centre today, you can still feel that maritime legacy. Tall merchant houses line the streets in a colourful parade of architecture, church towers rise above the skyline, and along the Motawa River stands the famous medieval crane that once loaded cargo from ships arriving from across Europe. Gdask is also a city that played a pivotal role in modern history. In the 1980s, the Solidarity movement began here at the Gdask Shipyard a workers movement that would eventually help bring about the fall of communist rule across Eastern Europe.A Cycling Capital Of PolandFor cyclists, Gdask has another pleasant surprise: its one of the most bike-friendly cities in Poland. Poland in general is wonderfully welcoming to cyclists, with well-maintained bike lanes, thoughtful infrastructure and scenic routes that connect cities, parks, and coastlines. Gdask is a perfect example of this culture. Exploring the city by bike feels natural, and honestly the best way to do so. You can ride along the Motawa River, glide through green parks, and reach the Baltic shoreline within minutes. The bike paths are smooth, safe, and often incredibly scenic. If youre arriving a day or two before the Plum Ride begins and I highly recommend that you do it will give you time to explore. Gdask is the kind of city where wandering around is half the joy, but here are a few places worth putting on your list:Long Market The heart of the historic centre and one of the most beautiful streets in Poland. Colourful merchants houses, the iconic Neptune Fountain and the elegant Artus Court make this area feel like a postcard.St. Marys Basilica One of the largest brick churches in the world. If youre up for a little climb, the tower offers incredible views over the citys rooftops and the Baltic beyond.urawThe Gdask Crane (uraw) A medieval port crane that once loaded cargo from trading ships. Its one of the most recognizable symbols of the city and a reminder of Gdasks maritime past.European Solidarity Centre A modern museum dedicated to the Solidarity movement that began here in the 1980s and helped change the political landscape of Eastern Europe. Even if youre not a big museum person, the story is powerful and the architecture is striking.The Motawa River Walk A perfect place for an evening stroll. Restaurants, cafs, and old harbor buildings line the waterfront, and the atmosphere becomes especially magical at sunset.A Small Detour To TakeNow heres my personal confession: if I join this tour and I really hope I will I plan to arrive a little early. Why? Because I want to ride my bike to Sopot. Sopot sits just between Gdask and Gdynia, and although the Plum Ride doesnt pass through it, it absolutely deserves your attention. I once spent three or four days there and remember thinking that I should have stayed longer.Sopots story is quite different from Gdasks. In the 19th century, when seaside resorts became fashionable across Europe, Sopot blossomed into a spa town where visitors came for fresh sea air, mineral waters, and relaxation by the sea. Elegant villas were built among pine forests, promenades filled with summer visitors, and the town slowly grew into Polands most beloved coastal getaway.SopotThe symbol of the city is its famous wooden pier, stretching far into the Baltic Sea one of the longest wooden piers in Europe. Standing there, looking out over the water, its easy to understand why generations of travellers have fallen in love with this place. Even though the Baltic Sea isnt known for tropical temperatures (not my favourite sea at all), in late August its usually warm enough to enjoy the beach and the atmosphere is simply wonderful.But for cyclists, the real highlight is the coastal bike path that runs between Gdask and Sopot. I rode it once and still remember how beautiful it felt. Start in central Gdask and follow the bike paths north toward the coast. Soon youll join the coastal cycling route that runs through parks and along sandy beaches. The ride is smooth and scenic, with long stretches where you can see the Baltic Sea just beyond the dunes. After about an hour of easy riding, youll arrive in Sopot.Park your bike and walk along the famous Sopot Pier, grab a coffee on the promenade, or simply sit by the beach and watch the waves roll in. When youre ready, ride back the same way sunset along the coast is often spectacular. Its the perfect warm-up ride before the real adventure begins.See You At The Start Line?The Plum Ride will run for the first time in 2027 and it promises to be a journey through incredible landscapes, cultures, stories (and my favourite spirits, of course). But if you ask me, the adventure begins even before the first official pedal stroke. It begins in Gdask a city where cycling feels natural, and where every journey seems to start with a little bit of magic in the air. And if you happen to see someone riding toward Sopot a day or two before the tour begins well, theres a good chance it might be me.RELATEDTOURPlum Ride Plum brandy has a long and illustrious history in Central and Eastern Europe, beginning as far back as the 14th century. Distilled from local plums... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "Gdask A Cycling Capital In The Heart Of Poland" Cancel reply