River cruise around Gdansk

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.

ul. Dokowa 1, 80-863 Gdańsk.

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 application

blanket, live guide, life jacket

What to take with you? | River cruise in Gdańsk

If you plan to take part in our river cruise in Gdańsk, remember to dress appropriately for the current weather conditions. This will help you avoid the unpleasant feeling of cold or overheating and allow you to fully enjoy the beautiful views offered by our open boat.

You don’t have to worry about hunger on board of the galar boat – it is allowed to consume drinks, food and snacks purchased at the Yard.Cafe located in the Galar Gdański Marina.

If you want to bring your pet with you, it’s no problem – we accept pets at no extra charge. Remember, however, that in the case of dogs, it is necessary to wear a muzzle and control the animal during the entire cruise. The owner of the pet is fully responsible for any damage caused by the animal on the boat.

To whom do we recommend our river cruises? | Gdańsk

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.