By Alaric 
Ulica Mariacka or Mariacka Street is easily one of the prettiest places in all of Gdańsk and, I would say, even Poland.
It feels like you’ve stepped back in time to the medieval era with the cobbles, gothic spires, elaborate porches and fantastical gargoyles.
It’s a photographer’s dream and the best place to capture the city, especially in the early morning.
Beyond being photogenic, it’s locally nicknamed “Amber Street” as this is where you can buy some high-quality products from the huge range of jewellery galleries and boutiques.
After you’re done shopping for ‘Baltic Gold’ you can then relax with a coffee in one of the cosy cafés.
Here is a guide for Mariacka Street and why you must visit the famous amber lane of Gdańsk in Poland.
History of Mariacka Street
This narrow and long cobbled street gets its name from the Gothic St Mary’s Church which looms over two rows of beautiful burgher houses.
Nearly all of the residences in Mariacka were originally constructed in the 16th century but have a unique range of architectural styles and features.
Most were built for the bourgeoise and so they have gorgeous ornate facades with lavish porches.
You’ll also spot gargoyle gutters shaped like fantastical creatures including dragons and a great cod.
Unfortunately, this street was completely levelled during WWII and so it had to be entirely rebuilt in the 1950s/60s.
But, you could never tell and the medieval roots can very much still be felt.
Mariacka is now locally nicknamed the ‘Amber Street’ as there are several galleries you can visit that sell fine jewellery.
Gdańsk is known as the Amber Capital of the World as over 70% of the world’s amber products are produced here.
Although you could easily buy amber on Long Market, these stalls are for tourists.
You’re guaranteed to find better-quality products at lower prices from the merchants in Mariacka.
A great time to visit would be during St Dominic’s Fair which has been running for nearly 800 years.
During this time, the entire street comes alive with stalls, performances, music and fun!
Things to do in Mariacka Street
1. Take a postcard-worthy photo
Although there are countless pretty places to be found around Gdańsk, I thought that Mariacka Street was the most beautiful of them all.
The cobbled floor, the stunning range of architecture, ornate porches, street lamps and gargoyles all made for a stunning location.
It’s a photographer’s dream and you could easily spend an age here and not capture all of its details and secrets.
But, it’s also very popular and can get crowded throughout the day. I highly recommend getting up early if you want some empty photos of this street.
2. Shop for Amber
Did you know that 90% of the world’s amber comes from the Baltics?
Gdańsk is famously known as the ‘Amber Capital of the World’ as it’s where 70% of the world’s amber products are produced.
Mariacka is famous for its amber merchants and there are some amazing galleries to be found along this street.
In summer, a lot of the shops had stalls outside advertising their jewellery to capture your attention.
You can then step into their shop if you’re interested in buying. You’ll find most of the galleries are in a basement underneath the porches.
It is a little pricier here than in other parts of Poland but you can be sure that the amber here is genuine. So, it’s worth investing in some pieces.
One of the most famous and beautiful shops is called Galeria Wydra. It’s worth stopping by to see an Aladdin’s Cave of jewellery.
Pretty much all of the amber merchants on this street do not allow photographs inside their shops and have signs. Just keep that in mind or you’ll be told off!
3. Admire the Gargoyles
One of the more unique features of Mariacka is the ‘vomiting’ gargoyles (Rzygacze) that you can see above the porches of the houses.
These bizarre grotesques are used as gutters to stop the porches from flooding and their faces are just so adorable.
They are carved as all sorts of mythical and heraldic beasts and pipes go through their mouth. So, when it rains they spew water on the cobbles!
It didn’t rain the entire time I was in Poland (there was a heat wave) so I didn’t get to see them in action. But, it must be quite the sight!
I’ve always loved gargoyles and think they should start being featured on buildings again.
4. Kawiarnia Drukarnia
If you’re looking for a lovely café to relax in on Mariacka then look no further than Kawiarnia Drukarnia.
It used to be an old printing house that has now been transformed into a gorgeous coffee shop with botanicals and quirky decor.
They serve up the best coffee in the city by far, including iced coffees, and their selection of baked treats was out of this world!
I tried one of the circular spiral pastries with icing on top and jam inside and it was one of the best treats I ate in Poland.
You must visit as it has such a lovely and welcoming atmosphere.
5. The Tenement House & The Naturalists’ House
At either end of Mariacka Street, you will find two interesting houses with unique architecture.
The one nearest to St Mary’s Basilica is the Tenement House originally built in the 16th century in a Flemish style.
You’ll find biblical scenes carved into panels over the porch outside.
The one closest to St Mary’s Gate is The Naturalist’s House which gets its name from being the former seat of the Natural History Society for over 100 years.
Like the rest of the buildings on this street, it was completely damaged during WWII and has since been reconstructed.
It’s now home to the Gdańsk Archaeological Museum.
6. St Mary’s Church & Royal Chapel
If you’re entering the street via St Mary’s Gate, you will see the spires of St Mary’s Church at the very end of the street.
It’s coined as the largest brick church in the world and the most famous church in Gdańsk that was constructed in a 16th century Gothic style.
You must visit the inside as the interiors are spectacular with the high arch ceilings.
I also loved the Astronomical Clock show that took place every hour.
Most people visit to climb up the huge 78-metre tower that provides a panoramic view over Gdańsk.
As I had visited the Town Hall Tower already (and I’m claustrophobic) I decided to skip this one as the staff told me it was a lot narrower and the climb in the heat was not for the weak haha.
A little further along you can also find another one of my favourite buildings which is the Royal Chapel.
It was built by the Polish King Jan III Sobieski in the 17th century for Catholic prayer.
The inside is closed off to visitors but you can still admire the beautiful architecture from the outside with the Four Lions Fountain.
How to visit Gdańsk’s Mariacka Street
Most of the Old Town of Gdańsk is pedestrianised so it’s easiest to approach Mariacka Street on foot.
You can easily access the amber street from the Motlawa River waterfront through the arch of St. Mary’s Gate which is very close to the medieval Crane (Żuraw).
If you’re approaching from Long Street, head to St Mary’s Church and you can access Mariacka behind on the opposite side to the main entrance.
What is the best time to visit?
This entirely depends on what you want when visiting this street. It is a magical place to visit all day and night.
Mariacka is one of the busiest streets in Gdańsk after the main thoroughfare of Long Street, so you can expect this place to be bustling throughout the day.
If you want to take some beautiful clean photos of Amber Street then I would get here as early as you can.
If possible I’d visit around sunrise and in May this was 5.30 am.
Although it was a tough wake-up call, it was one I was happy to make as it meant experiencing this beautiful cobbled lane alone.
However, the very best time to visit would be when the shops are open after 10 am to experience the vibrant atmosphere of Mariacka.
It will be crowded but this is when you can find all the best amber merchants. They will be outside with their street stalls and will invite you to see their galleries.
There are also some lovely cafés here too. I kept going back as there was so much life on this street. You can’t help but get swept up in it all.
Is Mariacka Street worth visiting?
Yes, I don’t think a visit to Gdańsk would be complete without a stroll down this famous street.
Not only is it one of the prettiest streets in all of Poland but it’s also a great chance to experience what this city is famous for; Amber. It’s far more immersive than any museum.
Buying from here is a must as you know it’s not going to be fake and would be the highest quality you can get.
Not to mention there are plenty of gorgeous art galleries, cafés and a wine cellar to sneak into on your visit.
Don’t skip a walk down Mariacka in Gdańsk, it’s one of the best things to do!
Are you looking for more things to do in Gdańsk?
Gdańsk is a seriously underrated city in Northern Poland which is part of the Tri-City area along with Gydnia and Sopot.
It has some of the most gorgeous architecture you can find in the country and there are plenty of things to do on a visit.
You can explore more of the Old Town on Long Street and see the Artus Court with the famous Neptune Statue, the symbol of the city.
The Town Hall Museum is also a must-visit to climb their clock tower for incredible romantic views over the city.
You can also walk along the Motlawa River and take in the sights like the Crane, Golden Gate and Granary Island.
A popular thing to do is take a boat trip to see the sights from the water. I loved the Pirate Ship you can take over to Westerplatte.
This is the location where WWII officially started and there’s a trail you can follow to learn about the German Invasion of Poland which leads you to the Westerplatte Monument.
If this era of history is something that interests you, make sure to visit the Museum of the Second World War.
It’s emotionally heavy due to it covering the atrocities that took place in wartime Poland but well worth visiting as it’s both immersive and informative. You could spend hours in there.
I also loved visiting the area around The Great Mill where you can see the adorable Bread Bridge or “Bridge of Love”.
If you’re a fan of The Witcher 3 game, did you know that Gdańsk inspired The Free City of Novigrad The Wild Hunt?
You’ll recognise the crane from Novigrad Docks, Prussian Wall architecture from Hierarch Square and buildings that were inspired by Granary Island.
Even the Crest of Redania and Novigrad Coat of Arms were inspired by this city!
Read more of my Poland travel guides
The best things to do in Wroclaw
How to visit the Witches Bridge in Wroclaw
Why you must visit the magical Aula Leopoldina
How to find the Wawel Dragon in Krakow
How to visit The Witcher Castle in Poland
Wolf Pit Tavern – visit a Witcher restaurant in Krakow
The most Instagrammable places in Warsaw
St Anne’s Church Tower in Warsaw
A day trip to Wilanow Palace
Afternoon Tea at Hotel Bristol
Warsaw Travel Guide
Save Mariacka Street Gdánsk for later!
