Gdańsk: The Battle of Westerplatte & World War II History Tour
WWII history at Westerplatte in Gdańsk: discover where the war began with the opening shots of 1 September 1939 and learn about the seven-day defense of the peninsula. Visit key sites including the Monument to the Defenders of the Coast, Guardhouse No. 1, the former Military Transit Depot, and the ruins of the barracks.
Basic Information
Total time
1h 30m
Language
English, Polish (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Westerplatte ferry stop, close to the Przystań Żeglugi bus stop Nearest public transport: Przystań Żeglugi 01 bus stop; Przystań Żeglugi 02 bus stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Gdańsk guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
♿️ Tour not suitable for people with reduced mobility or strollers
❗Our tours run no matter the weather. High or low temperatures, rain or snow is not a reason for us to cancel our tours. We are always here for you. The only reason for cancellations are extreme weather conditions (like heavy storms…), guide's sudden sickness or no minimum number of people (5) to run the tour, but we will always let you know using the data you provided during registration for the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 7 people on them. If you travel in a party of 8 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option of 18€ per person or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
Westerplatte, a small peninsula was the starting point of the world’s largest military conflict. A 7-day long battle between the mighty German Army and a small group of Polish soldiers was the first episode of WW2. Come with us to Westerplatte, to know the history of blood, honour and courage.
At dawn, 1 September 1939, the eyes of the world turned towards Gdańsk. The main gun battery of the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein announced the beginning of a new world war. Surrounded and isolated, Westerplatte, attacked from land, air and sea, was expected to be taken within a maximum of 3 hours. But what was supposed to be a quick victory turned into a furious battle that took 7 days and many brave lives. Soon, stories and songs, the incredible effort of Polish soldiers of Westerplatte.
Come and see with your own eyes how the impossible became possible. Learn how a small company of men fought their way to immortality in the annals of history.
Highlights
- 1
Battle of Westerplatte
The story of the epic struggle between a small Polish garrison and overwhelming German forces.
- 2
Battleship Schleswig-Holstein
The German warship that fired the first shots of World War II, starting the assault.
- 3
Polish Soldiers' Courage
Hear stories of blood, honour, and incredible bravery of the Polish defenders against impossible odds.
- 4
The Seven-Day Siege
Discover how a defense expected to last only hours heroically held out for an entire week.
- 5
Westerplatte Peninsula
The historic site where the first battle of World War II in Europe took place.
6Outbreak of WWII
Learn about the German invasion on September 1, 1939, which ignited the devastating global conflict.
Map
Westerplatte ferry stop, close to the Przystań Żeglugi bus stop Nearest public transport: Przystań Żeglugi 01 bus stop; Przystań Żeglugi 02 bus stop
