In the Footsteps of John Paul II in Gdańsk
last update – January 2026
Pope John Paul II, born in Poland as Karol Wojtyła, was the first non-Italian pope since 1522. He was elected in 1978, at a time when Poland was still under communist rule. Most historians agree that he played a significant role in bringing down communism in Central and Eastern Europe.
John Paul II visited Poland eight times. Twice he came to Gdańsk, and his most memorable visit was in 1987, when he travelled to many important places. Everywhere he went, crowds of people gathered and chanted for freedom.
During this tour, we will follow his footsteps and visit the locations in Gdańsk and Sopot that he visited.
We will begin with a 20-minute organ concert at Oliva Cathedral, the longest church in Poland. It welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, not only because of its beautiful architecture, but also thanks to its famous 18th-century organs.
Next, we will see Lech Wałęsa’s house (Polish spelling: Wałęsa) — the legendary leader of the Solidarity movement and a close associate of John Paul II.
We will then continue to Westerplatte, where the Second World War began. Here John Paul II met with young people and with 35 surviving Polish defenders of Westerplatte from 1939.
After visiting Westerplatte, we will head to the European Solidarity Centre, located in the former Gdańsk Shipyard. This outstanding museum presents Polish history from the end of the Second World War to the first free elections in 1989.
During our visit, we will focus on the role of the Polish Catholic Church in the fight against communism and the Pope’s personal impact. We will also see the site of the famous 1-million-strong mass in Gdańsk Zaspa celebrated by John Paul II.
In front of the European Solidarity Centre stands the striking Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970, where John Paul II prayed in silence, surrounded by the feared communist riot police (ZOMO).
Additional Sites
After the European Solidarity Centre, we can continue to St. Mary’s Church in Gdańsk — the largest brick Gothic church in the world. Here John Paul II met with the sick and with health service workers.
We may also visit other places associated with his pilgrimages to the Tricity, such as:
the Sopot Pier, the longest wooden pier in Europe
the Zaspa district, where the 1-million-person mass took place
Tour Details – In the Footsteps of John Paul II in Gdańsk
Duration: 6–7 hours
Meeting point: Oliva Cathedral, Gdańsk, or pick-up from your hotel
Entrance Fees
Oliva Cathedral: free of charge (organ concert: 6 PLN regular / 4 PLN reduced)
European Solidarity Centre:
35 PLN regular ticket
30 PLN reduced ticket
32 PLN group ticket (11+ people)
25 PLN reduced group ticket (11+ people)
St. Mary’s Church: free of charge
Sopot Pier: 10 PLN regular / 5 PLN reduced
4 PLN is approximately €1.
Prices – Guiding Only or Guiding with Transport
All prices are PER TOUR, NOT per person.
| Group Size | Only Guiding | Guiding + Transport |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 people | €290 | €360 |
| 4–6 people | €290 | €590 |
| 7–15 people | €290 | €670 |
| 16–28 people | €290 | €730 |
| More than 28 people | Please contact me |
How to book a tour?
The best way is to fill in the contact form. We always reply within 24 hours.
If you do not see our message, please check your SPAM folder.
The email subject will be: “Tour Guide Service Gdańsk”. You can also contact us via WhatsApp 💬 0048 506 99 17 72
FAQ – In the Footsteps of John Paul II in Gdańsk
1. ⏱ How long does the tour take?
About 6–7 hours.
2. 🚍 What will we see?
Oliva Cathedral (with organ concert), Lech Wałęsa’s house, Westerplatte, the European Solidarity Centre, the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers, St. Mary’s Church, and optionally Sopot Pier or Zaspa.
3. 🎟 Are entrance fees included?
No. Tickets (e.g., organ concert, ECS, Sopot Pier) must be purchased separately.
4. 👥 Is this a private tour?
Yes, the tour is fully private.
5. 🌐 In what languages is the tour available?
English, German, Spanish, French, Dutch, Russian and Polish.
6. 📍 Where is the meeting point?
At Oliva Cathedral or at your hotel / cruise port.
7. 👟 What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes; dress according to the weather.
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