Plizio Visual Lab

Westerplatte Memorial

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

monument

Weather…

Westerplatte is a peninsula in Gdańsk, famously recognized as the site where World War II began in Europe on September 1, 1939. It housed a Polish Military Transit Depot, an enclave within the territory of the Free City of Danzig. The defense of Westerplatte became a powerful symbol of Polish defiance; a small garrison of approximately 180 to 210 soldiers held their ground for seven days against overwhelming German land, sea, and air forces. The German battleship Schleswig-Holstein fired the opening shots at point-blank range, yet the Polish defenders repelled numerous assaults despite being cut off from reinforcements. Led by Major Henryk Sucharski and Captain Franciszek Dąbrowski, the garrison surrendered only on September 7 after exhausting their ammunition and medical supplies. Today, the area is a memorial park featuring the towering Monument to the Coast Defenders, unveiled in 1966. Visitors can explore the ruins of barracks and guardhouses that remain as silent witnesses to the intense combat. Westerplatte serves as a national shrine of remembrance, honoring the courage and sacrifice of those who faced the first onslaught of the global conflict.

Location: Poland
Top sights: Plaża strzeżona "Molo Brzeźno" · Plaża strzeżona "Dom Zdrojowy Brzeźno" · Plaża dla psów
Nearby: Przymorze Wielkie (4 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-1	0	2	7	11	16	18	19	15	10	5	2
Rain mm	58	42	44	36	55	58	86	71	63	67	69	65

📋 Practical info

🚪

Visiting

The Westerplatte Memorial in Gdańsk is a freely accessible open-air museum. The grounds with the ruins and the monumental cross can be entered at any time, while the small museum in the former guardhouse has fixed opening hours.

🕒

Typical hours

The open grounds are accessible 24/7. The museum in the guardhouse is typically open daily 9:00-17:00 from April to October - check exact hours beforehand.

📷

Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the site. Particularly striking are shots of the cross against the harbour entrance at sunset.

⏱️

Time needed

Allow about one hour for a walk around the grounds and a visit to the museum. If you want to explore the history in more depth, you can spend two hours.

➕

Combine with

Westerplatte is on the peninsula and can be combined with a visit to the Gdańsk harbour or Stogi beach. A boat trip on the Dead Vistula is also recommended.

🧭

Getting there

The memorial is reachable by bus line 106 from Gdańsk Main Station (terminus „Westerplatte”). By car, ul. Sucharskiego leads directly to the parking lot at the entrance.

💡

Insider tip

Bring sturdy footwear, as the paths are partly uneven and gravelly. A free audio description is available as an app - download it before your visit.

Geography

Coordinates

54.40700, 18.66700

Facts

The shelling began at 04:45 AM on September 1, 1939
The Polish garrison consisted of roughly 200 soldiers
The battleship Schleswig-Holstein fired the opening salvos
Polish forces resisted for 7 days without any reinforcements
The Monument to the Coast Defenders is 25 meters tall
It is officially designated as a National Historic Monument

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Port of Gdańsk2 km · SExplore →

Brzeźno2 km · WExplore →

Zaspa-Rozstaje4 km · WExplore →

Przymorze Wielkie4 km · WExplore →

European Solidarity Centre5 km · SExplore →

Wrzeszcz Górny5 km · SWExplore →

Stogi6 km · SEExplore →

Suchanino7 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Westerplatte Memorial (3)

Plaża strzeżona "Molo Brzeźno"🎡 recreation

Guarded sandy beach with a pier on the Baltic Sea in Brzeźno.

🕒 Jul 1-Sep 31 09:30-17:30

Plaża strzeżona "Dom Zdrojowy Brzeźno"🎡 recreation

Beach next to the historic Brzeźno Spa House on the Baltic coast.

🕒 Jul 1-Sep 31 09:30-17:30

Plaża dla psów 🎡 recreation

Designated dog beach on the Baltic coast.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Why is Westerplatte historically important?

This is where WWII began on September 1, 1939, with the shelling by the Schleswig-Holstein.

How to get from Gdansk to Westerplatte?

By bus (lines 106/138) or in summer by ferry/water bus from the city center.

Is there an entrance fee?

The memorial grounds are free to access; only small exhibitions in the watchtowers may charge a fee.

What is the most important monument on site?

The 25-meter-high Monument to the Coast Defenders on an artificial hill.

Are there toilets and restaurants?

Near the parking lot, there are toilets and small kiosks for snacks.

Westerplatte Memorial: where is it located?

Westerplatte Memorial is located in Poland.

Westerplatte Memorial: what is there to see?

Highlights include Plaża strzeżona "Molo Brzeźno", Plaża strzeżona "Dom Zdrojowy Brzeźno", Plaża dla psów.

Westerplatte Memorial: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Westerplatte Memorial: why is it worth visiting?

Westerplatte is a peninsula in Gdańsk, famously recognized as the site where World War II began in Europe on September 1, 1939.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → Most beautiful beaches → OpenStreetMap →

Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe

More places in Poland →