Oliwa Park (Park Oliwski) is a picturesque public park and popular Gdańsk tourist attraction. It’s a favourite escape of courting couples, families, naturalists and tourists. Enjoy relaxed walks and scenic picnics away from the bustle of the city centre. Visit thematic gardens and striking landmarks, spot wildlife and discover magical caves.
Covering an area of about 25 acres (10 hectares), Oliwa Park was laid out by the master Polish gardener Kazimierz Dębiński. Its series of tree-lined pathways wind around grassy lawns, which are ideal for enjoying picnics, exercising or simply taking an afternoon nap. At the heart of the park are a stream and waterfall. Children often jump between the stepping-stone-like boulders.
In the park’s southern section is an elegant French Rococo garden with a narrow pond framed by tall trees. Admire the displays of magnolias, rhododendrons and spruces at the Botanical Garden and the array of palms in the Palm House. See the Alpinarium, a rockery that recreates a mountain environment.
Colourful wildlife, including carp, squirrels and swans reside here peacefully. Look for the decorative sculptures, such as a bust of the famed national poet Adam Mickiewicz. Don’t miss the Whispering Caves, where you can speak to a friend through two shells set on opposite sides of a path.
Take a moment to appreciate the 18th-century Abbot’s Palace, a one-time residence of the abbot of the Cistercian monks. Today, it houses the modern art department of the National Museum in Gdańsk. Browse exhibitions of Polish art, ceramics and sculptures from the 1800s to early 1900s. In front of the palace is an immaculate Baroque-style garden.
The park is about a 20-minute drive northwest from Gdańsk’s city centre. Reach the park by catching a train from the city’s central railway station, Gdańsk Glówny. On the park’s western border is Oliwa Cathedral which has a beautiful 18th-century great organ.
Visit Oliwa Park any day from dawn until late evening. The Alpinarium, Botanical Garden and Palm House are open during the summer months and admission is free. The art gallery opens from Tuesday to Sunday and has an admission fee.
