The Best Polish Things to Buy from Gdansk

If you’ve ever looked up Gdansk tours online or planned some of your holidays in Gdansk, you would know that Gdansk is one of the most wonderful Baltic cities! Therefore, your Poland travel itinerary would definitely be incomplete without a stopover at Gdansk. Shopping in Gdansk can be great fun too. Have you ever visited a country and wondered what to take back with you as the best gift to remember your special journey? Some of you may say pictures or a small souvenir might be sufficient. But what about picking up something exclusive from your Poland tour? The souvenirs you pick up here will easily bring a smile to your loved ones' faces! Here’s a list of some of the best souvenirs you can buy from Gdansk, Poland.

· Amber Jewellery: This jewelry is also known as the Gold of the north. Baltic amber is well-known for its beauty worldwide. Amber was a very popular remedy for different illnesses in Polish folk medicine. The most popular of the gifts is silver jewelry with amber. You can easily find the largest selection of amber products in Gdansk. Amber is fossilized tree resin over tens of millions of years on the earth. It gets mature under high pressure and temperature.

Amber is extracted from rocks or is collected when it is washed up onto land by the sea. Amber is a soft material used in medicine, jewelry, and perfumes since ancient times. The common classification of amber is based on its origin. Amber can be found in two main areas — Dominican Republic and The Baltic Region. You can also find deposits of amber in other parts of the world but they can be relatively small when compared to the ones available in these two regions. The amber is transparent or opaque and occurs in light to dark tones of yellow.

· Linen Products: Natural linen can be the noblest materials, as it is natural and biodegradable, skin-friendly, and extremely durable. Linen products have accompanied the Polish for centuries. So you can definitely consider opting for a tablecloth or napkins with traditional Polish patterns.

· Traditional Drinks: If you like the idea of sharing a glass or two of good liquor with your loved ones while recounting your lovely vacation in Gdansk, you have a wide variety of options to pick the right one for you. The most popular one is the Goldwasser. It is a root and herbal liquor that has been produced in the city since 1598. The city has a distilling tradition that dates back to the 18th century. You can opt for juniper-based vodka Manhandel or spice-infused liquor Kurfursten as these two can be the next best choices.

· Ceramics: Most people prefer buying ceramics for their family and friends. It can be one of the best souvenirs you can take back to your homeland from Poland. It is very beautiful and works well as kitchen décor or for tableware. Ceramics have been produced in Poland since the beginning of the 19th century. The specialty you can find here is that every product available is hand-decorated with characteristic patterns. You can buy these creative ceramics from various souvenir shops.

· Wooden Carvings: It is a combination of tradition and beauty. Wooden figurines have accompanied mankind for years and are deeply rooted in Polish culture. You can buy beautiful wooden toys for children in Poland and can give them as traditional Polish Christmas gifts. You can also treat it as a nice gadget. Look out for the figurines that are carved by hand. Most people buy wooden birds and angels.

· Horn Snuff Box: Consumption of snuff or smokeless tobacco is marginal in Poland. However, in the Kashubia region, it is considered a regional tradition. It is given such importance that in some parishes, snuff is consumed during a mass as a part of the service. The priest starts off the ritual from the altar and does not continue with the prayers until all the members in the church have taken a pinch. The tradition can be closely linked with the art of snuff box making. It is the desired and traditional examples of which are made of cow horns.

If you go by the tradition, only married men could have horn snuff boxes as it was a sign of masculinity. Bachelors had clay or wooden snuff-boxes which were smashed during the wedding day. According to the custom, the newlyweds in the Kashubia region are still given snuff boxes. You can buy this box and keep it in your house as a showpiece or as a souvenir. However, remember, if taking snuff is illegal in your country, please refrain from doing so.

· Household Items from the Communist Era: Poles avoid the retro tea services, ashtrays and glassware of the Soviet period. However, it doesn’t mean that they are not available. You can skip the upscale antique shops and try checking out these beautiful pieces of work, at the flea markets in Poland.

· Smoked Sheep’s Cheese: The closer you get to the mountains, the more likely you are to see the mountain people lined up on the road to sell little rounds of smoked sheep’s cheese called Oscypek. Made from salted sheep milk, this cheese is a delicacy in Poland and the recipe goes back to around 500 years. You can buy several different types of cheese to see which ones you like the best. The salty cheese goes well when consumed with beer.

· Vodka: Poland is well-known for its high-quality vodka. Belvedere and Chopin are considered the best among the most popular brands. In addition to this, you can also find a range of unusual vodkas including Zubrowka which is slightly greenish due to a long blade of bison grass in each bottle. Miodowka is a honey-flavored easy to drink vodka.

· Beer Tankard: Sizeable beer tankards ornamented with the national emblem of Poland can definitely be a fine gift for the male members of your family. It becomes more special when it is paired with a bottle of Perla. You can pick from a wide choice of beers in Poland that matches the number of vessels to drink it from. Regular or crystal glass stains come in a variety of shapes.

However, if you fancy a more sophisticated item, you can opt for pewter beer tankards with lids. If you have it in a tankard, the beer stays cooler for a longer time and insect-free until its last drop. You can buy the tankard if you occasionally drink or buy it for someone who loves drinking beer.

· Ginger Biscuits: If you want to buy something that might be a sure formula for success, it is the ginger biscuits. They are not only delicious but also created with designs inspired by fairy tales. Each biscuit is a work of art in itself and is packed in little attractive boxes which are perfect as gifts!

· Antiques: If you are an antique lover who loves to collect objects from the Second World War, Poland is the right place for you to find such unique treasures. You can easily find medals, helmets, decorations, and many other things in the markets and antique shops.

· Chess Boards: Chess boards are one of the most exclusive Polish Souvenirs manufactured in Poland. If you are a chess lover or know someone who loves chess, you can surprise them with this great gift as this would be an ideal choice. There are endless varieties of chess pieces and chess boards of all shapes, sizes, and colors in the markets in Poland.

· Polish Folk Dolls: Traditional Polish folk dolls are completely handmade. These dolls are made using techniques that have not changed in generations. The dolls are mainly made of paper mâché and cloth that is certified and can meet the design of an original folk costume. The facial features on the dolls are hand-painted by local artisans. Some dolls would have additional features like fences or buckets made of natural wood or leather. The dolls are unique and represent Poland’s outstanding contribution to Polish folk art and family traditions.

· Zapiekanka: Italy might have pizza and Israel might be the king of flatbreads. What about Poland then? Poland has zapiekanka! This baguette is cut in half and is topped with mushrooms and cheese. It is then doused in garlic mayo and ketchup. Grab these and enjoy them during your travels in Poland.

· Obawarzanek Krakowski: This is one of the main culinary specialties of Poland. This twirl pastry is large, just like a bread roll and is chewy just like how a traditional Australian pretzel would be. Obawarzanek Krakowski is sold on the street corners and is sometimes topped with cheese or sesame seeds. You can consider it as a perfect snack to accompany you on a walking tour of the old city of the Polish kings.

The Polish Republic attracts an increasing number of visitors as it offers travelers rich history, delicious food, scenic landscapes, and many cultural attractions. This Central European country has various delightful traditional products which are much appreciated by those who love shopping. Gdansk offers a wide range of souvenirs and mementos of the country which you can take back home with you or offer as gifts to your friends.