Attraction in Gdańsk
AmberSky Ferris Wheel (Gdańsk Eye)
A large observation Ferris wheel with enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas that lift you above Gdańsk for wide views over the Old Town, waterfront and port.
Reviewed and updated July 2026
The AmberSky Ferris Wheel, also called the Gdańsk Eye, is a large observation wheel that carries visitors high above the city for panoramic views over the Old Town, the waterfront and the working port. People ride it for the vantage point: from an enclosed gondola you can trace the line of the Motława river, the historic quays and the cranes of the shipyard in a single sweep, which is hard to do from street level.
The view from the gondola
Each turn lasts roughly 15 minutes and takes in Gdańsk from an angle you rarely get on foot. The panorama covers the reconstructed Main Town, the river and quays lined with old granaries, and the industrial edge of the port beyond. The original wheel stood about 50 metres high, and it has since moved to a taller version, so the horizon reaches further than before. On a clear day the mix of red-brick towers, water and shipyard structures gives the ride its character.
Comfortable, all-weather gondolas
The wheel uses 36 fully enclosed gondolas that are climate-controlled, which means the ride works in cold Baltic wind or summer heat and stays open in weather that would spoil an open-air viewpoint. One capsule is a VIP option fitted with a glass floor, so you look straight down through your feet as the wheel turns. Because the cabins are glazed and heated, the AmberSky is a practical choice in the shoulder seasons when Gdańsk can be grey and wet.
From the waterfront to the shipyard
The wheel first turned as a modern attraction on Gdańsk's waterfront and has since been relocated to Ołowianka Island on the Motława, across the water from the Old Town. From the top the panorama reaches toward the historic shipyard, the birthplace of the Solidarity movement, tying the view to one of the most significant parts of the city's recent history. For the full story of the district and the wider city, see our Gdańsk guide.
Who it suits and how to fit it in
The AmberSky works well for families, couples and first-time visitors who want to get their bearings early in a trip, and the enclosed cabins make it comfortable for anyone put off by open heights or exposed platforms. It pairs naturally with a walk along the Motława and a visit to the shipyard and the European Solidarity Centre nearby. Ride it near sunset if you can, when the light is low over the water and the city.
Good to know
The gondolas are enclosed and climate-controlled, so the wheel is a solid option even in cold or wet Baltic weather; check official channels for current location, opening hours and ticket prices before you go.
Frequently asked questions
More attractions in Gdańsk
Long Market
The grand main thoroughfare of Gdansk, a wide promenade of merchant facades running from the Golden Gate to the river.
Fontanna Neptuna
The bronze Neptune Fountain, cast in the early 17th century, has stood in front of the Artus Court since 1633 and became the symbol of Gdansk. Local legend claims the god's trident scattered gold flakes into the water, inspiring the herbal liqueur Goldwasser.
Bazylika Mariacka
One of the largest brick churches in the world, this vast Gothic basilica can hold up to 25,000 people. Climb its 405 steps to a viewing terrace for a sweeping panorama over the red rooftops of the old town.
Artus Court (Dwor Artusa)
A grand merchants' meeting hall on Gdansk's Long Market, now a branch of the Museum of Gdansk, home to one of Europe's tallest tiled stoves.
Uphagen House
Uphagen House is an 18th-century patrician townhouse on Gdansk's Long Street, preserved as a museum of period rooms that show how a wealthy merchant family once lived.
Zuraw
The medieval port crane on the Motlawa riverfront is the largest medieval port crane in Europe, once able to lift loads of up to two tonnes using giant human-powered treadwheels. It now forms part of the National Maritime Museum.
More to explore in Gdańsk
Restaurant
Eliksir
A refined tasting-menu restaurant in the Garnizon district of Wrzeszcz, making the most of Baltic ingredients.
Hotel
Hotel Podewils
A baroque townhouse hotel right on the marina, facing the old crane across the water.
Nature
Westerplatte
The seaside peninsula where WWII began, now a memorial park reached by a summer river boat.
Castle
Malbork Castle
The largest castle in the world by land area, a vast red-brick fortress built by the Teutonic Knights on the Nogat river.
Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel Gdansk
A refined five-star just off Dluga in the Main Town, steps from the Neptune Fountain. Spacious rooms and a spa in the heart of the old town.
Hotel
Hotel Number One by Grano
A design-led boutique hotel on the Motlawa island of Granary Island (Wyspa Spichrzow), with rooftop views of the Main Town. Contemporary interiors right on the water.