Attraction in Gdańsk

Long Street and the Royal Route (ulica Długa)

Długa (Long Street) is the main pedestrian street of Gdańsk's Main Town and the western stretch of the historic Royal Route, lined with tall reconstructed burgher houses and the city's landmark buildings.

Reviewed and updated July 2026

Long Street and the Royal Route (ulica Dluga) — Photo: Ting Chen / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ulica Długa (Long Street) is the main pedestrian thoroughfare of Gdańsk's Main Town and the western part of the ceremonial Royal Route, and people come to walk the same line that Polish kings paraded down on their visits to the city. The street runs past most of Gdańsk's landmark buildings and is edged by tall, colourful reconstructed burgher houses, so it works as both a sight in itself and the natural spine for exploring the Main Town on foot.

Walking the Royal Route

The Royal Route ran from the Upland Gate through the Golden Gate, along Długa, and on toward the Green Gate, and following it in that order is the simplest way to read the street. You enter through the gates at the western end and the burgher houses rise on either side as you go, their facades reconstructed after the wartime destruction of the city. Because Długa is pedestrianised, you can stop and look up at the tall fronts without watching for traffic.

Why kings came this way

This was the ceremonial approach used during royal visits, when Polish monarchs processed down the route into the city. That is why the western gates and the houses along Długa were built to impress: the street was the face Gdańsk showed to visiting kings. Walking it today gives you the sequence of set pieces in the order they were meant to be seen.

Landmark buildings along the street

Długa leads past most of the city's landmark buildings, so it doubles as an outdoor route between them rather than a single monument. The reconstructed merchant houses are the backdrop, and the individual sights (gates, civic buildings and the frontages themselves) line up as you move east toward the Green Gate. Rather than list opening details here, check each building's own signage or official channels for hours and any admission.

How it fits a Gdańsk visit

Most first walks through the Main Town start or pass along Długa, which makes it a good anchor for a day on foot before branching off to the waterfront or side streets. Give yourself time to walk the full route slowly rather than cutting across it. For planning the wider area and nearby sights, see our Gdańsk guide.

Good to know

Długa is fully pedestrianised, so walk the Royal Route end to end from the Upland and Golden Gates in the west toward the Green Gate in the east to follow it in the direction the royal processions took.

Frequently asked questions

It is the ceremonial route Polish kings paraded down on visits to the city, running from the Upland Gate through the Golden Gate, along ulica Długa (Long Street), and toward the Green Gate. Długa is its western part.

Yes. Długa is the main pedestrian thoroughfare of the Main Town, so you can walk its length and stop to look at the reconstructed burgher houses and landmark buildings without traffic.

The tall, colourful burgher houses lining the street are reconstructions, rebuilt after the city's wartime destruction. They follow the historic facades along the route.

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