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Elblag Canal Tour from Gdansk

4.5 (16)
Gdańsk, PL
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Elblag Canal Tour from Gdansk

4.5 (16)
Gdańsk, PL
Share
Experience the wonders of the Elblag Canal on this thrilling tour from Gdansk. Embark on a journey through Poland's fascinating history as you navigate the 150-year-old canal, the longest navigable canal in the country. Marvel at the engineering marvel of the canal's inclined planes, where boats are lifted out of the water and dragged across dry lands to overcome a 100-meter difference in height. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of Druzno Lake and Piniewo Lake, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the surroundings. With hotel pickup and drop-off, boat tickets, and transport by private vehicle included, all you have to do is sit back, relax, and let the wonders of the Elblag Canal unfold before your eyes. Don't miss out on this unforgettable adventure.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 6 hours
  • Suitable for 1-10 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • & Audio GuidedGuided Experience
  • Unique engineering of the Elblag Canal
  • Longest navigable canal in Poland
  • Boat tickets included in the tour
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off provided
  • Opportunity to explore the historic Old Town Elblag
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Boat tickets
  • Transport by private vehicle
  • Food and drinks

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

The Elblag Canal Tour from Gdansk offers a unique and fascinating experience for travelers seeking to explore the hidden gems of Poland. This 150-year-old canal, also known as the Elblag-Ostroda Canal, stretches over 80 km from Elblag to Ostroda, making it the longest navigable canal in the country. What sets this canal apart is its ingenious engineering solution to overcome a challenging section where the water level rises by 100 meters. Instead of traditional locks, the Elblag Canal features an innovative system of inclined planes that lifts boats out of the water and transports them across dry lands. This engineering marvel is a testament to human ingenuity and a must-see for any curious traveler.

What to Expect?

Embarking on the Elblag Canal Tour promises a memorable journey filled with awe-inspiring sights and insightful experiences. As you cruise along the historic canal, you can expect to witness the incredible technology of the inclined planes in action, marveling at how boats are lifted and transported across land. The picturesque landscapes surrounding the canal, including the serene Druzno Lake, add to the enchanting ambiance of the tour. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the region as you explore the charming Old Town of Elblag, with its medieval architecture and fascinating stories dating back to the 13th century. This tour is an opportunity to witness engineering brilliance, appreciate natural beauty, and delve into the past.

Who is This For?

The Elblag Canal Tour welcomes travelers of all ages and interests. History enthusiasts will be captivated by the canal's rich heritage and the centuries-old architecture of Elblag's Old Town. Nature lovers will appreciate the breathtaking landscapes and the opportunity to cruise through pristine waters. Adventure seekers will find excitement in the unique and innovative engineering marvel of the inclined planes. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple on a romantic getaway, or a family looking for an educational and fun experience, this tour offers something for everyone. Don't miss the chance to discover Poland's hidden gem and embark on a remarkable journey along the Elblag Canal.

Why Book This?

Booking the Elblag Canal Tour is an opportunity to witness a remarkable feat of engineering and immerse yourself in the captivating history and natural beauty of Poland. This tour offers a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else in Europe. Travelers will have the chance to witness the workings of the inclined planes, an engineering marvel that showcases human ingenuity and innovation. The tour also provides a glimpse into the past with a visit to Elblag's Old Town, where medieval architecture and centuries-old stories await. The combination of historical significance, natural beauty, and unforgettable experiences make the Elblag Canal Tour a must-book adventure.

Good to Know

During the Elblag Canal Tour, you can expect a comfortable and convenient experience. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, ensuring a hassle-free journey from Gdansk. Boat tickets and transportation by private vehicle are provided, guaranteeing a smooth and enjoyable trip. It's important to note that food and drinks are not included, allowing travelers to explore local culinary delights at their own pace. Additionally, the itinerary includes a point of interest stop at Elblag's Old Town, providing an opportunity to relax and enjoy a coffee break or explore the historical sites. With all the necessary details taken care of, you can fully immerse yourself in the wonders of the Elblag Canal.

Reviews

Travelers who have experienced the Elblag Canal Tour have been mesmerized by its unique charm and historical significance. Many have praised the engineering marvel of the inclined planes, noting how it showcases human creativity and problem-solving skills. Visitors have also appreciated the beauty of the surrounding landscapes, with Druzno Lake serving as a tranquil backdrop for the journey. The exploration of Elblag's Old Town has left a lasting impression on travelers, who have been enthralled by its well-preserved medieval architecture and fascinating stories. Overall, reviews of the Elblag Canal Tour highlight its captivating nature, educational value, and the sense of wonder it evokes.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

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Your Itinerary

Tours in Gdansk - local tour operator

(Pass by)

Hotel/Apartment pick up (Gdansk, Sopot, Gdynia)

Elblag Canal (Kanal Elblaski)

We invite you to a tour by Elbląg-Ostródzki canal, which is unique in the whole world monument of hydro-engineering, recognized as a historical monument and one of the 7 wonders of the Polish. The tour starts at Buczyniec and will be led by the four inclined planes, which will drag up uphill or drain down boat by the water-powered hoists special system. During the 2h tour we beat 9.6 km distance, where the difference in level is 99.5 meters. Boat cruise on the canal by four inclined planes ( Buczyniec, Olesnica, Jablonki, Jelenie )

Admission Included

Old Town Elblag

Caffe or free time break in Elblag Old Town. Elbląg is one of the oldest cities in the province.Its history dates back to 1237, when the Teutonic Order constructed their fortified stronghold on the banks of a nearby river.

Reviews

(16)

4.5 (16)

Catherine_F

A pleasant drive into the country outside Gdansk with a stop for coffee and a sandwich on the return trip. Enjoyable commentary en route, but there was no English language presentation while on the canal itself. Seeing and experiences the technology first hand was delightful.

Escape422611

To do positives and negatives - the positives first - the way the boat is carried is very unusual and very interesting so it is definitely something worth seeing and we are very glad that we did. Unless you were travelling in your own car it would be very difficult to get to on your own from Gdansk, so if you want to see it - take the tour. Scenery is lovely too. As everyone says, Michael is a great guide - lovely man and very interesting to talk to. As for the negatives - the boat was crowded. We were lucky to be seated near to the openings for the exit but there was a lot of jostling for position as people came to look out/take photos etc. It was therefore disappointing and frustrating to see that the few boats we passed going in the other direction all had roof decks with people sitting on them enjoying all round views of the countryside. I don't know whether this tour always uses the same boat or whether it is luck of the draw on the day. We were lucky with the weather and obviously you wouldn't want to be sitting outside in the rain. Three stars is an average - we would give Michael five stars but for the cost of the trip I think it would be nice to have a good views consistently without having to keep giving up your seat to let others have a look outside. Don't like to sound churlish and wouldn't even have thought of saying all this if we hadn't seem other boats where people seemed to be having a more relaxing viewing experience. This is the sort of niggle you forget in time but we will remember fondly our time with Michael and his sharing of his insightful thoughts on his country's history and culture. Loved Gdansk and hope to come back and would love to do other tours with Michael as our guide.

Craig_N

Best thing. Great tour guide (Mirek) sharing his vast historical knowledge while driving us to and back from the Elblag Canal tour.

XFNutty

We were picked up promptly by our driver Michael who then drove us to the canal boat for our tour. I have to give him a special thanks as he was so friendly telling us all about the surrounding land and the history and the economy of it. He also was telling us about an area close to the hotel we would never have found out about if it wasn’t for him! The canal tour was absolutely lovely and a very chilled experience pottering down the canal and moving through the pulley systems making it up. One of the best bits was that we were allowed to go out onto the side of the “carriage” on the last pulley to get a better look and to take photos. The whole experience took about 3-4 hours. Michael said that it’s normally shorter but we got lucky as the weather had been so good today that we got to do the whole length. The one very small downside is that the commentary wasn’t in English, but we were the only English people on there and we shouldn’t expect to be catered for just because we’re English. If you speak Polish or German you should be fine. Michael did a good job of filling in all the gaps for us on the way there so we didn’t feel like we missed out. We then had a short stop off in the town of Elbląg for a very late lunch where we were lucky enough to be there for a dragon boat racing festival. Unfortunately I think all the racing had finished but there was still a lively buzz around the place. A really lovely day out and a lovely chilled experience.

Weimarpatk53

it was a grey, cold and rainy day. My driver and I arrived vefore a tour bus and were treated to cake, tea and coffee. How lovely of the crew!. The tour is about an engineering miracle. in waterand over dry lansd with the same boat. I keave it for you tosee how that is possible! A group of lovely school children were on the boat and talked to me rhrough google transkate. Theywere very sweet, wrll behaved and adorable. .My driver and I went to the town of Elblag for coffee and the beloved cake of Pope John Paiul II. I could visit the church and. walk atound. i was also given useful tips n what to do back in Gdansk. It was an unforgetable day despite miserable weather. Ronél Smit Johannesburg

Z8869YTbonnier

This is both a 5 star and a one star review, averaging three. 5 stars: The fee includes hotel pick up. The “driver” was actually a highly experienced, knowledgeable, and gracious licensed tour guide named Mirek. He had been a guide under in both communist and democratic times, having lived half his life in both. He and I both adored the Gdańsk shipyard where the Solidarity movement started so he showed me a few things I hadn’t seen there since we had time. The drive to Elblag was a little over an hour each way and those two hours spent with Mirek were two of my entire trips’ favorite. While driving Mirek spoke from the heart on a wide range of topics. Mirek leads many other tours, he’s not a “driver”. So my expectations were wildly exceeded for the pick up and delivery. 1Star: The Elblag tour itself. It was not in English. I went to learn about the engineering and the man who built it, not just a view of an endless canal.. It was standing room only-think crowded bus… I asked the captain (some other passengers translated) to get off and the captain said it was not possible so I was stuck for 3 hours. The tour operator from Gdańsk said he could arrange a pick up for me despite the captain saying no (I had a moment of phone reception), and I could call Mirek. I was even willing to walk back… At that point he crew decided to let me sit on the bow so then I could see the views. Beautiful scenery from there. Really lovely but boring. 3 hours was way too long but from the bow it was pleasant. I didn’t want to spend a precious day on a boat ride. I was there to deepen my understanding of the canal system and hopefully see some birds (no luck). Lesson learned: make sure you are on one of the boats with roof top seating (some have that). Don’t go on a Polish holiday when everyone wants to take their kids on a boat ride. Know you won’t have reception making calling for a pick up difficult. Think twice about going if the weather isn’t excellent. Confirm that your boat captain will do the tour in English. If you can, ask for Mirek to drive you, without him, I would have asked for a refund. Because of Mirek, and being allowed to sit on the bow, it was a nice day.

lizpI9370LF

Picked up at our hotel an driven to the starting point in a private car. Michael was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of information about places on the route. He saw us onto the boat and was waiting for us at the other end. We really enjoyed to canal trip it's quite a unique experience going uphill on land in a boat. We could have stopped off for an hour or so in Elblag but decided to go straight back to Gadansk as we wanted to go to the WW2 museum so Michael dropped us off there. Great tour and tour operator.

Katsuya_H

The background to construct such unique transportation system is very interesting. The guide explained in English for us.

katrinnaan

A very unique and interesting solution. We liked it. We made a returntrip Buczyniecist - Katy. Four languages were spoken while driving about the history of the canal.

mj_vacation

Ever since seeing the Elblag Canal on Michael Palin's video, we had wanted to go on this canal. I saw this tour advertised on Trip Advisor and selected it. We are very glad I did. Michael picked us up at our Gdansk hotel and on the way to the canal, gave us lots of info about Poland and the surrounding area. the ride on the boat in the canal was really great. We were joined by a bus (small number) of people and had a good intro video. The canal is very peaceful and transitioning up and down the various levels was most enjoyable and interesting. After the canal Michael took us to a nearby town for a small break and we walk a couple blocks and went into the church there. It was a very enjoyable day and I would do it again.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-27 01:18
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