Olivia Star Observation Deck with Dinner Gdansk

Olivia Star, the tallest building in northern Poland

Olivia Star rises about 180 metres above Grunwaldzka Avenue, the long boulevard that links the historic centre of Gdańsk with the Oliwa district and Sopot. Completed in 2018 as the centrepiece of the Olivia Business Centre, the glass tower became the tallest building in northern Poland and one of the easiest landmarks to spot from anywhere in the Tricity. The lower floors hold offices and services, while the upper levels were designed for visitors who come for the view.

If you are wondering how to get to Olivia Star, trams run along Grunwaldzka Avenue from the main railway station and the city centre in about 25 minutes, and the Przymorze-Uniwersytet suburban rail stop is a short walk away. Is Olivia Star worth visiting? For first-time visitors it is the simplest way to understand how Gdańsk, the sea and the wooded hills fit together.

The 32nd-floor observation level and its view

From the 32nd floor the whole Tricity spreads out below you. To the north lies the Gulf of Gdańsk, and on clear days the thin line of the Hel Peninsula appears on the horizon. Along the coast you can follow Sopot with its long wooden pier and, further on, the port city of Gdynia. Inland, the forested hills of the Tricity Landscape Park roll away to the west, and close by the twin spires of Oliwa Cathedral rise above the trees.

Turn south-east and you can pick out the brick towers of the Main Town and the cranes of the shipyards on the horizon. The best time to visit Olivia Star is the hour before sunset, when the low sun lights the water and the city lights begin to appear. Our entry slots between 15:00 and 18:00 are chosen with that in mind.

Olivia Garden, the indoor tropical garden

Your ticket also includes the Olivia Garden, a glazed indoor garden where thousands of exotic plants from around the world grow side by side. Paths lead between tall palms, ferns, climbing plants and flowering species from warm regions, and the air is kept warm and humid all year. It is a striking contrast to the Baltic climate outside, especially on a grey winter afternoon.

Most visitors spend 30 to 45 minutes here, walking slowly, reading the plant labels and taking photos among the greenery. Families with children enjoy it as much as the view from the top. Because the garden is warm, it helps to wear layers that you can take off. The garden and the observation level are part of the same visit, so you can see both without rushing.

Dinner above Gdańsk and the city around you

After the view, sit down on the 32nd floor for a pizza dinner with one drink, served while the light changes over the sea. Extra food and drinks can be ordered and paid on site. It makes the ticket a complete early evening plan rather than a quick look from a viewpoint, and it suits couples, friends and families who want an easy dinner with a view.

The tower is also a good first stop before exploring the rest of Gdańsk. The Main Town, with the Long Market, the Neptune Fountain and the medieval port crane on the Motława River, is about 25 minutes away by tram. Oliwa Park and Oliwa Cathedral, famous for their gardens and organ, are even closer and make an easy pairing earlier in the day.