Europe’s largest brick castle, Malbork, is a 40-minute train journey south of Gdansk. Built by the Teutonic Knights, the medieval fortress is home to many treasures (ulica Staroscinska 1, Malbork, 55 647 0800, www.zamek.malbork.pl, closed Mon).

More sobering, the World War II death camp of Stutthof (55 247 8353, www.stutthof.pl) is an 80-minute bus journey from Gdansk. The Leba National Park, with its mighty sand dunes, is a two-hour bus journey away.

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