The town of Malbork beyond the castle is modest but not without interest. The market square (Plac Słowiański) has been rebuilt since the heavy damage of 1945 and retains a handful of period buildings. St John the Baptist Church, close to the square, is a 14th-century Gothic brick church that survived the war in better shape than much of the town. Its interior has some fine medieval stonework and Gothic vaulting.
The Nogat River promenade below the castle walls is a pleasant walk, giving the best views of the fortress from across the water — particularly striking at dusk when the castle is illuminated. A short walk north along the river leads to the historic granary buildings that once stored the castle's supplies.
Most visitors come and go in a day from Gdańsk or Gdynia, but the town has a few restaurants and cafes worth stopping at. The area around the castle entrance has the best concentration of places to eat.