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Things to do in Sopot, Poland - our top 11 tips

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What to see and do in Sopot, Poland? Sopot is a lovely holiday resort with long sandy beaches, lots of restaurants and a slightly exclusive feel. Here are our top tips on what to see and do in Sopot on holiday.

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Sopot in Poland - an ancient seaside resort

Already in 1900, Sopot had about 12,000 tourists each year, who came to bathe and visit the famous health resort. Just before the First World War, the number of tourists reached 20,000 per year, and by this time there were several large complexes of baths, sanatoriums and hotels.

They also built a large and magnificent casino, which after the First World War was renamed the Grand Hotel. Then came the Second World War and the communist era, and Sopot as a holiday resort was almost forgotten. But now the Polish holiday paradise is on everyone's lips again!

Att göra i Sopot i Polen

Sopot is located on the Polish Baltic Sea coast, about 12 kilometres north of Gdansk.

What to do in Sopot?

So, what can you see and do in Sopot, Poland today? This holiday gem has a lot to offer, especially during the summer. Here are our top tips.

1. Enjoy the turn-of-the-century environment

When you walk around Sopot, you feel like you are in an old health resort. The buildings in Sopot consist mainly of large turn-of-the-century villas with beautiful wooden verandas and winding towers. There are also houses in the beautiful Art Nouveau style.

Att göra i Sopot i Polen
Att göra i Sopot i Polen

2. Check out Krzywy Domek - the crooked house

One of the buildings you can't help but notice in Sopot is the 'Krzywy domek', the crooked house. Designed by the architectural firm Szotyńscy & Zaleski, it was completed in 2004. In 2013, it made CNN's list of Europe's most unusual buildings. The house is located on Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street in the centre of the city, and if you go inside you will find a small indoor centre with shops.

Att göra i Sopot i Polen - krokiga huset

3. Walk along the seafront promenade

A large green park runs along the beach and a long walking and cycling path runs through it. Not only do you see people cycling or walking here, but it is also common to see people travelling on foot. just everything that rolls. A steady stream of people arrive on segways, rollerblades and pedal cars.

Att göra i Sopot i Polen

4. Hang out at the Grand hotel in Sopot

Perhaps the building that most clearly characterises Sopot is the Grand Hotel, which sits magnificently on the beach. If you want luxury, you can stay here, but you can also enjoy a glass of bubbly on the outdoor terrace.

Att göra i Sopot i Polen - Grand Hotel

5. Walk out on Europe's longest wooden pier

Just below the Grand Hotel, the long pier, 'Molo', extends into the sea. Completed in 1928, the pier measures 511.5 metres in total, making it the longest wooden pier in Europe. You have to pay a small fee to go out on the pier, and afterwards you can watch boats or have a drink in the restaurant or champagne bar.

Att göra i Sopot i Polen - piren Molo

6. Live the beach life on the Polish Riviera

The Polish Riviera offers a wonderful beach life. Sopot is arguably the most luxurious resort on the Riviera, surrounded by exclusive hotels and champagne bars. The Grand Hotel and the pier are always crowded on fine days. People are sunbathing and swimming, sipping drinks, eating ice cream or doing water sports.

Poland's riviera is long, with fine sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see in both directions. If you want more peace and quiet during a day at the beach, just walk away from the centre of the action. Further along the beach it is much quieter.

Polens riviera

7. Experience boats and sailing

For those who want, there are various boats to rent. Now when we were here, there was also a sailing competition going on, and the water was therefore filled with sailing boats.

segling i Polen

8. Visit restaurants and cafes in Sopot

Sopot is full of restaurants and cafés, and in summer all the nice outdoor cafés are crowded together. Despite the seemingly endless number of establishments, on a hot summer day it can be almost impossible to find a table, at least if you are a large group.

We have eaten at several of the restaurants, and for the most part have been satisfied. The most recent was a good shrimp and spinach pasta at the small Italian restaurant Toscana.

Restaurang pasta

9. indulge in Lody and Gofry - ice cream and waffles

Two popular items on the Polish Riviera are ice cream (lody) and waffles (gofry). Ice cream is sold in long narrow cones, sometimes with chocolate on top. The waffles are big and thick, and you can get all sorts of things on them, from ice cream to fruit or chocolate. And yes, we tried it! But taking photos while eating one of those giant waffles is a bit too complicated!

Att göra i Sopot i Polen - lody - våfflor

10. Take an excursion to Gdansk

Just 20 minutes from Sopot by car is the beautiful old Hanseatic city of Gdansk. This city was founded in the 13th century and had its heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries. Although the city was largely destroyed during World War II, it has been restored to its former glory.

Today, you can stroll along the harbour, hang out in cosy outdoor cafes or, at best, take in the bustling city centre. market which is organised every year in August.

Gdansk Neptun

11. Take an excursion to Gdynia

The third city in the 'Trojmiasto' is the lovely holiday town of Gdynia. This Polish town offers a pleasant experience with a marina, a big Ferris wheel, lots of fish restaurants and a nice sandy beach in the centre of town.

Gdynia

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

There are several campsites in Sopot. Metropolis is located a bit from the town. A little closer to the town, there is also a nice little campsite called Sopot 34, and a larger ACSI-controlled campsite called Park 45.

If you want to stay in a hotel instead, you can choose from everything from the Grand Hotel to lots of larger and smaller hotels in different price ranges.

Camping Sopot

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

In addition to the two other cities in the Tri-City, Gdynia and Gdansk, there are many other great places to see nearby. For example, you can visit the historic Malbork Castle, experience the beautiful The entire peninsula or make an excursion to a holiday resort Łeba. For even more tips on places to visit in Poland, click on the image below.

All our top tips for Poland. Click on the image!

More tips for things to do in Sopot?

Have you been to Sopot? How was your experience? Do you have any other good tips on what to see and do in Sopot?

Facts about Sopot in Poland

  • Country: Poland
  • Vojvodship: Pomerania
  • Residents: 37 000 (2014)
  • Currency: Zloty
  • Time difference:? None
  • Language: Polska
  • Price mode: Cheaper than Sweden, but slightly more expensive than neighbouring locations

Travelling to Sopot in Poland

  • Ferries: You can arrive in Poland by ferry Nynäshamn-Gdansk (19 hours, with Polferries), Karlskrona-Gdynia (just over 10 hours, with Stena Line) or Ystad-Swinoujscie (6 hours, with Polferries).
  • Car/caravan: It takes 20 minutes to drive from Gdansk or Gdynia to Sopot, and it takes about 5 hours 30 minutes to drive from Swinoujscie to Sopot.
  • Flight: There are direct flights from Skavsta to Gdansk with Wizz Air or Ryanair, with a flight time of just over an hour. In October 2019, two new routes to Gdansk will open from Landvetter in Gothenburg.

Restaurants in Sopot

  • Restaurant Toscana, at ul. Grunwaldzka 27, is cosy and serves good Italian food.
  • Novy Swiat, at ul. Bohaterów Monte Cassino 63/2, is a cocktail bar and restaurant serving Polish cuisine with a modern touch.
  • White Marlin, at Al. Wojska Polskiego 1, is a beachfront restaurant and lounge with simple but good food.

Accommodation in Sopot

  • Hotels and apartments: There are plenty of hotels and apartments in Sopot, in various price ranges. Look for example on Booking.com or Airbnb. Keep in mind that Sopot is very popular in the summer, and that it can be good to book in time.
  • Camping Sopot 34 is located at ul. Bitwy pod Płowcami 55, with a good location both to the beach and to catch the train to Gdansk.
  • Camping Metropolis is located at Aleja Niepodleglosci 899, with longer walking distance to the centre of Sopot.
  • Camping & Resort Park 45 is located at ul. Bitwy pod Płowcami 73-79, not far from Sopot 34, but a little further from the city centre.

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