Sopot is a Polish resort town – a gem of the Baltic coast – where it was delightful to stroll along the long wooden pier, the sandy beach, and the streets of the old town. I loved the relaxed seaside vibe, Monciak Street, and the flower-adorned boutiques and eateries. Let’s take a closer look at what Sopot has to offer.
Walking through the streets of Sopot’s town center, grand villas, charming small hotels, and green parks caught my eye. This gave the city a cozy, slightly nostalgic atmosphere that contrasted with the medieval Hanseatic ambiance of Gdańsk’s Old Town.
Promenade, beach, and the atmosphere of a seaside resort
Sopot has been known as a Polish coastal resort town since the 19th century. Then the first spa buildings were constructed and wealthy vacationers began gathering on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Today, a long promenade runs along the seafront, lined with cafés, restaurants, and ice cream stalls.
In summer, the sandy beach is sure to be filled with sunbathers. But in autumn, the wind gives the sea a somewhat turbulent appearance.
Europe’s longest wooden pier
Sopot’s most famous landmark is undoubtedly the Molo – a very long wooden pier that extends far out into the sea and is the longest structure of its kind in Europe. A walk along the pier can feel like walking right in the middle of the sea. I spent quite a while on the pier: I ate some ice cream, sat on a bench, took photos of the sea, walked further out, and then walked back.
The Crooked House, or Krzywy Domek
Monciak – officially known as Bohaterów Monte Cassino – is a pedestrian street and promenade. This lively, popular walkway connects the railway station to the pier and the spa square. The street is lined with cafés, shops, and other attractions. For instance, Krzywy Domek (The Crooked House) is one of Poland’s most photographed buildings. Its undulating walls and windows look as if they were lifted straight from the pages of a fairy tale. The building’s unusual architecture has made it a symbol of Sopot, and stopping to snap a photo in front of it seems to be a must for every tourist. The house is in the first picture of the travelogue.
Why visit Sopot?
While Gdańsk offers history and architectural grandeur, Sopot is a place where you can stroll along the pier, enjoy the sunset, sit in a café with a sea view or on the sandy beach, and soak up the light, carefree resort atmosphere that has made this small town famous for centuries.
Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia together form the so-called Tricity (Trójmiasto), with Sopot serving as the more relaxed part. Here, the scene is dominated not by history or industry, but by the beach, the promenade, and a holiday vibe.
The train ride from Gdańsk to Sopot took about 20 minutes, and tickets could be purchased at stations such as Główny.
Believe it or not, the Sopot Song Festival is still going strong today
I seem to recall the name Sopot from my distant youth. But the music festival is apparently still alive and well! The Sopot International Song Festival is hosted at a unique and picturesque forest amphitheater – the Forest Opera – which is notable for its superb acoustics and distinctive sail-shaped roof. However, the festival had already taken place in August.
Oliwa Park and Cathedral lie between Gdańsk and Sopot
One day, while heading toward Sopot, I got off the train at the Oliwa stop and went to look for the park. The park featured lovely flowers, ponds, a palm house, an avenue of strange old trees – whose branches served as a training ground for squirrels running marathons – and plenty of benches for sitting.
Oliwa Cathedral was also located right by the park, though no famous organ concert was taking place at the time. The organ is said to be one of the world’s most remarkable organs in the Late Baroque and Rococo styles.
A sign on the wall of a nearby souvenir shop indicated that one could get a pilgrim’s stamp there. However, the shop itself was closed. Although my knees and calves were signaling that the journey had been a bit too long, it probably couldn’t be considered a true camino, given the train rides in between. And there was no stamp to be had, anyway…
The zoo is also located near Oliwa.
For shoppers
After getting off the train at the Wrzeszcz stop, it is a short walk to the Galeria Baltycka shopping center. It took quite a while before I made it back out and the next train arrived at the station. I felt I could have skipped that stop and spent that extra time by the sea instead.
Poland is a wonderful place to spend even just a long weekend
In the evening, I took the train back from Sopot to Gdańsk to stroll through the Old Town streets once more. Since I was staying in Gdańsk, the city already felt like home and held a special place in my heart. Poland struck me as very clean, and my accommodation was impeccably spotless. It feels so good to see that you are being well looked after. I continue to believe that cleanliness, kindness, and beauty make the world a better place.
In my opinion, Poland is an excellent destination for a long weekend if you don’t have time for a longer trip. Even in that short time, you can breathe in the sea air, enjoy a hearty meal, admire new sights, and gather fresh ideas.
You can find the first part of the travelogue here: The Colors of Gdańsk, Water, and Culinary Tourism. Poland, Part 1.
