Sopot travel guide
Sopot Tourism | Sopot Guide
You're Going to Love Sopot
Sopot is a famous seaside resort on Poland's Baltic Sea coast. You will find a mixture of elegant villas, upscale restaurants and buzzing clubs in this pretty town. It's probably the glitziest resort on the Baltic coast and attracts a mix of well-heeled Polish and international visitors.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Sopot
1. The Wooden Pier
Sopot's famous wooden pier is the longest in Europe and a popular place for a stroll.
2. The Crooked House
The Crooked House is a stunning piece of architecture resembling a Salvador Dali painting. A Sopot must-see.
3. Heroes of Monte Cassino Street
This is the hub of Sopot and an ideal place to enjoy a drink and watch the glamorous people go by.
4. Open-Air Opera
Enjoy an opera in the forest at the open air amphitheater.
5. Tricity Landscape Park
Cycle or hike in the beautiful Tricity National Park.
What to do in Sopot
1. Baltic Bliss In The Polish Sun
The Baltic coast is definitely Sopot's major attraction. After all, that's why it became a thriving resort in the 19th century, attracting the great and good from Poland, Germany, and Russia. The pier (built as early as 1827) is the centerpiece, stretching over 500 meters into the Baltic and made entirely out of wood. There's a viewing platform and a restaurant at the end, which makes wandering out there a must. But the beach is almost as seductive, with white sand, elegant seafront, and a range of bars and eateries. The water's a bit chilly, though, if you're brave enough take a dip.
2. A Gorgeous Vantage Point
Located in the Old Town, not far from the pier, Spot Lighthouse is probably the most beautiful building in town. Erected in 1904 as part of the town's prosperous Balneological Institute (which dealt with spas and thermal treatments), the tower is open for visitors. The ascent is only 25 meters (and couches are supplied halfway up). When you get there, you'll be glad you made the climb, as Sopot's seafront and Old Town are laid out below you.
3. Crazy Polish Creativity And Vibrant Nightlife
Nowhere gives a better impression of what modern Sopot is all about than Krzywy Domek (the "crooked little house.") Designed by the architects Szotyńscy and Zaleski, it's a playfully warped house, albeit one that's part of a shopping mall and isn't really suited for permanent habitation. Kids will love the fairy-tale appearance of this outlandish construction, while adults won't find a more photogenic attraction in the area. And, in the evening, the neighborhood is Sopot's nightlife hub.
4. The Heart Of One Of Europe's Great Resorts
Just inland from the pier and beach, Dolny Sopot (literally "lower Sopot"), this was the heart of the 19th and early 20th century resort, and it's still a busy cultural, dining, and shopping center. The area is home to small but engaging attractions like the Museum of Sopot (with a surprising collection of antique wardrobes) and the recently renovated State Gallery, which focuses on Polish talents. And there's also a smaller offshoot of Gdansk's Teatr Wybrzeze, where chamber music and drama performances take place throughout the year - so it's a place most tourists visit during their stays.
5. Majestic Dunes That Stretch For Miles
The natural marvel of Poland's Baltic coast, Slowinski is famous for its massive sand dune (the largest in all of Europe). The park is around 40 miles west of Sopot, but it's worth the drive. Naturally, you could just find a secluded spot and laze around in the Pomeranian sunshine, but there are other local attractions, like the fascinating open-air museum at Kluki, which documents the lifestyle of the Slovincian people who once made this part of Poland their home.
1. Baltic Bliss In The Polish Sun
The Baltic coast is definitely Sopot's major attraction. After all, that's why it became a thriving resort in the 19th century, attracting the great and good from Poland, Germany, and Russia. The pier (built as early as 1827) is the centerpiece, stretching over 500 meters into the Baltic and made entirely out of wood. There's a viewing platform and a restaurant at the end, which makes wandering out there a must. But the beach is almost as seductive, with white sand, elegant seafront, and a range of bars and eateries. The water's a bit chilly, though, if you're brave enough take a dip.
2. A Gorgeous Vantage Point
Located in the Old Town, not far from the pier, Spot Lighthouse is probably the most beautiful building in town. Erected in 1904 as part of the town's prosperous Balneological Institute (which dealt with spas and thermal treatments), the tower is open for visitors. The ascent is only 25 meters (and couches are supplied halfway up). When you get there, you'll be glad you made the climb, as Sopot's seafront and Old Town are laid out below you.
3. Crazy Polish Creativity And Vibrant Nightlife
Nowhere gives a better impression of what modern Sopot is all about than Krzywy Domek (the "crooked little house.") Designed by the architects Szotyńscy and Zaleski, it's a playfully warped house, albeit one that's part of a shopping mall and isn't really suited for permanent habitation. Kids will love the fairy-tale appearance of this outlandish construction, while adults won't find a more photogenic attraction in the area. And, in the evening, the neighborhood is Sopot's nightlife hub.
4. The Heart Of One Of Europe's Great Resorts
Just inland from the pier and beach, Dolny Sopot (literally "lower Sopot"), this was the heart of the 19th and early 20th century resort, and it's still a busy cultural, dining, and shopping center. The area is home to small but engaging attractions like the Museum of Sopot (with a surprising collection of antique wardrobes) and the recently renovated State Gallery, which focuses on Polish talents. And there's also a smaller offshoot of Gdansk's Teatr Wybrzeze, where chamber music and drama performances take place throughout the year - so it's a place most tourists visit during their stays.
5. Majestic Dunes That Stretch For Miles
The natural marvel of Poland's Baltic coast, Slowinski is famous for its massive sand dune (the largest in all of Europe). The park is around 40 miles west of Sopot, but it's worth the drive. Naturally, you could just find a secluded spot and laze around in the Pomeranian sunshine, but there are other local attractions, like the fascinating open-air museum at Kluki, which documents the lifestyle of the Slovincian people who once made this part of Poland their home.
Where to Eat in Sopot
Bar Przystan just east of the pier has wonderful fried fish from zł25. Bulaj on Al Franciszka Mamuszki has great seafood, duck and rabbit dishes from zł25 for a main course.
When to visit Sopot
Sopot's high season is undoubtedly the summer months, when the resort fills up and comes alive.
How to Get to Sopot
Plane
The nearest airport to Sopot is Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport, which has many international and domestic connections. A taxi to Sopot will cost zł130 and the train will cost zł35
Train
Sopot has excellent rail connections from other Polish cities and a single ticket from Gdansk will cost zł2.80.
Car
There are good roads into Sopot, with the E28 connecting from the west, the E75 from the south and the E77 from the east.
Bus
Sopot doesn't have direct international bus connections, so the alternative is to head for Gdansk and then take the train to Sopot.
Airlines serving Sopot
Where to stay in Sopot
Dolny Sopot - is the town's seafront area, with lots of good hotels, restaurants and bars along with the town's famous pier.
Popular Neighborhoods in Sopot
Karlikowo - is another coastal area and is home to the marina and fishing harbor.
Kamienny Potok - is on the coast to the north of the town center and is where you will find the Aquapark.
Where to stay in popular areas of Sopot
Most booked hotels in Sopot
How to Get Around Sopot
Public Transportation
Sopot has a good public transport network of buses and trams. A single ticket, valid for one hour's travel, costs zł3.
Taxi
Taxis in Sopot are reliable and relatively inexpensive. Flagfall is zł7 and then you will pay zł4 per hour.
Car
Sopot is a compact city and on-street parking can be scarce. Parking in a monitored car park and walking is a good option. Car rental is from around zł120.
The Cost of Living in Sopot
Shopping Streets
Heroes of Monte Cassino Street has a number of good boutiques, while Sopot Street Market at Wyścigi Station has everything from fresh produce to jewelry.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk in Sopot will cost zł2.40 and a loaf of bread is zł2.30.