Sensational Sopot!

2 min read    9 comments

Sopot has a reputation as the hip brother of Gdynia and Gdansk, and if it's nightlife you're looking for, and not to mention shops, cafes and a cracking seaside location - you should jump on the train to Sopot without delay (it's a twenty-five minute journey from Gdansk's main station).

Sopot's image as an affluent destination with a bubbly social scene dovetails well with its pre-war reputation. Zoppot was a highly fashionable resort during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when a colourful, and often rather louche international crowd of aristocrats and artists descended on the resort. Originally it was the magnificent baths and seaside air that kickstarted Sopot's popularity. The baths were in fact created by an energetic former doctor of Napoleon, who fell in love with the location - as well as with the daughter of a local Gdansk patrician!

However, there were soon plenty of other attractions to hold peoples' attentions. Indeed, with its splendid seaside setting and flambuoyant architecture, Sopot was a fine place to have a flutter at the races, hang out at the casinos and, if one was really keen to keep the doctor happy, pay a trip to the baths. Many of the old fin-de-siecle villas of the pre-war crowd have survived, some of which have been reborn as hotels, whilst the splendid old pier still provides marvellous views over the Baltic.

The liveliest part of Sopot today is the area around ul. Bohaterow Monte Cassino, where you'll find many of the most enticing bars and shops. This leads down to the sea front, with its well-maintained beaches and the long pier itself (at 640 metres, its the longest in the Baltic). It's a fine place to kick off, (or round off) your day.

If you want to make the most of your time in Sopot you've certainly come to the right place. Gdansk-life.com is a guide to the delights of all three members of the Tri-city, so use our eat, sleep, drink, shop and play buttons to find the best Sopot and friends have to offer. Meanwhile our Sopot travel section and interactive Sopot map will make sure you don't get lost and end up roughing it on the beach, and our news and events sections will keep you in step with the Baltic beat.

Comments

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Opera Leśna
Poland

Please visit Sopot Opera Lesna http://www.operalesna.com.pl

Reply Nov 9th, 2010
Olli
Finland

Just visited Sopot today, what a great place! Nice beaches, fun for kids, try the pirate ship cruise!

Reply Jun 28th, 2010
John
Germany

Sopot - the place to be!

Reply Jun 28th, 2010
miguel
Portugal

fantastico adorei sopot um dia vou voltar...

Reply Jun 22nd, 2010
Carl Taylor
United Kingdom

Superb place to go in the summer. Great weather all the time, beautiful beaches. Just a perfect place for a holiday. It's not too expensive neither.

Reply Feb 4th, 2010
GP The Great
Italy

Fa nu' ca...cavolo di freddo

Reply Jan 27th, 2010
Jeanette
United Kingdom

Check out the crooked house! Also you Must go the the Whale bar.

Reply Mar 8th, 2009
Martin Lubbers
Netherlands

Very nice place, cheap, good food, nice people. We stayed at a camping site near the beach. Its a place that you must visit when you are nearby Gdansk.

Reply Oct 29th, 2008
Liam
United Kingdom

Great party place in the summer - much more happening than Gdansk. Lots of music concerts, beach parties etc etc. Awesome!

Reply Mar 17th, 2008