Sopot

Introducing Sopot

Prepare yourself for a shock if arriving in Sopot after a tour of Pomerania’s rural districts – this is 21st-century Poland, writ large. As the favoured playground of citizens of neighbouring Gdynia and Gdańsk, along with plentiful international visitors, Sopot is sophisticated and cosmopolitan, and isn’t afraid to show it. Unlike its rival seaside towns to the west, Sopot offers both beachfront attractions and cutting-edge urban style, being well populated with stylish bars, clubs and restaurants.

Sopot’s incarnation as a fashionable resort arose in 1823 when Jean Georges Haffner, a former doctor in Napoleon’s army, popularised sea bathing here. The settlement, originally established in the 13th century as a fishing village, rapidly became the beach destination of the rich and famous, particularly after WWI when it was included in the territory of the Free City of Danzig.

The resort life continues today, with Sopot attracting large numbers of visitors to its long, sandy beach and varied nightlife. Despite being at the centre of the Tri-City, Sopot has managed to maintain an identity separate from its two bigger neighbours. Though pricey in places, it’s a fantastic place for some R&R and a splurge or two.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009