Sopot

 

In Sopot, time flows at your pace

Sopot is one of the most charming Polish cities and one of the most visited resorts on the Baltic Sea. Day or night, summer or winter, it enchants tourists with its variety of attractions, beautiful architecture and the openness of its residents. Since its inception, Sopot has been a favourite holiday destination for the cream of society, inspiring poets and painters, motivating athletes, attracting entrepreneurs and delighting foreign visitors. According to its residents, Sopot is an ideal place to live. This is where dreams come true!



The promenade, known as ‘Monciak’, is famous throughout Poland. It is a street closed to traffic, called Bohaterów Monte Cassino, which runs straight to the pier. On both sides, there are picturesque tenement houses, galleries, pubs and cafés. In summer, Monciak turns into a colourful 600-metre river of tourists. It is one of the most characteristic places in Sopot, the heart of the city and, consequently, the main meeting place.
It is here, on ‘Monciak’, that one of the most interesting examples of bold contemporary architecture attracts the attention of visitors – the Crooked House. The building, inspired by the drawings of Jan Marcin Szancer and Per Dahlberg, a Swedish cartoonist who lived in Sopot for many years, has become almost a symbol of the city. Since its construction in 2004, it has been one of the most photographed buildings in the resort.
An example of more traditional architecture, dazzling with its dignity, is the Grand Hotel, located near the ‘mouth’ of the Sopot promenade. The proud silhouette of this monumental building standing right next to the beach reflects the rich and anecdotal history of one of the most elegant hotels in Poland. It has hosted hundreds of the most distinguished figures from the world of culture, politics and science. Among those whose visits are most often mentioned were Charles Aznavour, Marlena Dietrich, Charles de Gaulle, Greta Garbo and Jan Kiepura.
The Forest Opera in Sopot is unrivalled and unique. This covered amphitheatre, considered by experts to be one of the best venues in Europe in terms of acoustics, hosts the biggest names in classical and popular music every year, delighting thousands of music lovers. Such celebrities as James Brown, Charles Aznavour, Whitney Houston, Annie Lennox, Sir Elton John, Lionel Richie, Bryan Adams and Simply Red have performed here in front of an audience of 5,000. For over 40 years, the Forest Opera has been hosting the International Song Festival – Sopot Festival (Sopot Top of the Top Festival). For a change, the Sopot Classic Festival, which is part of the annual repertoire, is a summer treat for all lovers of classical music.
Sopot also has an excellently developed sports infrastructure. In addition to bicycle paths, rollerblading paths and an athletics stadium located in the neighbouring Tri-City Landscape Park, it also has one of the most advanced sports and entertainment venues in Europe and one of the most innovative in Poland – the Ergo Arena. Located on the border between Sopot and Gdańsk, thanks to its modern design, it can accommodate 11,000 spectators, and with standing room, up to 15,000. The design of the facility makes it possible to host a wide range of sporting events. Volleyball, basketball, handball, combat sports and, interestingly, the possibility of hosting hockey, motor sports and even windsurfing make this hall a truly unique venue. In 2014, ERGO ARENA hosted the World Indoor Athletics Championships. It also guarantees the highest quality of music events and theatre performances. Full technical facilities also allow for the organisation of conferences, business meetings, trade fairs, banquets, galas and other, less conventional events.
Sports enthusiasts also enjoy visiting the Sopot Hippodrome. It is one of three such facilities in Poland. An excellent running track and picturesque location – in the vicinity of wooded moraine hills and the Gulf of Gdańsk – place it among the leading equestrian sports facilities. With beautiful halls, a track and green areas, it is a venue for international equestrian competitions and a recreation centre for residents and visitors.
However, what attracts the most tourists in the summer is the Baltic Sea and the wide, sandy beaches stretching for 4.5 km. They tempt water and sun lovers, while those seeking peace and quiet can enjoy the unique atmosphere and delicious cuisine of the restaurants located along the coastline. The Sopot beach is one of the best-maintained beaches on the Gulf of Gdańsk, highly rated in all national rankings, both in terms of cleanliness and development, as well as safety.
However, it is difficult to imagine visiting Sopot without taking a walk along the city's most characteristic structure – the longest wooden pier in Europe, which juts out into the sea for over 511 m. Built in the 1820s, it has been Sopot's landmark from the very beginning.
The beauty of Sopot's beaches is best appreciated from a distance of several dozen metres from the shore. It was with those who prefer to relax on the water in mind that the marina was built. The Sopot yacht harbour, located at the end of the pier, has been operating since 2011. Its three basins can accommodate 103 vessels. The new marina has increased the city's attractiveness and also helped to protect the pier from the destructive effects of waves and wind.