Things to do in Sopot

10 Best Things to Do in Sopot & Why You Should Visit

Sopot is not a city with the level of fame as Warsaw or even nearby Gdańsk in Poland. However, it is a city worth a visit, and this article holds the best things to do in Sopot. From enjoying the activities that the sparkling blue Baltic Sea has to offer, to enjoying some good shopping or a piece of history at a museum, Sopot’s small size still offers a powerful punch. There is a reason it one of the most visited places in Poland, with over 2 million people visiting this town of 40 thousand people every year. 

First, I will note that not included on this list is a walk along the famous Bohaterow Monte Cassino. This is because many of the attractions on this list require walking on this pedestrian promenade. In fact, it is already a guarantee you walk on this street if you want to eat, shop, or just make it to the beach from the train station. Thus, no planning is needed for this area! 

Most people choose to visit Sopot from Gdańsk, as Sopot’s small size does mean it is easily possible to see everything in a day. However, many people choose to stay for multiple days. In fact, Sopot’s entire history is as a seaside resort, populated and visited by famous Poles of years past and present. In fact, not only is this a resort, but it is a major health-spa, a place where you can feel refreshed and healthy.  

Overall, Sopot is a fun place to visit. I have been to Sopot each of the 4 times of have been to Gdańsk as well, so I can strongly say you do not want to skip it, based on my own personal experiences.  

Best Things to Do in Sopot

1. Relax on Sopot Beach

Location | Website 

Description: Sopot is, as mentioned, a beach resort town. So, naturally, the beach of Sopot is the central attraction of Sopot. Not only is it one of the best things to do in Sopot, but it is also one of the best things to do, and beaches, in all of Poland. The beach stretches for 4 km (2.5 miles) and is completely sandy. Here, you will be enjoying the waters of the Gdańsk Bay, as part of the Baltic Sea. This means that the water is generally quite cold. However, during the summer, it is swimmable, and if you like cold plunges, you can dip in for a second in the winter.  

Most people choose to sit and relax on the beach instead. The beach is very wide, so there is certainly ample room to lay a blanket down and relax and get your summer tan completed. If you have kids, there are also a few playgrounds built into the dunes as well. Even during the winter, when the sun disappears and the water of the Baltic gets alarmingly cold, people flock to Sopot. Rather than sit, people walk up and down the sandy shores. 

Sopot beach
Sopot beach with a view of the Baltic Sea. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

So, no matter the season, I recommend Sopot Beach as one of the best things to do in Sopot, and the number one thing that should be on your list. You too should be struck by its beauty as so many tourists from Poland and the world alike. 

Costs: Using the beach is entirely free of charge. Just make sure to bring some of your beach gear with you! 

Opening Hours: The beach is open 24/7. There are no lifeguards on the shore, but there may be some in the water during the summer. But swim at your own risk! The best time to go is in the morning, so you can snag a good spot before the crowds get too heavy.  

Transit Information: The beach is a 20-minute walk from the Sopot Train Station. As there are almost 40 entries to the beach, there are a few bus stations to choose from. The most common one you will use will be at the Grand Hotel bus stop. Bus 122 takes you from north Sopot, or near Gdańsk Wrzeszcz. Alternatively, Bus 187 hits a lot of the main stops in Sopot. Another choice is to take Bus 144 or Bus 185 to Chopina. Parking is best done at one of the hotels near to the beach, such as Sheraton Sopot.  

2. Walk down Sopot Pier

Location | Website 

Description: When you wander down to the beach, you will certainly notice this pier. First opened in 1827, Sopot Pier sticks out into the water for over 500 meters (over 1600 ft), making it the longest wooden pier in all of Europe! This certainly makes it one of the best things to do in Sopot. A walk along the pier gives you stunning views of the Baltic Sea. Looking south, you can see the docks of Gdańsk, and looking north you can see Gdynia and its stunning cliffs. Finally, once you walk far enough, make sure to turn around to admire Sopot, with the grand hotels in the foreground and the forested hills in the background.  

Once you walk all the way down to the pier, you will find the marina, where the next of the best things to do in Sopot will embark. But here you will also find a small viewing platform, with telescopes, so you can see the massive cargo ships making their way to port, as well as ferries on the way to Sweden and other places along the Baltic. If you want to do something else, stop for a quick bite to eat at the restaurant on the pier, which while expensive, gives you a very leisurely view of the sea while enjoying some delicious seafood.  

Sopot Pier
Sopot Pier sticks out into the water for over 500 meters (over 1600 ft). Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

Costs: The pier costs money during the busy season, usually from sometime in early April to the very beginning of October. A ticket costs 10 PLN/5 PLN reduced. The reduced price only applies to children between the age of 3 and 16, not university students like at many other places in Poland. There are also discounts available for seniors and friends. During the off-season, entry to the pier is completely free.  

Opening Hours: The hours of the pier are constantly changing. When the pier is free, it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During the payment season, the pier is open 7 days a week, but not always 24 hours per day. At a minimum, the pier is open from 8 AM to 8 PM during the busy season. During the busiest parts of the season, usually from the end of June until the end of August, the pier is open 24 hours per day. Check their website for the exact hours based on the date you visit, as it is very specific to the year you are visiting.   

Transit Information: Given that Sopot Pier is right next to the main parts of Sopot Beach, follow the instructions for Sopot beach listed above! 

3. Take a boat ride on the Baltic Sea

Location | Website Statek | Website Speedboat 

Description: One of the water’s joys is getting a chance to go out and enjoy it. Thus, taking one of the many boat trips offered in Sopot is one of the best things to do in Sopot, so you can get to know the Baltic Sea even better. From my experience, there are two options that are worth considering. The first is taking a leisurely cruise on the pirate ship “Statek.” While these tours will be offered in Polish only, you will be on a large boat with lots of people. The pleasure comes from enjoying the views and getting to sail on an actual pirate ship! There is a reason these sorts of rides are so popular across Poland. 

If you are looking for a more adventurous experience, consider renting a speedboat. One company that does well-regarded speed boat tours in Sopot is Riby. On these 8-person speedboats, you will zip around the sea for a minimum of an hour, enjoying some thrilling turns and spins, and getting to rapidly explore the coast around Sopot. This experience is recommended for those with older children and thrill seekers! But, in my opinion, if you get the chance to do either, both are worth it, and some of the best things to do in Sopot! 

Take a boat trip in Sopot
You can book a boat trip in Sopot. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

Costs: For the pirate ship “Statek,” a regular ticket costs 70 PLN/60 PLN reduced for students and children. You can also buy a 4-person family ticket for 220 PLN to save a bit of money. For the speedboats, you can arrange an hour-long trip for a price to be agreed upon with the company, so contact them ahead of time at the website listed above.  

Do note that the price is the same whether you have 1 person on the boat or a full 8. Please also note that for both, you will also have to buy a ticket for the pier during the summer season to get access to the ships. But, since you should plan to explore the pier anyways, this should not be a big deal.  

Opening Hours: The pirate ship “Statek” is open only during the summer season. It opens for 2024 from Monday, April 29th and usually runs until the end of October. During the tourist season, the Statek will run consistently, with boats leaving starting at 11 AM once every 70 minutes until 4:50 PM. Make sure to arrive 20 minutes before your cruise. Additionally, the ship trips are subject to good weather conditions and the minimum number of tickets sold (20). 

For the speedboats, I could not find any confirmed time of when they run. However, I have only seen them in operation during the spring and summer season, so I would expect you can only use them during this season. But feel free to reach out at the website linked to find out for yourself, they might still do cruises even in the winter, weather allowing (but I imagine the weather conditions would rarely allow this).  

Transit Information: Given that the leaving point for the boats is from Sopot pier on Sopot beach, follow the same instructions for Sopot Beach to get to the place to leave for the boats. The companies should also send emails explaining the embarkment point as well once you buy a ticket online.  

4. Have a coffee and shop in Krzywy Domek

Location | Website 

Description: If you are looking for the most unique thing on a list of best things to do in Sopot, Krzywy Domek fulfills that criterion. Literally meaning “crooked house,” this building is a small shopping mall once labelled “the strangest building in the world.” The warped building is located on Sopot’s main promenade, Bohaterow Monte Cassino. The front features crooked windows, walls, windows, and even business signs. There are also a few nice trees directly in front to supply some perspective! 

Inside you will find a variety of shops typical of a mall. You can have a bite to eat, shop for some clothes, or buy a book at the bookstore. Both times I have visited, I chose to just have a hot drink at the Costa Coffee in the direct front, where you can appreciate the odd-shaped windows, and feel like a celebrity as you walk out the main entrance to people taking photos. Finally, make sure to take a walk down ul. Jana Jerzego Haffnera to see a slightly different perspective of the building, something many tourists miss! 

Krzywy Domek
Krzywy Domek in Sopot. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

Costs: Entering the Krzywy Domek is completely free or taking a picture of the outside. Any costs are based on what you buy inside.  

Opening Hours: The hours I found online allege that the Krzywy Domek is open every day from 8 AM to 4 AM. However, I would take that with a grain of salt. Rather, expect normal shopping mall hours, so open until 11 PM. The outside is of course always open to explore! 

Transit Information: Given Krzywy Domek’s location on Bohaterow Monte Cassino, it is only a short walk from Sopot train station, or the previously mentioned Grand Hotel bus stop, with service from Gdańsk and other parts of Sopot. Additionally, the Sopot PKP bus station is nearby, with service via Bus 143 from Jelitkowo and Oliwa in Gdańsk. There is also a small amount of street parking nearby that is hard to get.  

5. Visit Kościół św. Jerzego w Sopocie

Location | Website 

Description: This church is often the first thing seen by tourists as they enter Sopot, due to its location next to the main Sopot train station. While this church is not the oldest or fanciest in Poland, it still serves as a landmark and icon of the city. Built between 1899 and 1901 with the aid of Kaiser Wilhelm, as a Lutheran church. After the war, and Gdańsk’s rejoining of Poland, the church became Catholic. Thus, you get to experience a unique feature of this church, being that it is in the typical evangelical church style while holding a Catholic diocese.  

The church Kościół św. Jerzego w Sopocie in Sopot
The church Kościół św. Jerzego w Sopocie in Sopot. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

The inside is humble and peaceful. The main attraction is the Sculpture of Our Lady of Częstochowa. It was a sea-faring statue for over 3 decades, being contributed to its ship’s great luck in surviving WWII, before resting in the church. If you want a non-religious relic to see, consider visiting Wojtek the Bear, a small statue on the church’s grounds viewable from the promenade. Wojtek was a bear adopted by Polish soldiers who earned wages, had a uniform, and supposedly even smoked. He took place in liberations of Italian cities, and his legend lives on in this statue.  

Church Wojtek The Bear in Sopot
Wojtek the Bear looks very friendly. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

Costs: Entering the church is free.  

Opening Hours: You can enter the church every day between 7:30 AM and 8:30 PM. However, the church requests you not enter during mass, which happens at 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11 AM, 12:30 PM, 6 PM, and 7:30 PM on Sundays, and at 7:30 AM and 6 PM on weekdays, as well as two special services on Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:30 PM.  

Transit Information: Given the church’s location on the western end of Bohaterow Monte Cassino, the church is only a short walk from the train station, and the Sopot PKP bus station. Read earlier entries on Krzywy Domek and Sopot Beach for more information about the transit options available.  

6. Rent a bike and take a ride

Location | Website 

Description: Sopot is an amazing place to bike, and thus renting a bike should be on your list of best things to do in Sopot. The main place to bike is along the beachfront bike paths that span from Sopot all the way down south to Jelitkowo Beach in Gdańsk, and even further to Brzezno Beach, and all the way to central Gdańsk if you are ambitious enough.

But in Sopot, you will probably bike on Aleja Franciszka Mamuszki and Aleja Wojska Polskiego. On this route, you bike right next to the sandy beaches of Sopot and the waves of the Baltic, and then continue onwards on a shaded bike path, with various entry points to the beach along the way. 

Renting a bike in Sopot is also very easy. There are various places available during the summer season to rent bikes for a short period of time, or for an entire day or week. However, if you want a local recommendation I received from a native of Gdańsk, I recommend using MeVo. This bike share service supplies normal and electric bikes for locals and tourists to use. All you must do is download the app (see the link to the website above), pay a small registration fee, and you are able to unlock bikes throughout Sopot!  

Bike path route in Sopot
You can ride a bike in Sopot. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

Not only is this the easiest way to rent a bike, but it should also be the cheapest! I used this on my latest trip to Sopot, and it could not have been easier. But, in general, you should rent a bike on a visit to Sopot. 

Costs: Using MeVo is cheap and easy, with the registration fee only being 10 PLN. With that you get 2 free hours per day (depending on the season). Otherwise, you pay 0.10 PLN per minute for a normal bike, or 0.20 PLN per minute for an electric bike. Other bike services will be a lump sum for a certain number of hours but will likely cost in the range of 20-30 PLN per hour, or maybe around 80-100 PLN for the entire day. 

Opening Hours: You can use MeVo anytime of the day. Other rental agencies will be open during typical business hours, on a case-by-case basis. But, since you can rent bikes for 24 hours at most, you do not have to worry about rushing back at certain hours if you want to rent later in the day. 

Transit Information: MeVo bike stations are found throughout the city. You should not have to take any public transport to any special place to find one of the stations. Rather, you should find them where the public transport takes you. Also, some other services are mostly in the center, so follow instructions for Sopot Beach to get to them.  

7. Visit a museum and learn more about Sopot

Location Grodzisko | Website Grodzisko | Location Sopot Museum | Website Sopot Museum 

Description: While Sopot may be a small town, there are still two museums worth your time for a quick visit, especially if you are planning an extended stay. The first museum of interest is Grodzisko, a branch of the Archaeological Museum in Gdańsk that is the historic sight of the oldest settlement in Sopot. This settlement was founded in the early-medieval times as a small fortress and can now be seen today surrounded by a beautiful green area full of streams, huts, fences, and other ancient elements. You can also see found relics placed in their original environment, while learning the history of Sopot and Poland. 

The Sopot Museum is a small museum in a historic house overlooking the sea, about a 10-minute walk south of the main part of Sopot. Inside, you will find a lovely, decorated interior to explore. Admittedly, the downstairs is small, but the plant room is a highlight. Upstairs, you will find the entertaining temporary exhibits. When I attended, it was historical opinions of Sopot by famous Poles, these opinions ranging from the normal to extremely honest and colorful. If you get bored of the inside, the small grounds are a nice place to sit and take a breather.  

Inside Sopot Museum
Inside Sopot Museum. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

Costs: For the Grodzisko, tickets cost 12 PLN/10 PLN reduced, or you can buy a family ticket for up to 5 people for 40 PLN. Alternatively, visit on Tuesday for free. The Sopot Museum costs 15 PLN/7 PLN reduced. It is free on Sundays, a day I recommend you visit Sopot in general, and thus also this museum.  

Opening Hours: The museum is open year-round from Tuesday to Sunday. From April to October, the museum is open from 9 AM to 5 PM with last entry at 4:30 PM, and from November to March entry is possible from 10 AM to 4 PM, with last entry at 3:30 PM. The Sopot Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. It is closed on Mondays.  

Transit Information: Grodzisko w Sopocie is located north of the city center, kind of in no-man’s land. There is some extensive parking nearby at Parking Lesny. Additionally, you can take Bus 122 from Sopot to Plac Kusocinskiego and walk a short distance from there. Additionally, you can bike there, as there is a MeVo bike point only a short walk from the museum. Finally, it is only about a 20-minute walk to the museum from Sopot, and it is a nice walk to boot. For the Sopot Museum, your best bet is walking or biking from the Sopot Pier, as it is found right along the main biking path along the water. 

8. Attend a concert or festival at Opera Leśna

Location | Website 

Description: Opera Leśna is one of the most unique concert venues in the world. Located amid dense forest in the west of Sopot, only a short 20-minute walk from the Sopot Train station, attending a concert here should certainly be high on your bucket list of best things to do in Sopot. Built originally in 1909 by Germans, it has been used as an entertainment center for operas, concerts, festivals, and more ever sense. While initially famous for its operas, its fame has shifted to pop music.  

Since 1961, Opera Leśna has hosted the Sopot International Song Festival. While the name has changed and it has not been hosted every year due to political reasons or financial reasons, it is often considered the second most popular song festival in Europe after Eurovision. To be honest, it is more of a chance for Poland to flex its music muscle, as Poland has won the contest 17 times. Countries from all over the world compete, even outside of Europe. The three days of this contest are a unique and charming experience, and a reason to visit Opera Leśna as one of the best things to do in Sopot. 

Opera Lesna in Sopot
Opera Lesna in Sopot. Taken by Stanisław Krawczyk on Unsplash.

Costs: For sightseeing, a ticket costs 12 PLN/8 PLN. But, from September to May, it is free to visit the concert hall. A concert price depends on which concert is happening, so check their website for more info. 

Opening Hours: Currently (as of October 31, 2023), the facility is not open for visitors until further notice. So, if you are planning to visit farther in the future (or are reading about this much later in the future), the Opera should be open for business as usual. So, I would check their website and Facebook for the most up-to-date information. However, it does look like they at least have a New Year’s Event happening, so check that out if you will be in Poland for the change from 2023 to 2024! 

Transit Information: The Opera Leśna is not served by public transit typically. However, it is only a short 18-minute walk from the main train station of Sopot, with a short hill along the way. You can also easily bike there. Otherwise, your best bet is driving and parking in the massive gravel lot by the Hotel Opera. However, if you want to take the bus, your best choice is Bus 143 to the Sopot Sanatorium stop and walking a distance from there.   

9. Hike the hills of Sopot

Location | Website 

Description: An underrated gem of this area of Poland around Gdańsk and Sopot are the large, forested hills west of the city. Sopot has great access to these hills, with Opera Leśna being amongst them. There are many kilometers of trails to explore, and even campsites available to pitch a tent! In fact, you can freely camp in these designated places and make a fire without a reservation or permit! In this way, the hills of Sopot are accessible, fun, and a chance to add a fun adventure to your trip to Sopot! 

While there is no specific place to start from in the hills, due to their mass size, there are some highlights. One of these is Wieża Widokowa w Kolibkach, a viewing platform found 28 meters (92 feet) above the ground, giving you a stunning view of the hills, Sopot, and the Baltic Sea. And it is entirely free if you are willing to brave the heights! Otherwise, look for some of the ruins and monuments, including what remains of an old German restaurant and more! It is a good respite from the crowded streets of Sopot, and worth a visit as one of the best things to do in Sopot. 

Costs: It is free to hike the hills of Sopot! 

Opening Hours: The hiking areas are open 24/7, but hiking in daylight only is highly recommended. 

Transit Information: Bus 181 from the Sopot Train station will take you up into the hills. There are a variety of stops to choose from to start your hike, whether that be Brodwino or Schroniksiko Sopotkowo. Otherwise, it is best to take your car to the trail you wish to hike, and park there. You can also take the previously mentioned Bus 143 up into the hills.  

10. Relax at Aqua Park Sopot

Location | Website 

Description: Have your kids behaved well during your stay in Sopot, and do you want to reward them? Or are you looking to relax in a spa at a reasonable price compared to the grand spas in the expensive hotels in Sopot? Aqua Park Sopot is the place for you and is certainly one of the best things to do in Poland. While a little pricy, it can be considered a guilty splurge that you (and your kids) will enjoy a lot. The pools are amazing for all ages, with areas for kids of all ages including your youngest, seasonal outdoor pools, and even waterslides! 

However, the real draw is the saunas. Aqua Park Sopot offers many saunas, from the Ancient Roman style Laconium, Serail baths, a variety of different saunas from Nordic to Finnish to an Aroma Sauna, and more. They offer a variety of spa packages and group packages if you want to come to Sopot with a large group (here’s looking at you, hen and stag parties). All in all, what Aqua Park Sopot offers is more inclusive and affordable than other spots in Sopot, making it worth a visit for you to enjoy the fun and relaxation.  

Aqua Park Sopot
Outside Aqua Park Sopot. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

Costs: The costs vary, depending on how long you want to stay and what you want to use. You can pay for just the pools, the saunas, or both, for a time limit of 1 hour, 3 hours, or all day. For just the pools, tickets cost 49 PLN/92 PLN/125 PLN, or 42 PLN/80 PLN/100 PLN reduced.

For the saunas, tickets cost 69 PLN/109 PLN/139 PLN with no reduced ticket price available, and towel rentals costing 25 PLN. Finally, for both, tickets cost 89 PLN/149 PLN/199 PLN. Do notice they keep track of the time religiously, charging you 1 PLN per minute per ticket for every extra minute you stay over your deadline to leave. Also note these prices change often! 

Opening Hours: Aqua Park Sopot is open every day from 10 AM to 10 PM and for an extra hour on weekends from 9 AM to 10 PM. These hours may change based on the season, so call ahead. 

Transit Information: The Aqua Park is found closest to Sopot Kamienny Potok train station, one stop farther north than the main Sopot train station. From there, it is a short 5-minute walk. Alternatively, you can take Bus 122 to its northern terminus. Otherwise, there is plenty of parking available on site. It is also not that long of a bike ride from the center of Sopot. 

Best Things to Do in Sopot: Day Trips

If for some reason, you choose Sopot as your base for exploring the Trójmiasto and Northern Poland, there are many places you can take an easy day trip to from Sopot. These cities and locations are below, with a little more information. In my opinion, a day trip in this area is one of the best things you can do in Sopot without having to be in Sopot! Finally, all cities mentioned are reachable by train from the Sopot Train Station and would also be easily accessible by car if you chose to travel this way. The distance traveled to each place should take no more than an hour.  

  • Gdańsk: Most people visit Sopot from Gdańsk already. But, if this is not the case for you, make sure you spend at least one day in Gdańsk in addition to your time in Sopot! Use that day to explore the historic Old Town, have a nice meal on the canal, and maybe visit one of the fabulous museums in Gdańsk, such as the Solidarity Museum or the Museum of the Second World War. Honestly, I recommend spending more than one day in Gdańsk though. Keep an eye out for future articles about Gdańsk! 
  • Gdynia: The third city of the Trójmiasto is also the least visited of the three. However, despite its industrial feel, there are still a few highlights. For some stunning nature, visit Orłowski Cliff for stunning views of the Baltic. Also consider taking the funicular up the hill at Kamienna Góra for more stunning views. A final location worth a visit is the Gdynia Aquarium to learn more about the Baltic, with lots of fun activities for kids. 
  • Hel: Yes, in the ultra-Catholic Poland there is a city called Hel. In fact, there is an entire peninsula named Hel. Home to one of the best beaches in Poland, Hel is a small peninsula jutting out into the Baltic that is a super popular place to take a boat trip to. In fact, from the Sopot Pier, you can take a ferry boat directly to Hel during the summer season. Otherwise, there are trains available leaving from Gdynia, but the boat is certainly more convenient.  
  • Malbork Castle: While closer to Gdańsk than Sopot, Malbork Castle, a landmark of Poland, is easily reachable by train from Sopot. Malbork is one of the largest castles of the world and is full of interesting exhibits and stories to tell about the medieval era of Poland, in this area of Poland formerly dominated by the Prussian empire. Spend at least 2 to 3 hours at this castle for the full experience. 

Best Hotels and Restaurants in Sopot

Sopot is a nice place to stay in if you want to stay in Sopot rather than stay in another city nearby, such as Gdańsk. However, staying in Sopot is a bit more expensive. I would personally recommend staying in Gdańsk, where there is an abundance of cheap places to stay, and then taking the cheap train that leaves quite often for Sopot. But, if you would rather stay in Sopot, below is a short list of some hotels worth a visit. 

  • Sofitel Grand Sopot: This grand hotel is an icon of the city, looming over the beach. This beautiful hotel will set you back a lot, however, as it is a 5-star hotel. But, if you have the money or want to splurge, a night here is a wonderful experience. 
  • SeaSide Sopot: If you want a budget option, this hotel supplies the bare minimum, but still in a nice environment, right next to the beach, at a price the average person can better afford than the prior entry on this list.  
  • Bayjonn Hotel Sopot: For a mid-range choice, consider this hostel. The prices are a bit lower, the amenities a bit nicer (with a sauna and fitness center available), and you are right on the main square of Sopot, only a short walk from the beach.  

Sopot is also home to many delicious restaurants. While I have not gotten the chance to stay at a hotel in Sopot, I have gotten to try a few restaurants in Sopot. Below are three I really liked. 

  • Fidel: This restaurant is found a bit off the main square, and is often missed by tourists, who get drawn into one of the many restaurants lining the main promenade on the way to the beach. That would be a mistake. Here, you can get many good cocktails, smaller main dishes and tapas. And you can get the “best dessert in the world” (according to my mom who tried it) this being their chocolate fondant with mango sorbet.  
Pizzatopia
Pizzatopia in Sopot. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.
  • Pizzatopia: If you are looking for a cool pizza experience, try Pizzatopia. Here, you can customize your own pizza like a visit to Subway. There are many toppings to choose from, whether you want classic toppings like salami, or more Polish toppings like beets. The staff is super friendly, the interior is super modern, with bright neon signs even in the bathroom. So, if you are looking for a restaurant on the main promenade in Sopot, I recommend this one. 
  • Billy’s American Restaurant: For the most expensive choice on this list, try Billy’s. A small chain in this part of Poland, you can get some decent food here. As an American myself, I can give the ribs a thumbs up. You will pay the price, but the food, the ambience, and the killer views of the beach and the Baltic Sea make it worth it in the end. 
Billy’s American Restaurant
Eating inside Billy’s American Restaurant. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

How to Get to Sopot

The best way to get to Sopot from Gdańsk or Gdynia is using the SKM regional trains. These trains run multiple times per hour year-round and get you to Sopot in between 15-25 minutes from either Gdynia or Gdańsk. Naturally, these trains are also super popular amongst tourists, and can get quite crowded. You can buy tickets from machines at all the train stations in Gdańsk. The tickets are cheap, costing no more than 8 PLN per person in one direction.  

However, I would recommend buying the tickets from a person at the window if possible. At the Gdańsk Główny, the staff at the ticket window in the pedestrian walkway below the station, or at the main ticket window in the station, can get you roundtrip tickets with the right discount. After you have your tickets, make sure that you validate your ticket at the validation machines found on the platform, or at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the platform! Visit the SKM website for more info. 

Of course, if you are traveling to Sopot from another place in Poland other than Gdańsk or Gdynia, getting to Sopot is also no problem. Pretty much every intercity and express train stops at the Sopot train station, so you can get directly to Sopot from Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, and other major Polish cities. You can also do the same by bus, as most FlixBus routes will also stop in Sopot. Finally, if you want to drive, there are parking lots spread throughout the city, where prices vary. Or pick a hotel with parking available to save some time and effort.  

How to Get Around Sopot

Getting around to the main areas in Sopot is best done on foot, as Sopot is flat. There is also public transport available, and you may use it to get to some of the places on this list as shown under each list entry. However, if you are looking for a more dynamic way to get around, consider using the bike rental service I already mentioned, MeVo. The app is available in English, is super easy to download, and the registration is also super easy. All you must do is pay that 10 PLN up front, and you get 2 hours per day free of bike riding (at least at the time of writing). For more information, visit their website. 

Conclusions about Best Things to Do in Sopot

Sopot is a nice place to visit. There is a reason that every time I visited Gdańsk after the first time, I chose to visit Sopot as well to show my friends and family who came with me. Sopot is beautiful, with lots of fun activities to do, good food and lodging, and nice people to boot. So, if you are planning a trip to Gdańsk soon, do not skip Sopot! 

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