It was almost five years ago, in June 2018, when I spent almost three weeks in Poland on a business trip. I was working during the week and had the weekends off. During that time I’ve spent one of the weekends in Sopot and Gdynia, located in the north of Poland on the Baltic Sea.
But let's start at the beginning. Sopot is a relatively small city, as mentioned, in the north of Poland, located between Gdynia and Gdansk. It is a well-known Polish resort, famous especially for its beautiful sandy beach, which is over 4 kilometres long, and its crystal-clear sea. Locals say it is one of the most popular holiday spots in Poland. And if you ask me, they're probably not wrong, because its attractive beaches, rich cultural heritage and vibrant nightlife really make it worth a visit. I haven't experienced the nightlife here myself, but I believe there are some crazy parties going on 😊
I started my tour of the city on the main street, which is a pedestrian street, leading towards the seafront. There are many restaurants and bars offering a variety of food, including local cuisine. There are many fun activities available, from cycling to water sports, and of course walking along the coast. Not to mention the many restaurants and bars, boutique shops. At the time of my visit, Sopot was full of tourists, almost crowded. The air was full of flavours from restaurants, the streets were full of live, voices and laugh, very vibrant and picturesque.
Sopot is also known for its cultural heritage. During my walk, I came across the Church of St. George, one of the most recognisable buildings in the city. It was built in 1901 and is located near the Grand Hotel Sopot, in the very centre of the city. It is built in the shape of a cross and is famous for its stained-glass windows. The church is often used by locals for cultural events and concerts.
I continued my exploration towards the coast. I came to the park that separates the town centre from the beach. People were wandering around and sitting in this beautiful green oasis, and I could no longer feel the crowds of the city. Behind me I could always see St George's Church, and on the edge of the park I saw the imposing Grand Hotel Sopot.
I had read online that this is one of the most famous hotels in Poland. It was built in 1924 and was intended for the rich and famous guests who came here to take a break from their daily commitments. Many Polish films have also been shot here.
What can I say about this beautiful beach? I took off my shoes and walked barefoot on the hot sand, warmed by the sun. The sun loungers looked really comfortable. I could easily have spent the whole day here. People were soaking up the sun's rays, but only a few brave souls were swimming in the sea, as its temperature was quite chilly. From the beach I could see a beautiful, very long pier, which was my next destination.
The pier is one of the most recognisable symbols of the city. It is built of wood and is over 500 metres long, making it one of the longest wooden piers in the world. It was built in 1827 and has, of course, been rebuilt several times. On payment of an entrance fee, it offers us the unique experience to walk over the Baltic Sea and enjoy the magnificent view. I bumped into a newlywed couple who, at least I assumed, were having their wedding photo shooting.
I continued my journey to the city of Gdynia, which is one of the most important ports in the country. I remember that during the drive I was listening to a radio station broadcasting in English. It was about the high number of drownings that are recorded in Poland every year, even more than 700 cases a year. The broadcast was raising awareness of this problem and talked about the main reasons for this very high number. The main causes mentioned were the failure to heed safety warnings and alcohol.
When I arrived in Gdynia, I parked my car near the marina. There were a lot of sailboats and other small vessels parked. A feast for my eyes!
It is almost impossible to overlook the large Ferris wheel of Gdynia. I did not take a ride on it, but I believe that it offers a wonderful view of the city and the surrounding area, as well as of the Baltic Sea.
I continued my way to the harbour, where two ships were moored. When I got to them, I realised that they were part of the Maritime War Museum (Morski Muzeum Wojennei), which is dedicated to Poland's maritime history and wars at sea. The first ship, the ORP Blyskawica, is a Polish warship used during the Second World War in many naval battles and is today one of the best-preserved warships of that period. It was built in 1935 and todays is moored here in Gdynia, converted into a museum.
The second ship is a sailing ship called Dar Pomorza. It was built in 1909. It served as a school sailing ship for the German Naval Academy. It is a huge triple-sailing ship, measuring 97 metres in length.
I think I made the most of my weekend and enjoyed the day trip to Sopot and Gdynia. I’ve enjoyed discovering a part of Poland - beautiful beaches and rich history.
Thanks for reading,
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Best regards,
