What to do in Sopot?

Sopot is a small Polish city on the Baltic Coast. Funnily enough, it’s also my mum’s hometown, so I have a special place in my heart for this little city. Sopot links with the cities of Gdańsk and Gdynia to form the metropolitan area of Tri City. These three Baltic cities together make up a major tourist hub along the Polish Riviera.

Since I have been able to travel, we have ventured to this city several times in order to catch up with family and friends. Each time we are treated to a brand new experience, so I like to think I know this place pretty well! If you’re wondering what to do in Sopot, let’s begin with the best bit… the food…

Where can I eat in Sopot?

Sopot has a huge variety of restaurants to cater to the large number of tourists that venture here each year. Whether you are in the mood for Italian, Polish, and French or even Middle Eastern, you will easily be able to find what you’re looking for.

As the city lies along the coast, fish forms a large part of the diet here. This means that you can find some incredible seafood restaurants in the city centre.

Radisson Blu Hotel is a great option. The hotel specialises in fusing the locally-sourced produce from the Baltic Sea with stunning Mediterranean flavours. Better yet, it offers incredible views over the hotel gardens, making it perfect for a light lunch on a sunny afternoon.

Another great option is Pescatore, which is located in the Sopot Marriot Hotel. It offers both the flavours of the Med and fish, all within a very stylish setting.

Going with the Riviera theme, I should also add in the suggestion of Polskie Smaki. Unlike the previous two options, this place specialises in authentic Polish cuisine. Again, they use locally-sourced ingredients to bring the flavours of the region straight to your dinner plate.

All of these are fantastic for a more formal evening and constantly remind you that you are very much within Poland’s answer to Cannes.

Looking for somewhere a bit more laid back and relaxed? Don’t worry, Sopot has you covered.

Sopocki Młyn is famous in Sopot for their pierogi. If you have read my other Polish City guides, you will recognise pierogi as one of the staple foods in Poland. This restaurant’s name translates as ‘Sopot Mill’, deriving from the restaurant’s use of flour in many of their key dishes. Treat yourself to a light lunch of pierogi or pasta, depending on whichever takes your fancy.

Another great choice for a more casual bite is Tapas. And, yes you guessed it, they offer a variety of different tapas options. Here you will find dishes from across the Mediterranean and Poland as well as their signature drink Gruszkówka, a type of pear liquor which is very tasty!

Lastly, I need to give a shout out to Pinokio which is named (shockingly) after one of everyone’s favourite Disney films. It has a very Polish vibe whilst offering many different cuisines such as Polish, Pizza and more. It also has a great cocktail list so could be used to have some drinks and a meal before hitting the town.

One of my favourite restaurants however has to be the Mountain Cabin Harnaś. It is slightly more out of the way, but offers an incredible dining experience. Set in the middle of a woodland it seems more like a chalet in the Black Forest than a restaurant in a Polish City. Nevertheless, the food is tasty and there is a huge selection of things to try. Certainly worth a visit.

Where can I grab a drink in Sopot?

Browar Miejski (Image Source: Stewart Overland)

Sopot is a quite a ‘young’ city and certainly aims towards the Millennial demographic. Because of this there are plenty of bars to explore whilst you are in Poland’s party capital. Most of the bars can be found along Bohaterów Montecasino, the main street in the centre named after the Polish heroes who fought in this battle during the Second World War.

For a quiet drink

Firstly, if you are like me and just want a quiet drink in the evening away from all the madness, head over to Browar Miejski Sopot for a taste of a local brewery. This award-winning establishment offers plenty of cheap beer all infused with rich flavours of Poland. Jack and I absolutely loved this place and headed here a few times with some friends whilst staying in the city.

It also offers ‘tasting boards’ where you can have a selection of four pints so that you can try as many different combinations as possible. One of Jack’s favourites was the Dark Ale which had been fused with chocolate and coffee to give two very different flavours. They also do other exciting flavours such as cherry, which I could full-heartedly recommend. In short, it is a must-see place in Sopot.

For something a bit less chill

Should you be more in the mood for a party atmosphere then Montecasino still has much more to offer.

3 Siostry is one of the more popular destinations and covers the different elements of café, nightclub and bar. It is certainly quirky and has a great selection of drinks too. It can get a little busy so make sure that you arrive with a bit of time to spare to avoid disappointment. Oh, it also has some shoes on the ceiling which is an interesting touch…

If you’ve ever wanted to have a nightclub and art gallery combination then Dwie Zmiany could be for you! Whilst I would argue this place is far more hipster than the other options, it still is great for a night ou. The wide-selection of drinks are also cheap when compared to similar places in the UK.

Perhaps the most famous bar is Zatoka Sztuki which can be found right on the beach. This cool little venue is actually only open during the day and is well-worth a visit to truly make the most of the beach, cheap drinks and gorgeous scenery.

And for a cup of coffee

If you aren’t in Sopot for the party atmosphere, there are plenty of little cafes and coffee shops to indulge yourself in.

Café Zaścianek and Café Stella are both two of my favourite places to grab a morning coffee. Both play more towards the traditional side of things and really bring out a unique Polish atmosphere. I can certainly recommend both of these.

Where to visit in Sopot

Sopot didn’t become the party capital without things to do during the day (aside from chilling at Zatoka all day, that is).

Sopot Pier/ The ‘Molo’

Sopot Wooden pier with a group of people walking in the sunshine

The first thing you just need to do is head over to the pier. Proudly boasting the longest wooden pier in Europe, Sopot’s certainly feels really special when you walk along it. Unlike many in the UK, there are no tacky shops or games on the Molo. It almost feels like you have been transported back in time somewhat. To make things better, it offers amazing views and should be one of the first things each visitor to Sopot does.

The Beach

After your walk on the pier, you may as well head on over to the beach. If it is sunny, what better thing to do that lather up in suncream and just do what Sopot was made for; relax.

Along the beach you will find tonnes of different bars, cafés and restaurants, as well as opportunities to try out some water sports. Last time we were here there was a man jet-packing across the water. I think that sums up just how crazy this place can get!

Stroll along Montecasino Street

Heading back towards the town, you have plenty of options of things to see and do. Whilst you walk along Montecasino take up the opportunity to browse the different shops. Be sure to take a photo of the famous ‘Crooked House’, which looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland.

Catch a game of tennis

There are also plenty of opportunities for active people to really indulge in some sport. Tennis is a big deal in Sopot (Rafael Nadal won his first tournament here) and there are regular games at the Sopot Tennis Club.

As well as this there are multiple cycling and walking routes across the picturesque landscape and a big basketball presence, with the team often referred to as the ‘Heart of Sopot’.

Enjoy at show at the Forest Opera

The Forest Opera in Sopot with people ready for an evening show

If like me you are into the cultural sites of Sopot then look no further than the Forest Opera. This impressive structure is the place where concerts happen in the city and is the ideal site for a night out. Whilst in Sopot, we have been to countless different concerts and I can honestly say I have been dazzled and impressed by each one.

Staying for longer?

Outside of the city, the giant castle of Malbork is located not too far away (around a 40 minute train ride away). The other cities of the Tri City district (Gdańsk and Gdynia) are also certainly worth a visit.

There is just so much to do in and around this impressive Polish seaside town and I cannot wait to visit again.

Sopot marina with a number of small boats a yachts on peaceful water

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My Travel Tips and Recommendations

Flights

My usual go-to for booking flights is Skyscanner, the flight search engine. What I love about Skyscanner is that you have various options depending on your situation. If you know where you want to go it’s easy – all you need is to search for your destination and dates, and you are provided with all flight options to choose from. If you haven’t decided on your next trip yet, you can use the Everywhere tool for inspiration and to find the cheapest places to fly to.

Accommodation

Whenever I plan my travels Booking.com is my best friend. The website is super easy to use and provides a whole range of accommodation from fancy resorts to budget hotels. Jack and I also regularly use Airbnb – in particular, for staycations in the UK.

Things I can’t travel without

As a travel blogger and keen photographer I never travel without my trusty technology. Always packed are my

Canon EOS M3
GoPro Hero5 Black
I’m also saving for a DJI Mavic Pro

Travel Insurance

It is so important to be prepared for all possibilities when travelling and you simply shouldn’t travel without insurance. When looking for cover I would personally recommend World Nomads or the Post Office – both are affordable and certainly won’t break the bank.

What to do in Sopot?

What to do in Sopot?

Where can I eat in Sopot?