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Sopot

Among all the seaside resorts competing to be the summer capital of Poland, Sopot seems the most deserving. This is a fantastic holiday destination with sunny beaches, the longest wooden pier in Europe, and an active nightlife provided by its numerous bars, pubs and clubs. The Art Nouveau buildings remind us of the times when Sopot was the most fashionable seaside resort of pre-war Germany. Two other interesting cities nearby are Gdansk and Gdynia.

Sopot TOURISM

Sopot is the smallest town of the Tricity metropolis, situated just between Gdansk and Gdynia. Its population of only 40,000 is modest in comparison with the 2 million tourists who visit it every summer. Many of them are lured by Sopot International Song Festival, the largest event of its type in Europe after the Eurovision, and which takes place at the Forest Opera house every August.

Sopot provides many sporting and fun facilities, like water slides, venues for beach football tournaments, sport equipment for rent, tennis courts and so on. If you like the simple life of frying in the sun, then this can also be fully satisfied with Sopot's clean and sandy beaches. And when the heat gets too much, then almost on the seashore you will find the Summer Theatre.

This town rarely sleeps, especially in summer when its clubs fill with people. Sopot strives to maintain its traditions, such as its casino dating from the 1920s and the significant number of stylish restaurants and atmospheric bars, none of which should disappoint even the most sophisticated frequenters of such places.

Beside the bustling "Monciak" Boulevard, there are some charming peaceful areas where you may enjoy Art Nouveau villas, pleasant parks and forests cut through by gorgeous ravines. The atmosphere of the pre-war resort, like that seen on old sepia postcards, can still be felt.

GEOGRAPHY

Sopot owes its popularity to its location on the coast of the Baltic Sea. The town is located on a high scarp, dividing it into two parts (high to the west and low to the east), and along its foot lies the beach. The hilly part of Sopot is mainly covered with an ancient forest of beech, oak and pine, riven through by several brooks.

The mineral waters springs and good microclimate makes Sopot a great health resort, sheltered as it is from harsh maritime winds by the Hel Peninsula.

HISTORY
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The name "Sopot" is first mentioned in 13th century records. It was primarily an old Slavonic settlement dating back to the times of the early Middle Ages. It occupied an area overgrown with old beech and oak trees, surrounded by wood-and-earth fortifications. The inhabitants made their living from fishing and a range of crafts. Its general prosperity was almost completely lost with the foundation of the ducal fort in Gdansk in the 13th century. For a long time Sopot belonged to the Cistercian a... ( more >>)


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