I wasn’t sure what to expect from a quick 2 days visiting Sopot, but was blown away by our Sopot weekend… even though it was in autumn!
I spent the weekend in Sopot with a group of bloggers and content creators, and we jam-packed many activities into a quick few days (which is exactly what I recommend doing here to see the most). Sopot has a lot more than meets the eye… the beaches are fantastic, but it’s truly a town of entertaining things to do!
However, I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to spend the entire Sopot weekend at the beach… it’s a great destination for slowing down and relaxing, too! I think the key is a combination of both.
Is Sopot Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, YES! Sopot is SO easily reachable from its big sisters Gdańsk and Gdynia, but it offers a completely different side of Poland’s Baltic coast that can only be experienced there.
Sopot actually has the most expensive property in Poland, so tends to be a holiday destination for the rich. But there are entertainment options for EVERYONE – from amazing spas, horse racing, go karting, and forest biking to bars, clubs, beach/water activities, and amazing seafood restaurants. There’s a bit of something for everyone.
How to Spend a Sopot Weekend
With a bit of relaxing and pampering, a bit of exploring and adventuring, and a bit of eating and drinking, of course! I’d say start by exploring the city on your first day and checking out some cool restaurants and bars. On your second day, hit the beach and then a spa for some pampering!
Here are the best things to do in Sopot for a weekend trip, starting with places to see in Sopot around the city center and moving to the many parks and forests around the city.
First, Walk the Famous Sopot Pier!
This is the best way to get a feel for Sopot and experience the longest wooden pier in Europe! This pier is over 1670 feet/510 meters long, so it will take a while to reach the end. However, from the end of the pier you can look out at the miles of pristine beaches and surrounding forest landscapes touching the sea.
Wander Monte Cassino Street (Bohaterów Monte Casino)
The main street that goes from the Sopot pier all the way to the modern train station is called Monte Cassino Street, and this is where you will find TON of bustling bars and busy restaurants with packed patios. Wander this street in the day OR night and check out some great venues, including clubs after dark!
It’s named after a famous WW2 battle that the Polish army were incremental in helping win!
Check Out the Sopot Lighthouse
The Sopot Lighthouse is an iconic symbol of the beach town that has been there since 1904. You can climb up to the top for some of the best Sopot weekend views! But my favorite view is the Mamma Mia Cafe below.
Try Sopot Spring Water at Mamma Mia Cafe or the Inhalation Mushrooms
Did you know that one of the main reasons Sopot is famous as a spa resort town is because there are natural water springs beneath the city that produce water rich in minerals? This water is famous for inhaling, bathing, and even drinking for its medicinal properties.
In fact, if you smell any of the ‘mushroom fountains’ in town you will see that the fountain water is Sopot’s special spring water. Sit by one of them for a while and see how you feel!
But if you are just here for a weekend Sopot trip, you can experience the water at Mamma Mia Cafe, a newer cafe overlooking the sea and the main square, Plac Zdrojowy.
Head to the faucet in the middle of this cute and colorfully decorated cafe to drink a watered down sip of this water in a small cup. It’s very salty and has a lot of iodine and bromide
Check out the Dom Zdrojowy (Spa House) or the Balneological House
In the same building as Mamma Mia Cafe is one of Sopot’s famous buildings, the Dom Zdrojowy. This Spa House has another tasting room for the special spring water, and also space for conferences and the State Art Gallery which is work a look.
The Balneological house is a great first stop to learn more about how to use the Sopot spring water and other special mineral waters for your health. Try different hydrotherapy treatments and baths here.
Rent a Bike to Explore Further
There are great bike paths in Sopot along the waterfront, and bikes allow you to easily access all parts of the city and surrounds. For a bit of nature, take a bike up into the forests surrounding the Forest Opera, or down the coast to the massive Ronald Reagan Park (but don’t ask me why it’s called that, I don’t know).
You can also take a bike tour with a local to explore the city with someone who knows, and also learn about it at the same time!
Enjoy a Relaxed Beach Day
If there’s sunny weather on either day of your Sopot weekend, it would be silly not to lay on the beach for a few hours in Poland’s resort beach riviera town! Soak up some rays and enjoy the downtime.
Sopot Museum
If you are keen to learn a bit of history, the Sopot Museum is located in one of the gorgeous 20th-century homes along the beach. Learn about different aspects of Sopot history in the rooms of this historic home.
Crooked House (Krzywy Domek)
One of the most famous Sopot tourist attractions is the iconic ‘crooked house’ or Krzywy Domek. This architectural marvel is on the main street of the town. It’s a crazy, seemingly psychedelic, curved house with cafes on the bottom floor.
Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel is a slice of Sopot history. In the early 1900’s Sopot became a casino city where rich people would come to gamble from all over. This was the first hotel built so these gamblers had a place to stay! It’s still open today as the Sofitel Grand Sopot if you want to stay somewhere historic and fancy.
Sopot City Parks
There are lovely parks and gardes even WITHIN the city of Sopot itself. Make sure to walk through these parks or stop for a moment on the way between destinations.
Forest Opera (Opera Leśna)
One of the most iconic things to do in Sopot is visit the famous forest opera. This massive amphitheater in the forest fits thousands of people in it and has some of the BEST acoustics in Europe.
The forest opera was first truly opened as an opera in the forest in 1909, where singers found a place in the rocks with good acoustics to sing from. Today it has been developed into a professional venue and has hosted world famous musicians for many years.
Before you plan your weekend in Sopot, make sure to check if there are any events on at the Forest Opera. Check the schedule of events and festivals here.
Other Things to Do in Sopot Over the Weekend
Sopot has some cool events and things to do that you might want to plan your Sopot weekend around. There are also some other MUST-DO’s that aren’t tied to a specific location. Here are some ideas:
Visit a Sports Game or a Concert
The Ergo Arena is a large stadium on the border of Sopot and Gdansk. THe stadium hosts lots of sporting events like MMA and basketball, but is perhaps better known as a concert venue that has hostel many internationaly famous acts.
Go to the Horse Races
If you find yourself in Sopot in July, you can visit one of the rare horse races right in the city! The Sopot Hippodrome becomes THE place to be when the races are on, with fun anf games for all.
Check out the Sopot Grand Prix
Did you know there’s a Grand Prix in Sopot? Well, now you do! The races take place in the forests just outside the city which provide a perfect setting for a summer car race.
Marvel at Incredible Villas
Sopot has been a resort town and destination for affluent people since the 1920’s. From this time up to the beginning of communism, many people built massive holiday homes and villas in an around Sopot in lots of different architectural styles.
Keep your eyes out for beautiful villas during your Sopot weekend – they are on all the streets and only get bigger as you make your way towards the forest opera.
Go to the Spa
What’s the point visiting Poland’s best spa resort if you don’t hit the spa?! You MUST do some pampering while in Sopot, and there are plenty of spas to do this at. Many Sopot Hotels have spas on-site which makes things EXTRA convenient.
But if you want ot visit the BEST hotel spa Sopot can offer, head to the Mera Spa at the Sopot Marriott resort. The Mera Spa at Marriott has won the title of Poland’s best spa for a reason! It has professional staff, over 20 different treatments for a good value, and a whopping 36 treatment rooms.
Where to Stay for a Sopot Weekend
Sopot actually has some incredible boutique hotels and spa hotels, so it will be a tough chouce to decide where to stay in Sopot for your weekend there.
If you are after a spa weekend, stay at the Marriott Mera Spa Resort I mentioned above for easy access to spa treatments! There’s a fabulous restaurant on-site, a rooftop pool open in the summer, and 5-6 pools to relax in between treatments.
I stayes at the Zhong Hua Hotel and recommend it as a great beachfromt boutique hotel option. The rooms have recently been redone and literally open up straight to the sand, right next to the pier. The breakfast is fabulous too.
I had a friend stay at the Sofitel Grand Hotel, which is the historic first hotel in Sopot. If you prefer historic and elegant vibes, check in there.
Park 45 is a very unique open place to stay in Sopot for those who like to surround themselves with nature. This is a camgroun which also has a few dozen modern tiny home-style apartments right on the beach.
Where to Eat + Drink on Your Sopot Weekend
Sopot is known for having great restaurants and food and also bars and nightclubs. Where to begin? Here are some ideas:
KAISER Pastisserie for Coffee + Sweets
Kaiser Pastisserie is a well-known cafe in Poland that has a branch in central Sopot. When I say this place has incredible sweets, I mean INCREDIBLE.
They have all kinds of small cakes, pastrys, interesting flavored tarts, mousses, and so much more. They also have creatively flavored coffee and lattes. This is THE place to stop for a quick treat and coffee, you will not regret it!
Fisherman – finest food & wine by Rafał Koziorzemski
For our Sopot weekend we had dinner at Fisherman Restaurant and it was absolutely amazing! This is a fantastic fine dining option if you want something fancier for one of your evenings in Sopot.
This restaurant serves creative twists on many seafood dishes, often matching together ingredients in ways you may not have seen before. There are many types of seafood but also some meat and vegetarian dishes too, and high quality service too.
Other Restaurants + Cafes
Other ideas are Restauracija NOVA Sopot (Polish Food), Seafood Station Restaurant (seafood), Phuket (Thai food for something different), Ferber (Cocktails + Food), Coctail Bar Max & Dom Whisky (Drinks), Las Cafe (cute coffee place) and PROJEKT.cafe (a cool 2d cafe).
I hope that’s enough info for the best weekend Sopot can offer!Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.