Reviewing a holiday in Sopot, Poland.
If you've never heard of Sopot, don't worry, you're not alone. Sopot, tucked along Poland's northern coast between Gdańsk and Gdynia, is the kind of town that gently boasts about being a coastal resort without ever having to shout about it. Imagine a lovely combination of sunshine, sand, and more ice cream stores than you could visit in a week to help you grasp the concept.
The beach should come first. Though Sopot's sandy expanse may seem minor compared to some Mediterranean locations, it is impossibly clean, and the water is rather pleasant if you are not phobic of somewhat cold Baltic temperatures. As you stroll along the beach, you will see people of all ages creating sandcastles, sunbathing, or pretending to jog, but really just holding a coffee. It has a strange, beautiful vibe that makes you wonder why anyone bothers with packed, overhyped beaches anywhere else.
Sopot's pier, though, is its actual crown jewel. Not only any pier, but also Europe's longest wooden one. Longer than you might have thought, yes. Extending more than 500 metres into the ocean, it provides such a lovely view that it nearly makes up for the unavoidable chilly breeze that will smack you in the face halfway out. Walking along it, you could come across couples holding hands, visitors photographing the water far too much, and the odd seagull trying to get a part in your vacation pictures. Walking out there and believing you're having something really European while simultaneously hoping no one notices your flip-flops are deteriorating is hard not to feel a touch smug.
Sopot is more than only sunshine and sand, albeit that is lovely. The town's vibrant nightlife somehow finds a balance between refinement and a "we certainly won't judge you if you spill vodka on your shirt" attitude. Street-lining bars and clubs offer everything from sophisticated cocktails to inexpensive shots that taste like remorse in a glass. If dancing is not your cup of tea, there are lots of cafes where you can sip coffee and watch the world go by on bikes and huge scooters as you pretend to write a book.
Sopot offers an unexpected abundance of little galleries and offbeat museums for those with a passion for culture. The Crooked House is an architectural oddity that makes you feel like you have just walked into a Salvador Dalí painting. Let's be honest, nothing screams "I'm cultured" more than photographing yourself in front of a structure that seems like it might fall any second.
Food at last. Polish food in Sopot features many warm, comforting dishes, so expect to see dishes like pierogi, fish, and potatoes cooked in interesting ways. Walking past the bakeries might make you gain a pound or two, but think of it as a badge of honour.
Sopot whispers rather than yells. It's intimate enough to make you feel close, but vibrant enough to keep you amused. It's a spot where you can feel like you've accomplished something, even if you do literally nothing. And I'm not sure what else would define a vacation if that's not its core.
