Day 3.  Visiting Sopot and Gdynia from Gdańsk

On By Little Miss TravellerIn Europe, Gdansk, November 2017

Gdansk and it’s nearby sister cities of Sopot and Gdynia are collectively known as Tricity, so after breakfast we set off to Gdansk Glowny station to embark on our journey.  Trains in Tricity are operated by SKM and have a distinctive blue and yellow livery.

SKM train to Tricity, Gdańsk
SKM train to Tricity

Tickets need to be bought either from the SKM desks or from a machine.  If you buy the ticket from a machine then this must be validated in the yellow machines located on platforms.  The SKM platforms are to the right as you enter the station and depart from the same part of the station as the airport service.  Single tickets to Sopot cost 3.80 zl (80p) each and run approximately every 15 minutes, the journey taking 20 minutes.

Church of St. George, Sopot
Church of St. George, Sopot

On leaving the station it was just a short walk to the centre of town along the tree lined Monte Cassino which begins at the neo-gothic church of St. George continuing down to the sea.

Monte Cassino, Sopot
Monte Cassino, Sopot

The town has a refined air with beautiful 19th century villas and summer houses dotted along neighbouring streets.  It boasts fashionable shops and inviting cafes and I’m certain it’s a very popular resort during the warm, summer months.  Walking a little further, we reached Spa Square with its centrepiece 20m high fountain and opulent, art-nouveau Grand Hotel.  Where Monte Cassino ends, the pier begins and we enjoyed a stroll along  the longest surviving wooden pier in Europe.  The pier was originally built in 1829 but has been extended over the years and now stretches 515 m (1690 ft) out into the Baltic Sea.

Sopot Pier, Poland
Sopot Pier

It’s original function was to serve as a boat harbour but in latter years it has been transformed into a leisure facility.  More recently lower and side decks have been added from where we admired the yachts moored alongside the pier.  The town is twinned with Southend-on-Sea in the south east of England which is home to the world’s largest pleasure pier constructed of iron which is 2160 m (7086 ft) in length.  I’ve not visited Southend but now that I’ve heard about it’s pier, I need to go and see it for myself.

Spa Square and fountain, Sopot
Spa Square and fountain, Sopot

It was lovely strolling along Sopot pier, breathing in the cool, fresh air.  Sopot is a well known spa town noted for its effects of high concentrations of iodine in the air, so hopefully we were feeling the benefits.  Reaching the far end of the pier,  we climbed some steps to a raised platform where a cafe operates in summer.  From this viewing platform we had splendid views looking back towards the town and of the sheltered cove and wide, sandy beach stretching along the coast.

The beach, Sopot
The beach, Sopot

Retracing our steps to the station we noticed a very strange building, so strange in fact that it was selected as one of the 50 strangest buildings in the world!  It’s called Krzwy Domek (crazy house) and this fairytale inspired building is home to cafes, shops and a local radio station.  In my opinion, it looked totally out of place in such a beautiful town and its appearance must certainly divide opinion!

Crazy Building, Sopot
Crazy Building, Sopot

Back at the station, we bought onward tickets to the port city of Gdynia taking a further 15 minutes with tickets again costing 3.80 zl each.  Leaving the station in Gdynia it was a 15 minute walk to the marina.  Passing the market hall, we glanced inside and found it to be large and functional but lacking in charm.  Gdynia is a young city, formerly a sleepy fishing village until construction commenced in the 1920’s to develop the city into a large port.  Because of this, there is quite a mix of architectural styles from 1920’s art-deco, post-war Soviet building to modern post-communism style developments.

Tall Ships moored in Gdynia
Tall Ships moored in Gdynia

As we arrived at the marina it started raining and there was a stiff breeze as we strolled along the almost desolate stone jetty.  Along here we found two tall ships and some naval vessels.  One of the tall ships, the Pomorza acts as a museum ship during the winter months but it was closed as we wandered by.

Gdynia probably looks more appealing during the summer season as during our visit many of the cafes and wooden kiosks overlooking the beach were closed.  The marina is also home to the Gemini leisure complex and the national aquarium.  On our way back to the railway station we found an attractive cafe where we warmed up with bowls of soup accompanied with slices of delicious rye bread.

We then caught the train back to Gdansk after an interesting day out.  I would definitely recommend a visit to Sopot whatever the time of year but unless you have time to spare, I think I would probably only visit Gdynia during the summer months.

If you enjoyed reading this post you may also like:

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43 thoughts on “Day 3.  Visiting Sopot and Gdynia from Gdańsk”

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    1. Thank you for your kind words about my writing. I have just been reading your diary entries and I like your descriptive style, it really made me feel as f I was in the train carriage with you. Just keep writing and gradually you will find it easier and your words will flow better.

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  15. Lovely insight into a town I hadn’t heard of – the wooden pier looks scenic – fascinating how things change from an industrial past into a leisure present . Frankly by comparison I don’t think Southend Pier has much to recommend it other than the fact of its notable length. The incongruous name of the main street- Monte Cassino – prompts the memory of the long friendship between Poland and the UK , and how their soldiers fought valiantly for freedom from oppression – only to find their country under Soviet domination at the end of the war . So there’s a nice link with your visit to Gdansk where the efforts of Solidarity were a huge part of reshaping modern Europe so we can make trips like yours . Super travelogue .

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  20. That’s a pier and a half, Marion! Years since I was in Southend and I don’t recollect the pier well at all. Both of these places would be better in Summer, though I suspect Sopot might be rather busy. I’ve seen photos of both looking much more cheery, but off season you have to take pot luck with the weather. 🙂 🙂

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