Trip to Sopot

Sopot is one of the most charming and most expensive cities in Poland, located between Gdańsk and Gdynia. It is best known for having the longest wooden pier in Europe, which is a tourist attraction and a popular spot for walks with a view of the Gulf of Gdańsk. Sopot also attracts visitors with its beautiful beaches, elegant villas, Monte Cassino promenade filled with restaurants, cafes, and galleries, as well as numerous cultural events. Among them stands out the Forest Opera Festival, which has hosted some of the biggest music stars. The city also has a spa character – there is a graduation tower and many sanatoriums. As a person with a disability using a wheelchair, I had no trouble reaching Sopot via the Fast Urban Railway (SKM), which I described in detail in my trip report from Gdynia.

Forest Opera in Sopot

The Forest Opera in Sopot is a unique open-air forest amphitheater with a history of over a hundred years, opened in July 1909. Located in the heart of the Tricity Landscape Park, it is known for its excellent acoustics and picturesque tree surroundings. After renovations between 2009 and 2012, the Opera has seating for 5,047 people and standing places – totaling 5,579. In addition to concerts, the venue also offers a photo exhibition and the opportunity to tour the audience and stage.
From the train station, it's about 1.5 kilometers to the Opera, mostly along accessible sidewalks, but the distance can be a significant challenge for people with disabilities, as it goes uphill all the way. On days without concerts, if you want to visit this unique site, you must walk along a street used by cars. If you choose the wide walkway decorated with murals, you will reach a gate that is not open to tourists, and returning to the main entrance of the Forest Opera is quite difficult and requires a lot of effort.
To get to the audience area of the Forest Opera in a wheelchair, you must go through a side gate that is not open to able-bodied tourists and then use the elevator.
The first moments in the audience area and the close proximity to the stage leave a very positive impression, just like the size and structure of the Forest Opera itself. Being there for a concert of your favorite artist would certainly be an amazing experience.

Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street

Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street (commonly called "Monciak") is the main promenade in Sopot – completely closed to car traffic, full of restaurants, cafes, clubs, shops, and galleries. It starts near the train station (underpass under the tracks) and leads downhill towards the beach, and uphill – towards the Forest Opera.
Getting around Monciak in a wheelchair can be difficult due to the slope. At least the whole street is paved with comfortable cobblestones.
Going downhill, on the left side you can see the famous "crooked house" and the statue of Wojtek the Bear. Monte Cassino Street is also the best way to get from the station to the famous pier.

Sopot Pier

The Sopot Pier is a unique symbol of this seaside resort — an impressive wooden structure 511 meters long, making it the longest of its kind in Europe. On the right side of the pier is a yacht marina that can accommodate over 100 vessels. At the end of the pier, the iodine level in the air is twice as high as on land, which benefits breathing.
People with disabilities can access the pier through a special entrance after purchasing a ticket. Moving around in a wheelchair may be troublesome due to the wheels getting stuck between the gaps in the wooden planks that cover the pier.
A very pleasant surprise is the elevator, which allows you to continue your walk on the far end of this long and wide pier. Unfortunately, on the way back, it was broken, and I had to be carried up the stairs.
Despite some inconveniences, the pier is a fantastic tourist attraction that should not be missed when visiting this major seaside resort. The view of Sopot from the pier, the closeness to the sea, beautiful yachts, and elevated iodine levels – all are reasons to visit this symbol of Sopot.

Is it worth visiting Sopot?

The trip to Sopot turned out to be extremely enjoyable and full of impressions. The city enchants not only with its location and atmosphere but also with tourist attractions that can captivate everyone — regardless of age or physical ability. Although some places may pose challenges for people using wheelchairs, it is clear that Sopot is striving to become more accessible.

A walk along Monciak, a visit to the Forest Opera, and a stroll along the famous pier left me with many positive emotions. The summer resort atmosphere is also important, although I missed the street performers who were everywhere when I visited Sopot 30 years ago. It is certainly a city where everyone can find something for themselves, and the memories from this seaside resort will stay in the heart for a long time.