Gdynia and Sopot on the Polish coast

When you sail into Gdynia the first things you notice are the two museum ships - a naval destroyer and a Tall Ship (built in 1909) - and the Oceanographic Museum.  Although not Polish by birth, Joseph Conrad was once a mariner who sailed from here so he has a statue opposite the museum.

This city is well known for its 20th century architecture variously described as monumentalism, functionalism, modernism and bauhaus.  I prefer boring and ugly - with an occasional exception.  The oldest building is a church - the 13th century St. Michael the Archangel's.

Unfortunately during World War II most of the Old Town was destroyed but it has now been recreated so there are some fabulous monuments, historic gateways, towers and medieval streets through which to wander. 

Public transport is plentiful to get around Gdynia and to Gdansk - bus/trolley/trains.

Fancy some time at a beach?  Then head for Sopot, a popular spa and seaside resort between Gdynia and Gdansk.  There are miles of soft sand, clear sea, beach cafes and a rather splendid hotel - the Grand Hotel.  This is where many important personages have stayed, including President de Gaulle, Adolf Hitler (during the Nazi take over) and Fidel Castro.

Sopot's main claim to fame is having the longest wooden pier in Europe - 511.5m.  Leading up from the pier is Main Street, or to give it its full title Heroes of Monte Cassino Street.  There are plenty of shops and lovely old buildings and, in some of the streets off it you can see beautifully restored 100 year old apartments.  Main Street is - to coin a stale phrase - where 'it's all at'.  Very crowded in the summer.

The Grand Hotel, Sopot

There are plenty of gorgeous Art Nouveau houses and villas around town which seems to be more parkland than concrete.  In fact, there is a park that stretches alongside the main road from Gdynia to Gdansk.

One thing that the Poles seem to have in common with the British - they love their allotments.  I was told that as so many people live in apartments, they have an allotment with a small chalet so they can stay there over the weekend. 

Gdynia and Sopot are definitely two places to visit when you are on holiday in Gdansk.  Especially as public transport is plentiful.