TriCity - My City: Pier

Sunday, 12 July 2015

Sopot - Kamienny Potok

I haven't written way too long. Weather wasn't right, I was busy, I didn't feel inspired. Excuses as always :). But I am here now, writing about one of the TriCity's beaches, and that is what matters :)

Last week I went to beach at Sopot Kamienny Potok at what could have been first and last of summer here since this week is raining almost all the time and at peek we have 15 degrees Celcius. Back last week was 30 (I know, how come??). Maybe I should perform some kind of dance for heat as they do for rain? I am getting desperate now as chill in my bones is settling :)

Since I knew the weather is going to be nice last weekend I made momentous plans to get my tan on. Unfortunately my companions firstly decided to go to the beach at 6pm and secondly sat in shade :) Also getting there proved to be a challenge. I was surprised to see that much traffic on Sunday at 6pm, finding available parking spot also was a task :)

The beach I choose to go to is located between main Sopot (that is where the Pier is) and Gdynia Orlowo. To get to the beach once must go through park. Nicely maintained park I must say. There is a bike path and foot path there, so you can actually go for a walk or cycle around if you'd like.

Kamienny Potok is a district of Sopot named after a creek that runs through it - Steinfliess.. Also the placed is filled up with hotels, guest houses and camp sides.

The beach itself is not very big, long ( I don't know how one measures beaches). Most of it is taken by nearby Bar/Restaurant/Club, which is very convenient for people who come to the beach unprepared :) Also as a guest of said establishment once has access to sunbeds, tables and Hawaiian-styled umbrellas.

Also there is a miniature version of the pier on the beach, where you can enjoy the view of the actual pier :) It is really more of a deck, but I think naming it "pier" adds a little bit of oomph :)

I think that Kamienny Potok is a nice alternative for people who like to sunbath in Sopot but don't quite appreciate the crowds and loudness that comes with it, but still like the conveniences of nearby food and drink facility.

Monday, 15 December 2014

Sopot: Beach and the Pier

Panorama of Pier in Sopot

The time has come to visit another TriCity beach. Upon a friend's request it's going to be Sopot beach and the famous pier. First time I visited the pier I was around 8 years old. The whole family was sitting at my grandparents, who lived in Sopot at that time, when my parents realized that I have never been to pier. To rectify that embarrassing fact they ordered my older brother to take me there ASAP.

I remember my brother carrying me on his shoulders all the way to the end of the pier, and I think it was the longest shoulder ride I ever got :)

Spa House in Sopot

As I was heading out for the pier I didn't expect to be the only person that would be there, especially that it was very sunny that day. But the amount of people taking a walk surprised me. I haven't been to pier for two years and within that time it became really popular.


Crowds on pier in Sopot

Even the birds seemed to noticed that as they crowded for food from strollers.

Inspired by "The Birds" of Hitchcock

Undouptedly Sopot's pier is a tourist spot, but it is also one of a kind place. The structure is completly made of wood and mesures 511,5 meter. Threrfore it is the longest wooden pier in Europe.

The Pier ; source: molo.sopot.pl

The pier has been built in 1827 and at first measured only 31,5 meter. Soon after it grew to more impressive 315 meters. The shape of pier that we can see today has been formed in 1928. As I was reading the pier was build to serve a purpose of support deck of nearby baths that were part of spa build there by Jean Georg Haffner. Soon though it became an attraction and place of social importance, and it is till this day :)

Towards the end of the pier there is a cafe that looks like a ship. As a child I remember there was a mini Madame Tussaud museum with wax statues, but hey, can't have everything :) The ship is ok. Especially that you can climb on its deck and admire the pier and the sea. For person on my height it does make a difference :)


View from the deck of pier's ship


View from the deck of pier's ship

In 2011 next to the pier was built a marina. In summer time that place is packed with people. There are plenty of benches around marina, that make it perfect place to sunbathe while enjoying the hussle and bussle of the pier.