Residents/Population:	31 903
Area:	17 km2
Expenditure per capita:	16 054,23 zł
Website:	www.sopot.pl
Rulers/Leaders:
Magdalena Czarzyńska-JachimPrezydent Miasta	Aleksandra GoskPrzewodnicząca Rady Miasta

Sopot - one of the most beautiful cities on the Baltic coast - began building its legend as a fashionable spa and holiday destination in the early 1720s. However, it only truly cemented this reputation at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, when the Sopot bathing resort became a meeting place for international high society, aristocrats, and artists. This tradition of an elegant resort - which actually dates back even further to the mid-16th century - remains very much alive today. The city uniquely blends the best of its past with the vision of its future.

Above all, Sopot is a city full of contrasts and surprises. Here you will find a beautiful, wide sandy beach, a ski lift, a hippodrome with grandstands overlooking the sea, numerous art galleries, and trendy clubs.

The modern functioning of the health resort is a natural continuation of the ideas from a century ago, seamlessly combining tradition with modernity without losing sight of its heritage. The political changes of 1989 created new conditions, once again allowing the city to determine its own development path. As early as 1990, the City Council decided to base Sopot's development strategy on spa and tourism activities. Achieving a level of beach and seawater cleanliness that allowed the bathing areas to reopen, along with the launch of the natural chloride-sodium water (brine) spring at the St. Adalbert (Św. Wojciech) Spring, led to Sopot officially receiving health resort status on February 19, 1999, by decision of the Minister of Health and Social Care.

In Sopot, treatments are available for rheumatic, lower and upper respiratory tract, cardiological, hypertensive, orthopedic-traumatic, and neurological conditions, as well as osteoporosis and diabetes. There are three health sanatoriums operating within the resort: Leśnik, Perła, and MSWiA Helios. Treatments include hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, kinesitherapy, electrotherapy, phonotherapy, inhalations, light therapy, and cryotherapy.

The natural healing resource is the chloride-sodium, bromide, and iodide brine, which can be enjoyed in the pump room and at the outdoor brine inhalation fountain (affectionately known locally as the "mushroom").

The charming atmosphere of the seaside resort and the rich cultural offerings of a city that never sleeps draw crowds of tourists to Sopot every year.

One of the city's greatest attractions is the longest wooden pier in Europe, consisting of two parts: the famous walking promenade and the land-based Spa Square (Skwer Kuracyjny). Equally famous is Sopot's "Monciak" - Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street - the trendiest pedestrian promenade in the country. A unique venue on a national scale is the Forest Opera (Opera Leśna); renovated with EU funds, this covered open-air amphitheater is one of the most beautiful and acoustically outstanding venues in Europe. Another exceptional place, not only for horse racing enthusiasts, is the Hippodrome - the oldest and one of only three active facilities of its kind in Poland.

Sopot's oldest historical monument is the early medieval settlement (grodzisko), the remains of a fortified stronghold that existed from the 8th to the 10th century. However, architecture connoisseurs are most captivated by the historic buildings from the first half of the 19th century - classicist tenement houses and manors. The second half of the 19th century brought many guesthouses and residential buildings which, although constructed more simply, charm visitors with intricately crafted wooden lace adorning their verandas and bay windows. For many years, the city has supported residents in renovating these exceptional buildings, bringing out their natural beauty. The most famous modern architectural gem is the Crooked House (Krzywy Domek) on Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street, undoubtedly the most photographed spot in the city.

The modern marina, also built with the support of European funds, is - alongside the Forest Opera and the Crooked House - an incredibly characteristic landmark in Sopot. It is not only a beautiful place for a walk and a mooring spot for boats and yachts, but it also provides an opportunity to train children from local schools in the enriching sport of sailing.

The city is home to many thriving cultural institutions, including the Sopot Museum, the Polish Chamber Philharmonic Sopot, the State Art Gallery, and various theaters. Thanks to its location and the extraordinary people living or creating here, Sopot has become an important cultural, scientific, and economic center. Many entrepreneurs find inspiration and excellent conditions for rapid growth here, especially in service sectors related to tourism, new technologies, insurance, and banking.

The fresh sea air makes Sopot a place for generating new ideas, pursuing passions, and developing businesses. Perhaps this is due to the sea breeze, or perhaps the open minds of the people who live and invest here.

For years, Sopot has ranked highly in national rankings of cities with county status. The city is consistently praised for its excellent management, high quality of life, balanced budget, civic engagement, and care for green spaces.

Sopot is a city tailor-made for everyone. It is for those who want to study in a beautiful, well-kept environment, and for seniors who wish to breathe healthy, healing air. For those who enjoy active recreation, there are six walking and cycling trails available (the Squirrel, Wild Boar, Seagull, Hare, Roe Deer, and Fox trails). The seaside bike path, as well as the routes hidden in the forested corners around Reja Street, tempt cycling enthusiasts with unique views. In winter, there is skiing on Łysa Góra (Bald Mountain); in summer, equestrian competitions, high-level basketball, and major sailing regattas.

Sopot is also a premier venue for major events, congresses, and festivals. The Forest Opera and the ERGO ARENA - a state-of-the-art joint venture between Sopot and Gdańsk opened in 2010 - host exceptional musical, entertainment, and sporting events.

Finally, Sopot is a delight for the palate. This "recipe" is crafted by numerous restaurants and cafes where you can relax after major sporting or cultural excitement. World-class hotels, intimate guesthouses, and restaurants featuring regional cuisine all combine to create the unique atmosphere of a modern city that has skillfully blended tradition with the future.