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EASTERN PROMISE
The Independent
|August 03, 2025
A summer holiday in Europe normally conjures images of sea and sand in the Mediterranean. But the Baltic and Adriatic coasts have much to recommend them, writes Simon Calder
Despite the puny pound, a bargain-basement waterside holiday in Europe is still a possibility. Just move beyond the obvious tourist destinations and head east – to the likes of Poland, Latvia and Albania – where you will find a warm welcome, intriguing history, and a touch of the exotic.
Here are my top five tips to enjoy the beach away from the usual holiday crowds.
Sopot, Poland
The Baltic coast of Poland is sea-bathing heaven, though the water could be a touch warmer. The shore comprises a couple of hundred miles of sandy beach. And my favourite spot is the handsome 19th-century resort of Sopot – just a 20-minute train ride from the city of Gdansk, beyond the former Lenin shipyards. You can enjoy a vast swathe of soft white sand and benign sea on a beach that is ideal for young families, and 20th-century prices.
This story is from the August 03, 2025 edition of The Independent.
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