Coast

Pier in Sopot

At 511 metres, this is the longest wooden pier in Europe — but its story began in 1827 with a jetty measuring just 31.5 metres, built by Dr Jerzy Haffner. Today it is the emblem of Sopot, with a bow-shaped head, a restaurant at the end and a marina for over 100 yachts.

From sea bathing to resort

The first jetty served as a landing stage and only gained its recreational role as the spa grew. By the end of the 19th century it had been extended to 150 metres, in 1910 to 315 metres, and its present form dates from 1927-1928 — marking the 25th anniversary of Sopot as a resort and the centenary of the first jetty. The pier bears the name of John Paul II.

The era of the transatlantics

In the interwar years the pier served as a port of call for great liners — ships anchored offshore and passengers were ferried ashore in boats. Vessels such as the "Columbus" (32,364 t) and the "Empress of Australia" called here, and Sopot handled the Seedienst Ostpreussen service.

The pier today

From the head you can see the Grand Hotel, the seaport of Gdansk and Kepa Redlowska, and in good weather join a cruise around the bay. A sea harbour was established here in 2005, a marina opened in 2011, and from 2021 it was expanded for 3.2 million PLN. Since October 2020 the pier has been run by the municipal sports and recreation centre, which alone sold 960,000 entry tickets in 2021 — so come early in the morning or in the evening, outside the peak season. The round walk takes about half an hour, longer if you stop at the restaurant on the head.