The pier's history
The first pier at Sopot was built in 1827 on the initiative of Doctor Jean Georg Haffner — a French physician who founded a bathing establishment here and began Sopot's career as a resort. Originally the pier was only 31 metres long and served mainly for mooring boats. Over the decades it was lengthened many times, destroyed by storms and rebuilt.
The present version, 511.5 metres long, dates from 1928 — that is when it became the longest wooden pier in Europe, a title it still holds. In 2011 it underwent a thorough modernisation (replacing the timber, the piles and the deck) while keeping its original architecture.
What to see and do on the pier
- The walk itself — the classic, a quarter of an hour each way. Sunrise and sunset are the best
- The viewing platform at the end — a panorama of Sopot, Gdynia and, in good weather, even the Hel Peninsula
- Restaurants and cafés — several places on and near the pier, at visitor prices
- An excursion boat — from the jetty at the end of the pier you can sail to Gdynia, Gdańsk or on a trip round the bay (about 50–100 zł)
- Fishing — at the end of the pier anglers catch perch, herring and sometimes cod
- Festivals — in summer concerts, festivals and exhibitions are held on and around the pier
Tickets and charges
Access to the pier is charged in season (May to September): about 9 zł for adults, about 4.5 zł for children and about 7 zł for residents of Sopot. Out of season it is free. Tickets are bought at the booths by the entrance (cash and card).
Why charged? The money goes on maintaining the wooden structure (sea salt attacks timber hard). The ticket is valid for a day — you can leave and come back.
Practical tips
- Best time of day — sunset in summer (between 20:30 and 21:30), sunrise for photographers. At midday there are crowds.
- Wind — it always blows hard at the end of the pier. Take a jacket even in July.
- Toilets — by the entrance (charged, about 3 zł)
- Accessibility — the pier is flat and accessible with pushchairs and wheelchairs
- Dogs — allowed on a lead
How to get there and practical info
- Address
- ul. Powstańców Warszawy, Sopot (at the end of the Monciak)
- Ticket in season
- About 9 zł / about 4.5 zł children (May–September)
- Ticket out of season
- Free
- Opening hours
- All day (seasonally 7:00–23:00)
- Time needed
- A 30–60 minute walk
- Getting there
- About 10 min on foot from Sopot station along the Monciak
When to go
Free and few people. Excellent for morning walks and photography.
Crowds. Go early in the morning or in the evening. A carnival atmosphere.
Free from October. Walks with an umbrella, gulls and atmospheric shots.
Empty and raw. Storms can flood the landward end — it is then closed. Magical.
Other sights in Sopot
Straight-line distances from „Sopot Pier" — calculated from real coordinates. By road it is often further.
Where to stay nearby
Places from our list that have Sopot Pier within walking distance or a short drive.
