Sopot Pier

Sopot Pier, named after Pope John Paul II, is the longest wooden pier in Europe and the symbol of this seaside resort. It is located at Plac Zdrojowy 2, in the very heart of Sopot, on the Bay of Gdańsk. The structure is 511.5 metres long in total, with 458 metres extending into the sea and the rest running over the beach. The site consists of a land part – the Kuracyjny Square with its historic fountain, a lighthouse with a viewing point and a concert shell – and a wooden walking pier. At the pier head there is a marina. The history of this place dates back to 1827, when Dr Jean Georg Haffner built the first, 31.5-metre-long jetty here. The pier gained its present form in 1927–1928 during a major reconstruction connected with the 25th anniversary of Sopot and the 100th anniversary of the pier. In the interwar period it served as an important port for passenger ships, and after the war it became mainly a tourist attraction. A walk along the pier is a must for anyone visiting the Tri-City – it offers beautiful views of the Bay of Gdańsk and the surrounding beach. During the season (from 11 April to 30 September) entry is paid: a normal ticket costs PLN 10, a concessionary ticket PLN 5; children under 3, people with disabilities up to 26 years of age and holders of the Sopot Card enter free. Outside the season, from October to April, the pier is open free of charge around the clock. The place is fully accessible for wheelchair users, and there are cafés, restaurants and toilets nearby. Getting there is easy thanks to the SKM fast city rail (Sopot station) and city buses (line 122 from Gdańsk, line 181 from Gdynia).