Over one million visitors at Sopot pier. Tourism and maritime sector mark a record season

Autumn in Sopot has its own ritual. With the end of September, ticket booths at the city’s famous pier disappear, and access becomes free of charge again. It’s a symbolic transition from the busy summer season to a calmer, more serene atmosphere by the sea.

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03 october 2025   |   17:50   |   Source: Gazeta Morska / Dziennik Bałtycki   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. MOSiR Sopot

In the summer of 2025, the Sopot Pier welcomed an impressive 1,090,991 visitors. Despite unpredictable weather, attendance remained at levels comparable to last year, confirming the enduring appeal of this Baltic icon.

Pier by the numbers – april to september 2025

Visitor traffic was distributed relatively evenly across the season:

• April – 76,879
• May – 141,566
• June – 178,061
• July – 262,116
• August – 304,961
• September – 127,408

As expected, August was the peak month, yet May and June also showed strong activity. Unstable summer weather had little impact on the overall turnout.

Strategic value for Sopot

The pier is more than just a promenade – it’s a vital source of municipal revenue. Ticket sales in recent years have generated between 7–8 million PLN annually, funding not only the pier’s maintenance and preservation but also wider urban projects.

Sopot continues to uphold its distinctive model: paid entry during the high season, free access in the off-season. This approach aligns with the city’s strategy of balancing mass tourism with the prestige of a premium seaside resort.

Gdańsk Brzeźno – closed for renovation

While Sopot opened its pier to the public this autumn, the Gdańsk Brzeźno pier closed on September 8, 2025, for a 90-day renovation. The works are aimed at modernizing the structure, temporarily redirecting visitors to alternative promenades.

Free access at other Tricity piers

In contrast to Sopot, most other Tricity piers remain free year-round, including Gdynia Orłowo and Gdańsk Brzeźno (outside of renovation periods). These municipalities consider piers as public spaces rather than commercial products. However, both Gdańsk and Gdynia are reportedly considering introducing paid access in the future.

Poland’s pier models – paid vs. open access

Sopot is not the only Polish location with a ticketed pier:

• Kołobrzeg – Paid entry from late April to late October (9:00–21:00). Tickets in 2025 cost 9 PLN (regular) and 5 PLN (reduced). Revenues support tourism infrastructure.
• Jurata – One of the longest wooden piers on the Hel Peninsula; free of charge, popular with families.
• Puck – Centrally located by the marina, open to the public at no cost.
• Międzyzdroje – Functions as part of the town’s open boulevard, with no entry fees.

This contrast illustrates Poland’s diverse approaches: commercialized, ticketed attractions (Sopot, Kołobrzeg) versus integrated, open-access public spaces (Jurata, Puck, Międzyzdroje).

Sopot in national context – premium yet effective

With over one million visitors in 2025, Sopot Pier remains the undisputed leader among Polish seaside attractions. Its hybrid model – monetizing peak tourist traffic while offering free access in the off-season – provides the city with both financial returns and brand prestige.

The juxtaposition with free-entry piers in Tricity and Hel, alongside Kołobrzeg’s ticketed model, highlights Poland’s mixed strategies in managing maritime infrastructure. Ultimately, it is the visitors and residents who, year after year, cast the deciding vote with their presence.

From October 1, 2025, until April 2026, Sopot Pier once again becomes freely accessible. Residents and tourists alike can enjoy strolls along Europe’s longest wooden pier and admire the Gdańsk Bay horizon without a ticket – until the start of the next paid season in spring.

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