Piers are wonderfully impractical structures when you think about it. We build elaborate walkways extending hundreds of meters into the ocean for no reason except that we can, and because sometimes you just want to stand over water without getting on a boat.
Some started as fishing platforms or ferry docks but evolved into entertainment destinations. Others were always about showing off engineering prowess and giving people a reason to walk above the waves. The best piers combine function with personality. They’ve survived hurricanes, fires, and changing tastes to become icons of their beaches, so here are the piers that prove this peculiar architectural form deserves more appreciation than it typically gets.
25. Clevedon Pier, England
This Victorian beauty sits on the Somerset coast, standing tall since 1869. Sir John Betjeman once called it “the most beautiful pier in England,” and honestly, he was onto something. The pier reaches out into the Severn Estuary, with views stretching toward Wales. It’s the only Grade I listed pier you can still stroll on in England, which feels pretty rare. Originally, paddle steamer passengers from Devon and Wales would arrive here.
At the end, there’s a Victorian Pagoda that now houses a café. Grab a drink, sit back, and just let the scenery sink in. After more than 150 years, it still stands as a working landmark. Locals book it for events and weddings, so it keeps its old-school charm alive but brings in plenty of new faces.
24. Heringsdorf Pier, Germany
This 508-meter structure juts into the Baltic Sea on Usedom Island. It’s Germany’s longest pier, and the views of the water and nearby resort towns are hard to beat. The original wooden pier opened in the early 1890s. Back then, it was Europe’s longest. A fire took it out in 1958, and the current version didn’t show up until 1995.
Now, it’s a mix of steel and glass, and the restaurant at the end kind of looks like a UFO from shore. You can grab a coffee at one of the small cafés or wander past shops along the walkway. About 300 meters of the pier stretch out over the Baltic. Boats leave from here for other piers or even Poland. If you’re up early, it’s a killer spot to watch the sunrise.
23. Santa Cruz Wharf, USA
The Santa Cruz Wharf runs 2,745 feet into Monterey Bay, making it the longest wooden pier on the West Coast. Since 1914, it’s stood on more than 4,400 Douglas-fir pilings. There’s always something going on—restaurants serving seafood, quirky gift shops, and places to rent boats. Sea lions love hanging out under the pier, and sometimes you can spot them playing in the surf.
It sits between the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Steamer Lane, so you get fantastic views of the California coast. You can fish off the pier or just wander and take in the bay. Roughly 1.5 to 2 million people show up every year. The city’s Parks and Recreation folks run the wharf and keep it open to everyone.
22. Blankenberge Pier, Belgium
This Art Deco pier stretches 350 meters into the North Sea along Belgium’s coast. Built in 1933, it replaced an 1894 original—the first pier of its kind on the Atlantic and North Sea coasts of Europe. Architect Jules Soete designed it with clean Art Deco lines. Walk out to the end and you’ll spot surfers below at Beachclub Blankenberge, plus wind turbines along the horizon.
The mood changes with the weather and time of day. Morning sun, wild sunsets, and the shifting seasons all put their own spin on the place. It’s a top spot for photos or just hanging out by the sea. No wonder it’s ranked as one of Blankenberge’s biggest draws.
21. Progreso Pier, Mexico
Progreso’s pier is the longest in the world, shooting out into the Gulf of Mexico from this port city in Yucatán. The concrete structure covers a wild 8,018.98 meters—yes, Guinness gave it the record in July 2023. They didn’t build it just for bragging rights. The shallow waters around the Yucatán Peninsula mean big ships need a long runway to dock. Walking from one end to the other? That’ll take you about an hour and a half.
Now, it’s a major port for imports and exports in southern Mexico. You can spot it slicing into turquoise water if you visit Progreso, which is only about 40-50 minutes from Mérida.
20. Santa Monica Pier, USA
California’s most iconic pier marks the western terminus of Route 66 where America’s most famous highway meets the Pacific Ocean. Santa Monica Pier has defined the American beach entertainment experience since 1909 with its carousel, Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and arcade all perched above the waves. Millions of visitors come annually to ride the solar-powered Ferris wheel, play carnival games, and take photos proving they made it to the edge of the continent.
Pacific Park amusement area occupies the newer section while the original pier extends beyond with fishing areas and the historic carousel building. Street performers work the entrance area, musicians play for tips, and the smell of funnel cakes competes with ocean salt air. The pier has appeared in countless films and TV shows, making it instantly recognizable and undeniably iconic.
19. Rotonda a Mare, Italy
This eye-catching circular building sits at the end of a long pier in Senigallia, right on the Adriatic. Built in the 1930s, it helped turn a sleepy town into a beach hotspot. Back in the ’50s and ’60s, Italy’s biggest musicians played concerts here while the waves crashed below. The place was famous for parties and live music.
World War II changed things for a while—the building served as a military warehouse. Eventually, it got back to hosting events. After a long closure for repairs, the Rotonda reopened in 2006. Now, you can walk the pier to explore the building and take in views of Senigallia’s Velvet Beach on both sides.
18. Soneva Jani Pier, Maldives
Soneva Jani’s pier stretches across a 5.6-kilometer lagoon in Noonu Atoll, linking overwater villas with long wooden walkways above clear, blue water. This is no ordinary pier. It’s part of one of the most exclusive resorts anywhere, and the no-shoes rule kicks in the second you arrive.
The pier splits into two main paths: North Jetty and South Jetty. Each leads past 51 overwater villas perched above the Indian Ocean. The wooden planks take you over endless blue, with views that just keep going. What really sets it apart is the privacy. The low-density setup means you won’t run into crowds on your way to your villa. The lagoon glows beneath your feet, visible through gaps in the boards.
17. St. Petersburg Pier, USA
St. Pete Pier juts into Tampa Bay from downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. After a $92 million upgrade, it reopened in 2020 with a whole new vibe. There’s 26 acres to roam along the water. Five restaurants offer food with a view, and there’s a playground for kids plus an environmental center.
Most of the good stuff is free. Walk the pier, check out public art, or just watch the water. If fishing’s your thing, there’s a dedicated deck for that. Local vendors and artists set up shop at the marketplace. You can browse, grab a snack, and watch boats drift by in the bay breeze.
16. Zhanqiao Pier, China
Zhanqiao Pier runs 440 meters into Qingdao Bay, where it’s stood since 1891. The Qing Dynasty built it as a military wharf, but now it’s a favorite coastal hangout in China. The pier leads straight out over the water, with views of Qingdao’s shoreline and the Yellow Sea. At the end, Huilan Pavilion stands—an eight-sided building with a green-tiled roof, classic Chinese style. It’s so iconic, you can spot it on Tsingtao Beer labels.
You can walk the whole thing for free, feel the sea breeze, and watch waves crash below. The pier’s been through German occupation, Japanese rule, and WWII bombings. These days, locals and tourists fish, snap photos, and soak up the coastal vibe that makes Qingdao special.
15. St. Kilda Pier, Australia
St. Kilda Pier stretches 450 meters into Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne, giving you killer views of the city and the water. It’s a go-to for both tourists and locals. Walk, bike, skate, or fish along its length. At the end sits a charming Edwardian-style kiosk serving coffee, ice cream, and snacks.
Behind the kiosk, a small penguin colony lives. These little guys come out at dusk, so that’s the best time to catch them. The pier got a $53 million upgrade recently. Now there’s a curved walkway, tiered seating, and more bathrooms. It’s safer, more accessible, and just a better hangout for everyone.
14. Hemingway Pier, Cuba
This famous pier sits at Marina Hemingway, just west of Havana. Built in the early 1950s, it became one of Hemingway’s favorite fishing spots. The marina is known as the safest in the Caribbean. You can walk the same docks where Hemingway launched his fishing trips. The Ernest Hemingway Billfish Fishing Tournament still happens here, keeping his legend alive.
Visitors get basics like water and electricity at the docks. The marina has four main canals for sheltering boats. Getting there takes a little planning—taxis need to come from Havana, so book ahead. The pier gives you a real sense of Hemingway’s life in Cuba, where he spent more than 20 years.
13. Navy Pier, USA
Navy Pier runs 3,300 feet into Lake Michigan from Chicago’s shoreline, covering over 50 acres packed with attractions. It opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility. Now, it’s one of Chicago’s most popular spots.
Live theaters, shops, restaurants, and family-friendly attractions fill the pier. The Centennial Wheel gives you epic views of the skyline and lake. Offshore, the world’s largest rooftop venue (per Guinness) sits at the pier with 36,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. Parks and gardens dot the area, perfect for relaxing. The pier hosts festivals, fireworks, and special events all year. It’s free to wander and check out the outdoor spaces.
12. Southend Pier, England
Southend-on-Sea has the world’s longest pleasure pier, running 1.33 miles into the Thames Estuary. This isn’t your average pier—it’s a record-breaker and won Pier of the Year in 2012. You can ride a small railway the whole way or just walk it. The pier draws crowds year after year, and January 2026 is already shaping up to be one of its busiest starts ever.
Southend owes a lot to the pier—it’s a must-see for anyone hitting the seaside. The views are gorgeous, and you’re literally walking through British coastal history. It’s both a historic icon and a working attraction that keeps Essex on the map.
11. Umhlanga Pier, South Africa
This bold pier sits in Durban, stretching 80 meters over the beach into the Indian Ocean. CNN called it the most beautiful pier in the world, and honestly, it’s tough to argue. The design looks like a whale’s ribcage—hence the nickname Whalebone Pier. But it’s not just for show. The pier actually extends an underground stormwater system, funneling rainwater back into the ocean.
Built in 2007, it snagged South Africa’s National Award for Civil Engineering Achievement. Walk its length for sunrise views or snap photos of the wild architecture. The mosaics and coastal backdrop make it a photographer’s dream. The pier sits along the O’Connor Promenade in uMhlanga Rocks, where the KwaZulu-Natal coastline really shines.
10. Kastrup Pier, Denmark
You’ll spot this striking pier stretching into the Baltic Sea just outside Copenhagen. It extends about 100 meters before curling into a big circular structure everyone calls “The Snail” for its spiral twist. The Swedish architecture firm White Arkitekter wanted this place to be more than just a pretty sight. You can actually swim in the protected outdoor area, and you don’t have to stress about strong currents. The circular pavilion also blocks the wind, so if you’re out for a dip, you won’t freeze right away.
If you’re feeling bold, there are diving boards—one platform even sits around 5 meters up. They added built-in chairs and tables, so you can flop down and dry off without hunting for a spot. The view? You can gaze across the water toward Sweden and Saltholm Island, and honestly, it’s hard not to linger a while. The whole thing now sits on what used to be an old industrial site, but they’ve turned it into a public beach park. Not a bad transformation, right?
9. Huntington Beach Pier, USA
California’s Surf City needed a pier that matched its reputation, so they built one stretching 1,850 feet into the Pacific. Surfers ride waves on both sides while tourists watch from above, creating a natural stadium for wave riding. At the end sits the red-roofed Ruby’s Diner, a retro 1940s-style restaurant where you can eat burgers while pelicans dive-bomb the water below.
The pier has been rebuilt multiple times after storms damaged earlier versions, but the current concrete structure looks like it could survive anything short of Godzilla. The surrounding beach stretches for miles in both directions, but everyone gravitates to the pier because standing over water beats standing on sand.
8. Sopot Pier, Poland
Europe’s longest wooden pier extends 511 meters into the Baltic Sea, and locals have been strolling it since 1827. The original structure was much shorter, but Poles kept adding sections until it reached its current impressive length. Now it serves as Sopot’s main promenade, drawing everyone from morning joggers to late-night romantics who appreciate dramatic Baltic sunsets.
A small admission fee keeps the pier maintained and slightly less crowded than if it were completely free. In summer, street performers and vendors set up near the entrance, while the far end stays quieter for people who just want to stand above the sea and think deep thoughts about Polish history or what to have for dinner.
7. Busselton Jetty, Australia
Stretching 1.8 kilometers into Geographe Bay, Busselton Jetty holds the title of longest wooden pier in the Southern Hemisphere. That’s a long walk, so they installed a little train that runs the full length because Australians are practical about these things. At the end sits an underwater observatory 8 meters below the surface where you can watch fish, coral, and occasionally dolphins without getting wet.
The jetty started in 1865 as a timber port but outlived its commercial purpose and almost got demolished in the 1970s. Locals fought to save it, and now it’s Western Australia’s most visited tourist attraction outside Perth. The train ride takes about 20 minutes if you’re keeping track, though most people are too busy looking at the impossibly blue water to check their watches.
6. Scheveningen Pier, Netherlands
The Dutch don’t do anything small, and Scheveningen Pier proves it. Two levels of restaurants, bars, and attractions extend 381 meters into the North Sea, topped by an observation deck and a bungee jump platform because apparently some people need that kind of excitement. The Ferris wheel offers gentler thrills with views across The Hague’s coastline.
It was built in 1961, and the pier got a major renovation in the 2010s that transformed it from aging relic into modern destination. Now it hosts everything from live music to extreme sports events. The beach below fills with umbrellas in summer despite water temperatures that rarely inspire actual swimming because Dutch people are optimistic about the weather in ways that confuse visitors from warmer climates.
5. Los Muertos Pier, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta’s newest pier opened in 2013 and immediately became the most photographed spot in Zona Romántica. White railings and wave-like curves give it a sculptural quality that looks especially striking against the Sierra Madre mountains rising behind the bay. At night, lighting transforms it into a glowing pathway over the Pacific.
The name “Los Muertos” translates to “the dead,” which sounds ominous until you learn it comes from an old battle, not recent drownings. Street vendors sell coconuts and snacks at the entrance as people make their way across the water. The beach on both sides stays lively until late, with beach clubs pumping music and restaurants serving fresh seafood mere steps from the sand.
4. Llandudno Pier, Wales
Victorian elegance stretches 700 meters into the Irish Sea at this North Wales resort town. Llandudno Pier looks like something from a postcard of the British seaside’s golden age, with ornate iron railings and pavilions that survived wars and storms through sheer Welsh stubbornness since 1878. The pier remains largely original, maintaining its 19th-century character while accommodating 21st-century visitors at the amusement arcades and cafés.
On clear days, you can see across to the Great Orme headland and out toward Anglesey. The pier has won awards for being Britain’s best, competing against dozens of other Victorian survivors. Walking it feels like time travel, especially on quieter days when you can imagine Victorian ladies with parasols taking constitutional strolls above the waves.
3. Old Orchard Beach Pier, USA
Maine’s most famous pier extends 500 feet into the Atlantic and has been rebuilt more times than anyone wants to count. Hurricanes, fires, and nor’easters have all taken their shots at destroying it, but Old Orchard Beach keeps rebuilding because the town wouldn’t be the same without it. The current version dates to 1980 and seems determined to outlast whatever nature throws at it next.
Palace Playland amusement park sits right next to the pier entrance, creating classic American beach town atmosphere complete with roller coasters, fried dough, and arcade games that haven’t changed since the 1980s. Most people come to walk above the waves, cast fishing lines, or just breathe in that distinctive combination of salt air and carnival food that defines summer on the New England coast.
2. Sellin Pier, Germany
Rising from the Baltic on the island of Rügen, Sellin Pier looks like a wedding cake extending into the sea. The restaurant at the end sits inside an ornate white building with a green-copper dome that catches sunlight just right. It was built originally in 1906, destroyed during World War II, and rebuilt in the 1990s to become one of Germany’s most iconic spots.
You reach the pier by descending wooden stairs through the beech forest that covers the cliff behind the beach. The dramatic approach adds to the experience, building anticipation as you catch glimpses of white architecture through the trees. Inside the restaurant, you can eat fresh fish while waves crash beneath the floorboards. Germans treat their Baltic coast seriously, and Sellin Pier represents their commitment to making even functional structures beautiful.
1. Brighton Palace Pier, England
Britain’s most visited pier draws about 5 million people annually to its 524-meter length, packed with rides, arcades, fish and chips shops, and candy floss stands. Brighton Palace Pier has defined what a British seaside pier should be since 1899. It’s slightly tacky, thoroughly entertaining, and impossible to visit without eating something fried.
The pier survived two world wars and countless storms while its neighbor, West Pier, collapsed into the sea. Now it stands alone as Brighton’s entertainment center, hosting everything from fairground rides to summer fireworks. It’s kitchy and cliché, but walking it at sunset with a paper cone of chips and vinegar while seagulls circle overhead captures something essentially British.
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