Then and now: Incredible photos of the world's historic piers and boardwalks

Wonders on the water

Coastlines around the globe are decorated with striking piers hovering above the ocean and boardwalks hugging the sand. Some are simple wooden jetties and terraces with a long, working history; others are kitsch pleasure piers lovingly restored from their Victorian heyday. Here we reveal the age-old piers and boardwalks that have stood the test of time, showing not only what they used to look like but what they look like now as well.

Read on to discover how historic seafronts have changed over the years...

Then: Ryde Pier, Ryde, Isle of Wight, England, UK

The crown for the oldest pier in Britain goes to modest Ryde on the Isle of Wight. Actually a trio of piers in one, the structure dates right back to 1814, though it has been tinkered with a fair amount over the years. It began life as a humble wooden expanse welcoming passenger ferries, then eventually sprouted a second and a third structure adjacent to it: one for a horse-drawn tramway and the next for a rail line. It’s pictured here a little later, circa 1895.

Now: Ryde Pier, Ryde, Isle of Wight, England, UK

If its historic title wasn’t enough, it’s also one of the longest piers in the country. A concert pavilion (later used as a ballroom) was also built in 1895 – but Ryde has always been a working pier at heart. That doesn’t mean it looks any less impressive when framed against an orange sunset though.

Then: Atlantic City Boardwalk, New Jersey, USA

The Atlantic City Boardwalk is tipped as the first of its kind in the United States – and perhaps even in the world. It was first constructed in 1870 as a way of keeping sand from the lobbies of the luxurious hotels that had sprung up along the beachfront. Over the next few decades, storms and hurricanes ravaged the young boardwalk, but each time it was rebuilt bigger and better than before. Here holidaymakers roam the promenade on a summer’s day in 1915.

Now: Atlantic City Boardwalk, New Jersey, USA

The boardwalk took its final shape in 1916 and over the coming decades it cemented itself as a pleasure seeker’s paradise – think neon signs, ritzy hotels and restaurants and classic seaside amusements. Showbiz royalty like Marilyn Monroe and The Beatles soon descended and its quaint rolling chairs became an Atlantic City icon. The casinos that opened in the 1970s gave it more staying power. This shot shows the infamous boardwalk bustling on a sunny afternoon in 2017.

Then: Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton, England, UK

This famous pier on the South Coast screams 'British seaside holiday' as much as fish and chips. Work on the beloved Brighton Palace Pier began in 1881 and carried on right up until 1899 – though it almost wasn't completed. An 1896 storm that entirely destroyed the city’s Old Chain Pier (dating to 1823) almost ravaged the infant Palace Pier too, but luckily work was eventually able to continue. It’s pictured here abuzz with people at the turn of the century.

Now: Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton, England, UK

Upon its completion, the impressive pier was 1,772 feet (540m) long, its wooden expanse strung with thousands of lights and jutting into the chilly English Channel. Early attractions included ornate pavilions for reading and dining, and a 1,500-seat theatre. Today the attractions on this Grade II-listed building are somewhat bolder and brasher (a kaleidoscopic helter skelter and a games arcade to name a few), but it’s lost none of its appeal. It’s pictured here in December 2019.

Then: Ahlbeck Pier, Ahlbeck, Germany

This handsome structure in northeastern Germany has been a pleasure pier from the start. Construction began in 1882 and the resulting wooden jetty housed a swish restaurant that attracted well-heeled punters from across the seaside town. It’s pictured here circa 1890, thronged with crowds on a summer's day – the quaint covered chairs that dot the sand are still a feature of the beach today.

Now: Ahlbeck Pier, Ahlbeck, Germany

It wasn’t long before the structure was extended so it swept out into the Baltic Sea, reaching more than 920 feet (280m) and serving as a stopping point for incoming ships. Now its squat towers and pyramidal turrets remain a striking feature of the coastline, and it’s famed as the oldest pier in Germany. True to its roots, the pier still hosts a popular restaurant too.

Then: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California, USA

Though one of the youngest on our list, this world-famous pleasure pier is still more than a century old. When it was built in 1909, it became the first concrete pier on the USA’s West Coast and people flocked to the bold structure to fish in the Pacific Ocean. Over the years, several landmark attractions followed, including the Looff Hippodrome with its ornate carousel. The pleasure pier is snapped here circa 1930, and you can spot amusements like the Whirlwind Dipper and La Monica Ballroom.

Now: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California, USA

It’s hard to imagine Santa Monica without its iconic seafront amusements today but the future didn’t always look bright for the pier. In the 1970s, its popularity declined and it faced the wrecking ball. However, locals rallied to protect their beloved landmark and succeeded in saving it. Disaster struck once more as a large swathe was destroyed in a storm, but it was still rebuilt. Now it’s a loud, proud attraction with dozens of thrill rides, food stands and arcade games, plus an illuminated sign that loves the camera.

Then: Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France

An elegant beachfront boulevard in the South of France, the Promenade des Anglais was the vision of English aristocrats who frequented Nice in the 19th century, typically spending entire winters in the sunny city. The well-to-do British visitors took issue with the rugged walkways that existed along the beach and paid for a smooth seaside promenade to be built in the 1820s. They’re pictured here enjoying it circa 1900.

Now: Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France

Some two centuries later, the historic, palm-lined promenade still spools out along the Baie des Anges, with views of the French Riviera’s distinctive blue waters. Uber-luxurious hotels stud the boulevard too and the walkers 'taking the air' are now joined by bikers and skaters. It’s snapped on a typically buzzy afternoon in summer 2018.

Then: Vetch’s Pier, Durban, South Africa

Vetch's Pier in the South African city of Durban dates to the mid-19th century and is a haven for marine life. It’s home to one of the largest sub-tidal mussel beds in the region, as well as plenty of other colourful sea critters, who in turn attract snorkellers and fishermen. This picture dates back to 1885 and shows a general view of the coastal area as it was then, with man-made structures stretching out into the vast Indian Ocean.

Now: Vetch’s Pier, Durban, South Africa

Captain James Vetch designed the pier to address the problematic sand bar at the entrance to Durban's harbour but, after the colony had already spent large sums of money on it, the project was ultimately abandoned in 1864. Though its history is long, its future is uncertain. Many locals see a major redevelopment of the Durban waterfront as a threat to a landmark which exists as a symbol of failed engineering and South Africa's colonial past. It is now almost totally smothered by sand, with its barely visible ruins at the mercy of the elements.

Then: Llandudno Pier, Llandudno, Wales, UK

Another 19th-century confection, Llandudno Pier is a stunning feat of Edwardian and Victorian architecture, with its neat pavilions decked in coastal colours and its latticework like lace. It marches out into the Irish sea and its total length is 2,295 feet (700m), making it the longest pier in Wales. And, with its opening day dating back to 1877, it’s got age as well as beauty.

Now: Llandudno Pier, Llandudno, Wales, UK

Now a Grade-II-listed building, Llandudno is a classic British pier – think dinky shops selling rainbow buckets and spades, kitsch funfair rides and a retro penny arcade. It’s been lovingly restored and refurbished over the years, and still serves as a prime spot for fishing and, of course, for stellar views of the sunset. See the website for up-to-date information on amenities.

Then: Riegelmann Boardwalk, Coney Island, New York City, New York, USA

America’s most notorious playground, Coney Island has long been a hotspot for US holidaymakers, even before its famous promenade, the Riegelmann Boardwalk, was built. In the early 1900s, the area’s trio of parks – Steeplechase Park, Luna Park and Dreamland – vied for attention, street performers lined the beach and ritzy restaurants and bathing pavilions drew in well-heeled vacationers. There was also an early boardwalk to the east of Steeplechase Park called The Bowery (though it was set a few streets back from the seafront). It’s pictured here circa 1903.

Now: Riegelmann Boardwalk, Coney Island, New York City, New York, USA

As Coney Island’s popularity continued to soar, politician Edward Riegelmann decided it was time to install a proper beachfront boardwalk. He injected £2.4 million ($3m), which today is more than £30.5 million ($40m), into the seaside project. It opened to great fanfare in 1923 and was soon nicknamed 'Coney Island’s Fifth Avenue'. Nearly a century later it’s lost none of its appeal – you can see it zigzagging along the sand in this bird's-eye snap.

Then: Zhanqiao Pier, Qingdao, China

Zhanqiao Pier shoots into Qingdao Bay, stretching out for around 1,444 feet (440m) and crowned by octagonal Huilan Pavilion, with its elegantly curved roof and colourful façade. The pier dates to the 1890s. Eagle-eyed beer lovers might even recognise it from the logo of Tsingtao beers.

Now: Zhanqiao Pier, Qingdao, China

The pier is photographed here on one of its busier evenings in 2019. From the picturesque pavilion, which hosts small art shows and photography exhibitions, visitors can enjoy epic views of the sea or look back towards the Qingdao skyline. A panoramic sweep of the city here takes in a real mixture of modern high-rises, green hills, red-tiled roofs and European-style architecture from the German colonial period.

Then: Terrasse Dufferin, Québec City, Québec, Canada

The St. Lawrence River unfolds beyond this smart terrace in Québec’s capital city. Terrasse Dufferin folds itself around Château Frontenac, a century-old hotel decorated with towers and turrets, then sweeps along the water’s edge, lined with ornate gazebos and an intricate iron railing. It was built in the 1870s and named for the then-Governor General of Canada, Lord Dufferin, who dreamt up the idea.

Now: Terrasse Dufferin, Québec City, Québec, Canada

The terrace has changed very little since it opened in the 19th century and it’s known for the subterranean wonders that exist beneath its surface. The Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site unfolds underground, protecting the remains of a historic government residence. In the bracing winter months, a popular toboggan run typically opens on the terrace too.

Then: Copacabana Promenade, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brazil’s most famous beach, sunbaked Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro has long been hugged by a paved promenade. The boardwalk has its roots in the early 20th century when Mayor Pereira Passos rolled out a major urban renewal project across the neighbourhood of Copacabana. This picture here, taken outside the Copacabana Palace Hotel around that time, offers up a historical window on, arguably, the world's most famous stretch of sand.

Now: Copacabana Promenade, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The eye-catching promenade we see today though – with its swirling black and white tile patterns – was realised by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx in the 1970s. Rolling on for 2.5 miles (4km), the modern promenade's design appears to undulate like the waves of the nearby ocean. It's a work of art laid out beneath the feet of Rio's pedestrians, as they make their way past tanning sunbathers, games of volleyball and beach bars selling chilled coconuts, ice-cold beer and delicious caipirinhas.

Then: Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, USA

One of the most famous seaside amusements in America, this historic structure sprawls into Lake Michigan and is a pleasure pier through and through. Today it’s topped with everything from thrill rides and restaurants to botanical gardens and its famous Children’s Museum. But it was once a working pier too. It opened to fanfare as the Municipal Pier in 1916 and was considered unique for its mix of work and play. It served as both a dock for cargo and passengers, as well as a cultural hub that hosted plays, concerts and art exhibitions.

Now: Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, USA

The pier thrived through the Roaring Twenties, but struggled through the Great Depression in the 1930s. The next decade was harder still: the pier was occupied by the US Navy through World War II and converted into an enormous training facility. Post-war the pier served as part of the University of Illinois campus and hosted some major events, but gradually fell into disrepair until the 1990s. In recent years, the pier’s future was finally set. A 150-foot (46m) Ferris wheel was erected, grand stages once again held concerts, and restaurants and shops lined the decades-old jetty.

Then: Clevedon Pier, Somerset, England, UK

Gorgeous Victorian-era piers are fanned out right round the edge of Britain – but this southwestern jewel is one of the finest, famously described by the late poet Sir John Betjeman as the "most beautiful pier in England". It was officially opened in the spring of 1869 and principally served passenger ships making the journey to South Wales. This nostalgic snap from the 1880s shows the view of Clevedon from the end of the pier.

Now: Clevedon Pier, Somerset, England, UK

It doesn’t have the bells, whistles and thrill rides of some of Britain’s pleasure piers, but that’s part of its charm. It’s effortlessly beautiful with a Japanese-style pagoda crowning the pier head and its eight steel supporting spans creating a striking pattern against the water. Visitors can continue their trip to the Clevedon pier by visiting the museum, café or souvenir shop.

Then: Swanage Pier, Dorset, England, UK

The story of this fine-looking structure begins in 1859, when work on the original Swanage Pier began. Upon its completion, the pier was a hardy, working jetty used for shipping stone. Fast-forward a couple of decades, though, and things had changed. A brand new steamer service in the 1870s was whisking passengers between Swanage, Poole and Bournemouth, and an influx of tourists meant the humble pier (pictured here in 1863) was no longer fit for purpose.

Now: Swanage Pier, Dorset, England, UK

A shiny new pier had opened here by the 1890s and the state-of-the-art jetty was soon welcoming thousands of visitors per season. Still, though, the shine wore off in the end. As steamer traffic dwindled, the pier fell into disrepair and was left to ruin for some three decades. The smart pier that stands today is the result of major refurbishments in the 1990s. It’s pictured here in all its glory as sunset-tinged clouds roll in overhead.

Then: Naples Pier, Naples, Florida, USA

While it’s not as flashy as some of America’s attraction-filled piers, Naples’ offering certainly gets points for its history. A simple wooden span striking out into the Gulf of Mexico, Naples Pier was built back in 1888 and originally served as a freight and passenger dock. It's pictured here circa 1920, in its most basic form. Over the years, the pier has taken more than one battering from the extreme weather events Florida is known for. In 1960, it was severely damaged by Hurricane Donna.

Now: Naples Pier, Naples, Florida, USA

These days, the pier is a favourite with keen fisherfolk and sunset seekers. Due to damage sustained during Hurricane Ian in September 2022 though, only a portion of the pier is open to the public and fishing is currently not allowed on it at this time. The concession area, with beach supplies on sale and its covered eating area, is also currently closed. In the summer of 2024, it was revealed that the pier's rebuild might not get going until spring 2025.

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