Overview

Klaipeda is located in western Lithuania along the coast of the Baltic Sea. It is the country’s third-largest city, as well as its only seaport.

Klaipeda, also known as Memel, is a charming port city in Lithuania. The city is located along the magnificent Baltic coast and is renowned for its cobblestoned old town, stunning architecture, ice-free port, and unique character. It is also a gateway to one of Europe’s best-kept secrets – the Curonian Spit.

A verdant paradise with miles of white-sand beaches, this spot alone is enough reason to visit this beautiful country. And above all, it is brimming with culture and local legends and has a thriving food scene.

Things to See & Do

Explore the Old Town. This is a small town, so small that you can walk through it in 15 minutes or less. And while this area is a popular attraction amongst tourists, it is seldom too crowded. More often than not, you will find yourself enjoying the peace and quiet surrounded by some of the city's stunning architecture and monuments. Much of the architecture is vastly different from what is common throughout the rest of Lithuania because this is area of Klaipeda used to be German.

We recommend starting a walking tour down Turgaus Gatve until you reach Theatre Square. (It is said that Hitler stood here when announcing Klaipeda's annexation to Germany.)

Be sure to admire the beautifully restored Friedricho Pasazas. These historic buildings are a popular spot amongst locals and tourists alike. During the summer, live music performances often take place in the courtyard. This is also where you'll find some excellent restaurants and cafes to enjoy some traditional Lithuanian food.

Walk along the river in Dane Park. Admire the old-school fishing boats, bronze sculpture of a fisherman and the padlock-laden Tree of Love. Cross the bridge just past the fisherman and you'll come to another of the city's best-known sculptures - a swooning mermaid on a bench. According to the local legend, she's mourning a young man killed with arrows by his enemies. Danve Park also has several outdoor cafes and a kids' playground.

Visit the History Museum of Lithuania Minor. Come here to learn about the history of the region. The museum covers everything from the first civilizations up to today, including a fascinating exhibition about those times when the city was bilingual. You can also find traditional items from daily life at the turn of the 20th century. And don't miss the old postcards to get an idea of how Klaipeda looked back in the day!

Explore the Castle Museum and the Museum 39/45. Located in a former artillery chamber underneath the only remaining bastion of Klaipeda's 13th-century castle you can visit an archaeological site and museum documenting 700 years of the city's history.and one f the most tragic times in the history of Klaipeda - WWII. The permanent collection ranges from the 13th to the 20th centuries and features jewelry, pottery, tools, ceramics, and weapons. A separate space is given to the fixed 39/45 exhibition.

See the Mary Queen of Peace Church. This was the only church constructed in the Baltics during the period of the Soviet Union. It is not the most elaborately decorated church, but we highly recommend you come here for this fascinating Soviet style that you cannot find anywhere else. The church tower is 153 feet high, which makes it one of the highest points in town.

Visit the Lithuanian Sea Museum. Situated at the northernmost tip of the Curonian Spit, across the water from central Klaipeda, its key attraction is a dolphinarium, where you can see shows starring Black Sea bottlenose dolphins, Baltic seals, and Steller sea lions.

Curonian Spit

The UNESCO World Heritage Curonian Spit is a 61 mile long sand-dune that separates the Curonian Lagoon form the Baltic Sea coast.

This natural wonder is one of LIthuania's top attractions and cannot be left off of your itinerary.

The destination's biggest draw is the Parnidis Dunes, which is a 170 ft. high dune in Nida. It does involve a bit of climbing to reach the top, however, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the lagoon on the left and the Baltic Sea on your right.

Other attractions here include the Curonian Spit History Museum, Thomas Mann Museum, Nida ethnographic cemetery, and the beaches at Smiltyne.

There are two Lithuanian towns at Curonian spit, namely Nida and Juodkrante. There are several hotels and restaurants making it easy to spend a night on the peninsula if you choose.

Klaipeda Beaches

One of Klaipeda's biggest draws, especially during the summer months, is its stunning coastline along the Baltic Sea. Along the stretch of white sand are some of the most fantastic beaches in Lithuania. We highlighted a few of the area beaches worth visiting.

Melnrage is split into two beaches. The first beach is a popular spot for anyone interested in kitesurfing. Here you will find lifeguards and a surfing school, as well as several other amenities, including changing cabins, restaurants, and cafes. On the North Pier, visitors can take in panoramic views of the ocean. This is also a great spot to take pictures.

The second beach is great for all recreational activities. Here you can find everything from basketball, volleyball to outdoor exercise equipment and a playground for the kids.

Smiltyne Beach is made up of two beautiful white-sand beaches. These are located on the thinnest stretch of the famous Curonian Spit.

These natural wonders are completely unspoiled as they can only be accessed by water.

To reach the Smiltyne beached, you can grab the Old Ferry (Danes St. 1) or Naujoji Ferry (Nemuno St. 8).

Giruliai is a beautiful beach situated in the north of Klaipeda City. It is one of the most popular beaches in the region and is frequented mostly by families on vacation. This beach is surrounded by nature so beautiful that a botanical zoological reserve was established here. The recreational area also has a rich history dating back two hundred years. There is a number of amenities on and around the beach, including changing cabins, cafes, and even a wooden deck for sunset viewings.

Cuisine

In Klaipeda cafes and restaurants that specialize in European dishes are common. You'll also find plenty of restaurants specializing in regional cuisine offering a huge selection of hearty meat dishes, sausage specialties, high-quality dairy products, and pastries. The local cuisine is characterized by the virtual absence of spices, so all products keep their natural taste during the cooking process. Restaurant menus always present a wide selection of potato dishes, which are prepared in dozens of different ways. Potatoes can be fried, boiled, baked, and used for cooking a variety of popular soups and wonderful casseroles.

The most common and famous potato dish is “Cepelinas” - large potato dumplings with various fillings. A much more original dish is “vedarai” - potato sausage. It has its roots hundreds of years ago. Since then, its recipe and way of cooking have not changed much. The natural casing is filled with a mixture of grated potatoes and lard, sometimes with added barley grits. Small sausages are fried until golden brown, the dish turns out to be very satisfying. You can try it not only in restaurants - vedarai can also be found at street markets and even in many Klaipeda supermarkets.

Among fans of meat delicacies, one of the most popular treats is “skilandis” - a special kind of cold smoked sausage. Only selected pork is used for the preparation of this matured sausage. It has a quite unusual shape of the ball, which distinguishes it from many other sausages. Skilandis has a very rich and natural taste since only the simplest spices such as garlic, salt, and pepper are added to the ground meat. Small sausage balls can be bought at markets; many local farmers prepare it according to a special homemade recipe.

Tip: if you’re a beer lover, make sure to visit Švyturys, one of the most famous Lithuanian breweries. Taste the different beers along with pork ears, the most popular beer snack in Klaipeda.