travel
Summer on the Baltic: a laidback coastal adventure in Lithuania
With great beaches, culture and nature, the resort town of Palanga and the wild Curonian Spit offer an affordable – and cooler – alternative to the Med
TL;DR
- Palanga offers sandy white beaches with clear, shallow Baltic waters, ideal for families.
- The town has a history as a seaside resort since the mid-19th century, with attractions like a 19th-century pier and the Tiškevičiai Palace botanical garden.
- The Curonian Spit is a protected 61-mile stretch of forest and beaches, accessible via Klaipėda, offering cycling and walking trails.
- Legends of giants, sea goddesses, and amber castles are associated with the Curonian Spit.
- Historical accounts detail the impact of shifting sands and deforestation, leading to villages being buried.
- Activities on the spit include visiting Nida, biking to Vecekrugas Dune (the highest point), and enjoying local smoked fish.
- Lithuania's Baltic coast provides a more affordable and cooler alternative to popular Mediterranean destinations.
- Klaipėda serves as a gateway to the Curonian Spit, with ferry services available.