Where to Stay On Lithuania’s Coast

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When you think of Lithuania beaches probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. If you have a passing familiarity with the country, you may think of Vilnius or maybe somewhere like Trakai Castle. The Baltic Sea coast though? Not so much. But you can’t say you’ve seen Lithuania without seeing its coast and its actually somewhere you don’t want to miss. Getting a taste of Lithuania’s coast really shows you other sides to the country, even if there aren’t many places to visit.

Despite how few Lithuania seaside destinations there are, there’s some nice variety in the kinds of places there. From cities, to resort towns and quaint villages, you really have your pick of what of kind of Lithuania coast holiday you want to have. So, whether you’re after beaches or some coastal sightseeing, here’s where to stay on Lithuania’s coast.

Visiting Lithuania’s Coast

If you’re thinking of adding Lithuania’s coast to your Baltic itinerary, there’s some things worth considering. Since the coast is on the far side of Lithuania to cities like Vilnius and Kaunas, you have to consciously decide to visit.

Also, unlike Latvia and Estonia, Lithuania doesn’t have too much coastline to call its own, so your options are a little limited. That being said, the options you do have in Lithuania are both diverse and entertaining.

In Lithuania coast destinations are highly seasonal, maybe even more than other parts of Europe. In much the same way that Parnu in Estonia already starts getting worse weather in August, the window for “beach weather” in Lithuania is fairly narrow.

Despite that, it has some incredibly popular seaside destinations, ones that appeal to locals and tourists alike. Plus, if you’re not too fussed about sunbathing and swimming, visiting out of season can be just as enjoyable. That’s because the best places to stay on Lithuania’s coast always have more to them than just white sand and sea water.

Palanga

For people after a quintessential seaside getaway and time at the beach, Palanga is the usual pick. This resort town has everything you’d expect to find in one which is why it’s so popular come summertime. Sitting at the northern of Lithuania’s coast, Palanga is pretty much the first beach destination south of the Latvian border.

To say though that Palanga is the best place to stay on the Lithuanian coast really depends on what you hope to do there. Fun, rest and relaxation are on the menu in Palanga, with the town accommodating holidaymakers of all age groups. Naturally, everyone is able to enjoy the town’s long stretch of beachfront. The same goes for the forest parkland that shelters the beach, with walking trails and cycling paths making it an inviting place to go for a stroll.

Families with children will get great mileage out of the Palanga Summer Park, an amusement park just off the beachfront. Between the various restaurants and cafes here, kids can play at the different seasonal activities and playgrounds. Adults can have their fun too, with beachfront bars and nightclubs found around town.

Sightseeing in Palanga is maybe the town’s one weakness, as it’s not really a place for tourists in that sense. The one big attraction in town is Tiškevičiai Palace to the south, where you’ll find a grand old palace, elegant gardens and the Palanga Amber Museum.

If it wasn’t clear already, Palanga is very much a summer destination. Visiting Palanga out of season you may find that quite a few things are closed. But if you’re simply there to unwind by the sea, it could be a great time for some peace and quiet.

Getting There: Palanga is easy enough to reach from Klaipeda as its the nearest major city with frequent buses. Your options become a bit less frequent when coming from Liepaja across the border or Lithuanian cities like Siauliai and Kaunas.

Staying There: You really will have no problem finding places to stay in Palanga, as the town has a vast assortment of hotels, apartments and guesthouses. The town has a lot of apartments in particular, which makes sense for people looking to spend their holidays at the beach.

Recommendation: For a cheap and comfortable place to stay in Palanga, I’d recommend Astos Vila, as I quite liked it there.

Klaipeda

The big city on the Lithuanian coast is Klaipeda, a historic place that really acts as a gateway to the coast. Visiting Klaipeda, you get a chance to delve into this part of the country’s history and culture. The port city may not be a beach destination on its own, but it makes for an excellent base for you to explore the beaches of Lithuania. If you’re looking to balance sightseeing with beach time, Klaipeda is the place to do it.

Sightseeing in Klaipeda tends to focus on either the city’s history or its waterfront. While the city does lie on the Baltic Sea coast, Klaipeda also has the Danė river flowing through it. Just as the port is quite scenic, so too is the riverfront, especially thanks to the Meridianas. This classic sailboat adds a dash of romance to the city and really gives Klaipeda a distinctive picture postcard moment.

The city’s historic side tends to focus on the Germanic old town of Senamiestis, but there’s a little more to Klaipeda than that. Sights like the Klaipėda Castle and Jono Kalnelis bastion give you a sense of just how important the city once was in the region. Then there’s the pleasant sights around the Theatre Square where you can see the Drama Theatre and statue of Ann from Tharau, the subject of a German poem.

But yes, the traditional half-timbered houses of Klaipeda are not to be missed. With cobblestone streets leading through the Old Town, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were actually in Germany. With one day in Klaipeda, you could easily see the city’s sights, but that’s more than other places on Lithuania’s coast.

As for the beaches nearest Klaipeda, for that you only need look to nearby Smiltynė on the Curonian Spit. This little village is just a ferry ride away and makes for an easy beach day. That way, you can enjoy the city comforts of Klaipeda and still have your fun in the sand.

Getting There: You can get buses to Klaipeda from Kaunas and Vilnius without too much trouble. There are even trains that connect the capital with this coastal city, so it really isn’t too hard to get there.

Staying There: Being the third largest city in Lithuania, Klaipeda is well covered with accommodation. There are plenty of places to stay in Klaipeda, with loads of hotels and apartments. Finding budget accommodation like hostels will be tougher though, so you may want to consider Airbnb here.

Nida and the Curonian Spit

When talking about the beaches in Lithuania, you simply have to include the Curonian Spit. This long, thin stretch of land covers about half of the country’s coast and has beaches galore. Covered in sand and forest, nature-lovers are in for a real treat when they visit.

The beaches on the spit are on the side that faces the Baltic Sea, while a vast lagoon has formed on the far side. Besides heading off to the beach, the forests on island are perfect for hiking while superb bicycle paths make that another popular pasttime here.

In terms of places to stay on the Curonian Spit, Nida is right at the top. A fairly small fishing village right by the Russian border, Nida is unbelievably cute. The houses here are mostly traditionally built, with some still having thatched roofs. Walking through the village to admire the houses and their gardens is reason enough to visit. But since it’s the most substantial settled area on the Curonian Spit, Nida is generally where people stay too.

The other major reason Nida is so popular is the massive Parnidis Dune found just south of the village. Measuring to a height of 67 metres, this sand dune is a shifting dune so it is gradually moving over time. From Nida it’s a pleasant walk to the base of the dune, then you start climbing. Stairs make the task much easier and once at the top, you get some wonderful views of this remarkable place.

Essentially, if you want to surround yourself in nature and stay in a charming seaside village, why wouldn’t you stay in Nida? The Curonian Spit is the place most travellers rave about when they see Lithuania’s coast and Nida is the gateway.

Getting There: Because it’s on the spit, reaching Nida has its natural challenges. That being said, it’s easy enough to reach from Klaipeda with buses running from Smiltyne. Although unlikely, you can also come up by bus from Kaliningrad in the Russian exclave.

Staying There: Being a popular coastal getaway, there are more places to stay in Nida than you might expect. More are holiday houses – often very cute and traditional houses – but there are a few hotels too. If you’re after the simple life, there’s no better place.

Which of these places to stay on Lithuania’s coast would be your pick? Had you heard of the beaches of Lithuania before? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.