The Lithuanian seaside is rich and diverse, and is home to desert-like dunes, wellness centres, sandy beaches, Europe’s largest Japanese garden, hiking trails and everything in between. Adrenaline fanatics can get their hearts pumping at competition-grade cable parks, while history buffs can explore the region’s Germanic past. There’s also plenty to do and see with kids – from dolphin shows to nature tours.
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The Lithuanian Sea Museum and Dolphinarium
Smiltynės g. 3, Smiltynė
The Lithuanian Sea Museum invites visitors to explore the mysterious underwater world. Located at the northernmost point of the Curonian Spit, next to the gates of the Klaipėda port, the museum houses 24 aquariums displaying fascinating sea ecosystems. There is also a transparent tunnel for close-up observation of seawater creatures, including the shark-size sturgeons. You can visit penguins and seals at the museum’s dolphinarium, where dolphin and sea lion shows take place almost daily in the summer months.
Meridianas Sailboat
Klaipėda Old Town and Downtown
Built in 1948 in Finland, Meridianas sailed the seas as a teaching boat for twenty years, helping to train future sailors and captains. Later docked in the Danė River in the centre of Klaipėda, Meridianas became an intrinsic part of the surrounding cityscape. Renovated and reopened to guests as a restaurant in 2012, Meridianas has a glass floor in the main hall, allowing visitors to view the preserved old wooden structures of the ship.
The Danė River Embankment and Bollards
Klaipėda Old Town and Downtown
On the left bank of the Danė River, six monuments – knechts or bollards – stand to commemorate Lithuanian maritime achievements. Three of the bollards honour the yachts that sailed across the Atlantic Ocean bearing the Lithuanian national flag in the 1980s. The newest bollard, built in 2009, celebrates the round-the-world trip of the yacht Ambersail on the occasion of the millennium anniversary of Lithuania.
Fachwerk Buildings
Klaipėda Old Town and Downtown
The architecture of Klaipėda stands apart from that of the other cities in Lithuania. Many timber frame, or Fachwerk, buildings survive here, dating back to the 19th century. In these German-style buildings, the structural frame is composed of horizontal, vertical and diagonal timber elements, which are left exposed on the exterior. The most beautiful Fachwerk examples are located southeast of the historical city centre, in the so-called Arts Yard. These former warehouses now house small galleries and artist workshops.
The Magical Sculptures in the Klaipėda Old Town
Klaipėda Old Town and Downtown
Many charming sculptures adorn the Klaipėda Old Town. Following a special route, you’ll encounter a dragon, a girl blowing a kiss, a fisherman, a mermaid, a black ghost and other figures. Do not miss the sculpture of a magic mouse, as rubbing its nose brings good luck! In the Theatre Square, you’ll find the lyrical ‘Ann from Tharau’, a remnant of the city’s Germanic past, while the Market Square is home to a smiling Doberman, the guardian of the Old Town.
