Klaipėda County: Lagoon, Coast and Discoveries
Accommodation in Klaipėda County
In Klaipėda County, discoveries range from paths through coastal landscapes to museums and birdwatching sites. There are also the Curonian Lagoon, wetlands and places offering their own activities on the water. When choosing where to stay, it is therefore worth first considering the experiences you want to shape your trip: observing nature, exercise, culture or water sports.
Experience the landscape – on foot and with views of the water
The “Litorina” ecological trail runs through the Olandų Kepurė Landscape Reserve. Signposts and information boards guide you along the way; viewing points and shelters are also provided. In the same landscape, Olandų Kepurė Hill is a striking natural feature: wave action constantly erodes it, and it slopes down towards the sea at an angle of 20–22 metres. If you are interested in coastal landforms and how they change, this is a specific reason to make the landscape reserve a focus of your visit.
Shorter, clearly measured hiking trails can also play a part in planning your day. The “Miško Katedros Takais” hiking trail starts in Juodkrantė and is 6 kilometres long. “Kuršių Niūrija” starts in Preila and covers 5 kilometres. The distances give you a clear reference point for planning, without specifying a walking time or difficulty level.
There are different things to see when observing nature. Lake Plocis is a resting place for migratory birds and has a birdwatching hut. From another observation tower, on the western shore of a lake near the road to the village of Minija, you can observe the lake landscape and birdlife. The museum and visitor centre at the ornithological station at Ventė Cape also offers insights into the history of bird migration and bird ringing.
The lagoon, rivers and activities on the water
The Nemunas Delta Regional Park includes shallow bays of the Curonian Lagoon, wetlands, the island of Rusnė and the Ventė Cape peninsula. You can explore the biological diversity of the rivers in the delta by boat; Šilutė, Rusnė, Minija and Ventė are mentioned as starting points. If you would prefer to get to know the landscape from the water, you can include this kind of exploration in your travel plans. The “Žuvies kelias” programme includes a two-hour trip on the Curonian Lagoon aboard the historic sailing ship “Dreverna”.
Water sports are another way to make your stay active. There is a water sports school in Svencelė, which is popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers. Svencelė Pond also has a reversible cable system for wakeboarding. If you are interested in these activities, you can take this focus into account when choosing where to stay, rather than planning a trip exclusively around museums or hiking trails.
There are also activities on land to suit different interests. In Neringa, the health trail has nine outdoor exercise machines. They can be adjusted for adults of different ages and fitness levels. In Klaipėda District, the health trail system consists of three circular routes, 12 kilometres in total. In Palanga, several cycle paths run through the resort and along the coast; together, they are several dozen kilometres long. So, alongside hiking, cycling and exercising on outdoor equipment are also options to consider for your trip.
Museums, amber and discoveries for children
The Lithuanian Sea Museum brings together an aquarium, exhibitions on the history of shipping, a dolphinarium, a rehabilitation centre for Baltic Sea animals and a dolphin-assisted therapy centre. Its different sections make it a destination for travellers interested in the sea as well as shipping and marine animals.
The Palanga Amber Museum is housed in the manor palace of Count Feliksas Tiškevičius in Birutė Park and has more than 30,000 exhibits. Guided tours are available in Lithuanian, English and Russian. Palanga also has an amber workshop offering educational activities where visitors can make their own amber jewellery or souvenirs. This gives you a choice between a museum visit and a hands-on creative activity as different ways to explore the subject of amber.
Another engaging destination for families is Dinozaurų Parkas in Radailiai, which features more than 40 life-size dinosaurs. Together with the aquarium and dolphinarium at the Lithuanian Sea Museum, it offers children easily recognisable themes, while adults can also focus on nature, history or exercise, depending on their interests. These experiences are in different locations, so choose a holiday apartment or house based on the destinations that matter most for your trip.
More places in the county
For further orientation, here are additional place and region names: Nida, Klaipeda, Šilutė, Karklė, Gargždai, Kretingalė, Smilgynai, Priekulė, Dauparai, Vilimiškė, Skuodas, Ventė, Švėkšna, Liaunai, Vileikiai, Pervalka, Kintų Seniūnija, Žibininkai, Vydmantai, Žemaičių Naumiesčio Seniūnija, Dreverna, Šilutė District Municipality, Klaipėda District Municipality, Neringos savivaldybė, Kretinga District Municipality and Dituva.
For the broader travel overview: Lithuania.
