Things to Do in Klaipeda, Lithuania
Klaipėda is Lithuania’s only ice-free seaport, set where the Curonian Lagoon meets the Baltic Sea. The Danė River runs through the middle of town, and across the narrow Klaipėda Strait lies the northern tip of the Curonian Spit. Most of what there is to do here is about water, ships, bikes and short museum visits. The currency is the euro.
Cross the strait by ferry
There is no bridge to Smiltynė, so the ferry is the only way over. Foot passengers and cyclists use the Old Ferry Terminal at E. Galvanausko bul. 1, whose office is open 06:00 to 24:00. Cars use the New Ferry Terminal at Nemuno g. 8. The crossing takes roughly 5 to 7 minutes, and the ships and tugs passing close by make it a small outing in itself. A round-trip passenger ticket is EUR 1.70, bicycles travel free with a passenger ticket, and the same ticket covers the return from Smiltynė. Current fares are on the Smiltynė ferry price list .
Paddle the Danė at night
Guided evening canoe tours run on the Danė through the Old Town, passing under the Biržos and Pilies bridges. Booking sites list them at roughly EUR 30 to 55 per person, so check the price before you pay. The water is flat and slow, which suits first-timers. Water bikes can be hired at the Biržos bridge. Memel Kayak is a canoe rental point that lists April to July, 10:00 to 18:00.
Cycle the coast
Klaipėda sits where EuroVelo 10 meets EuroVelo 13. Two routes leave town. North, a road of about 25 km runs through Giruliai and Seaside Regional Park to Palanga, passing the cliff called Dutchman’s Cap. South, the route from the Smiltynė ferry runs about 52 km along the spit through Juodkrantė, Pervalka and Preila to Nida. Take your bike over on the Old Ferry, since cyclists do not pay a Neringa vehicle fee. The Smiltynė to Nida bus carries bikes for EUR 10.
Kitesurfing at Svencelė
Svencelė is a village on the mainland shore of the lagoon, about 30 km south of the city. The shallow water makes it a popular place to learn kitesurfing. Wind ON, at Svencelės g. 49A, is a kite school with lessons from about EUR 45 per hour. Advanced riders sometimes use the open Baltic at Melnragė, where wetsuits are needed because the sea stays cold for much of the year.
Visit the Lithuanian Sea Museum
The museum sits in the old Kopgalis fort on the Curonian Spit, at Smiltynės g. 3. It is about 1.6 km from the Old Ferry on foot or by bike, and a paid mini train runs on the ferry schedule. The aquarium and Baltic exhibitions are the main draw, with an adult ticket of EUR 10 from October to April and EUR 14 from May to September. Entry is free for everyone on the last Sunday of the month. See the museum opening hours , as winter opening is Friday to Sunday only.
Taste the local beer
Švyturys, the Klaipėda brewery, runs the BHouse gastropub and visitor centre at Kūlių Vartų g. 7. Brewery tours are arranged in advance and are aimed at groups of five or more.
Swimming and sea safety
The Baltic is cold. Water temperatures average about 13 degrees C in June and about 16 degrees C in July, so swimming is mainly a July and August activity. Swim only where lifeguards are on duty, follow the beach flags, and keep away from the harbour breakwater and the strait. Stay out of the water in storms. Do not swim from the Northern Pier.
Klaipėda has no city-wide tourist card, so buy museum tickets one by one.
Read more: Sightseeing in Klaipėda covers the Old Town and the castle.
Booking help
Canoe tours and day trips can be compared on GetYourGuide .