Discover Klaipėda: Harbor City, Culture and Smiltynė

Harbor City and Smiltynė’s Natural Environment

Smiltynė is within the city limits of Klaipėda and is part of the Curonian Spit. The area is part of the Curonian Spit National Park and the Curonian Spit UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking trails and water sports facilities shape its character as a recreation area. If you would like to divide your time between urban culture and experiences in nature, Smiltynė offers a distinct focus for this.

The ferry connections from two points on the mainland to Smiltynė are an important part of finding your way between these areas of the city. Both the Old and New Ferry Terminals provide connections. When planning your trip, first decide whether you are more interested in museums and harbor life or the recreation area on the Curonian Spit. Current information about journey times and departure schedules is available separately.

The Lithuanian Sea Museum is also located in Smiltynė. It includes an aquarium and exhibitions on the history of shipping, as well as a dolphinarium. The museum also includes a rehabilitation center for Baltic Sea animals and a dolphin-assisted therapy center. These different areas make the museum a suitable stop for travelers interested in marine life, shipping history or work with Baltic Sea animals. The museum’s areas cover different subjects, so you can plan your visit around your own cultural and maritime interests.

Art, History and Urban Culture

Klaipėda Sculpture Park is an open-air gallery of modern Lithuanian sculpture. It includes 116 works by 67 Lithuanian artists. The sculptures are connected by a route that allows visitors to get to know the city through art. For your planning, this offers a different perspective on Klaipėda than a single museum: the works form a route through the city, while museums present their subjects in exhibitions.

The sailing ship Meridianas is also part of the image of the harbor city. It is moored by Biržos Bridge on the Danė River and is a defining part of Klaipėda’s identity as a harbor city. Anyone interested in the city’s maritime history and sense of identity will find here a tangible link to its harbor character.

The Klaipėda Castle Museum displays archaeological finds, documents and city seals. These include reconstructed seals from the 17th century, as well as archaeological objects from the castle and Old Town. The castle complex is considered the origin of the city; the idea to build it dates back to 1252. It represents Klaipėda’s centuries-long maritime history. At the History Museum of Lithuania Minor, you can learn more about the pagan and Christian cultures of the coastal region, as well as the history of East Prussia and the Klaipėda region. The museum is located in one of the oldest houses in Klaipėda Old Town, dating from the late 18th century.

Museum 39/45 is dedicated to the Second World War. It presents the subject across four exhibition halls and 13 interactive stations. It thus complements the city and regional history perspectives with a museum focused on a specific historical period.

The Theatre Square also brings together urban history and cultural life. Its history began in 1819, after part of the castle moats had been filled in to create the New Market. Today, the square hosts concerts, events and the Sea Festival. If you would like to get to know Klaipėda through its cultural venues, you can add the square to your choices alongside museums and the sculpture trail.

Find more destinations here: Švėkšna, Kintų Seniūnija, Karklė, Priekulė, Ventė, Radailiai and Žemaičių Naumiesčio Seniūnija.

For the regional travel overview: Klaipėda County.

More about the destination

Useful information for planning your trip:

Klaipėda.