Some places leave an indelible mark, lingering in your thoughts long after you’ve returned home. Even if they share similarities with other destinations, there’s something special about them that makes them unforgettable. For me, Klaipeda is one such place.
The moment I arrived at Klaipeda railway station after a long four-hour train ride (on a train very reminiscent of our own passenger trains), I was immediately charmed by the city’s beautiful cobblestone streets. Admittedly, dragging luggage—especially for someone like me who struggles to pack light—was a challenge on those roads. But with the train station just a 15-minute walk from my old hostel, I had the chance to truly appreciate the architecture of historic buildings and the lovely, tree-lined avenues.
Klaipeda’s old town is more spread out than many other European towns, and the canal running through it makes the whole area especially picturesque. The sight of old and new boats passing through the canal and port area adds to the charm. At night, the area comes alive with restaurants and bars lining the water. The new town, right next to the old, is full of quirky eateries and is where most locals hang out.
A quick 10-minute boat ride across the bay takes you to the resort town of Nida, set on the fascinating Curonian Spit—a place unlike any other. The Curonian Spit, about 50 kilometers long and shared between Lithuania and Russia, features three towns, with Nida being the most prominent. In some places, the strip of land is just 500 meters wide, offering views of the Baltic Sea from both sides. Nida is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for good reason. The contrast of towering sand dunes (some as high as 60 meters) on one side and a beautiful pine forest on the other is breathtaking. These dunes are constantly shifting, and the view from the top is truly spectacular—you can even spot Kaliningrad (Russian territory) in the distance. There’s an impressive sundial atop the dunes and many trails leading toward Nida town. If you have time, you can even walk through the dunes to the sea.
If you’re a beach lover, consider spending a few hours on the beach after getting off the ferry at Smiltyne. Arriving before 10 am, you might be lucky enough to have the entire 30 kilometers of beach to yourself, just as I did.
Of all my travels so far, Klaipeda and Nida are places I’d return to in a heartbeat. The Curonian Spit certainly deserves more than the two nights I spent there. And as a bonus, Lithuania remains one of the most affordable countries in the EU—a traveler’s delight.