Klaipeda: what to see, where to stay and how to get there from Vilnius
Klaipeda starts with its port and gets cozier with every step. It is Lithuania's third largest city and its only ice-free seaport (as of 2025, Wikipedia). Until 1919 the city belonged to Germany and was called Memel, which is why the old town looks more Baltic German than Lithuanian. We put together a practical guide: how to get there from Vilnius, where to stay, what to see, and why the sea here is cooler than you expect.
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Why Klaipeda deserves a day
Klaipeda is compact, and that is its main advantage. You can walk the old town in a couple of hours, and the sea and the Curonian Spit are very close. In summer there are no crowds like the ones Vilnius gets, so the city is perfect for a relaxed day without rushing.
💡 In short:
- From Vilnius to Klaipeda you go by bus or LTG Link train.
- The old town, the waterfront, and the ferry to the spit are all close to each other.
- The Curonian Spit is right there, people go for the dunes and the sea museum.
Klaipeda is not a resort by nature, it is a port city with quiet streets. Take your time: first the center, then the sea. That way you see both sides of the city without getting tired.
How to get to Klaipeda
From Vilnius the bus is the most convenient option, and there is also an LTG Link train. The trip takes about four hours, with departures running from morning to evening. Outside the window it is mostly fields and small woods, so bring a book or a downloaded movie in advance.
Option | Travel time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Bus from Vilnius | about four hours | departures all day, tickets are easy to buy online |
Taxi or transfer | depends on distance | more expensive, but door to door |
Flight to Palanga | plus transfer to the city | the nearest airport, about half an hour by car |
You can also fly via Vilnius, but then you still face the same four hours on a bus. In high season tickets sell out quickly, so book in advance: bus tickets on Trip.com.
The overland journey feels long, but the inconvenience is forgotten when you first see the sea. Logistics centers and long truck parking lots along the highway signal that the port is near.
Where to stay in Klaipeda
In high season hotel and apartment prices rise noticeably. For the budget of a three-star hotel with breakfast in Vilnius, here you often get a self-check-in room with no meals, so compare options carefully.
Many people choose apartments instead of a hotel. Some apartments are in old buildings and come without air conditioning, so check the cleaning quality and recent reviews in advance. Modern apartments in new high-rises also exist, but they cost noticeably more. Available options for your dates are easy to compare on Trip.com.
Among budget options in the center there are small guesthouses like Express Guest House. If you are traveling with a large group, a guesthouse in an old building is often more convenient: the rooms are spacious, and you can walk to the center.
How to get around the city
The most convenient transport in Klaipeda is called Bolt. It is an Estonian service, similar to Uber, and in the app you can call a car or rent a scooter. Car rides are usually cheaper than local taxis, and a scooter helps on short stretches between the center and the waterfront.
A taxi from the airport is best booked in advance so someone meets you at the exit: book a transfer in advance. Around the center you can easily walk, because distances here are small.
In the evening locals gather on the waterfront, so a walk along the water takes at least an hour. Stick to the route along the old town: that way you pass the most interesting blocks.
Baltic beaches: what to expect
The water in the Baltic Sea stays cool even at the height of summer, and it rarely warms up to comfortable levels. Plus there is always a fresh wind, which is especially noticeable on an open beach.
Because of the wind, experienced beachgoers sunbathe not right by the water, but a bit higher up, where the trees and wild rose bushes begin. If the air temperature drops, the beach becomes unpleasant, and then you should walk along the waterfront instead. But on a hot day the wind is a lifesaver, and the water is refreshing.
Klaipeda's main beaches are in Smiltyne, on the other side of the strait. You get there by ferry with bicycles and bags. The catch: even at the height of summer, do not count on warm water, bring a windbreaker and a warm sweater.
What to see in the old town
The city is pleasant to walk in any weather: tall trees provide shade from the sun, and the narrow streets are mostly sheltered from the wind. Start at Theater Square, next to which is the entrance to the old town.
© Andrzej Otrębski · CC BY-SAPhoto: Andrzej Otrębski, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThen head to Birzos Bridge, the oldest in Klaipeda. It divides the Old Town and the New Town, and from it people admire old houses with unusual architecture and look for the sculpture of a cat with a gentleman's face. There are always passersby with cameras near the bridge, so you definitely will not miss this spot.
Tickets to the city's museums are convenient to buy in advance: Klaipeda museum tickets. If you have an extra day, check out Trakai Castle.
Tours and tickets in Klaipeda
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Take a walk through the New Town too: here modern blocks alternate with wooden houses, and cafes open closer to evening.
Curonian Spit and the sea museum
The Curonian Spit stretches for almost one hundred kilometers and separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea (as of 2025, Wikipedia). Since 2000 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its northern part belongs to Lithuania.
© Alexey Komarov · CC BY-SAPhoto: Alexey Komarov, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsFrom Klaipeda you get to the spit by ferry to Smiltyne. The strait is narrow, the crossing takes only a few minutes, so the ferry runs almost like a city bus. The schedule depends on the season, with frequent departures in summer.
The spit has museums, including the Lithuanian sea museum, as well as small villages, campsites, and good beaches. The dunes and pine forests protect you from the wind, so you can walk here even on a cool day. The nature of the spit is protected, so stay on the marked trails.
Where to eat: ToLi nuo klasikos
After a day by the sea, you want a relaxed dinner, not beach fast food. In Klaipeda, the place to go for that is the restaurant ToLi nuo klasikos. The name translates as "not the classics," and the interior confirms it: the building is painted sky blue, and the cutlery and plating here are unusual.
The cuisine mixes Italian, Spanish, and Mexican notes. The menu includes Argentine beef tartare, served with a side of two kinds of marinated mushrooms, a poached egg, soft cheese, and a baked jacket potato. Prices here are above the city average, but the portions are generous.
© Mantas Volungevicius · CC BYPhoto: Mantas Volungevicius, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe interior and tableware here are unconventional, so photos turn out especially well. Fresh bread and olive oil come with your order, and on a cool evening they may bring you a blanket.
A table for the evening is best booked in advance: there are not many seats, and guests come in families and couples.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Vilnius to Klaipeda?
The easiest way is by bus: the trip takes about four hours, with departures all day. Tickets are best bought online, especially in high season. Check schedules and prices before buying.
Is the sea warm in Klaipeda?
The Baltic water here is cool even in summer. The constant wind makes it feel colder on an open beach. If you specifically want a warm beach vacation, choose a time with sustained heat. For walks and short dips, the weather is suitable from mid-summer.
Is the Curonian Spit worth visiting?
Yes, it is the city's main natural attraction. From Klaipeda you get there by a short ferry to Smiltyne. The spit has museums, pine forests, dunes, and good beaches.
Where should I stay in Klaipeda?
In the center it is convenient to stay in small guesthouses like Express Guest House. If you are on a budget, take an apartment, but check the reviews: some apartments in old buildings come without air conditioning. Modern apartments cost more, but they have air conditioning and appliances.
Do I need a car in Klaipeda?
No, the city is small and easy to explore on foot. Between districts it is convenient to use Bolt cars and scooters. A taxi from the airport is cheaper to book in advance. A car is only useful for trips around Lithuania outside the city.
In short: what to book
If you have two nights and want the city: stay in the old town, closer to Theater Square and Birzos Bridge. If you love nature: plan a day on the Curonian Spit with the ferry and the sea museum. If you are traveling with a large group: compare guesthouses and apartments in advance.
Book your accommodation and travel before the trip: hotels in Klaipeda and airport transfer.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.