Klaipeda
Klaipėda, Lithuania’s third-largest city, is a historic port on the Baltic Sea with a unique blend of German and Lithuanian heritage. Founded in 1252 by the Teutonic Knights as Memel, the city was an important Hanseatic League trading center. Over the centuries, it changed hands multiple times, falling under Prussian, German, and eventually Lithuanian control. In 1923, Lithuania seized the city in the Klaipėda Revolt, integrating it into the republic after centuries of foreign rule. During World War II, Klaipėda suffered heavy damage and was later incorporated into the Soviet Union until Lithuania regained independence in 1990. Today, Klaipėda is known for its charming old town, maritime culture, and gateway to the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO-listed national park.
💡 Klaipėda: Good to Know
🛂 Visa: Canada, Australia, the US, Korea, and Japan are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days within the Schengen Area
✈️ Closest Airport: Palanga International Airport (PLQ)
💬 Language: Lithuanian; English is widely spoken in tourist areas
🏷️ Price Level: Generally lower than the US
🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Lithuania: US$4.00
💰 Currency: Euro (EUR)| 1 USD = ca. 0.90 EUR)
☀️ Best Times to Visit: Late spring to early fall - from May to September
🚘 Transportation: Local buses and taxis
🔌 Adapter: Lithuania uses type C and F plugs; no adapter needed if coming from Europe, needed from the US
🛜 WiFi: Widely available in hotels, cafes, and public spaces
🏧💰 ATM and “Cash or Card”: Cards are widely accepted; cash is still used, especially in smaller shops and markets
💸 Tipping: Tipping 5–10% in restaurants is appreciated but not required. Round up in taxis and leave small change in cafés if you wish.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Priešpilio g. 4, Klaipėda, 91240 Klaipėdos m. sav., Lithuania (docked)
✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around
🎟️ In Klaipėda, you can pay for public transport tickets using a travel card, the e.Ticket Klaipėda app, or by purchasing them directly from the bus driver. You can also buy tickets at newsstands near public transport stops.
✈️ Palanga International Airport (PLQ) is the nearest airport, located about 18 miles (30 km)north of Klaipėda. From the airport, shuttle buses and taxis provide direct transport to Klaipėda city center and the cruise terminal. The journey takes roughly 30–40 minutes.
🚇 Getting from the cruise terminal to the city center is simple and pleasant—most visitors walk the short distance along the riverfront or through the charming old town streets. For longer trips or sightseeing beyond downtown, local buses and taxis are available. Many key attractions, like the Klaipėda Castle Museum and the Theatre Square, are within a 10-minute walk from the terminal.
🚌 In Klaipeda, there isn't a dedicated Hop-on Hop-off bus service.
⭐️ Top Sights in Klaipėda
"Klaipeda is the northernmost ice-free port on the Baltic Sea."
📸 Klaipėda Old Town: Klaipėda Old Town is a charming historic district known for its cobblestone streets, colorful German-style timber-framed buildings, and lively squares. Founded in the 13th century, it reflects a blend of Lithuanian, German, and Scandinavian influences. Key attractions include the Theatre Square, the old city walls, and the Klaipėda Castle Museum. The area is filled with cozy cafés, restaurants, and shops, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors to relax and soak in the maritime atmosphere.
📸 Theatre Square (Teatro aikštė): Theatre Square (Teatro aikštė) is the vibrant heart of Klaipėda’s Old Town. It’s famous for its open-air concerts, festivals, and cultural events, centered around the historic Klaipėda Drama Theatre building. Surrounded by charming cafés, restaurants, and shops, the square is a lively gathering place where locals and visitors come together to enjoy the city’s rich artistic scene and festive atmosphere.
📸 Klaipėda Castle and Museum: Klaipėda Castle and Museum sit near the city’s old harbor and showcase the rich history of Klaipėda and the region. Originally a 13th-century Teutonic fortress, the castle played a key role in the city’s development and defense. Today, the museum displays archaeological finds, historical artifacts, and exhibitions about Klaipėda’s maritime heritage and cultural past. It’s a fascinating stop for anyone interested in the city’s medieval roots and Baltic history.
📸 The Meridianas: The Meridianas is a historic three-masted sailing ship docked in Klaipėda, Lithuania, built in 1948 and later converted into a restaurant. It offers a unique dining experience with European and Mediterranean cuisine served inside the beautifully restored ship and on its outdoor deck. The Meridianas is a popular local landmark and a great spot to enjoy good food with a maritime atmosphere.
📸 Curonian Spit National Park: Curonian Spit National Park is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site located just south of Klaipėda. This unique narrow sand dune peninsula stretches about 98 km along the Baltic Sea, featuring shifting dunes, pine forests, and charming fishing villages. The park is famous for its natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and peaceful beaches, making it a perfect spot for hiking, birdwatching, and experiencing Lithuania’s coastal landscape.
📸 Klaipėda Sculpture Park: Klaipėda Sculpture Park is a peaceful open-air park in central Klaipėda, featuring over 100 modernist sculptures by Lithuanian and international artists. Established in 1977 on a former cemetery site, it also includes memorials and restored tombstones of notable locals. The park offers a unique blend of art, history, and nature, making it a calm and reflective spot to visit.
📸 Memelstatue: The Memelstatue is a notable sculpture located in Klaipėda Sculpture Park, Lithuania. This park, established in 1977, serves as an open-air gallery featuring over 100 sculptures created by Lithuanian artists between 1977 and 1991. The Memelstatue stands as a tribute to the city's history, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Visitors to the park can explore a diverse collection of artworks that blend artistic expression with historical significance. The Memelstatue, along with other sculptures in the park, offers a unique opportunity to engage with Lithuania's artistic traditions and historical narratives.
🍽️😋 Regional Specialties
Klaipėda cuisine reflects its coastal location and multicultural history, featuring plenty of fresh seafood like smoked fish, herring, and mussels. Traditional Lithuanian dishes such as cepelinai (potato dumplings) and kugelis (potato pudding) are common, often paired with rye bread and locally brewed beers. The city’s restaurants blend Baltic flavors with German and Scandinavian influences, offering hearty, comforting meals with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.
🍽️ Cepelinai: Cepelinai are traditional Lithuanian potato dumplings shaped like zeppelins, made from grated and riced potatoes filled with minced meat, cheese, or mushrooms. They are boiled and typically served with sour cream and crispy bacon bits or fried onions. Considered Lithuania’s national dish, cepelinai are hearty and comforting, reflecting the country’s rural roots and love for simple, satisfying flavors.
🍽️ Šaltibarščiai: Šaltibarščiai is a traditional Lithuanian cold beet soup known for its bright pink color. Made from beets, cucumbers, and fresh herbs mixed with kefir or buttermilk, it’s served chilled, usually with boiled potatoes and hard-boiled eggs. Popular especially in summer, this refreshing soup has roots dating back to the 18th century and remains a beloved dish in Lithuanian cuisine.
🍽️ Kugelis: Kugelis is a traditional Lithuanian potato pudding made from grated potatoes, onions, eggs, and bacon or pork fat, baked until golden and crispy on top. Often served with sour cream or lingonberry jam, kugelis is a hearty, comforting dish that reflects Lithuania’s love for simple, filling rural cuisine.
🍽️ Kibinai: Klaipėda Kibinai are traditional savory pastries of Karaite origin, popular in Klaipėda and made with flaky dough filled mainly with minced meat and onions. These crescent-shaped hand pies are enjoyed warm as a snack or meal, reflecting the city’s rich multicultural heritage and local flavors.
🍽️ Šakotis: Šakotis is a traditional Lithuanian “tree cake” known for its unique spiky shape, created by baking batter on a rotating spit. Popular in Klaipėda, it’s made from butter, eggs, sugar, and cream, and is often enjoyed at celebrations like weddings and holidays. Local bakeries offer fresh Šakotis, making it a delicious treat to try when visiting the city.
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
🚕 Uber
🚕 Bolt