Klaipeda

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Klaipeda is Lithuania's third largest city, located in the north-western corner of the country. Originally founded by Baltic tribes, the city and castle was built by the Teutonic Order in 1252 and named Memel in honor of the river of the same name some 40km to the south. For most of its history, Memel was part of Prussia and large battles with Lithuanian lords took place here. Invasions came from Sweden and Russia and the city was part of the Prussian Kingdom and became a prosperous harbor town. It represented the northernmost city in Germany and Prussia until 1918. After Germany lost the First World War, Memelland was subsequently added to newly established Republic of Lithuania. Since independence in 1990, Klaipeda has become one of Lithuania's most buoyant cities with a steadily growing tourist trade.

[edit] Understand

It is the gateway to the Curonian Spit, a stretch of sand dunes 97km in length and 4 km in breadth that arcs down to the Kaliningrad region of Russia.

[edit] Get in

[edit] Get around

Bus trip per one trip per person - 1.5-2 Lt (€0,43-0.58). Shuttle bus trip per one trip per person - 2.2-3 Lt (€0,64-0.87). Taxi trip per 1 km - 3 Lt (€0,87).

More information: Klaipeda passenger transport

[edit][add listing] See

There are many museums in Klaipėda. Some of the most popular include the History Museum of Lithuania Minor, the Klaipeda Picture Gallery, the Marine museum and the Clock museum. Klaipeda's old town is one of Lithuania's best.

[edit][add listing] Do

There are many things to do in Klaipėda. If you like nature - you must visit Curonian spit, which is a 10 minute boat ride from ther main habour.

[edit] Clubs

If you like clubbing - there are many clubs in Klaipėda. Popular ones include Kalifornija, El Calor, Honolulu and Global.

  • Kalifornija. Laukininkų st. 17. [1].

[edit] Beaches

There is a big and wide sand beach at Smiltynė, full of locals and tourists in the summer. Giruliai and Melnragė beaches are at Northern Klaipėda, big and popular place to visit. The water is clean and warm.

[edit][add listing] Buy

There are many shopping malls in Klaipėda. The biggest one is called Akropolis and is the biggest shopping mall in the Baltics. There are many things to do in Akropolis: cinema, ice-ring, restaurants, shops, 2 supermarkets, pizzerias and so on. Akropolis Klaipėda website.

[edit][add listing] Eat

There is a decent selection of Lithuanian and Western restaurants places in Klaipeda, most of which are located around the city's main thoroughfare, Manto gatve, and its continuation into the Old Town, Tiltu gatve. Main course prices range from €2 at the lower end up to around €20 at the higher end.

[edit] Snack

  • Navalis (kavinė). H. Manto st. 23. [2].

[edit] Dinner

  • Cancan Pizza. Taikos pr. 61 (shopping center „Akropolis“) [3].
  • Restaurant "Stora Antis" in Klaipeda. The restaurant was built in 1856 on the burnt foundation after the Great Fire in Memel in 1854. Restaurant is an architectural monument and is guarded by the state. Now “Stora Antis” in Klaipeda is a small restaurant in the very centre of an old town, on Tiltu street, 6. It slightly reminds of a shop of antiques, a little bit of museum, and also of a club for variety stars, politicians and businessmen. But the most important is qualitative Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Balkan and Byelorussian cuisine [4].
  • Juodojo Katino smuklė-2. Average price for a full business class dinner €7,50. Žvejų st. 21/Teatro st. 1. [5].

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are many pubs and bars in Klaipėda to spend some time just sitting relaxing and drinking. Most of the pubs are located in the city centre and also in the southern part of the city (mainly - near Naikupės street). Naikupės street may be reached by getting on the bus or shuttle bus number 3. Average price for a pint of beer in a pub 3-6 Lt (around €0.85-1.70).

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Stay safe

Klaipeda is a safe place but like anywhere you have to use common sense. Try and walk with a confident air and never look lost.

[edit] Get out

The lovely seaside resort Palanga is on the way back to past glory. It is busy with tourists from June to September. The Latvian city Liepaja is just 100 km north from Klaipeda and is famous with beach, too, as well as with its Karosta neighbourhood, which is a former soviet secret military town with lots of things to see, such as a prison for tourists and a very scenic seaside fortress ruins and a cathedral.

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