Have you ever heard the story of the Old Town by the sea? Founded back in 1252, Klaipėda is the third-largest city in Lithuania. Ravaged in World War II when it was used by the Germans as a submarine base, the city is now undergoing a major business revitalisation. As a key port city in the European Union, it is a window to the world of international trade for Lithuania. Klaipėda city (pop. 188.8 thousand) is the northernmost ice-free port in the Baltics and the only one in Lithuania.
Klaipėda's Old Town has been on a continual path of restoration and is the gem of the city, featuring cobblestone streets and antique lampposts on nearly every building and corner. The city, once known as Memel, still has a German feel in places and the refrain "Sprechen Sie deutsch?" is the most common answer among locals to the queries of English speakers.
Klaipėda is the city suitable for recreation. Klaipėda, like the entire coast of the Baltic Sea in Lithuania, boasts excellent white sand beaches. The Seaside Regional Park, in close proximity north of the city, is attractive by beautiful landscape and unique nature.
Klaipėda cherishes nice marine traditions–it hosts the Sea Festival on the last weekend of July every year since 1934. Aside from the Sea Festival, Klaipėda also hosts a Jazz festival during the first week of June. But beyond the festivals, Klaipėda is perhaps best known for the resort towns on the spit and further up north the coast. No trip to Klaipėda is not complete without a visit to the wild dunes on the quiet and tranquil village of Nida, a wicked walk up Juodkrantė's Witches Hill or a night spent partying in Palanga.
Lithuanians love to go to the sea, and after one trip to this area you will quickly understand why.