Because Europe's seaside cities are probably in countries that don't rush on beach holidays. But previous visitors have just said it's the best for it, so this year might be something you have on your radar. Tourists from the UK usually head to countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Greece for seaside summer holidays. However, popular tourist spots will become more crowded and locals get bored of holiday makers, so it may be time to look elsewhere for your next beach holiday or city break.
An unexpected European country has the perfect seaside city for just that. This is Klaipeda, the Baltic state of Lithuania. Pronounced Klay-Pe-Da, Klaipeda is the third largest city in Lithuania and is located on the Baltic coast. When I hear about the “baltotic” of the world, I imagine a place that is cold, not a place that I rush into in the summer. However, this is not the case with Klaipeda. The city has many beaches that attract people for sunny days over the months of summer.
It's not as hot as Spain and other popular Sun Holiday destinations, but the average in Klaipeda, Lithuania averages in 20c in June, July and August, making it a great escape for those a little too many in their late 20s and late 30s.
Visitors from all over the world call the city “beautiful”, “romantic” and “cozy.” One TripAdvisor user called Klaipeda “a small urban centre, but there's a lot to discover,” and said he “loves this place.”
Another share: “Klaipeda is a great place to spend the weekend. It has a lovely atmosphere, the old town is cozy and small, with few pubs to crawl.”
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Klaipeda is the Curonian Spit/Kursiu Nerija National Park. This is a scenic area with great beaches and nice walks for nature lovers.
It also has the Old Town area of Klaipeda, home to lovely bars and restaurants, quaint streets and luxurious architecture. Other top tourist attractions in Klaipeda are the Lithuanian Sea Museum, the Meridianas Ship, and the Clock Museum.
From a beach perspective in the area, some of the most scenic beaches include Smiltyness Beach, Melnrage Beach, Smiltyness Paplūdimys and Nemirsetos Pliažas. If that tickles your fantasies, there are also many nudist beaches here.
Klaipeda is located nationwide from the capital of Lithuania's Vilnius. The train journey between the two cities takes just four hours.
To arrive at Klaipeda, your best bet is to fly to Palanga International Airport (PLQ), a 30-minute drive. Flights to Palanga International Airport, operated by the Air Baltic Sea, depart from London Stansted and London Gatwick.
Klaipeda also offers access to cities such as Tallinn in Estonia and Riga in Latvia as part of an excursion around this region of Europe.
