Curonian Spit
Lithuania
From the Hill of Crosses through the Baltic coast to the Curonian Spit, a 98 km slip of dunes and pine forest shared between Lithuania and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The route ends in Nida, a village of painted fishing cottages and Thomas Mann's summer house above the world's tallest moving sand dunes.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Hill of Crosses
A pilgrimage hill where over 100,000 crucifixes and rosaries have been planted since the 19th century as an act of national defiance. Soviet bulldozers cleared it three times; the crosses returned within days.
- Palanga
Lithuania's liveliest seaside resort, with a wide Baltic beach, wooden pier, and amber workshops. The Palanga Amber Museum holds 28,000 pieces, some with insects trapped 50 million years ago.
- Klaipeda
A Hanseatic port known as Memel until 1923, with half-timbered facades and waterside taverns serving smoked fish and Baltic beer. The ferry to the Curonian Spit departs from the Old Castle Port.
- Juodkrante
Home to Witches' Hill, an outdoor gallery of 80 pagan wooden sculptures in the dune forest. The fishing harbour serves the best smoked eel on the Spit.
- Nida
The southernmost Lithuanian village on the Spit, 2 km from the Russian border. Thomas Mann summered here; the Parnidis Dune rises 52 metres above the lagoon.
Where to Eat
- HBH PalangaLithuanian
A popular restaurant offering traditional Lithuanian dishes in a rustic setting, surrounded by pine forests.
- MonaiEuropean
A contemporary restaurant in Klaipėda known for its innovative European cuisine and elegant atmosphere.
- NerijaSeafood
A seaside restaurant in Nida specializing in fresh seafood with stunning views of the Curonian Lagoon.
Things to Do
- Palanga Amber MuseumMuseum
Explore a vast collection of amber artifacts housed in a 19th-century palace surrounded by botanical gardens.
- Klaipėda Old TownHistoric Site
Stroll through charming cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered buildings, cafes, and art galleries.
- Nida DunesScenic Viewpoint
Climb the Parnidis Dune for panoramic views of the Curonian Spit and the Baltic Sea.