Palanga guide by Monist

When the urban schedule packed with tartars and poke bowls is behind your back, it’s time to treat yourself with something simpler, undeservedly forgotten, or maybe something you don’t allow yourself every day. A doughnut, perhaps? Feel free to ask for a whole cake if there’s an occasion ahead.

Those preferring extended stays in Palanga probably don’t even remember what life was like before 2019 when a swimming pool was opened on the outskirts of the resort. The complex includes eight lanes and lounge areas where sporting ambitions, daily exercise, shelter from the heat and attention to oneself coexist harmoniously.

Every year, when the seaside towns are just getting ready for the new season, migratory birds are already resting on the ice-age lake Plocis. Get off your bike, sit comfortably in the birdwatching hut, and you’ll be sure to hear what the ducks, woodpeckers, swans, songbirds and guillemots discuss. In winter, ornithology enthusiasts prefer the seafront, but this little lake is charming on its own.

The Memel Nord coastal artillery battery is the only WWII-period coastal defence object in Lithuania today, and it’s worth a visit both for the confident pacifists and the enthusiasts of military history. Dating back to 1939, the defensive structures on the Baltic shore are a reminder of the fragility of freedom and the sharpness of the twists and turns of history.

When travelling to the beach, leaving your phone in your hotel room makes the most sense. But we understand that you’ll need to capture the unique shapes of the parabolic dunes, the slope of the Litorina Sea, and the endemic vegetation. Don’t get lost in the screen, though. Lift your eyes and let them sparkle.

Šventoji is worth more than just being called the younger and less pretty sister of Palanga. After cycling out of the forest, you’ll be immersed in a resort full of peculiar architecture, unexpected objects dedicated to Lithuanian history, and refreshing nature stops. Photo by Mantas Brazdžionis / Real is Beautiful Stock

When you step into the centre, a wave of fresh sea air envelops you. The exhibition inside unveils the treasures of the local nature and culture, weaving together the vibrant tapestry of communities, traditions, and history. After a look around the visitor centre, choose your direction and decide how much of the almost 6000 hectares of the Seaside Regional Park you would like to experience today.

The ridge was once used as a landmark by fishermen and sailors sailing in the Baltic Sea back in the day. Perhaps that is why the hill, with its distinctive shape and trees, is still known today as the Dutchman’s Hat. The most exciting way to create your version of history is to give in to the strong wind and the waves.