Palanga guide by Monist

In 2023, there were 25 million padel players in the world. If you are one of them, book a slot at the arena near Palanga. If you prefer the classics, we are happy to tell you that tennis and badminton players also meet at this club.

Travelling, like living, should be easy, so we recommend packing essentials only for the seaside holidays. You wouldn’t be able to squeeze your favourite café into your car anyway, and you don’t need to — because Vilnius’ favourite coffee shop finally has a presence in Palanga.

Wandering through this palace feels like a mini-vacation for the soul. It sings as you marvel at the artistry nature has crafted over millions of years, captured in the mesmerising amber hues. What human hands can create from amber is astonishing and inspiring. From the highest jewellery craftsmanship to unexpected touches like... a tractor. After the exhibitions and educational activities, find a moment of tranquillity in the French-style café.

If Jonas Šliūpas had not been elected as the first burgomaster of Palanga, it is unlikely that we would be celebrating the beauty of life in this resort today. The department of the Lithuanian National Museum, housed in the former burgomaster’s villa, attracts holidaymakers of all ages. Hungry eyes will love the iconic op art by Kazys Varnelis and the many soul-warming textiles installed here after renovation.

In the suitcases of Palanga aficionados, alongside the holiday essentials, you'll always discover a more stylish ensemble suitable for a night out. Even if a sought-after performance or sold-out concert in the bustling city seems like a distant dream, the elegantly designed Palanga Concert Hall might have a delightful surprise.

Stepping off the gondola, it feels like you’ve been on an endless vacation, not just a ten-minute escapade. As you slowly circle the observation deck, time takes a laid-back rhythm, and the surroundings of Palanga open up from unprecedented angles, adding a cinematic layer to the experience. We’re super excited that the Palanga Observation Wheel is open all seasons.

Embarking on 10,000 steps a day is a well-known recommendation, but in Palanga, it's not just a fitness goal – it's a picturesque adventure waiting to be embraced. If you want ideas to spice up your route, check out the #walk15 app. Choose a theme to learn more about the resort’s bridges, natural and cultural attractions, Jewish heritage, etc.

So you’ve packed all the world’s books in your tablet... Still, the time machine-like Palanga library is worth a visit for several reasons. These include the unexpectedly charming interior, the changing exhibitions, the secret canteen, and the gallery of the Palanga artists’ creative group Mostas.

Many legends surround this place, and Lithuanians know for a fact that Birutė was the wife of Duke Kęstutis and the mother of Vytautas. The latter spread Christianity in Samogitia, so if there was an ancient solar and lunar observatory on this hill, it disappeared and gave way to the chapel. Try coming here after dark to discover what our ancestors could see. Photo by Palanga Tourism Information Centre

Are you up for an indulgent dip in the forest or a deeper inner search? Baltic traditions are alive here, and ancient holidays are often celebrated. You can visit the park, which houses a pantheon of old gods, a labyrinth and even a well of happiness, with different intentions. For sure, the whispers of nature are better heard at dusk.

As many as 140 football pitches could be accommodated in Palanga Botanical Park, also known as Birutė Park. The park, which dates back to the heyday of the Tiškevičius family, contains trees brought from European botanical gardens in the 19th century and hundreds of other plants. The greenhouse is the go-to place in autumn and winter when the sky is moody. A visit to the Palanga Amber Museum is also a must.

It is a true miracle that Antanas Mončys’ works are here in Palanga, not somewhere in Vilnius or Paris. In the latter, the Samogitian sculptor developed a distinctive style driven by deep national codes, symbolism, exoticism, and fantasy. The sculptor managed to retain the vitality of the matter, which is perhaps why the museum’s exhibits are very much to be touched and caressed.

Stories can be read, touched, absorbed, played with, and listened to. In the Palanga Fairy Tale Park, stories and characters well-known to generations of Lithuanians come to life. Even if you visit alone, feeling like a child again for a short while is always a good idea.

A neo-Gothic church is a common sight in many parts of Lithuania, yet far from every tower can be climbed to observe what lies beneath one’s feet. The magnificent panorama of the resort is something that you will tell everyone when you come back down. Before starting the climb, the treasures of the church make you pause.

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.

The noble family of Tiškevičius built this villa for themselves in the 19th century and did not imagine that a hundred years later, it would become an alternative music club. This colourful period in the building’s history is also in the past: today, the Swiss-style wooden villa is home to a beautiful museum that attracts even those who thought they were only seeing their children off.

Let it be this one if you can only fit one book into your holiday bag. The Palanga and Šventoji architectural guide (published by LAPAS in Lithuanian) is a magical way to slow down that always-too-fast pace of a city dweller. After all, there is no point A and B in a resort; the eclectic urban patchwork is a pleasure to wander, observe and notice. Relax and let your eyes caress the facades revealed by naked trees.

The Palanga we know today, the one we dream of when we return home and the one we look forward to rediscovering every time, is, to a large extent, the deed of Leonas Laimutis Mardosas, who worked as the resort’s chief architect for many years. The Palanga Sculpture Park, with the works of Bronius Zalenas, Leonas Strioga, Kazimieras Kisielius and others, is one of these memories. You can simply admire it or try to remember your best chess moves.

If the Palanga Concert Hall agenda does not inspire you, it’s worth checking the calendar of the adjacent kurhaus, which was authentically restored after many disasters. The Palanga Culture and Youth Centre hosts over 250 events a year here.

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.