If someone tries to convince you that palm trees and a thermometer reading over 30°C are essential for a truly revitalising holiday, just wave them off. But if they offer you a wetsuit and a board – with or without a paddle, it doesn’t matter – listen up and don’t refuse. There’s more than one place to catch the Baltic waves, but starting here is the most fun.
If you kite, you’ll know why we included this place in the guide. And if you’re still tentatively dreaming of being able to control the wind, be warned that it’s very easy to get completely lost in this sport. But if it means we’ll see more of you at Monist, we don’t mind.
The wooden exhibition pavilion, built in 1968, remains as relevant as ever – along with the Palanga Summer Reading Room and the “Žilvinas” sanatorium, it represents Lithuania at this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale. This summer also marks a new chapter for “Kupeta,” one that encompasses morning coffee, a workation mode, afternoon relaxation, and evening fellowship that can turn into a night of dancing.
It all started with… well, almost Adam and Eve. More precisely, with Alessandro and Asta. An Italian's love for a Lithuanian woman turned into a jam-packed ice cream parlour in Kaunas Old Town, then on Laisvės alėja, then in the capital, and now it's time to become the biggest summer sensation in Palanga. And it doesn't matter what you thought about ice cream before.
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.
In a nature-framed resort like Palanga, a new event space means, first of all, the unlimited imagination of its founders. Seeing an opportunity where others have given up is a talent. In a place that smelled of fresh bread for years, a new stage has opened up for Her Majesty, Music – always carefully selected, harmonious, warm, sometimes faster, sometimes blissfully slow. And for all other occasions to celebrate, too.
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.
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.
If the wise Jonas Šliūpas, a key figure of the national awakening, had not been elected as the first burgomaster of Palanga, it is unlikely that we would be making dates with ourselves in this resort today. The department of the Lithuanian National Museum, housed in the former burgomaster's villa, attracts holidaymakers of all ages, who are greeted by comics by Miglė Anušauskaitė.
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.
When reading about Palanga, the Tiškevičius surname comes up quite often. So, it is worth spending at least one day getting to know this noble family, which plays a significant role in the history of Palanga. "In the Footsteps of the Counts" is the name of one of the three orientation routes in Palanga organized by Train Your Brain. Or maybe "Iodine Bomb" or "Birutė's Riddles" will suit today's mood better? Clues, intrigue, and an exploration-friendly pace are included, so don't forget your coffee, tea, and company before you get going.
10,000 steps a day is a well-known recommendation. To walk with or without a purpose, listening to music or the wind, alone or with family… just walking in Palanga is always a good idea. And if you're out of ideas on how 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, and more.
Palanga Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Vytauto g. 51A 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Some weekends, you suddenly don’t know whether you want to wave the sun goodbye or greet it. Ošia is a dome on the seashore where both approaches are acceptable. DJs who have swapped their urban records for more resort-like rhythms will help you blur that fragile line between dusk and dawn.
"30 steps to the sea. 15 steps to the dunes, 10 steps to the river," the creators share poetic instructions on how and why to find this space. If the most interesting Lithuanian musicians are still in your headphones even on holiday, it's always good to know that they will most likely be invited to OLDMAN Palanga this summer.
If you've been visiting Palanga for more than a decade, you probably remember that this red brick building even housed a bookshop. Now, after dark, dancers exercise along the Rąžė river stream, and during the day and evening, lovers of various world cuisines swarm here. Both activities can be combined.
It always takes time to get to know someone better. Contact, too. In this gallery, amber isn’t stored behind glass. You can even make your own jewellery or souvenir from archaic material. We suggest you stop by before or after visiting the Palanga Amber Museum.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Some people like to completely change their routine while on holiday and find new ways of getting to know themselves. Others want to continue the activities they love and stay in shape. A tennis racket is a fantastic tool for both groups of people. TennisPark in Palanga is open from April to October.
Want to train your abs, stimulate your metabolism and improve the function of your internal organs? Always. But maybe it's time to give the yoga mat a rest and get to know a horse instead. A personal workout can be a reward for a productive workation session, while a group session will provide meaningful socialisation.
The enthusiasts who start the season earliest and finish it latest have created one of the world’s best (and most photogenic) wakeboard parks near Palanga. Even if you don’t have the slightest desire to take up another hobby, still accompany your friends who are eager to come here. You never know what idea will pop into your head while watching the riders spinning circles and mastering tricks.
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.
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.
We have a secret reason for you to rise with the sun so you can be at the Palanga market by 5 am. This time, the visit is not for cherries or new shorts. On Saturdays, the largest amber market in the Baltics is open here, attracting a lot of veterans and just a handful of curious visitors.
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.
Wood can wave! Post-war architect Albinas Čepys did not doubt that, allowing himself to approach the task of designing a new interest point (it was first an art shop) in a post-modern way while not forgetting the interwar architecture. The library’s house speciality is tranquillity which allows you to tame both the book and the screen, while literary gatherings or other events will remind you to take a break.
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.
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.
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.
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