Klaipeda, Lithuania

[tring]

Read some reviews of Klaipeda and it does not sound like there is much in the town.  Considering a cruise ship excursion that goes to a local village (Village Life in Lithuania), but hoping to spend time in the town afterwards on our own which looks possible re timing and the tour is supposed to end in the town anyway, so should be able to stay there.  Wondering if it is easy to get in/out of the town from the ship - is it walkable?

 

Our other thought is to get the local ferry to the Coronian Peninsula before going into the town.

 

Anyone had experience of this port who could comment on our thoughts?  We have a lot of OBC for this cruise, so if we do a guided trip it would be a cruise ship one, but equally time on our own appeals.   

[DogLover]

When we did our Regent Baltics cruise in September 2015, our ship stopped in Klaipeda. We took an excursion to visit the Soviet Nuclear Weapons Site which was fascinating. The tour also stopped at a local restaurant where we sampled traditional foods. Don't know if your ship offers a similar excursion but if so, would highly recommend.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plokštinė_missile_base

[tring]

Not much info re the town, which I expect is partly because it does not seem to have been visited that often.  I found a very informative thread on Trip Advisor though, so I think with the information in that we could easily spend a day there and have a relaxing time on a cruise which may be pretty tiring in some ports.  Others may find that thread useful so here is the link :-  https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g274949-i6075-k12343673-8_hours_off_a_cruise_ship_in_Klaipeda-Klaipeda_Klaipeda_County.html

 

Thank you for the suggestion DogLover, will bear that in mind if we return to the port.

[Kim Viktor]

Yes it is easy to walk, the castle just 500 meters away and The old city 1 km. Or if you like nature take the ferry to the national park on Curonian Spit, just across the river, wonderful beaches and lovely pine woods. 

Edited June 11, 2019 by Kim Viktor

[leavesofapple]

On 6/10/2019 at 6:35 PM, DogLover said:

When we did our Regent Baltics cruise in September 2015, our ship stopped in Klaipeda. We took an excursion to visit the Soviet Nuclear Weapons Site which was fascinating. The tour also stopped at a local restaurant where we sampled traditional foods. Don't know if your ship offers a similar excursion but if so, would highly recommend.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plokštinė_missile_base

We did the same excursion a couple of years ago on a cruise with RCCL. Rekommended!

[Donna_In_India]

This is what we did through  http://www.klaipedahostel.com/tours-and-activities/   and loved it!

 

Here is itinerary:

~10.30 leave the cruise ship terminal.

~10.50 - 11.10 ferry to Smiltyne.

~11.20 start exploring Curonian Spit.

~12.00 Juodkrante. ~1,5 hour walk on the Witches Hill. Than short stop to see the largest nesting site of cormorants and grey herons

~14.00 Nida - most beautiful town of Curonian Spit, the central settlement and thought to be the oldest in Neringa.

First stop and visit the Great Dune, which is 52 m high, a gives an opportunity to view a magnificent panoramic view to the dunes and the Baltic Sea.

~14.30 - 15.30 lunch in Nida.

15.30 – 16.30 have walk through  Nida. See the summerhouse of Nobel price writer T. Mann, the house was built by architect H. Reimann. The writer spent three summers in it (1930-1932), Amber gallery and etc.

~16.30 leave Nida and drive to Smiltyne to take ferry.

~17.30 - 17.50 ferry to Klaipeda.

18.30 Klaipeda. Shortly drive around main Klaipeda sights.

19.00 back to cruise ship terminal.