LOCATION
Palanga is located in the northern part of the Lithuanian Baltic coast, about 30 km from Klaipeda. The exact location of the windsurfing and kitesurfing spots is north to the town (near Kunigiskes and Monciškės beaches). Palanga is 320 kilometres from Vilnius, 280 kilometres from Riga and 170 kilometres from Kaliningrad. The direct distance between Palanga and Gdansk is 330 kilometres, but it involves travelling through the Russian Kaliningrad Region – taking a ferry to Curonian split and crossing the EU-Russian border twice. If you wish to stay within the EU area, you can choose to travel around the borders of the Russian Kaliningrad Region, which will lengthen the distance to 620 kilometres. Klaipeda has two ferry connections: Kiel- Klaipeda (from Germany) and Karlshamn – Klaipeda (from Sweden). There is a regional airport in Palanga. Geographical location of Palanga is: 55°55′N 21°04′E.
PALANGA-KLAIPEDA REGION BIKING
The bike trip starts from the north of Palanga and goes through the city, through parks, then leads south to Vydmantai village, home to local landmarks the tall Wind Park Installations. The route next leads through the pinewoods, the former lifeguard station in Nemirseta, and Plaze Lake. The route passes the fishing village of Karkle. Between Karkle and the village Giruliai there is a 1 kilometre section of cliffs which includes local beauty spot ‘Dutchman‘s Cap’. Nearly the whole bike route is located in the Seaside Regional Park, with its relatively unspoilt landscape. Upon approaching Klapieda, bikers can use numerous routes into and through the city, finishing their trip either in the historical centre or at the sea harbour on the other side.
ATTRACTIONS
Palanga and the nearby Klaipeda are popular coastal cities with two different characters. Palanga is a resort town with a relaxing atmosphere (though tends to be a little crowded in high season in July-August). The main attractions of the town include long broad sandy beaches, a pier, many fountains, cultural events, numerous dining options and some unusual museums (dedicated to dogs, or illusions, for example!). Klaipeda on the other hand is a Hanseatic city, a huge Baltic Sea port, which is home to universities and offerrs typical ‘big city’ attractions like museums, cultural centers etc. Nearby is the Curonian Spit National Park with enormous dunes, long broad beaches and places for sunbathing. Tourists can enjoy birdwatching and observing wild animals here (deer being a particular highlight).
