Reviews about Smiltynė - a part of Klaipėda in the Curonian spit
Briefly about Smiltynė
Smiltynė is a part of the Klaipeda port, located in Curonian Spit National Park, the other bank of the lagoon than the rest of the territory of the city of Klaipeda. Smiltynė and Klaipeda Centreare connected by Smiltynė Ferry. As with all of the Curonian Spit National Park, Smiltynė is adorned with beautiful forests (Smiltynė and Neringa forest), and the seashore is covered with soft, white sand dunes and beaches. Population only about a hundred residents.
Accommodation
As Smiltynė is not a separate resort but part of Klaipeda city, there is no large supply of accommodation. In this part of the city Hotel Palva is located, where during the season a stay costs 44-75 euros. Also accommodations provided by Smiltynė yacht club motel and apartments and rooms rented by individuals. In the private sector, prices are negotiable, depending on the season, availability, and weather conditions.
Smiltynė is frequently visited by vacationers from Klaipeda city center or the Curonian Spit.
Infrastructure, Leisure and Entertainment
Smiltynė is one of the intensely visited Lithuanian seaside locations. It's a transitional lounge area of Klaipeda residents and guests, and an intermediate stop between Klaipėda and the Curonian Spit. From the Smiltynė International Ferry Terminal buses carry passengers to Juodkrante, Pervalka, Preila and Nida.
The Lithuanian Sea Museum and Dolphinarium located in Smiltynė constantly attract tourists from abroad and children's tours of all Lithuania. Little ones particularly attracted by the possibility of travelling to the museum from the ferry by horse-drawn carriages. Various carriages can be seen in Smiltynė carriage garage.
Smiltynė offers other tourist attraction centers: Museum of Nature and the yacht club, 36 meter-high Mount Hagen, 12 m high monument "Albatross", Klaipeda Lighthouse. There remain old houses and villas built in the beginning of the twentieth century.
Communication
The ferry
In Klaipeda International Ferry connects Smiltynė Spit with the rest of the Lithuanian territory. Although ferries sailing season is every half hour in summer (especially on weekends) on the abundance of tourists to ferry long traffic queues form and moving takes a few hours.
Car
Klaipėda residents and visitors can reach Smiltynė ferry by public and personal transportation. During season ferry sails every half hour, transporting both pedestrians and vehicles. From Smiltynė fery stretches an excellent road - Nida-Smiltynė highway 167, which leads to the Curonian Spit: Juodkrantė, Preila, Pervalka, Nida.
There is an option to book private vans or higher class cars.
Coach
Bus routes come from many Lithuanian cities and towns. There are frequent stops of buses carrying passengers to Juodkrante, Pervalka, Preila and Nida. International voyages also available.
Biking
From Smiltynė over the Curonian Spit a biking trail stretches 50 kilometers. It connects main seaside resorts of Lithuania with Klaipeda.
By plane
Palanga International Airport is located about 37 km away from Smiltynė.
By train
A large railway junction runs through Klaipėda, serving the port. High-speed passenger trains going from Klaipeda to the capital and other cities. From train station Smiltynė can be reached by public transport.
History
Smiltynė settlement was established as an interim path Konigsberg - Klaipėda station . It was called the German word Sandberg ("Sand Hill"). Historical sources mention Smiltynė from 1429.
People traveling for different purposes from Spit to Klaipeda (postmen, messengers, merchants, soldiers) would spend a few days, sometimes weeksto avoid storms, ice floating or other uncomfortable weather conditions. Their temporary refuge became Smiltynė inn. With the increasing influx of travelers, this pub has become increasingly important, therefore since the sixteenth century the territory was called Sandkrug (Sand inn). This name is stayed until 1945.
Although in 1629 Smiltynė inn was burnt by Swedish mercenaries, in 1696 order came out for a new building to be constructed. This place suffered from the Russian occupation of the eighteenth century. But in 1764 new tavern owner rebuilt it again. Inn was then repeatedly transferred to another location for sanding threat, and once the buildings were resurrected from the ashes of fire. Smiltynė owners of the land have changed several times, until finally in 1862 Sandkrug with the surrounding territory went to the city of Klaipeda.
In XXth century Smiltynė began to turn into resort by the city of Klaipeda: there were built Kurhaus, outdoor cafes, gazebos, neighbourhoods of villas of wealthy citizen, a restaurant. After the Second World War, part of the village disappeared, but some of the buildings and villas have survived to the present day.
Sightseeing, Trivia
Lithuanian Sea Museum and Dolphinarium
In 1979 in a reconstructed nineteenth century second-half defensive coastal fortress aquariums and a museum were built. Here you can see penguins, Baltic seals, North Sea lions, Baltic and tropical marine fish with sea fauna, Lithuanian maritime history exhibits, vintage and modern collection of anchors. The spectacular dolphin and sea lion shows are particularly fond of the little museum visitors.
Monument "Albatross"
In 2011 was unveiled a 12m tall white monument "Albatross", designed by Mindaugas Zabarauskas and built by architect and sculptor Klaudijus Pūdymas. It was dedicated to Lithuanian seafarers killed in sea and sunken ships.
Klaipeda lighthouse
This is one of the first lighthouses on the northeastern coast of the Baltic Sea, built in 1796. It had 6 bronze reflectors, which reflected the light from tallow. The navigational symbol is built 500 meters from the Baltic Sea. Lighthouse height - 44 m above sea level, and the signal is visible for 33km.
Chariot "garage"
Museum of Nature (the Curonian Spit National Park exhibition)
This museum reveals the Spit geological and geographical evolution, archeology, landscape, flora and fauna features. The exhibition presents the history of the area, the old residents, businesses and everyday life. The museum has guided tours, you can watch a movie on the Curonian Spit (Lithuanian, German, Russian and English languages).