Palanga
[fusion_text]Palanga is a beach resort town in Western Lithuania and the real pearl of the Baltic Sea. It is located near the northernmost tip of the Curonian Spit and breath-taking maritime atmosphere could be found everywhere. Town has approx. 17, 000 residents.
Palanga has been inhabited at least 5000 years and it was first mentioned in written source in 1161, when the Danish king Valdemar I invaded here the castle of the Curonians, first known tribe inhabiting the area.
It is very popular summer resort for its sandy beaches and warm maritime climate. Prices are relatively cheap, e.g. 10 minutes taxi ride costs about 20-40 LTL (6 EUR-12 EUR)
Shopping
Baltijos Aukas shopping center (Vytauto gatvė 66) is a place for looking souvenirs. Specially high-quality amber jewelry here is eye-catching.
Basanavicius Street running between Vytauto Street and the pier has many souvenir shops. Most of the bars, night clubs and funfairs are also concentrated on this streer and it is the center of town’s nightlife.
See and do
Beaches
Palanga has several kilometres beaches and dunes. Main beach near the Promenade is specially place for midnight parties and several water activities. The pier on the beach is a splendid place for watching sunsets.
Botanical garden
The botanical garden south of the city centre, nearby the 19th century Tiskeviciai Palace, is a good place for calming down and stroll in the forestry consisting fir and pine trees. Garden covers about 100 hectares and its collection consists 250 imported and 370 native plant species. Here is a rose garden, greenhouse, rotunda, few gazepos and the statue representing mythical serpent queen Egle. During the summer garden hosts several concerts and festivals. Nearby is the sand dune called Birute’s Hill, which is topped with a chapel dedicated to Saint George
Amber Museum
Nearby the botanic garden, in address 17 Vytauto Street, there is the gorgeous Neo-Renaissance Tiskeviciai Palace build in 19th century. Palace is housing the Amber Museum, which is dedicated to amber as an important Baltic export and gem material. The museum collection consists about 28, 000 amber pieces, including 15,000 inclusions with insects, other animals and plants. The park of the palace is the beautiful oasis for strolling.
Tiskeviciai Palace and its park
How to get in Palanga
Best information about getting here via public transport can be found at Palanga tourism information centre.
E85 highway connects Palanga with Kaunas and Vilnius via E272 from Klaipeda. Klaipeda is 30 km south from Palanga, Kaunas 236 km and Vilnius 330 km.
Text: Timo Hellman
Photos: Flickr and Wikimedia Commons with CC / Takwing, Karmen media, ThomasPusch[/fusion_text]
