Home › Destinations › Palanga
Palanga, Lietuva - Things to Do in Palanga

Palanga

Palanga, Lietuva - Complete Travel Guide

Palanga is Lithuania's premier seaside resort town, situated along the pristine Baltic Sea coast. This charming destination combines beautiful sandy beaches stretching for miles with elegant 19th-century architecture, lush pine forests, and a busy cultural scene. The town's crown jewel is its historic wooden pier extending 470 meters into the sea, offering spectacular sunset views and serving as a symbol of Lithuanian coastal heritage. Beyond its natural beauty, Palanga has the magnificent Tiškevičius Palace surrounded by Saint Vincent containing over 500 plant species from around the world. The town easyly blends relaxation with cultural enrichment, featuring the renowned Amber Museum, traditional Lithuanian spas, and a lively pedestrian street lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops. During summer months, Palanga transforms into a bustling resort with festivals, concerts, and events, while maintaining its peaceful, romantic atmosphere that has attracted visitors for over a century.

Top Palanga

Palanga Botanical Garden and Amber Museum

Wander through the impressive 100-hectare botanical garden surrounding the neo-Renaissance Tiškevičius Palace, home to Lithuania's most complete amber collection. The museum showcases over 28,000 pieces of amber, including rare specimens with prehistoric insects, while the gardens feature exotic plants, sculptures, and peaceful walking paths. The palace itself is an architectural masterpiece offering insights into 19th-century aristocratic life.

Booking Tip: Entry costs around €4-6 for adults, with combined tickets for museum and gardens offering better value. Visit early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and better lighting for photos. Audio guides are available in multiple languages for an additional €2-3.

Stroll Along Palanga Pier and Beach

Walk the iconic 470-meter wooden pier extending into the Baltic Sea, perfect for sunset viewing and sea breeze enjoyment. The surrounding beach offers 25 kilometers of fine white sand ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and beach sports. The pier area features cafes, souvenir shops, and often hosts cultural events and performances during summer months.

Booking Tip: Pier access is free year-round, though some cafes and attractions may close in winter. Beach chair and umbrella rentals cost €5-10 per day during summer season. Best visited during golden hour for photography, typically 1-2 hours before sunset.

Traditional Lithuanian Spa Treatments

Indulge in authentic Baltic wellness traditions at one of Palanga's renowned spa centers, featuring amber therapy, sea buckthorn treatments, and therapeutic mud baths. Many spas incorporate local amber powder and sea minerals into their treatments, offering unique healing experiences rooted in Lithuanian folk medicine. The combination of coastal air and traditional therapies provides ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation.

Booking Tip: Spa packages range from €30-150 depending on treatments and duration. Book 2-3 days in advance during peak season (June-August). Look for spas offering authentic Lithuanian treatments rather than generic wellness services for the most unique experience.

Palanga's Culinary Scene

Savor fresh Baltic Sea fish, traditional Lithuanian dishes, and modern coastal cuisine at restaurants along Basanavičiaus Street and beachfront establishments. Local specialties include smoked fish, amber-colored honey, sea buckthorn products, and craft beers from regional breweries. Many restaurants offer outdoor terraces with sea views, creating perfect dining atmospheres for romantic evenings or family meals.

Booking Tip: Dinner reservations recommended during summer season, especially for beachfront restaurants. Expect to pay €15-30 per person for quality meals with local ingredients. Look for restaurants displaying 'Lietuviška virtuvė' (Lithuanian cuisine) signs for the most real feels.

Cycle Through Palanga's Coastal Trails

Explore the town and surrounding natural areas via well-maintained cycling paths that wind through pine forests, along coastal dunes, and past historic villas. The flat terrain makes cycling accessible for all fitness levels, while routes connect major attractions including the Saint Vincent, beaches, and nearby Šventoji village. Bike paths offer scenic views of both forest and sea landscapes unique to the Baltic region.

Booking Tip: Bike rentals available from €8-15 per day, with electric bikes costing €20-25 daily. Reserve bikes during peak summer season as demand is high. Choose operators providing helmets, maps, and basic repair kits for safer, more enjoyable experiences.

Getting There

Palanga is easily accessible by various transportation methods, with the closest airport being Palanga International Airport, just 8 kilometers from the city center, offering seasonal flights from major European cities. By bus, regular services connect Palanga to Vilnius (4 hours), Kaunas (3 hours), and Klaipėda (30 minutes), with companies like Lux Express and FlixBus providing comfortable options. Train connections require traveling to Klaipėda first, then taking a bus or taxi for the final 25-kilometer journey. For those driving, Palanga is connected via the A13 highway, with the journey from Vilnius taking approximately 3.5 hours through scenic Lithuanian countryside.

Getting Around

Palanga is a compact, pedestrian-friendly town where most attractions are within walking distance of each other, particularly along the main Basanavičiaus Street stretching from the town center to the sea. Local buses operate several routes connecting different neighborhoods and nearby areas, with tickets costing around €1-2 per journey. Bicycle rental is extremely popular and practical, with numerous rental shops offering daily and weekly rates for exploring the extensive network of cycling paths. Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available for longer distances or when carrying beach equipment, while many visitors find that walking combined with occasional bike use provides the most enjoyable way to experience the town's relaxed coastal atmosphere.

Where to Stay

Basanavičiaus Street Area
Beachfront District
Botanical Garden Vicinity
Šventoji Neighborhood
Town Center
Pine Forest Area

Food & Dining

Palanga's dining scene celebrates both traditional Lithuanian cuisine and fresh Baltic seafood, with restaurants ranging from elegant beachfront establishments to cozy traditional taverns. Basanavičiaus Street serves as the culinary heart, lined with cafes, restaurants, and bars offering everything from smoked fish platters to contemporary European dishes with local twists. Seafood lovers will find exceptional preparations of Baltic herring, flounder, and salmon, often accompanied by locally foraged mushrooms, sea buckthorn, and amber honey. The town also features several craft breweries and wine bars, while traditional Lithuanian dishes like cepelinai (potato dumplings) and šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup) can be found at authentic local establishments, many of which offer outdoor seating to enjoy the coastal atmosphere.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Lithuania

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

View all food guides →

Užupio Picerija

4.5 /5
(4955 reviews) 2

CASA DELLA PASTA - Laisvės al. 27

4.5 /5
(4498 reviews) 2

CASA DELLA PASTA - Vilniaus g. 17

4.6 /5
(2033 reviews) 2

CASA DELLA PASTA - PC Akropolis

4.7 /5
(1572 reviews) 2
cafe

Amandus

4.9 /5
(1074 reviews) 3

CASA DELLA PASTA - PC Vilnius Outlet

4.5 /5
(950 reviews) 2
cafe

Looking for specific cuisines?

Local Cuisine Italian Japanese Fine Dining

When to Visit

The ideal time to visit Palanga is during the summer months from June to August, when temperatures reach 20-25°C, the Baltic Sea is warmest for swimming, and all attractions, restaurants, and cultural events are in full swing. Late spring (May) and early autumn (September) offer milder weather, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation prices, though some seasonal businesses may have limited hours. Winter visits provide a completely different but magical experience, with dramatic seascapes, peaceful snow-covered beaches, and cozy spa treatments, though many tourist facilities operate on reduced schedules and weather can be quite cold and windy.

Insider Tips

Visit the pier at sunrise for impressive photos without crowds - the golden light reflecting off the Baltic Sea creates magical moments that most tourists miss by sleeping in
Purchase amber jewelry from local artisans rather than tourist shops for authentic pieces at better prices - look for workshops where you can watch craftspeople at work
Try the local sea buckthorn products, including juices, jams, and cosmetics - this superfruit grows abundantly in the coastal dunes and offers unique flavors and health benefits specific to the Baltic region

Activities in Palanga