Neringa

The basics

Composed of four former fishing villages—Pervalka, Preila, Juodkrante, and Nida—Neringa stretches for 32 miles (52 kilometers) along the Curonian Spit till it meets the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Tourists come to absorb the peninsula’s serene beauty, with its beaches, giant dunes, pine forests, and seabird colonies. While soaking up nature, you can discover painted fisherfolk houses, restaurants, fish smokeries, and the mellow pace of Nerigna’s villages-turned-resorts.

Whether you’re planning to explore Neringa by yourself or on an organized tour, you have plenty of options. Arrive independently by ferry from Lithuania’s mainland port of Klaipeda, or book a guided tour from Klaipeda or Vilnius to discover Neringa’s high points in a day. You can also paddle past the peninsula dunes on a canoe expedition or join a guided multi-day tour that spotlights Neringa and the highlights of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

Things to know before you go

• Neringa is heaven for anyone seeking a relaxing seaside getaway.

• All vehicles entering the Curonian Spit National Park pay an entrance toll, which rises sharply in summer.

• Parking lots, restrooms, picnic spots, ATMs, and bike rentals line the peninsula.

• Well-marked bike trails cover Neringa, making it ideal for keen cyclists.

How to get there

Aside from a few tourist boats, the only way to reach Neringa from mainland Lithuania is by public ferry from the port city of Klaipeda. Regular ferries depart from its New Ferry and Old Ferry ports for the short crossing to Smiltyne on the northern peninsula. Frequent buses from here run to all the villages. Keep in mind that travelers with cars will need to embark from the New Ferry port.

When to get there

The best time to visit Neringa is in the summer (June to September) when the days are long, the light is crystal-clear, and the weather is mild (if sometimes rainy). While some beaches can get crowded during this peak season, many others, and the villages, still manage to stay quiet and low-key. In the winter, the tourists disappear and sub-zero temperatures arrive, freezing the lagoon and coating the dunes and forests in snow.

Outdoor activities in Neringa

Neringa beckons with a variety of outdoor pursuits. Pedal the bike paths, sail or swim in the Baltic, stride the dune boardwalks, and explore Nida to see its cute wooden cottages. Other must-dos include climbing the 171-foot (52-meter) Parnidis Dune, crowned with a huge sundial, and taking in the folk art sculptures on the spookily named Hill of Witches.