'''Klaipeda''' is Lithuania's third largest city, located in the north-western corner of the country. Originally founded by Baltic tribes, the city and castle was built by the Teutonic Order in 1252 and named '''Memel''' in honor of the river of the same name some 40km to the south. For most of its history, Memel was part of Prussia and large battles with Lithuanian lords took place here. Invasions came from Sweden and Russia and the city was part of the Prussian Kingdom and became a prosperous harbor town. It represented the northernmost city in Germany and Prussia until 1918. After Germany lost the First World War, Memelland was first given free city status and then subsequently annexed to the newly established Republic of Lithuania. It was briefly reabsorbed by Nazi Germany before WWII and then reverted back to the Soviet Union in 1945. Since Lithuanian independence in 1990, Klaipeda has become one of Lithuania's most buoyant cities with a steadily growing tourist trade.
Understand
It is the gateway to the Curonian Spit, a stretch of sand dunes 97 km in length from 400 meter to 4 km, in breadth that arcs down to the Kaliningrad region of Russia.
Get in
By ferry from Kiel, Sassnitz (Germany), Karlshamn (Sweden), Arhus, Aabenraa (Denmark)
By plane via Palanga, Kaunas, Vilnius
By bus from Kaliningrad, Kaunas, Riga, Vilnius
Get around
Bus trip per one trip per person - 1.5-2 Lt (?0,43-0.58).
Shuttle bus trip per one trip per person - 2.2-3 Lt (?0,64-0.87).
Taxi trip per 1 km - 3 Lt (?0,87).
More information at Klaipeda passenger transport [http://www.klaipedatransport.lt/].
See
Klaip?da city is known for it's main icons: sculpture Annchen von Tarau, located in theatre square, old sailing ship Meridianas (restaurant inside), also there are lots of small sculptures hiding in the town.
There are not so many museums in Klaip?da. Some of the most popular include the ''History Museum of Lithuania Minor, the ''Klaipeda Picture Gallery'', the ''Marine museum'' and the ''Clock museum''. Klaipeda's old town is small but interesting. Anika Square has a balcony where Adolph Hitler addressed a crowd. Legend has it that Hilter was annoyed because the statue depicting "Anika" of the Lithuanian folk tale was not facing him, so he had the statue removed. A replica is now in its place.
More information about Klaip?da city highlights you can find in Klaipeda tourism information center [http://www.klaipedainfo.lt/en]
'''Lithuanian Sea Museum and Delphinium'''. Smiltyn?s st. 3. [http://www.muziejus.lt/].
'''The Castle Museum'''. Pilies st. 4. [http:///www.mlimuziejus.lt/en].
'''The Blacksmith's Museum'''. ?altkalvi? st. 2. [http:///www.mlimuziejus.lt/en].
'''The History Museum of Lithuania Minor'''. Did?ioji Vandens st. 6. [http:///www.mlimuziejus.lt/en].
'''Clock Museum'''. Liep? st. 12. [http://www.muziejai.lt/klm].
'''P. Dom?aitis' Gallery'''. Liep? st. 33.
Do
There are many things to do in Klaip?da.
If you like nature - you must visit Curonian spit, which is a 10 minute boat ride from the Old ferry terminal (New ferry terminal for vehicles). In summer time the ferrys are running each 30 minutes, starting from 6 am, till midnight. In other side (Smiltyn?) you can visit Sea museum, ethnographic fisherman farmstead, take a walk on the pier, see the white sanded beaches or just take bus to Juodkrante or Nida towns (they are located 18 and 50 km from Smiltyne to south).
Clubs
If you like clubbing - there are many clubs in Klaip?da. Popular ones include "El Calor" Latino music, "Kurpiai" Jazz club, "Dr. Who", "Martini" and "Global".
'''El Calor'''. (Latino dance music) Kep?j? st. 10. [http://www.elcalor.lt/].
'''Kurpiai'''. (Jazz club) Kurpi? st. 1a. [http://www.jazz.lt/].
'''Dr. Who'''. (Dance, disko, funk music) Naujojo Sodo st. 1. [http://www.drwho.lt/].
'''Global'''. (Club music) J. Janonio. 27. [http://www.globalclub.lt/].
'''Martini'''. Taikos av. 64. [http://www.martini-club.visiems.lt/].
Beaches
There is a big and wide sand beach at Smiltyn?, full of locals and tourists in the summer.
Giruliai and Melnrag? beaches are at Northern Klaip?da, big and popular place to visit. The water is clean and warm.
Buy
There are many shopping malls in Klaip?da. The biggest one is called '''Akropolis''' [http://www.akropolis.lt/lt/klaipeda] and it is one of the biggest shopping mall in the Baltics. There are many things to do in Akropolis: cinema, ice-ring, restaurants, shops, 2 supermarkets, gym, pizzerias and so on.
Eat
There is a decent selection of Lithuanian and Western restaurants places in Klaipeda, most of which are located around the city's main thoroughfare, Manto gatve, and its continuation into the Old Town, Tiltu gatve. Main course prices range from ?2 at the lower end up to around ?20 at the higher end.
Snack
'''Navalis (kavin?).''' H. Manto st. 23. [http://www.meniu.lt/cat_item.php?strid=1079&id=3855].
Dinner
'''Cancan Pizza'''. Taikos pr. 61 (shopping center ?Akropolis_g) [http://www.cancan.lt/].
'''Restaurant "Stora Antis"''' in Klaipeda. The restaurant was built in 1856 on the burnt foundation after the Great Fire in Memel in 1854. Restaurant is an architectural monument and is guarded by the state. Now _gStora Antis_h in Klaipeda is a small restaurant in the very centre of an old town, on Tiltu street, 6. It slightly reminds of a shop of antiques, a little bit of museum, and also of a club for variety stars, politicians and businessmen. But the most important is qualitative Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Balkan and Byelorussian cuisine [http://www.storaantis.lt/?en=1176299526].
'''Juodojo Katino smukl?-2'''. Average price for a full business class dinner ?7,50. ?vej? st. 21/Teatro st. 1. [http://www.smukle.meniu.lt/].
Drink
There are many pubs and bars in Klaip?da to spend some time just sitting relaxing and drinking. Most of the pubs are located in the city centre and also in the southern part of the city. In the city center there is old warehouse "Memelis" (now it is renovated and working as bar/club), there is brewery inside and you can taste beer thats boiled in the same building. Average price for a pint of beer in city center for pub 5-8 Lt (around ? 1.45-2.30).
Sleep
'''Hotels'''
Ararat [http://www.ararat.lt]
Aribe [http://www.aribe.lt]
Parkas [http://www.hotelparkas.com]
Euterpe [http://www.euterpe.lt]
Europa Royale Klaip?da [http://www.groupeuropa.com]
Klaip?da [http://www.klaipedahotel.lt]
Magnisima [http://www.magnisima.lt]
Morena [http://www.morenahotel.lt]
Navalis [http://www.navalis.lt]
Old Port hotel [http://www.oldport.lt]
Paj?ris [http://www.pajurishotel.lt]
Promenada [http://www.promenada.lt]
Radisson SAS [http://www.klaipeda.radissonsas.com]
Reval Inn [http://www.revallinn.com]
Vecekrug [http://www.vecekrug.lt]
Viktorija
Apartments "Stora Antis" in Klaipeda [http://www.storaantis.lt/?en=1176299620]
'''Guest houses'''
Aismar?s [http://www.aismares.lt]
Avada
Fort?na [http://www.fortuna.lt]
Litinterp [http://www.litinterp.lt]
Paj?rio vie?kelis
Preliudija [http://www.preliudija.com]
Klaipeda Traveller_fs guesthouse (hostel ~45 Lt)
Beach Hostel. ostel Liepaja. epublikas 25/1. 00km from Klaipeda to Liepaja. ttp://www.beachhostel.lv. efore 22:00. 3:00. 0 Lvl. Beach Hostel in Liepaja Latvia 100 km from Klaipeda. Australian Owned and Operated for the benefit of the foreign traveller.
'''Apartments for rent'''
Cheap 2 bedroom flat rent in souther Klaipeda, only 15 minutes by regular bus to the city center. [malonumai00@yahoo.com]
Stay safe
Klaipeda is a safe place but like anywhere you have to use common sense. Try and walk with a confident air and never look lost.
Get out
The lovely seaside resort Palanga is on the way back to past glory. It is busy with tourists from June to September. The Latvian city Liepaja is just 100 km north from Klaipeda and is famous with beach, too, as well as with its Karosta neighbourhood, which is a former soviet secret military town with lots of things to see, such as a prison for tourists and a very scenic seaside fortress ruins and a cathedral.