Curonian Spit
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Curonian Spit
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In the southeastern corner of the Baltic Sea lies a skinny stretch of land. Known as the Curonian (or Courland) Spit, it separates the Curonian Lagoon (also known as the Courland Lagoon) from the Baltic Sea. Just 3,800 meters (about 12,460 feet) at its widest point, the spit encloses a lagoon of some 1,620 square kilometers (625 square miles). On July 25, 2006, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) , flying on NASA’s Terra satellite, captured this image of the spit, the lagoon it encloses, and part of the Baltic Sea.
In this image, dark blue indicates deep water, and lighter blue indicates shallow and/or sediment-laden water. Different shades of blue distinguish the deeper Baltic Sea and the shallower Curonian Lagoon. Vegetation appears in varying shades of green, paved surfaces and bare ground appear in shades of beige and gray, and sandy areas appear off-white. Obvious sandy areas appear along the length of the spit. On the Baltic Sea side, a thin off-white band of beach runs the length of the spit; on the Curonian Lagoon side, intermittent beaches carve their way into the narrow strip of land.
Both the spit and the lagoon fall within the borders of Lithuania in the north and Kaliningrad Oblast (a possession of the Russian Federation) in the south. The lagoon is fed primarily by the Nemunas (or Neman) River, and the river delta appears on the right side of this image, near the top. Between its sandy beaches, pine forests, and attractive views, the area is a popular tourist destination. Yet the area is fragile. Natural forces of winds and tides constantly threaten the spit, and human efforts of stabilization and reforestation are needed to preserve it. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated the Curonian Spit as a World Heritage site in 2000, after receiving a joint nomination from Lithuania and the Russian Federation.
NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data provided courtesy of NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and the U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team.
In the southeastern corner of the Baltic Sea lies a skinny stretch of land. Known as the Curonian (or Courland) Spit, it separates the Curonian Lagoon (also known as the Courland Lagoon) from the Baltic Sea. Both the spit and the lagoon fall within the borders of Lithuania and Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast.
Image of the Day for November 2, 2007
Image of the Day
Land
Life
Water
Image of the Day
Land
Life
Water
In the southeastern corner of the Baltic Sea lies a skinny stretch of land. Known as the Curonian (or Courland) Spit, it separates the Curonian Lagoon (also known as the Courland Lagoon) from the Baltic Sea. Both the spit and the lagoon fall within the borders of Lithuania and Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast.
Image of the Day for November 2, 2007
Image of the Day
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Mexico’s largest coastal lagoon supports an array of vegetation and marine life.
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Acquired September 18, 2009, this true-color image of Laguna Ojo de Liebre on Baja California shows the margins of industrialized salt works in the east and a famed marine mammal wintering site in the west.
Image of the Day
Life
Water
Human Presence
Acquired September 18, 2009, this true-color image of Laguna Ojo de Liebre on Baja California shows the margins of industrialized salt works in the east and a famed marine mammal wintering site in the west.
Image of the Day
Life
Water
Human Presence
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On this bewitching tendril of land, winds caress the sand dunes, pine scents the breeze and amber washes up on beaches. Designated a national park (Kuršių Nerijos Nacionalinis Parkas) in 1991, Curonian Spit trails across the Baltic Sea from Lithuania to Russian territory Kaliningrad. Pine forests populated by deer, elk and wild boar cover about 70% of the area and only a fraction is urban; the four main villages Nida, Juodkrantė, Pervalka and Preila are known collectively as ‘Neringa’. Today these fishing villages have embraced tourism, a double-edged sword that yields both their main source of income and their biggest environmental threat.
Until the first decades of the 20th century, most of the spit was German territory. The area used to have a magnetic attraction for German exiles, and continues to draw a large number of German tourists. Today, locals joke that the spit's sand dunes are 'Lithuania's Sahara'.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Curonian Spit National Park .
The 52m-high Parnidis Dune is simultaneously mighty and fragile. Past settlements around Nida have been engulfed by the moving sand dune but this is a delicate landscape of mountain pines, meadows and fine blonde sand speckled with purple searocket flowers. A 1700m-long path picks its way to a grand panorama at the height of the dune, where you'll find a sundial with a granite obelisk (constructed in 1995). Don't stray from the path, and take all rubbish with you.
A coven of wooden sculptures is gathered on a forest-clad hill in Juodkrantė, carved by Lithuanian artists over the years since 1979. At this open-air sculpture gallery, a devil grimaces beneath an arch of wooden faces, twisted in emotion, while warty-nosed witches, dwarves and Neringa herself peep out from among the pine trees. The figures represent various characters from regional folklore, and some have an interactive quality: slide down a demon's tongue or sit on a carved throne.
One of Europe's largest colonies of cormorants and grey herons is amassed in the forest 1km south of Juodkrantė. Wooden steps lead from the road to a viewing platform where the panorama of thousands of nests amid pine trees – not to mention the noise of the 6500-strong colony – is astonishing. Cormorants arrive in early February (herons a little later) to pick and rebuild their nests. By May chicks are screaming for food.
In an old fisher's hut on the northern side of town is this museum and shop devoted to amber. Staff introduce the mythic and supposed health-boosting properties of this fossilised resin. Visitors can peer through magnifying glasses at insects trapped in amber and explore the amber-ornamented garden. The museum doubles as a boutique selling truly unusual jewellery studded with amber. Enquire ahead for hour-long amber-processing classes (€6).
Curonian Spit's three defining traditional crafts, fishing, crow-catching and amber collecting, are explained within this small regional museum. Look out for images of hardy fishermen sending dragnets underneath the ice of the lagoon in midwinter. Other fascinating photographs depict local hunters biting a crow’s neck to kill it, then taking a shot of vodka to dull the taste.
Grab your Speedos and take a footpath through pine forests across the spit’s 1km-wide tip to a bleached-white sandy beach. From the ferry landing, walk straight ahead across the car park, then bear left towards Nida; on your right a large sign marks a smooth footpath that leads through pine forest to a women’s beach (Moterų pliažas; 1km), mixed beach (Bendras pliažas; 700m) and men’s beach (Vyrų pliažas; 900m). Nude or topless bathing is the norm on single-sex beaches.
At Juodkrantė’s northern end is an area around a fishing harbour known as Amber Bay (Gintaro įlanka), recalling the amber excavated in the village in three separate clusters – 2250 tonnes in all – in 1854 to 1855 and 1860. The spit is about 1.5km wide at this point and the fine stretch of forest – good for spotting elk in the early morning and evening – is among the loveliest you will find on the peninsula.
This delightful woodland cemetery features some fine examples of krikštai (wooden grave markers). Their origins hark back to Lithuania's pagan roots and these wooden markers with symmetrical carvings of plants, birds and more have been traditionally placed at the foot of a grave for centuries. Since the 19th century, the cross motif has been making an appearance.
The Ethnographic Museum is a peek at Nida in the 19th century, with original weathervanes decorating the garden, and rooms inside arranged as they were a couple of centuries ago. Check out a traditional fishing vessel in the garden and the thicket of weathervanes.
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Curonian Spit is home to some of the largest sand dunes in Europe
Curonian Spit is full of small quiet viewpoints.
Curonian Spit is home to some great beaches.
Looking across Curonian Spit, it´s a pretty narrow
The stairs to the top of Pardanis Dune or the stairs are now hidden under the sand.
Looking towards Russia from the top of the Pardanis Dune, Russia is just behind the tree line.
The viewing platform, with the dead trees in the background
View from the top of the dead dunes
Local artwork in memory of the villages which is lost under the sand
The boardwalk towards the Nagliai Nature Reserve / The Dead Dunes
Nagliai Nature Reserve / The Dead Dunes Lithuania
View from the top of the lighthouse towards Nida
View from the top of the lighthouse, you can easily see how narrow Curonian Spit is
Curonian Spit beach without any other people
Enjoy a quiet beach all by yourself.
From the viewing platform at the top of Vecekrugo Dune
Nida, during the weekend, hundreds of cars parked along the streets. there are not enough parking spaces inside Nida, so you might have to walk 20min
View from the top of the Nagliai Nature Reserve / The Dead Dunes
Complete travel guide to the Curonian Spit, a natural wonder and UNESCO world heritage site in Lithuania
Posted on Published: September 2, 2021 - Last updated: September 18, 2021
When you think of Lithuania, the first thing that comes to mind might not be white-sand dunes and blue waters. But perched between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea is a 98-kilometer piece of land known as the Curonian Spit (or Kursiu Nerija in Lithuania).
The stretch is covered with sand dunes and pine forests and is one of the most beautiful places in the small country.
Many people overlook the Curonian Spit as the coast sits a fair distance from Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital. However, a trip to this hidden gem is most certainly worthwhile. The Curonian Spit offers plenty to see and do with spectacular scenery, charming villages, and various attractions. Curonian Spit is also one of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Lithuania.
To follow is a guide on everything you need to know about visiting the Curonian Spit. This includes when to go, where to stay, what to see, and more.
The Curonian Spit is one of the longest spits in the world. It extends from Southwestern Lithuania to Kaliningrad’s Sambian Peninsula, passing through the Baltic Sea . Just over half of the spit belongs to Lithuania , a country north of Poland. The rest belongs to Russia. Both the Lithuanian and Russian sides of the spit are national parks.
Offering an array of outdoor fun, from its pristine beaches to its exciting trails, the Curonian Spit is best enjoyed when temperatures are warmer. As such, the best time to visit the area is in summer, particularly between early June and mid-September.
Spring and fall are quieter and offer their own charms; however, some hotels and restaurants close for the season following September.
To reach the Curonian Spit, you will need to take a ferry from Lithuania’s charming port city, Klaipeda. There are two terminals here – namely the Old Ferry Terminal and New Ferry Terminal. The old ferry runs from 7 am until 22.15, and the new ferry runs 24 hours a day. The ferry trip from Klaipeda across to Curonian Spit takes less than 10min.
Two ferries travel from the Old Terminal to the Curonian Spit. One takes passengers from Klaipeda to Smiltyne, while the other travels to Nida with stops in Juodkrante. The ferry is cost 1,10 euro for pedestrians and with people bike cycles and 13 Euro per car. The ferries from the New Terminal only travel between Klaipeda and Smiltyne.
During summer, there are frequent departures from both terminals; however, it is best to double-check the schedules when planning your trip. During fall, winter, and spring, ferry rides can be canceled due to inclement weather.
For more information on how to get to Klaipeda, check out our Klaipeda Lithuania travel guide .
Throughout the Curonian Spit, there is plenty to see and do. From the small towns to its many natural wonders, one can easily spend a day or two exploring the peninsula. To follow are some of the top attractions found on the Kursiu Nerija .
The Pardanis Dune is the main attraction in Nida, as well as on the entire Curonian Spit. As such, this should be the first place you visit.
At the height of 52 meters (170 feet), this sand dune is one of the highest on the Curonian Spit but not the highest; that´s the Vecekrug Dune, which is 67,2m high. To reach the top, follow the path south along the Curonian Lagoon. Eventually, you will reach a wooden staircase, taking you up towards the sundial at the top of the dune. The wooden staircase is often completely covered in the moving sand.
Here, you will be met with sweeping views of the dunes, lagoon, and Baltic Sea. This is also one of the best spots to catch the sunrise or the sunset.
Fun fact : – The Pardanis Dune is a wandering dune, meaning that the Lithuanian landform moves a couple of centimeters each year. And while it moves slowly, the dune has managed to swallow entire villages over the past few centuries.
The Curonian Spit Sundial was built in 1996 on the top of the 53m heigh Pardanis Dune. With the obelisk adding another 13,8m.
Its shadow falls on its semi-circular steps, the steps of which symbolizes the hours and the rows of stairs stand for the months; the sundial shows the local astronomical time here in Curonian Spit. The obelisk broke in two during a storm in 1999, but it was soon put back together agian.
A worthwhile trip is to simply set out on foot and explore Nida’s quaint village. Throughout the village, you will spot many traditional, colourful houses.
There is also a wonderful scenic walkway along the lagoon. If you’re visiting in the summer, we recommend you rent a bike. This is a fun way to explore the village and its surroundings.
The German writer and Nobel laureate used to own a beautifully situated villa on the Curonian Spit. Today, the beautiful wooden home serves as a museum, housing many of Mann’s original possessions. These include old photos, books, memoirs, and documents mirroring the writer’s work.
Visiting a cemetery might sound weird, but trust me, this one is worth checking out. The woodland cemetery features some fine examples of kriskstai. These are traditional wooden tombstones that date back to Lithuania’s pagan roots.
The unique grave markers are generally symmetrical and resemble trees, birds, and plants. Since the 19th century, people have also begun using crosses.
The Amber Gallery is based in an old fisherman’s hut on the northern side of town. As the name suggests, this museum and shop are dedicated entirely to amber. At the museum, you can learn all about the fossilized resin and explore the amber-ornamented garden. You can also enquire ahead for an hour-long amber-processing class.
The museum also doubles as a boutique store, selling bespoke amber jewelry. These unique pieces range in hues from yellow to red; but, the most highly prized colors are white, black, and blue.
Fun fact : Lithuanian amber is comparable to gold in the country. As such, you will find a lot of amber jewelry for sale in Nida and throughout Lithuania.
One of Europe’s largest cormorant and heron colonies is found in a forest 1 kilometer south of Juodkrante. Wooden steps lead from the road to a viewing platform where. From here the platform, marvel at the thousands of nests amid the pine trees. The sound of the 6,500-strong colony is also astonishing.
Due to the birds’ poo, the once green pine forest appears almost lifeless with its blackened and broken trees. Other species found in this forest include starlings, warblers, thrushes, and woodpeckers.
The Hill of Witches is an outdoor sculpture park located in a forest in Juodkrante. The unique open-air gallery is home to around 80 wooden sculptures resembling witches and devils. These have been carved by various Lithuanian artists over the years, starting in 1979.
The carvings found on this hill are based on Lithuania’s pagan traditions. Today, Lithuanians continue to celebrate the midsummer festival, St. Jonas Day, on the hill.
To view one of the Curonian Spit’s most spectacular natural elements, visit the Nagliai Nature Reserve trails. The trails take you on a peaceful journey through what many Lithuanians refer to as the Mirusios Kopos , meaning the Dead Dunes.
The Dead Dues got its name after the sand dunes covered 4 villages which now are hidden under the sand and lost forever. There were at least 14 villages in Curonian Spit which was covered by sand between the 17th and 19th centuries. The shifting sand used to move 0.5 to 15 meters a year, and after a long and unsuccessful fight against the sand, the locals gave up the fight against the sand and moved away.
The trail follows a 300-meter-long boardwalk that is accessible for everyone before you reach the sand du
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