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Nida |
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Nida |
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The small fishing village of Nida is only 50km from Klaipeda, but it's a world away when it comes to natural beauty. Nida, the pride and joy of the spit, is by and large a family destination. The pace of the town is slow - visitors rise late and stay out late. The dunes alone are reason enough to come, but the quaint brightly painted wooden houses and quintessential summer atmosphere make it all the more worth your while. The town - three separate villages in the 19th century - extends along a 2km-long road. Though the population of the town is less than 2,000, in summer over 50,000 people vacation here.
Nida ha an old history as a health resort, and you
still find sanatoriums here, but nowadays most activities is
targeted to develop normal tourism. This is a tourist trap in
it's positive meaning. To Nida many Lithuanians go themselves in
holiday, and in resent years many cafes and other tourist
services have emerged. Why not rent a bike to explore the
peninsula? In Eastern Europe commodities can still be quite
primitive and service not developed. To find a place with good
service and low prices felt perfect!
Close to the harbour you will find one of the bigger area of the mighty dunes. Along the pedestrian way the small resorts and villages is situated one after the one. A kilometer to the east you find the endless beaches at the shore to the Baltic Sea
From Nida you can take a trip with a rocket! "Raketa" is a typical Soviet stile hydrofoil, and its appearance makes you think about science fiction from the 50:s. The rapid boat sails over the Bay and up river Nemunas to the city of Kaunas.
The Beach
The white-sand beaches of Nida are reason enough to come
to Nida anytime of the year. After storms in the fall and spring
you can entertain yourself by searching for amber. In summer en
plein air painting, sandcastle building and volleyball are
popular beach activities. Keep an eye out for signs designating
who gets to use which beach: moteru pliazas (women-only
beach), vyru pliazas (men-only beach) and bendras
pliazas (general beach). Nude sunbathing is allowed on the
single-sex beaches.
Bring your own sunscreen if you plan to sunbathe because
Coppertone hasn't infiltrated the market yet. Find all sorts
of snack food - hot dogs, ice cream, fruit and drinks - on the
three pedestrian paths leading up to the beach. Rent umbrellas on
the middle path. The paths are marked on a map along the main
road.
The water of the Baltic Sea is relatively shallow and cold, but
on hot days you won't believe you're up on the 55th latitude.
Shuttle buses run between the pier and the paths to the beach
every 15min. From town you can walk through cool pine forests to
the beach in 20min.
The Dunes
It's illegal to walk on the dunes. The natural ecosystem
gets ruined by inconsiderate people walking on them. The easy
environmentally-friendly way is to hike through the forest at the
end of Nagliu and then take a left at any of the paths after
you've ascended the hill. The more rigorous option is to walk
along the beach at the end of Nagliu and then tromp up 159 steps
for rewarding views of the dunes, the sea and the lagoon. Both
paths lead to a sun calendar obelisk. Continue down the paved
road from the top to reach the beach in 30min.
The Sundial
Recently renovated, the sundial sits on Parnidis dune
(52m). The metre-high sundial marks the highest point on the spit
- Parnidis dune. The design of the sundial is based on the
designs of the ancient Baltic tribes. A trip to Nida without a
trip up to the top to see not only the sundial but the
spectacular 360° view is no trip it all.
Getting There
By Hydrofoil
By Hydrofoil From June 1 to August 31 take the
Raketa along the Nemunas river from Kaunas to Nida in just
four hours. The ship stops at Jubarkas and Rusne along the way.
Be prepared to fork over 3Lt for an environment tax when you
arrive in Nida. Children five to ten years old get a 50% discount
on tickets. More than 20kg of luggage will cost half the price of
a ticket. Transporting bicycles cost the full price of a ticket.
Booking tickets in advance costs a 1Lt.
Kaunas Ticket
Office & Pier
Raudondvario pl. 107, tel. (370-7) 26 13 48. Open
08:00 - 14:30, Sat 08:00 - 14:30. Closed Sun. Ticket office:
Delta Travel agency, Laisves 88, tel. (8-26) 20 49 11, fax (8-26)
20 06 21. Open 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.
Nida Ticket Office & Pier
Nagliu16, tel. (370-59) 52 333. Open 12:30 - 15:30, 18:00
- 21:00. Closed Mon.
Pleasure Cruises
From July 4 to Aug 30, sail any day to from Nida
to the Nemunas delta and back for 15Lt. On Saturdays, sail from
Nida to Klaipeda Aquarium, and back for 30Lt. If you want to rent
it for an odyssey of your own creation, tel. (370-90) 32 745.
By Bus/Car/Motorcycle
The only way to reach the spit from the
Lithuanian side is by ferry from Klaipeda to Smiltyne. Once in Smiltyne, you'll
find buses, minibuses and taxis all waiting to take you the 49km
to Nida. Most Nida-bound buses stop in Juodkrante, but ask to be sure. Buses leave
every hour, coordinated with the ferry schedule and cost 7Lt.
Minibuses leave when they're full and cost 9Lt. Taxis for one
start at 40Lt, a ridiculous sum. Bargain down to 8 - 10Lt per
person!
Note that when travelling by car or taxi, you will be obliged to stop at the National Park Station 9km from Smiltyne and pay an entrance fee (2Lt/person, 5Lt/motorcycle, 10Lt/car, 15Lt/minibus, 20Lt/bus, 100Lt/car with trailer). Hold onto your receipt for the return trip! The only petrol station (open 24 hours) on the road is 2km outside Nida, The speed limit is 40km/h and cars may only park in designated places.
By Bicycle
You can take your bicycle on the Old Castle Ferry. Once in
Smiltyne, you'll have to ride 49km down the spit on a rather flat
road with short visibility. Remember to lock your bike, watch out
for motorists (they're not used to sharing the road) and bring
spare parts since towns are few and far between. Or you can bring
your bike on the hydrofoil from Kaunas directly to Nida.
Agila Cultural Centre Gallery
Taikos 4.
Features temporary exhibits of foreign and local
artwork.
Ethnographic Museum
Nagliu 4, tel. (370-59) 52 372. Open 11:00 -
17:00 (May - Sep). Closed Mon, Tue.
Inside an old fisherman's cottage, the rooms of this
museum are arranged as they were in the 19th century.
Amber Museum Gallery (Gintaro
Galerija)
Pamario 20, tel. (370-59) 52 712/52 573. Open
09:00 - 21:00 (mid-Apr - Sept).
A shop and a museum. The staff are helpful and will
explain anything you want to know about amber. It may be a little
more expensive than the rest, but you'll make an informed
purchase here. Sales outlets also at Nagliu 14 and at Skruzdynes
17a.
Evangelical-Lutheran Church
Pamario (opposite Gintaro Galerija).
A beautiful red brick church built in 1888. Catholic
mass Sun, 10:00. Nida Women's Choir sings Mon, 20:30. Look for
posters with the schedules for other concerts at the church or at
the Tourist Information Centre. The cemetery dates back to 1732
and was restored in 1975. Many of the crosses here are Lithuanian
krikstas, which are particular to the area. Krikstas
can be shaped like a horse's head, birds or plants and are placed
at the foot of the grave. Their size and design depend on the sex
and age of the deceased. The krikstas here date back to
the 19th and early 20th century. D. Kuvert the naturalist dubbed
"The Saviour of the Dunes" is buried here. His
tombstone reads "whose son G.D. Kuvertas, resident of
Melaviskiai, fallen ill in 1856, planted the first trees in the
sad desert of Nida."
Fisherman's Museum
Kuverto 2. Open 11:00 - 17:00 (May - Sep).
Closed Mon, Tue.
A two-room museum displaying fishing nets and
black-and-white photos chronicling the history of fishing in
Neringa. A worthwhile stop to see what Nida was like in the old
days.
Thomas Mann House
Skruzdynes 17, tel. (370-59) 52 260. Open
11:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun, Mon.
The Nobel-winner spent summers in this small cottage on
the lagoon in 1930 and 1931. Today you can see an exhibition
about his life. Music concerts are sometimes held here. German
and Lithuanian explanations only.
Old-fashioned Fishing Boat
(Kurenas)
At the pier, tel. (370-59) 52 768.
In summer take a sail on the kurenas, a replica
of a typical 19th-century fishing boat. The flat wooden sailing
boat was built by Nida-resident and painter Eduardas Jonusas and
his son Jovas. Their present-day model is based on drawings from
1875.
Weathervanes acted as a sort of address system. This system was introduced in 1844 and today can be seen on display all over Nida. The weathervanes were all made of a black and white board with red and white flags attached to each side. They were then attached to the boats to let others know which town the fisherman and his boat was from. Today you can see them displayed in the Fisherman's Museum as well as along the lagoon path.
Agila Cultural Centre Cinema
Taikos 4. Ticket office open 19:00 - 20:00.
One show per night in the original language with Lithuanian
subtitles.
Bicycle rental
Auksines Kopos Hotel, Kuverto 17
Jurate Hotel, Pamario 3
Lineja Hotel, Taikos 18
and practically every other street corner.
Renting a bike costs 5 - 10Lt/hr or 30 - 50Lt/day.
Boat Rental
Nagliu across from Seklycia restaurant.
Paddle boats and row boats for rent to take out on the lagoon.
Horseback Riding
Nidos Girininkija, Purvynes 27, tel. (370-59) 52 302.
Ride like the wind!
Horse-drawn Carriage Rides
at the pier.
Take your sweetheart for a romantic carriage ride. Prices start
at 15Lt for a 15-minute spin.
Outdoor Swimming Pool
Auksines Kopos Hotel, Kuverto 17. Entrance fee: 10Lt (adults),
5Lt (kids).
A good place to get the kids into some shade and away from the
sometimes yucky waters of the Baltic Sea.
Rollerblade Rental
at the pier and every other corner in town.
Viesulas Morskoi Kater
Pier, tel. (370-98) 47 142/(370-87) 22 479.
Sea outings, fishing trips and waterskiing.
Lietuvos Taupomasis Bank
Taikos 5, tel. (370-59) 52 241. Open 08:30 - 12:30, 13:30 -
17:30, Sat 09:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun.
Visa cash advance and Western Union service available. Currency
exchange handles Thomas Cook and American Express travellers'
cheques. You can also exchange currency here.
Tourist Information Centre
Taikos 4, LT-5872, tel. (370-59) 52 345, fax (370-59) 52 344.
Open 09:00 - 19:00. (June - Aug). Open 08:00 - 12:00, 13:00 -
17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. (Sept - May).
Sells maps, guides and photo supplies as well as develops film.
Reserves accommodation and charge a 5Lt for this service.
German-speaking and sometimes English-speaking staff.
Hospital (Ligonine)
Taikos 11, tel. (370-59) 52 215.
Pharmacy (Vaistine)
Taikos 11. Open 09:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00.
Closed Sun.
Public Showers
Taikos 29. Open 08:00 - 24:00.
Taxi
tel. (370-59) 06 or 05.
Fire Station Taikos 4a, tel.
(370-59) 52 201.
Neringa Municipality Taikos 2, tel. (370-59) 52 234.
Police Station Taikos 5, tel. (370-59) 52 202.
Road Police Taikos 5, tel. (370-59) 52 382.
Border Police tel. (370-59) 52 230
Nida's telephone code is 259. Buy phone cards from a kiosk or the post office.
Post Office
Taikos 15, tel. (+370-59) 52 647. Open 09:00 - 12:00, 13:00 -
17:30. Closed Sat, Sun.
Get phone cards here. Make long distance calls to your loved ones
to tell them how much fun you're having in beautiful Nida,
Lithuania.
Telephone Centre
Taikos 15, Open 08:00 - 21:00 (Oct - Apr), 07:00 - 24:00 (May -
Sep).
Fax, telephone and telegraph.
Bus Station
Nagliu 20, tel. (+370-59) 52 334.
The bus station is more like a bus kiosk - a bench and the
schedules. Buses to Smiltyne leave every half hour until
19:00. Minibuses in summer run often (as soon as they fill
up).