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Travelling and arriving
Around four hours' driving, leaving the afternoon free to arrive and take a first stroll along the beach.
This is where your trip begins. From Szczecin, you head north-east towards the Baltic coast.
A small coastal campsite in Łeba, quietly situated with a short walk to the wide Baltic beach. A good halfway stop to break up the long drive and get a first feel for the Baltic on your very first evening. As a taste of things to come, the nearby Słowiński National Park with its shifting dunes is well worth the detour.
Nature and shifting dunes
A pure nature day with no change of location, all at a relaxed pace.
Bring sturdy footwear for the sandy path to the dune.
Słowiński National Park protects the largest shifting dunes in Europe, which slowly creep over the forest. From the Rąbka car park, you can walk or take the electric shuttle train to the impressive Łącka Dune. A good introduction to the dune theme that returns later on the Curonian Spit.
Leg to the Baltic coast
The longest leg of the trip, around five hours of pure driving time. Plan plenty of breaks and note that the transit route goes around the Kaliningrad region.
From Łeba, you continue north towards the Lithuanian border and the Baltic coast.
A wooded coastal campsite in the Giruliai district north of Klaipeda, just a few minutes from the beach. A quiet base from which to catch the ferry to the Spit the next day. The amber bay near Karklė is also easily reached from here.
Town, harbour and museum
For the Maritime Museum, take the passenger ferry to Smiltynė; leave the car in Klaipeda.
The afternoon is free for strolling or a beach walk at Giruliai.
Klaipeda, formerly known as Memel, has a charming Old Town with half-timbered houses, old warehouses and little sculptures tucked into many corners. The old market and the riverside promenade along the Dane invite you to wander. A good start before heading out onto the Spit.
The Lithuanian Maritime Museum is housed in an old fortress on the Smiltynė headland, reached by a short passenger ferry crossing. Aquariums, Baltic fish, seals and penguins make for a varied visit. A highlight for anyone who loves the sea and nature.
Arrival in the national park
An environmental fee applies to vehicles on the Spit, which can be paid online or on site.
Arrive in Nida in the afternoon and set up camp at a relaxed pace.
From Klaipeda, you take the car ferry to the Curonian Spit and continue on to Nida.
A wooded dune hill with an open-air trail full of wooden sculptures depicting Lithuanian legends and fairy tales. The shaded circular walk is entertaining and leads through atmospheric pine forest. A good first stop on the Spit.
A well-kept campsite on the edge of Nida, surrounded by pine forest and within easy reach of both the lagoon and the dunes. A good base for several nights to explore the Spit at leisure. Ideal for a roof tent and for nature lovers.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Dunes, culture and views
A quiet day around Nida, with everything close by and easy to combine on foot.
For the Great Dune, the light is loveliest early or late in the day.
The Parnidis Dune rises impressively above the lagoon and forest, offering wide views as far as the Russian border. A boardwalk protects the sand and leads comfortably to the top. This tranquil sand mountain is one of the most striking spots on the Spit.
On the ridge of the Parnidis Dune stands a large sundial with a stone obelisk and calendar markings. The viewpoint is part of the dune trail and is especially rewarding in soft evening light. From here, the view stretches across the whole spit.
The thatched summer house where Thomas Mann spent several summers in the early 1930s is now a small museum and cultural centre. From the garden, there's a lovely view over the Curonian Lagoon. A peaceful place that combines literature and landscape.
Bird migration and quiet landscapes
The bird observatory lies on the mainland's eastern shore of the lagoon, and the drive there is longer than it looks on the map. Plan the day without rushing and take your time watching the migrating birds.
Binoculars are well worth bringing for birdwatchers.
In the Nagliai Nature Reserve, the shifting dunes once buried entire forests, whose dead tree remains now emerge from the sand once again. A boardwalk leads through this bare, almost desert-like landscape. A quiet, unusual spot on the way north.
At Cape Ventės Ragas on the eastern shore of the Curonian Lagoon lies one of the oldest bird observatories in Europe, where tens of thousands of migrating birds are ringed each autumn. September is peak season for bird migration, making it an ideal time to watch. A small museum and the lighthouse round off the visit.
Amber and sea
Amber is most likely to be found after winds from the west to north-west, often among the seaweed piles along the tideline.
A relaxed final day by the sea to round off the trip.
From Nida, take the ferry back to the mainland and continue on to the amber coast at Karklė.
The unspoilt stretch of coast near Karklė is part of Pajūris Regional Park and is known for the amber washed ashore after autumn storms. Wild dunes, pine forest and quiet beaches shape the landscape here. A lovely spot to finish with some searching and strolling.
A final night at the wooded coastal site in Giruliai, just a few minutes from the amber coast and the beach. A peaceful place to let the trip draw to a close by the sea.
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