Smiltyn

Smiltynė is a settlement in Klaipėda District Municipality, Lithuania. It lies on the Curonian Lagoon at the western end of the Curonian Spit, opposite the city of Klaipėda. The settlement hosts the Klaipėda ferry terminal, which provides the primary vehicle and passenger link across the Curonian Lagoon to the Curonian Spit and serves as a major gateway for visitors heading to the spit’s towns and beaches. The Curonian Spit itself is a long, narrow sand peninsula that extends into the Baltic Sea. Its Lithuanian portion is protected as the Curonian Spit National Park (Kuršių Nerijos Nacionalinis Parkas) and forms part of the Curonian Spit UNESCO World Heritage designation. The area around Smiltynė is characterized by pine forests, dunes, wetlands, and sandy beaches, making it a popular starting point for nature trails and dune landscapes. Local economy centers on transport services related to the ferry, tourism, and small-scale fishing. Smiltynė has a history as a fishing village and harbor point, and its role as a transport hub continues to define its character. Access to the Curonian Spit from Smiltynė is year-round, with higher traffic during the summer tourist season. The settlement is connected to Klaipėda by road and is a common stop for visitors exploring the Curonian Lagoon region.