The Curonian Spit National Park (26461 ha, including 9761 ha of land, 4200 ha – Curonion Lagoon (Kuršių marios), 12500 ha – the Baltic Sea) is the most frequented protected area in Lithuania. Chains of North Europe’s highest dunes, the soughing of the sea and rustling of sand as well as old Curonian houses smelling of fish accompany a traveller all along the spit, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. The formation of a small and narrow sand strip between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon from the sand carried by water streams and drifted by the wind started around 5 thousand years ago. The current landscape of the spit is the result or human activities and natural forces. After deforestation in the 15th-17th centuries, the sand dunes started moving and buried villages. Only well-planned human activities could provide protection against natural elements. The formation of a protective dune ridge and afforestation were commenced 200 years ago.

This area is distinguished by unique landscape, flora and fauna. That includes the Large Dunes ridge of the spit, the ancient parabolic dunes near Juodkrantė, the Grey Dunes between Juodkrantė and Pervalka, the drifted Parnidžio and Sklandytojų (Gliders’) dunes, soils which have been buried beneath a layer of sand, sea and lagoon plains, natural complexes of kupstynė (tops of buried old dunes), and the protective seacoast dune ridge. The spit is characterized by specific natural habitats the protection of which is Lithuania’s responsibility. The Curonian Spit National Park was added to Natura 2000, a European network of protected areas.  The aim is to preserve typical and rare species of plants and animals, which are important to the biological variety of the whole Europe.

Tourists are attracted by interesting and original cultural heritage, including ethnographic fishermen’s houses, old villas constructed in late 19th – early 20th  centuries in Nida, Juodkrantė and Smiltynė settlements, the old cemetery of Nida, the Evangelical-Lutheran churches of Nida and Juodkrantė, and buildings of typical wooden architecture. Liudvikas G. Rėza, Konigsberg University professor, poet and folklore collector, was born here. German culture and art celebrities used to holiday, and writer Thomas Mann had its own summer house here.

Nida, Juodkrantė, Preila, Pervalka and Smiltynė are old summer resorts rich in recreational resources, including sand beaches, clean sea water, sunlit pinewoods and natural and cultural values in the neighbourhood.  These settlements have many hotels and holiday homes. Local residents, too, provide accommodation services. The Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea create favourable conditions for yachting and recreational fishing. Nida, Juodkrantė and Smiltynė have yacht ports, and Preila and Pervalka–boat quays.

Every year, Lithuanian Sea Museum-Aquarium and Dolphinarium in Smiltynė, Weathercock Museum-Gallery in Juodkrantė, the Nature Museum of the Curonian Spit National Park, Fisherman’s Ethnographic Home, Amber Gallery-Museum, Neringa History Museum and Thomas Mann Culture Centre attract many visitors.

A 26-kilometer long cycling trail has been built in the Curonian Spit. Soon it will stretch along the entire Curonian Spit. Visitors to the spit can explore the landscape of the Grey Dunes on the sightseeing trail (1,2 km long) of the Nagliai Natural Reservation. A sightseeing hiking trail (1,6 km long) is built in Juodkrantė old grove, and Parnidžio sightseeing trail (1,8 km long) – in the environs of Nida. Close to Juodkrantė, bird lovers can observe the life of the grey herons and large cormorants. Lithuania’s largest brooding place of these birds is here. Viewing grounds opening up scenic views of the Curonian Spit and the Baltic Sea or the Curonian Lagoon are built on Avikalnis, the Grey Dunes in Nagliai reservation and Parnidžio Dune.

Curonian Spit National Park Administration:
Smiltynės pl. 18, LT-93100 Klaipėda Tel./fax 8 46  391 113; E-mail: knnp@is.lt
Website: http://www.nerija.lt

Information Centre in Smiltynė
Smiltynės pl. 11, LT-93100 Klaipėda Tel./fax 8 46  402 257; E-mail: info@nerija.lt

Information Centre in Nida
Naglių g.8, LT – 93123 , Neringa Tel./fax 8 469  51 256; E-mail: kinfo@takas.lt