Situated at the mouth of the Dane River, close to the Nemunas River, Klaipeda has long been an important port city on the Baltic Sea. Klaipeda's varied mix of architectural styles tells part of its history. Teutonic Knights founded Klaipeda as Memelburg. The name was shortened to Memel when it was part of Prussia and later the German Empire, and as an autonomous "free city" protected by the League of Nations following World War I. Klaipeda has been called Klaipeda (literally "flat ground" in an ancient dialect) since the 15th century, but the name only became official after World War II.

Klaipeda's Old Town is a pleasant place for a few hours of wandering, while admiring half-timbered Germanic architecture. Klaipeda is a popular stop for Baltic Sea cruises, too. The cruise port, not far from Old Town, is home to plenty of diversions. There's a ferris wheel and bars popular with the town's younger inhabitants. The left bank of the calm Dane river has restaurants and cafes. Don't miss the fish restaurant in the reconstructed ship, Meridianas. This is the hometown of the Svyturys brewery too, making it the best place to try one. Klaipeda is also ideal as a base for visiting the Curonian Spit. You can go on a private or group tour, or on your own. There are ferries across the short gap at the northern end of the Spit. There's also a regular boat service direct from Klaipeda to Nida.