Smiltynės Jachtklubas

Trot down to Smiltynė beach (20 minutes’ walk) for spells on the white sand and swims in crystal-clear Baltic waters. Despite being fairly close to Klaipėda, this spot is generally mightily peaceful, with crowds being rare. A little inland from the beach is the Lithuanian Sea Museum (five minutes' drive), an aquarium home to local Baltic critters as well as fish from more tropical climes. There's also much to do inland – drive 20 minutes down the road to rent beefy fat-tyre bikes at Raganu Kalnas ('the Hill of Witches' in the Lithuanian, in case you weren't aware). Birdwatching, meanwhile, is up for grabs at similarly close Juodkrantė (20 minutes). Klaipėda Sculpture Park (50 minutes) is a top option for the artistically inclined. There's much to check out around the city's old town; if you don't need your car, walk ten minutes up to the passenger ferry to be dropped off in the city centre.