Kaunas to the Curonian Spit: The Ultimate 1-Day Road Trip Guide

Road Trip Kaunas to Curonian Spit 1-Day

In June 2022, we set off on a 2-week road trip through the Baltic States. Starting in Vilnius (Lithuania), we rented a car and explored as much as we could on our journey up to Tallinn (Estonia), making plenty of stops through Latvia along the way.

On our fourth day, we made the drive from Kaunas to the Curonian Spit. Since we had our own car, we decided to skip the main highway and take a scenic detour to visit two beautiful castles before reaching Klaipėda, where we caught the ferry across to the Curonian Spit.

The drive was easy, peaceful, and incredibly picturesque — a great way to experience the Lithuanian countryside. We chose not to stop in Klaipėda to save time for the Curonian Spit itself, where we based ourselves in Juodkrantė, a charming little town in the heart of the spit.

If you’re planning a Baltic road trip and heading toward the coast, this scenic route from Kaunas to the Curonian Spit makes for a perfect one-day journey. Let’s dive into the details!

Read: The Perfect 2-Week Baltic States Itinerary

The road trip

Driving in Lithuania is incredibly easy and stress-free. Most road regulations are in line with EU standards, and the lack of heavy traffic makes the journey all the more pleasant. What really stood out to us was the beauty of the Lithuanian countryside — especially in June, when we spotted countless storks peacefully walking along the roadside. It felt like a scenic road trip through a postcard.

Here’s the plan we followed for our one-day drive from Kaunas to the Curonian Spit:

• Kaunas → Raudonė Castle: 62.5 km – about 1 hour
• Raudonė Castle → Panemunė Castle: 10 km – about 10 minutes
• Panemunė Castle → Klaipėda New Ferry Terminal: 167 km – about 1 hour 40 minutes
• Ferry to the Curonian Spit: 15 minutes
• Ferry Terminal → Juodkrantė: 17.3 km – about 20 minutes

It’s a smooth and rewarding day of driving — with a great mix of history, scenery, and seaside charm.

Here are all your accommodation options in Juodkrantė (Curonian Spit)

What to Eat

We personally took some local pastries from a bakery in Kaunas. They had one vegetarian option (spinach with cheese) and one vegan option filled with vegetables. We took our lunch break by a small lake next to Panemunės Castle, and it was the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the peaceful Lithuanian countryside.

However, if you’d rather sit down at a restaurant, there are a few local options worth considering:

• Raudonės Pilies Kavinė, located next to Raudonė Castle, offers simple Lithuanian snacks and meals—ideal for a quick and convenient bite.
• If you want something more scenic, the Panemunės Pilis Restaurant, right inside the castle estate, is a lovely spot for lunch. They serve traditional Lithuanian cuisine in a beautiful setting overlooking the Nemunas River. While vegetarian options are a bit limited, you’ll usually find salads, soups, or cheese-based dishes.
• If you pass through Jurbarkas, a nearby town, you could also stop at Švediškas stalas for a casual buffet meal, or try Karčema, a traditional tavern offering hearty Lithuanian food.

We recommend to rent a car through Discover Cars with free cancellation. Book your rental car here.

Road Trip Kaunas to Curonian Spit

Kaunas to Raudoné Castle

We left Kaunas around 9:30 in the morning and initially made a quick stop at Raudondvaris Castle, which is located quite close to the city. While it looked charming from afar, we didn’t find it particularly impressive and wouldn’t recommend including it in your itinerary unless you’re really into castles or happen to pass nearby.

From there, we continued the drive to Panemunės Castle, which was about 62.5 km away and took us roughly 1 hour. The road between Kaunas and Panemunė was one of the most enjoyable stretches of our road trip — smooth, quiet, and with barely any traffic. What made it even more special was the fact that it followed the Nemunas River, offering stunning views of the Lithuanian countryside along the way.

If you’re planning your own road trip from Kaunas to the Curonian Spit, this scenic drive is an absolute highlight you shouldn’t miss.

Raudoné Castle

Our first real stop on this road trip was Raudonė Castle. The entrance fee was just €1.50 per person, and while it’s a small site, it made for a lovely first break from the road. Inside the castle, you’ll find a modest exhibition and a watchtower that offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding area — a nice reward after the climb up.

What we particularly enjoyed was the peaceful park outside the castle. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs, take a short walk under the trees, or enjoy a quiet moment before continuing your journey.

Raudonė Castle itself dates back to the 19th century and is a former residential estate. Today, it serves a rather unique purpose — it’s now used as a public school, which gives the place an even more charming and lived-in feel.

Here are all your accommodation options in Juodkrantė (Curonian Spit)

Raudone Castle to Panemunės Castle

We hopped back into our car and continued the journey, driving another 10 kilometers — a quick 10-minute ride along the same scenic road. The route remained just as peaceful and picturesque, following the curves of the river and weaving through small villages and green countryside. It was a smooth and pleasant drive, setting the tone perfectly for our next stop: Panemunės Castle.

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

Panemunės Castle

Once we parked our car at Panemunės Castle, we walked behind the main building toward the small lakes nestled in the park. The setting was peaceful, and we found a bench with a view to enjoy our packed lunch from Kaunas.

Unfortunately, the skies soon turned grey, and just after we finished eating, the rain began. Thankfully, we had our umbrella ready and made our way quickly to the entrance of the castle.

Compared to Raudonė Castle, Panemunės Castle is much larger and offers a more immersive visit. The entrance fee is €4 per person, and it’s absolutely worth it.

You begin the tour on the first floor, stepping into the main apartments of the castle. A short, well-produced video introduces the history and significance of the site before you’re free to wander through rooms displaying traditional clothing and period décor.

After that, we made our way down into another wing of the castle where the kitchens are located, followed by a climb up the watchtower, which offers a panoramic view over the park and river valley.

Originally, the site was home to a Teutonic hill fort built in 1343, but what you see today is the Renaissance-style castle constructed between 1604–1610 by a Hungarian nobleman. Rather than serving as a fortress, it was designed as a residential manor with modest defensive elements. Over the centuries, it became one of the most beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture in Lithuania.

Today, Panemunės Castle functions as both a museum and a boutique hotel, making it a fascinating and atmospheric stop on your road trip through Lithuania.

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Panemunės Castle to Klaipeda new ferry terminal

Next up on our road trip from Kaunas to the Curonian Spit was our final destination: the Curonian Spit itself. To reach it, we first had to head toward the New Ferry Terminal in Klaipėda.

After visiting Panemunės Castle, we returned to the main road (A1) — the fastest and most direct route connecting Kaunas to Klaipėda. The drive was smooth, with well-maintained roads and little traffic, offering scenic glimpses of the Lithuanian countryside along the way.

It took us about 1 hour and 40 minutes to drive the 167 kilometers to Klaipėda. Once there, we reached the new ferry terminal, located just south of the city center, where we waited for the short crossing to the Curonian Spit.

Here are all your accommodation options in Juodkrantė (Curonian Spit)

Ferry to the Curonian Spit

We followed our GPS all the way through Klaipėda to reach the New Ferry Terminal, where a small toll station greeted us just before the boarding zone. There, we paid a toll fee of €18.30 to access the ferry boarding area with our car.

Luckily, the timing was perfect — we arrived just as the 15:00 ferry was boarding, so we didn’t have to wait at all. We drove straight on board, and within moments, the ferry was on its way.

The crossing was surprisingly quick — just around 5 minutes — making it one of the easiest and most efficient parts of our road trip. Once on the other side, we were officially on the Curonian Spit, ready for the final leg of the journey to Juodkrantė.

We recommend to rent a car through Discover Cars with free cancellation. Book your rental car here.

Drive to Juodkrante

Once we arrived on the Curonian Spit, we followed the main road south toward Juodkrantė. Not long after leaving the ferry, we reached another toll station — this time for entering the Curonian Spit National Park by vehicle.

If you didn’t know, the entire Curonian Spit is a protected national park, and there is a mandatory access fee for all motor vehicles. As we visited in June, which is already considered high season (June 1st to September 15th), the entry fee was €30.

Here’s a breakdown of the fee depending on the season:

• Low season (Nov 1 – Mar 31): €5
• Shoulder season (May 1 – May 31 & Sept 16 – Oct 31): €10
• High season (June 1 – Sept 15): €30

From the ferry terminal to Juodkrantė, the drive was about 17.3 km and took us a little over 20 minutes, following a peaceful, scenic road surrounded by pine forests and glimpses of the lagoon. It was a relaxing end to a beautiful road trip.

Juodkrante

Once you arrive in Juodkrantė, you should still have enough time to enjoy a first activity on the Curonian Spit — and we recommend heading straight to the Educational Dendrological Trail, which includes one of the most unique attractions in the area: the Hill of Witches.

This short, forested hike leads you through a beautifully shaded pine forest dotted with over 80 wooden sculptures carved by Lithuanian artists. The artwork brings to life characters from Lithuanian folklore, legends, and pagan traditions — from witches and devils to fairies and forest spirits.

The walk is easy and family-friendly, taking about 30–45 minutes, but you can linger longer if you want to admire the sculptures or enjoy the forest’s peaceful vibe. It’s a perfect introduction to the local culture and a magical way to start your stay on the Curonian Spit.

Here are all your accommodation options in Juodkrantė (Curonian Spit)

Where to Stay in Juodkrante

We personally stayed 3 nights on the Curonian Spit, which gave us plenty of time to soak in its peaceful charm and explore at a relaxed pace. We chose Juodkrantė as our base, and we couldn’t have been happier with the choice. Located in the center of the spit, it offers easy access to all the main attractions and, unlike Nida in the south, it’s far less touristy and much easier for parking.If you’re planning to stay overnight, here are a few great accommodation options based on your budget:

• (€): Prie Ąžuolo – Simple and cozy, ideal for budget travelers.
• (€€): Come2rest – Smilga – Comfortable and well-located, perfect for couples or small families.
• (€€€): Vila MAY – A stylish and modern villa stay with beautiful interiors and excellent amenities.

Whether you’re visiting for one night or a few days, Juodkrantė makes a perfect home base on the Curonian Spit.

Read: The Perfect 2-Week Baltic States Itinerary