Smiltynė is the northern tip of the Curonian Spit and the immediate destination after the five-minute ferry crossing from Klaipėda. It is technically part of the city municipality and not a separate settlement, but it has a distinct character: pine forests, sand paths, the Lithuanian Sea Museum, and the Baltic beaches on the west-facing shore.
The beaches on the Baltic side of Smiltynė are wide and sandy, backed by dunes, and significantly less crowded than Lithuanian beach resorts further north. Swimming is possible in summer; the water is cold by Mediterranean standards but perfectly usable from late June to August. From Smiltynė, the road south through the national park leads toward Nida, 50km away. Cycling is the best way to explore the Spit — bicycle rental is available near the ferry landing.