Lietuvos jūrų muziejus

About the museum

The Lietuvos jūrų muziejus (Lithuanian Sea Museum) is located in Smiltynė on the Curonian Spit, in the Nerijos fortas (Nerija Fort). The museum first opened its doors on 28 July 1979. Today it is one of the most visited museums in Lithuania, offering a way to get to know the sea through science, history and living nature.

The historic fort houses an aquarium with twenty-five tanks, in which about 180 species of cold-water, coral reef and freshwater fish and invertebrates live. In the casemates and caponiers beneath the ramparts, exhibitions on the history of navigation tell the story of the Lithuanian fleet, the greatest shipwrecks, the era of sailing ships in Klaipėda and Lithuania's maritime history.

The museum complex also includes a dolphinarium, where educational shows with dolphins and California sea lions are held; an ethnographic coastal fisherman's homestead with a site for old fishing boats; the Baltijos jūros gyvūnų reabilitacijos centras (Baltic Sea Animal Rehabilitation Centre); and the Delfinų terapijos centras (Dolphin Therapy Centre). A separate exhibit is the ship-museum M52 “Sūduvis”, moored in Klaipėda at the Karališkoji krantinė (Royal Embankment).

Highlights

• Aquarium with 25 tanks and about 180 animal species
• Exhibitions on the history of navigation in the fort's casemates and caponiers
• Dolphin and California sea lion shows at the dolphinarium
• Ethnographic coastal fisherman's homestead and a site of old fishing boats
• Baltic Sea Animal Rehabilitation Centre and the ship-museum M52 “Sūduvis”

Permanent exhibitions

• Akvariumas ir jūrų gamtos ekspozicijos – Twenty-five tanks with about 180 cold-water, coral reef and freshwater fish and invertebrate species, as well as exhibitions on marine mammals and birds.
• Laivybos istorijos ekspozicijos – The fort's casemates and caponiers tell the story of the Lithuanian fleet, the greatest shipwrecks and the era of sailing ships in Klaipėda.
• Etnografinė pajūrio žvejo sodyba ir senųjų žvejybos laivų aikštelė – A restored traditional coastal fisherman's homestead and an open site with authentic fishing boats.

Founded

1979

Operated by

Lietuvos jūrų muziejus

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the last Sunday of each month, admission to the sea museum and aquarium exhibitions and to the ship-museum M52 “Sūduvis” is free of charge.

Prices for the aquarium and museum exhibitions from October to April; from May to September €14 for adults, reduced ticket €7. Discounts apply only on presentation of proof. Tickets for all sites can be bought at the ticket offices or ticket machines; at the dolphinarium ticket machines payment is by card only.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Ramps have been installed at the fisherman's homestead and the dolphinarium; the aquarium has a lift, and there is a lift in the museum courtyard on the embankment. The first floor of the aquarium has sensory-friendly exhibits. Electric wheelchairs, walkers and children's buggies can be used in the aquarium. Animals are not allowed into the museum, except guide dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

The dolphinarium has a room for mothers and children, and the museum has places for changing babies. Educational sessions and birthday programmes are held.

Getting there & parking

By car, you can arrive via the New Ferry Crossing (Nemuno Street 8, Klaipėda), from which it is about 7 km to the museum. There are places for bicycles next to the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Cafés operate in the dolphinarium foyer and, in warm weather, outdoors by the dolphinarium and on the museum embankment. The central ticket office building has standard-size luggage lockers. An online shop is available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The museum can host company or private celebrations, seminars, conferences and training; bookings by phone, +370 698 37299.

Plan your visit