Palanga settlement, first mentioned in 1253, was a significant trading and pagan center in the Middle Ages. In the first half of the XIX c it was known as a seaside resort. News about new treatment methods without a doctor were spread quickly. Soon Palanga became so popular that all local houses, huts and garners were occupied with vacationers. Nowadays Palanga became informal summer capital of Lithuania, the main Lithuanian seaside resort, which has been developing its recreational activities for one and half hundred years. All years tourists have been attracted by the sun, the sea, and the magnificent dunes. In Palanga you can still see villas which are left from the late - 19th and early - 20th centuries. The neo-gothic Church of the Ascension of the Holy Virgin Mary is an excellent example of old Palanga architecture. Historical places and natural and cultural monuments are abundant in Palanga. It has become a tradition for vacationers to climb to the top of the Birutė‘s Hill, to stroll along the picturesque paths of Botanical Park, to watch the sunset every evening.



The main part of incomes to Municipal budget of the resort comes from tourism. It is over 400 small and medium enterprises, which provides various tourism services in Palanga. The main part of them - catering enterprisers and accommodation services providers.

The number of tourists that lives in accommodation establishments makes up a small part of the whole number of tourists who visits the region. Big part of the visitors is accommodated in a private sector. There also are three campings and two tourist bases open during the season. Catering service provides about 200 enterprises.



The major part of Palanga resort guests are residents of Lithuania. The major share of foreign tourists is made from Russia, Latvia and Germany.

Since tourism brings the main incomes into the municipal budget, Municipality contribute to the tourism development. Council of Palanga Town Municipality has just approved Strategic plan of Palanga town development till 2015 and there Tourism takes a significant place. Vision of Palanga, described in the strategy, is as follows:

Palanga – international seaside resort of active recreation and rehabilitation-sanatorium treatment, that would be developed in sustainable way and oriented towards development of wide spectrum of entertainment industry, social and public infrastructure.