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Vilnius – LithuaniaTrakai – LithuaniaKaunas – LithuaniaCuronian Spit – LithuaniaKlaipėda – LithuaniaPalanga – Lithuania
📍 Vilnius📷 BigHead · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
🌍 Europe🗓️ Best: May–Sep

Lithuania ✓

Baroque Vilnius, island castles and towering sand dunes

🕒 –:– local time5 stories this week4 sources 6 top placesCapital Vilnius

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Lithuania📸 Photo album · 9 photos · Ultra-HD
Lithuania📜 History of Lithuania

The story of Lithuania

Baltic tribes settled the forests, lakes and amber-rich coast of present-day Lithuania thousands of years ago, speaking a language family that still survives in modern Lithuanian and Latvian. The name Lithuania first appears in a written chronicle in 1009. In the thirteenth century Mindaugas united Lithuanian lands and was crowned king in 1253, creating the foundation of a powerful state.

Under Grand Duke Gediminas, who made Vilnius his capital in the early fourteenth century, and his successors, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania expanded to become one of the largest states in Europe, stretching toward the Black Sea. Lithuania was the last major pagan realm in Europe, adopting Christianity officially in 1387 after a dynastic union with Poland. Together the Poles and Lithuanians defeated the Teutonic Knights at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, and in 1569 the Union of Lublin created the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Read the full history

The partitions of the late eighteenth century brought most of Lithuania into the Russian Empire. When printing in the Latin alphabet was banned for several decades, book smugglers secretly carried Lithuanian books across the border, keeping the language alive. Lithuania declared independence on 16 February 1918, with Kaunas serving as the temporary capital between the wars. In 1940 the country was occupied by the Soviet Union, and the Second World War and its aftermath brought great hardship.

In 1989 Lithuanians joined the Baltic Way, a human chain stretching across the three Baltic states, and on 11 March 1990 Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare the restoration of its independence. It joined the EU and NATO in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2015. Visitors today discover a baroque capital, lakeside castles, sand dunes on the Curonian Spit and a proud culture of folk song, basketball and hearty cooking.

Timeline

  1. 1009Lithuania is first mentioned in a written chronicle
  2. 1253Mindaugas is crowned King of Lithuania
  3. 1387Lithuania officially adopts Christianity
  4. 1410Polish-Lithuanian victory at the Battle of Grunwald
  5. 1569Union of Lublin creates the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
  6. 1918Lithuania declares independence on 16 February
  7. 1990Restoration of independence declared on 11 March
  8. 2004Lithuania joins the EU and NATO
Lithuania 🛂 Visa & entry

Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.

  • Schengen Area – Part of the Schengen Area – 29 European countries with no passport checks between them. Short visits are usually counted under the 90-days-in-any-180 rule across the whole area.
  • European Union – EU member – EU/EEA citizens can travel and stay freely.
  • Eurozone – Uses the euro.

Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:

The latest visa and entry news for Lithuania appears below as soon as publishers report it.

Lithuania✨ 10 best things to do in Lithuania

Things to do in Lithuania

  1. Get lost in Vilnius Old TownWander one of Europe's largest surviving medieval old towns, packed with baroque churches and courtyards.
  2. Visit Trakai Island CastleRow or walk across to a red-brick castle rising from the middle of a lake.
  3. Climb the dunes of the Curonian SpitHike over towering sand dunes between the Baltic Sea and a vast lagoon near Nida.
  4. See the Hill of CrossesWalk among a vast, moving collection of crosses left by pilgrims near Šiauliai.
  5. Explore the Republic of UžupisRead the playful constitution of this artistic Vilnius district, displayed on a wall in many languages.
  6. Eat cepelinaiTry the national dish of zeppelin-shaped potato dumplings with meat and sour cream.
  7. Discover Kaunas modernismAdmire the interwar architecture that earned Kaunas a UNESCO listing.
  8. Watch basketballCatch a game and experience the country's greatest sporting passion.
  9. Float in a hot-air balloonDrift over Vilnius' spires and rooftops, one of the few capitals where balloons fly over the city centre.
  10. Canoe in AukštaitijaPaddle between linked lakes and forests in Lithuania's oldest national park.
Lithuania🗺️ Where to visit in Lithuania

Where to go in Lithuania

  • VilniusCapital · baroque old townA UNESCO-listed old town, lively cafés, and the Gediminas Tower overlooking the city.
  • TrakaiLakes · island castleA fairytale castle and the heritage of the Karaim community, famous for kibinai pastries.
  • Curonian SpitCoast · dunes and forestsA UNESCO-listed sandy peninsula with dunes, pine forests and the fishing village of Nida.
  • KaunasCentral · interwar capitalA creative city with modernist buildings, a castle and lively student life.
  • Hill of CrossesNorth · pilgrimage siteAn extraordinary site with countless crosses of every size.
  • KlaipėdaCoast · port cityA port with a half-timbered old town and the gateway to the Curonian Spit.
  • PalangaCoast · resort townLithuania's lively summer resort with a long pier and the Amber Museum.
  • 📍
    Aukštaitija National ParkNortheast · lakes and forestsLakes, wooden villages and canoe routes in a peaceful landscape.
Lithuania✨ Must-do experiences
  • Wander Vilnius Old Town and the Užupis district
  • Row a boat around Trakai Island Castle
  • Climb the dunes of the Curonian Spit
  • Take a hot-air balloon ride over Vilnius
Lithuania🍽️ Taste of Lithuania
  • Cepelinai – large potato dumplings filled with meat
  • Šaltibarščiai – cold pink beetroot soup
  • Kibinai – meat-filled pastries from Trakai
  • Šakotis – tall 'tree cake' baked on a spit
Lithuania🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Lithuania

Best time to visit Lithuania

Lithuania has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold, often snowy winters. The coast is milder in winter and cooler in summer than inland areas.

BestMay–September: long, mild days for city strolls, the coast and lakes.
ShoulderApril and October: crisp air, autumn colours and fewer crowds.
AvoidNovember–February if you dislike cold and short days, although Christmas markets are charming.
-2°💧Jan
-1°💧Feb
4°💧Mar
12°💧Apr
18°💧May
21°💧💧Jun
23°💧💧Jul
22°💧💧Aug
17°💧Sep
10°💧Oct
4°💧Nov
0°💧Dec

Typical daytime highs and rain in Vilnius (approximate averages).

Lithuania🎉 Festivals & events in Lithuania
  • Early March
    Kaziuko mugėA huge Vilnius craft fair with woven palms, wooden crafts and traditional food.
  • 23–24 June
    Joninės (Midsummer)Bonfires, flower crowns and searches for the mythical fern flower on the shortest night.
  • 1 April
    Užupis Republic DayVilnius' bohemian district celebrates its tongue-in-cheek independence with music and festivities.
  • 16 February
    Restoration of Statehood DayA national holiday with flags and events marking the 1918 declaration of independence.
Lithuania🧭 Lithuania itinerary ideas

How many days in Lithuania?

4 daysVilnius and Trakai

Day 1-2 explore Vilnius Old Town, Užupis and the Gediminas Tower. Day 3 take a day trip to Trakai Castle. Day 4 visit Kaunas and its modernist architecture.

9 daysCities and coast

Days 1-3 Vilnius and Trakai. Days 4-5 Kaunas, then travel to the Hill of Crosses. Days 6-9 Klaipėda, the Curonian Spit and Nida, finishing with a beach day in Palanga.

Lithuania🎒 Backpacking Lithuania – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $35–55 a day

  • Buses and trains connect the main cities cheaply, and Vilnius' compact old town is easy to explore on foot.
  • Hostels in Vilnius Old Town and Kaunas are affordable and social.
  • Look for business lunch deals on weekdays for good-value hot meals.
  • Rent a bicycle on the Curonian Spit, where flat paths connect villages through pine forest.
  • Use international coaches to connect cheaply with Riga, Tallinn and Warsaw.
Lithuania🛡️ Safety & money in Lithuania

Stay safe

  • Lithuania is generally safe, with low violent crime; watch for pickpockets in busy areas.
  • Use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps, especially late at night.
  • Stay away from the border areas with Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad region and follow official guidance.
  • Winter ice can make pavements slippery, so wear good shoes.

Money

  • Lithuania uses the euro, and cards and contactless payments are widely accepted.
  • ATMs are common in cities and towns.
  • Tipping around ten percent in restaurants is appreciated but not mandatory.

Emergency: 112 police, fire & ambulance

Lithuania🛬 Getting to Lithuania

Vilnius International Airport is the main gateway, with additional flights to Kaunas and Palanga. Trains and buses link Lithuania with Poland and Latvia, and ferries sail from Klaipėda to Germany and Sweden.

✈️ Cheap flights to Lithuania: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Lithuania💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Lithuania
  • Lithuanian is considered one of the most conservative living Indo-European languages, preserving many ancient features.
  • Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare the restoration of its independence.
  • A spot north of Vilnius has been calculated by French geographers as the geographical centre of Europe.
  • Basketball is often described as Lithuania's second religion.
  • The Curonian Spit is shared between Lithuania and Russia's Kaliningrad region.
Lithuania❓ Lithuania travel FAQ

Lithuania travel questions

Is Lithuania safe for tourists?

Yes, Lithuania is generally very safe for travellers. Watch your belongings in crowded places and avoid border zones with Belarus and Kaliningrad.

When is the best time to visit Lithuania?

May to September brings the best weather for exploring cities and the coast. Winter is cold but festive, especially around Christmas.

How many days do you need in Lithuania?

Four days covers Vilnius, Trakai and Kaunas. Eight to ten days lets you add the coast and the Curonian Spit.

Do I need a visa for Lithuania?

It depends on your passport – Lithuania is part of the Schengen Area and rules vary by nationality. Check the official government site or embassy before you travel.

Is English widely spoken in Lithuania?

English is widely spoken by younger people and in the tourism industry. Russian and Polish are also understood by many older people.

Lithuania💰 What a trip costs
$$price level
$35–55backpacker / day
$90–160mid-range / day

Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).

Lithuania🚌 Getting around

Buses and trains link the main cities, and ferries cross to the Curonian Spit. City buses and trolleybuses are cheap.

Lithuania🛕 Sacred & spiritual places
  • Hill of Crosses – Hill covered in over 100,000 crosses left by pilgrims
  • Gate of Dawn – City gate chapel with a revered icon of the Virgin Mary
  • Vilnius Cathedral – Main Catholic cathedral of Lithuania with a separate bell tower
Lithuania🤝 Local etiquette
  • Give flowers in odd numbers – even numbers are for funerals
  • Don't shake hands across a doorway – it is thought unlucky
  • Take your shoes off when entering a home

📰 Older Lithuania stories Everything our agents ever found – keeps loading as you scroll

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