Lithuania is not usually the first choice for a European holiday. But this northeastern European country, located near the Baltic Sea, is worth visiting. Lithuania has a long and rich history. From being a powerful kingdom in the 14th to 16th centuries to surviving under the rule of the Soviet Union for more than 50 years, Lithuania has had a dramatic series of events. Today, it is an independent country with a unique history and culture. While the architecture of Lithuania is one of the highlights of the place, its breathtaking landscapes are the star attractions. Here, we will talk about the top 15 things to do in Lithuania.
1. Visit the Hill of Crosses
It would be hard to believe, but the Hill of Crosses is the true representation of the Lithuanian religious beliefs and nationalism. This small hill fort is covered with more than 100,000 crosses in different sizes and shapes. Lithuanians began to populate the hill with crosses to get independence, first against the Russians and then against the Soviet Union. Today, the Hill of Crosses has become one of the most popular places to visit in the country. The presence of the crosses amidst the serene surroundings makes it perfect for quiet contemplation, especially during the early morning hours.
2. Walk Around Vilnius Old Town
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is a must-visit place in the country. While there are several things to see here, the Old Town, also known as Vilnius Historical Center, is something you must see. Vilnius Old Town is one of the oldest preserved towns in Europe; its history goes back to the 14th and 15th centuries, when the area was ruled by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Today, this medieval-style town is home to Renaissance, Gothic, Classical, and Baroque style architecture. While walking around the Old Town, you will explore plenty of places, including the Presidential Palace, St. Anne’s Church, Gate of Dawn, Three Crosses, Radvilas Palace, National Museum of Lithuania, House of the Signatories, and more.
3. Explore the National Parks
Lithuania is most popular for its raw and untouched beauty. The country has preserved its natural landscape through its national and regional parks. Lithuania has five national parks and several regional parks. The national parks here are Curonian Spit, Aukstaitija, Trakai Historical, Dzykija, and Zemaitija National Parks. Each of these national parks is filled with dense forests, gleaming lakes, flowing rivers, and immense flora and fauna, including some rare species of plants and animals. The Zemaitija National Park is also home to underground bunkers, which were used as a Soviet nuclear missile base. These national parks have numerous hiking trails, making it a pleasure to explore them.
4. Spend Time in the Spa Town of Druskininkai
Not many know that Lithuania has several spa towns, thanks to the presence of the healing mineral water springs in its land. The best spa town in the country is Druskininkai. This Lithuanian town has been popular as a spa town since the 18th century. You will find several wellness resorts and health spas in town. Almost all offer traditional sauna rituals and the chance to soak in saunas and pools containing this healing spring water. You will also indulge in special body care treatments involving natural ingredients like mud, clay, stones, oils, salt, pine extracts, and more. Visiting Druskininkai is the perfect way of relaxing and rejuvenating your body and mind.
5. Don’t Skip the Kaunas Castle & Old Town
Did you know that Kaunas served as the temporary capital of Lithuania when Vilnius was captured by Poland? Today, Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania, which is rich in history, culture, and art. There is plenty to see and explore in Kaunas, but the most popular is the Kaunas Old Town. The Old Town and Town Hall Square are on a small piece of land between the two longest rivers, the Neris and Nemunas, and are home to the large Kaunas’s cathedral. Another attraction to check out here is the remains of Kaunas Castle. The street art of the city is also something you should look forward to. Some other attractions here include the House of Perkunas, Vytauts Church, and St. Michael the Archangel’s Church.
6. Checkout the Unique Sculptures at the Hill of Witches
While there are several incredible things to see in Lithuania, the Hill of Witches is the most unique thing you will see here. Located in the village of Juodkrante, the Hill of Witches is an open sculpture park inside a forest. As you walk through the forest trail, you will see some amazing wooden sculptures around you. The best part is that these wooden carvings are based on stories and legends of Lithuanian folk history. Several sculptures of popular characters, including witches and devils, based on Pagan traditions and roots. The Hill of Witches is open 24/7 and has no entry fee.
7. Watch the Dolphin Show at the Lithuanian Sea Museum
Lithuania Sea Museum is a maritime museum located inside the premises of Curonian Spit. A stroll through this museum will give you a glimpse into the marine life of the Baltic Sea and beyond. The sea museum has 20 aquariums that display a school of fishes, including stingrays, sharks, and other tropical species. The museum has numerous interactive exhibits, including touch tanks. While the interiors of the sea museum are exciting, its exterior is also unique. The museum is located inside a 19th-century military fortress, next to the Baltic Sea. Still, the highlight of the place is the dolphin show, where the in-house dolphins will entertain you with their tricks. You will also see seals, sea lions, and penguins here.
8. Learn the Story of the Holocaust at the Monument of the Victims of Fascism
One of the most heartbreaking historical places in Lithuania would be the Ninth Fort of Kaunas and the Monument of the Victims of Fascism. While the fort was built by the Russian Empire in the 19th century to protect its borders, it was the place where thousands of Jews from Lithuania, Austria, Poland, France, Soviet Union, and Germany were murdered by the Nazis. Today, there stands a 32-foot tall memorial in the honor of the people who died due to the atrocities of Hitler and the Nazi army. The memorial has three parts that represent pain, hope, and liberation. There is also a museum that will give you information about the mass murder and exile.
9. Savor the Lithuanian Cuisine
Lithuanian cuisine can be described as warm and comforting, perfect for the cool climate of northeastern Europe. The cuisine has some influences of Polish, Turkish, French, Russian, and even Italian cuisines. Potato, the staple food, is the king of most Lithuanian dishes. Apart from potatoes, most dishes have heavy meat, venison, beets, barley, rye, greens, mushrooms, and berries. Cepelinai (potato dumplings), lietiniai blynai (filled pancakes), kepta duona su cesnaku (fried bread with garlic), varskecial (curd pancakes), saltibarscial (cold beetroot soup), meat and cheese boards with kiaules ausis (pig ears), etc., are some of the dishes you must try.
10. Checkout the Trakai Island Castle
There is no dearth of castles and palaces in Lithuania, but the Trakai Island Castle is one of a kind. As the name suggests, this castle is on an island. It is the only castle in Eastern Europe built on an island. The Trakai Island Castle was built in the 14th and 15th centuries and was home to the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. In 1962, the palace was converted into a museum, and today, it is home to more than 400,000 exhibits, including innumerable artworks, dress jewelry, coins, ancient maps, hunting trophies, oil paintings, medals, utensils, armory of the knights, and more. Some of the parts of the castle that you must check out are the Chapel, Ducal Palace, the Keep, and the Inner Yard.
11. Explore the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Located in the capital city of Vilnius, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is one of the most important structures in the country. The history of this palace can be traced back to the 4th century when it was a fortified wooden settlement. It was in the 13th and 14th centuries that it became a well-fortified castle. The palace underwent a lot of changes over the centuries. From Gothic style architecture to Renaissance and then Baroque, the palace went through a lot of transformations until it was destroyed during the war. The palace’s reconstruction was completed in 2018 and opened as the National Museum. A stroll along the museum will give you a chance to know about its history, check out the surviving authentic walls of the palace, and look at the archeological artifacts and weapon collection.
12. Visit Curonian Spit
The Curonian Spit is not just a one-of-a-kind landscape but also one of the most beautiful places in Lithuania. This spit is over 5000 years old and was created by the unique movement of the wind and water. Stretching 98 km in length and 400 meters in width, the Curonian Spit belongs to both Lithuania and Russia. The Lithuanian side of the Curonian Spit is a national park, home to ever-changing sand dunes, some as tall as 60 meters. The place also has dense forests, grassy meadows, little lakes, rich flora and fauna, and gorgeous beaches. Apart from 900 species of plants, you will also find deer, wild boar, elk, and a variety of birds here.
13. Enjoy a Driving Experience at Auto Moto Parkas
Auto Moto Parkas in Lithuania offers you a unique experience like no other. This is a family-led business, where all the members are car, large vehicle, and motorcycle enthusiasts. The place has a rally park spread around 24 hectares of gravel road. Here, you can ride or sit back on monster trucks, monster buses, and BMW rally sports cars. There is also Enduro Park, complete with wooden bridges, stone sections, wooden ramps, wooden motor-scale, and more for driving dirt bikes. Auto Moto Parkas organizes sports driving lessons, racing sessions, and events for auto and moto sport fans regularly.
14. Relax and Party at the Seaside Town of Palanga
Palanga, not far from Kaunas and Vilnius, is one of the best resort towns in Lithuania. The star attractions of the place are the 18-km-long beaches that border the Baltic Sea. Nothing is better than lounging on one of the white sandy beaches here. But your trip to Palanga does not need to end at its beaches. Rather, there are plenty of other things to do here. You can hire a bike and explore the town through the picturesque trails. You can visit Birute Park, which is home to several sculptures as well as walking and biking trails or paths. The 407-meter-long, L-shaped bridge of Palanga jutting out on the Baltic Sea is another place you must visit. It is perfect for an evening stroll and to watch the sunset. Apart from all this, you also get to enjoy amazing music events and party scenes at Palanga, especially during summer.
15. See the Lithuanian Folk Museum
Another unique attraction to visit in this country is the Lithuanian Folk Museum. One of the largest open-air museums in Europe, the Folk Museum gives you a glimpse into the ethnographic regions of the country. The museum spans over 195 ha and has over 150 ethnographical buildings. While exploring the museum, you will see buildings and architecture of five ethnographic areas of the country, including Dainava, Sudovia, Lithuania Minor, Highlands, and Samogitia. As you stroll along, you will see 20th century houses and other buildings. But what makes the museum truly special is that along with the architecture, you will also get to know about their cultural life and traditions through the different exhibits. One of the major attractions of the museum is the town of Rumsiskes, which is the replica of a Lithuanian city in the 20th century, complete with a church, a school, a drug store, and an inn.
FAQs
1. What is the best time to visit Lithuania?
The best time to visit Lithuania is summer season, between June and August. Autumn and spring seasons are also quite pleasant in the country. However, winters must be avoided, as the temperature drops below –20 degrees C.
2. What are the visa requirements for Lithuania?
Lithuania visa requirements are simple. The country is part of the Schengen zone, and hence, you only need a Schengen visa to enter and explore the country.
3. What is the official language of Lithuania?
Lithuanian is the official language of Lithuania. This Baltic language is written in Latin script. English is the second language of the country and almost 97% people of the country speak this language.
4. Is it necessary to carry cash in Lithuania?
While most hotels, restaurants, and stores accept international credit cards, you will need cash while exploring the remote areas and shopping at street markets and fairs. So, carrying some euros in cash is important.
5. Is tap water safe in Lithuania?
Yes, tap water in Lithuania is not only safe but also good for health. The tap waters are procured directly from the underground water reserves to avoid any external contamination. So, you can directly drink from the taps in Lithuania without any worries.
Conclusion
Although Lithuania is not as popular as other countries in Europe, it has plenty to offer you. Moreover, it is one of the cheapest countries to travel to. So, Lithuania is the perfect place to go if you want to tour Europe on a budget.