What Makes Lithuania the Baltic Surprise

If you are looking for the best things to do in Lithuania, this is the list I would give a friend. Most people plan trips to Italy, Spain and Portugal without a second thought, and the Baltics get skipped. That is why I keep going back. Lithuania surprised me more than any other country on my trips around Europe, because I expected very little and got a lot.

So, is Lithuania worth visiting? Yes. Here is where I would go, in the order I would do it.

Wander the old town of Vilnius

Vilnius is the reason many people fall for this country. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Eastern Europe. You can spend a whole day getting lost in cobbled lanes, baroque churches and hidden courtyards.

It does not feel like a museum, which is what I love about it. Cafes spill onto the streets, students fill the squares, and every other doorway leads to a bar or a small gallery. Climb up to Gediminas Tower for the view over the red roofs, then walk down and end up in a cosy wine bar ten minutes later. Vilnius is compact and walkable, so it works even if you only have a long weekend. I wrote a full guide to the best things to do in Vilnius if you want more detail.

Visit Uzupis, the republic with its own constitution

Right next to the old town is Uzupis, a small artists’ neighbourhood that declared itself an independent republic on April 1, 1997. It started as a joke, but the locals took it seriously enough to give it a flag, a president and a constitution.

The constitution is mounted on a wall in several languages, and it is one of my favourite things in the whole country. Some lines are funny, some are surprisingly wise. Read it slowly, grab a coffee on a nearby terrace and watch the neighbourhood go by. It shows the quirky, creative side of Lithuania well.

Take a day trip to Trakai Castle

Trakai Castle sits on an island in Lake Galve, a short drive or train ride from Vilnius, so it makes an easy half day trip.

The red brick castle looks like something from a storybook, especially when the lake is calm and the walls are reflected in the water. Walk across the wooden bridge, explore the courtyard and the museum inside, then stay for a stroll around the lakeside town. Trakai is also home to the Karaite community, and you should try kibinai, the filled pastries that are the local speciality.

I would go in the morning, when the light is soft and the crowds are still thin.

Slow down on the Curonian Spit

Coming from the Netherlands, I know a thing or two about dunes and beaches. Still, the Curonian Spit stopped me in my tracks. This thin strip of land between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon is a UNESCO World Heritage site, shared between Lithuania and Russia. The Lithuanian side has pine forest, sand and quiet fishing villages.

Base yourself in Nida and spend your days walking and cycling. Climb the Parnidis Dune for a view of the lagoon on one side and the open sea on the other. After a few busy days in the cities, the wild nature and calm, tidy villages are a good place to rest. Bring a jacket, even in summer. The coast can be windy, and I like that about it.

See Kaunas and the middle of the country

Many travellers stop at Vilnius and the coast and miss the middle of the country. I would not skip it.

Kaunas was the temporary capital of Lithuania between the two world wars and is full of interwar modernist architecture. It was a European Capital of Culture in 2022, and you can feel that creative energy in its galleries, murals and quirky museums. It also makes a good stop on the way between Vilnius and the coast.

Stand on the Hill of Crosses

Further north, near the city of Siauliai, you find the Hill of Crosses. Pilgrims and visitors have left countless crosses on this hill over many years. It is a quiet, moving and slightly strange place, and it shows a very different side of the country. Take your time there.

What to eat in Lithuania

Lithuanian food is hearty, and I mean that as a compliment. Try cepelinai, the large potato dumplings with a meat filling, and saltibarsciai, the bright pink cold beetroot soup that looks unreal and tastes great on a hot day. Pair it with a local beer.

Practical tips for Lithuania

A few things that make the trip simple:

• Lithuania uses the euro, so there is no currency exchange to worry about.
• It is part of the Schengen area, so border crossings with its neighbours are easy.
• Many people speak good English, especially in the cities, and I always found locals friendly and relaxed.
• Cities are compact, so you can see a lot without long transfers.
• Late spring to early autumn is the easiest time to go. Check current prices and opening hours before you travel, since they change by season.

Lithuania also pairs well with its neighbours. I like to combine it with Latvia or continue south to Poland for a longer route.

My take on Lithuania

Lithuania has a real medieval old town, a castle on a lake, wild dunes and a quirky republic, and fewer crowds than the more famous places. It is easy to reach and easy to move around. Give it a few days and I think you will see why I keep returning.

If you want routes, tips and ideas on where to go first, have a look at my Lithuania guides. If you go, let me know which place surprised you the most.