Lithuania Travel Guide

Other Things to See and Do in Lithuania

1. Visit Kernave

Located 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Vilnius, Kernave was the old medieval capital of Lithuania. The area has all kinds of forts, burial sites, and historical and cultural monuments dating back to the late Paleolithic Period. Though the town was destroyed by the Teutonic Knights (a Catholic military order) in the Middle Ages, you can still wander the ruins and learn more about the region’s history. Don’t miss the nearby Kernave Archaeology and History Museum. Admission is 4 EUR.

2. See the Hill of Witches

The Hill of Witches is an outdoor sculpture trail of wooden folk art in Juodkrante, a small town on the Curonian Spit. This art installation brings the forest to life with its creations, taking visitors on a trip through Lithuania’s most popular folk tales and legends. Each of the 80 wooden sculptures was hand-carved by local artists and each sculpture depicts a different character from folk and pagan traditions. Plan to spend around an hour seeing all the sculptures. Admission is free.

2. Visit the Palace of the Grand Dukes

Located in Vilnius, this 17th-century Baroque palace was built for the country’s Grand Dukes. Today, it’s a history and art museum. You can tour stately and ornate ceremonial rooms, see traditional weaponry and armor, and learn about the palace’s history. Most of the palace is a reconstruction as it was first damaged by fire and then later destroyed by the Russians. However, it still does a good job of showing how the ruling class lived during the 17th century and the descriptions are really informative. Admission is 5 EUR.

3. Drink traditional mead

Lithuanians are proud of their traditional beer brewing and there are numerous microbreweries throughout the country. In addition to craft beer, there’s also locally-produced mead, a traditional alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey. Mead is the oldest alcohol in the world and it’s been said that the mead was so popular in Lithuania in the middle ages that noble families consumed upwards of 30 barrels of it each week. Like beer, expect to pay a few euros for a glass.

4. See the Hill of Crosses

Located 12 kilometers (7 miles) from Siauliai are over 100,000 crosses and religious statues covering an entire hill (93% of the country is Christian and most identify as Catholic). The crosses are believed to have originally been placed there by local Catholics as early as 1831. As the years went by, more and more crosses appeared. The site slowly became a popular place of pilgrimage for Lithuanian Catholics. During the Soviet occupation, the Hill of Crosses became a symbol of national defiance as the Soviets bulldozed the hill three times. The Lithuanian people continued to re-erect the crosses each and every time. These days, visitors often leave a cross, adding to the collection. Admission is free.

5. Visit the Museum of Illusions

This museum opened in 2016 in Vilnius and has some 70 exhibits, including optical illusions and virtual reality. It’s a fun and quirky place to visit, especially if you’re visiting with kids. You can ask the staff to explain the science behind each illusion and exhibit too. Admission is 12 EUR.

6. Explore Anyksciai Regional Park

Easily accessed as a day trip from Kaunas or Vilnius, Anyksciai Regional Park was created in 1992 and spans an incredible 38,000 acres. There are hiking and biking trails, archeological sites, and a super cool 300-meter treetop walking path. The path stands 35 meters (115 feet) above the forest and offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape. There are taller viewing platforms as well that provide 360° panoramic views of the park. Entry is just 1 EUR.

7. Visit the Museum of the Ninth Fort

Like much of Eastern Europe, Lithuania has had a challenging past. In the Museum of the Ninth Fort, you’ll learn about that violent history, from Lithuania’s part in World War I to their 20th-century hard-labor prison camps to the mass killings during World War II. The museum focuses on the atrocities of the wars and their aftermath — and how those atrocities shaped the country and its people. Outside in the museum grounds, there’s a massive 32-meter-tall (104-feet) memorial to the 50,000 Lithuanian Jews who were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. Admission is 6 EUR and guided tours are an additional 15 EUR

8. Go birdwatching in Curonian Spit National Park

Located along Lithuania’s coast near Klaipeda, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best locations in Lithuania for birdwatching. Expect to see mergansers, egrets, cormorants, and more here. The best time to visit is in September during the migration season. Admission to the park is 5 EUR per vehicle in the off-season and 20-30 EUR per vehicle during the summer (depending on the size of the vehicle). Be sure to visit the nearby spa town of Neringa while you’re here.

9. Visit the Devil’s Museum

For something unconventional and off the beaten path, visit the Devil’s Museum in Kaunas. It boasts a spooky collection of over 3,000 paintings, sculptures, and other works of art of the devil. From traditional religious figurines to political works of social commentary, there’s a lot to see here. The collection began in 1966 and has grown as more and more people donate items. Admission is 5 EUR.

10. Explore Uzupis

If you are looking for Lithuania’s art scene, head to the bohemian neighborhood of Uzupis. When the Soviet Union left the country, a group of artists came together to form the ‘Republic of Angels.’ They consider themselves an independent country, set on 148 acres of land. With 120 residents, they even have their own president, bishop, churches, and a grand total of four official flags. It’s sort of Lithuania’s version of Denmark’s Freetown Christiania. Most walking tours stop here, show you around, and highlight the “country’s” history and evolution.

11. Visit the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights

Also known as the Museum of Genocide Victims, this museum was opened in 1992 in Vilnius. It‘s situated in the building where the KGB (the Russian secret police) operated between 1940-1991. The building is a former prison and the place where death sentences were implemented by the Communist regime. Today, it has exhibitions where you can learn about Lithuania’s loss of independence, the Soviet occupation, and the country’s fight for independence.

12. Explore Aukštaitija National Park

North of Vilnius, Aukštaitija National Park is 400 square kilometers (250 square miles) of pine and spruce trees and tons of wildlife (including wild boars). The oldest park in the country, it was established in 1974 and has lots of rivers and lakes (30 and 100 respectively) and numerous hiking trails. There are also a couple of archaeological sites from the 9th-12th centuries here. There’s no fee to enter but there are a few strictly controlled areas that you need a permit to visit or you need to be accompanied by a park employee.

Lithuania Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostel dorms start around 13 EUR per night for a 8-12-bed dorm. For a 4-8-bed dorm, expect to pay 16 EUR. Free Wi-Fi and self-catering facilities are standard and most of the party hostels run pub crawls, which often include a free drink. For a private room, expect to pay at least 30 EUR per night.

For anyone traveling with a tent, wild camping is perfectly legal and safe (and even encouraged). If you prefer to camp in a formal campground, they are available around the country and cost from 8 EUR per night for a basic two-person plot without electricity.

Budget hotels start around 30 EUR per night for a double or twin. Expect basic amenities like TV, free Wi-Fi, and a coffee/tea maker. Some include free breakfast.

Airbnb is widely available in the country, with private rooms starting at 25 EUR per night (but average double that price when not booked in advance). For an entire home or apartment, prices start at 50 EUR but generally average double that.

Food – Lithuanian cuisine is heavily influenced by traditional rural fare. Mushrooms (and other foraged foods), beetroot soup, smoked sausages, and herring are all common staples. Pickled foods and potatoes are also super popular. Be sure to try cepelinai, the national dish, which are dumplings made from potatoes with a bacon sauce and sour cream. Potato pancakes and fried cheese curd are two other popular dishes to keep an eye out for as well.

When eating out, expect to pay around 8 EUR for an inexpensive meal of local cuisine. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 6 EUR for a combo meal. A pizza costs between 7-10 EUR. For Thai or Chinese food, expect to pay between 8-13 EUR for a main course.

If you want to splash out, a three-course meal of local cuisine including a drink costs around 40 EUR at a more mid-range restaurant.

Expect to pay around 3.50 EUR for a beer. A latte or cappuccino costs around 2.50 EUR while a bottle of water costs 1.25 EUR.

If you are planning to cook your own food, a week’s worth of groceries costs between 25-40 EUR for basic staples like potatoes, meat, pasta, and seasonal produce.

Backpacking Lithuania Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 45 EUR a day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all your meals, limit your drinking, take public transportation to get around, and do mostly free activities like hiking and free walking tours. Add 5-10 EUR to your daily budget if you plan on drinking.

On a mid-range budget of 110 EUR per day, you can stay in an Airbnb or private hostel room, eat out for most meals, enjoy a couple of drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting museums.

On a “luxury” budget of 210 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you’d like, rent a car to get around, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Lithuania Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Lithuania isn’t that expensive of a place to visit. As long as you don’t splash out on upscale accommodation and fine dining (or party too much), it’s hard to overspend here. That said, if you want to save some extra money, here are my suggestions:

1. Take a free walking tour – Vilnius offers a handful of free walking tours to get you familiar with the city. I always take one when I get to a new city to learn about the history and culture. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
2. Take the bus – FlixBus is a budget-friendly way to get around the country. They have Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, and decent seats for overnight and long-haul journeys.
3. Cook your own meals – Many hostels include kitchen facilities, so if you want to save money make sure you book accommodation with a kitchen. Buying your own groceries may not be as glamorous as going out to eat, but it definitely saves you money.
4. Wild camp – If you really want to save money in Lithuania, wild camping is perfectly legal and safe on public land.
5. Stay with a local – Staying with a local via Couchsurfing is a fun way to not only save money but you’ll get to meet a knowledgeable local who can share their insider tips and advice.
6. Walk everywhere – All of the major cities in Lithuania are quite walkable, so skip the public transportation if you want to save a few euros. Definitely skip the taxis too!
7. Enjoy the free spaces – There are plenty of free parks as well as many free hiking trails around the country. Save your budget and enjoy the outdoors!
8. Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Lithuania

Lithuania has lots of clean, fun, and affordable hostels to stay in. Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Lithuania:

• Mikalo House (Vilnius)
• Jimmy Jumps House Hostel (Vilnius)
• The Monk’s Bunk Kaunas (Kaunas)

How to Get Around Lithuania

Public transportation – Public transportation in Lithuania is safe, clean, and reliable. Prices vary by city, but tickets in Vilnius cost 0.65 EUR for 30 minutes and 0.90 EUR for 60 minutes. You can get 1-,3-, and 10-day passes for 5 EUR, 8 EUR and 15 EUR respectively. If you pay the driver directly, a one-way fare costs 1 EUR.

Taxi – The starting fare for taxis is 1.30 EUR and then it is 0.60 EUR per kilometer.

Train – Trains in Lithuania are fast and convenient. You can easily reach all the main cities in the country via train. The 70-minute ride from Vilnius to Kaunas costs around 8 EUR while the four-hour ride from Vilnius to Klaipeda costs 22 EUR.

Bus – Buses in Lithuania are a budget-friendly choice for traveling around the country and into neighboring countries. A bus from Vilnius to Kaunas takes just under 90 minutes and costs around 12 EUR. From Vilnius to Klaipeda takes just under four hours and costs 28 EUR. The journey from Vilnius to Riga, Latvia takes 4.5 hours costs 20 EUR.

Flying – There are no domestic flights within Lithuania.

Car rental – Roads in Lithuania are well maintained and car rentals are affordable. Rentals begin at 20 EUR per day for a multi-day rental. While not necessarily cheaper than taking the bus, having a car offers much more freedom. Just make sure you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) as you need one for any car rental in the country.

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Lithuania is safe and relatively easy. Having a sign and looking presentable goes a long way toward finding a ride. Just avoid hitchhiking at night. HitchWiki is the best website for additional hitchhiking trips and info.

When to Go to Lithuania

Like its Nordic and Baltic neighbors, Lithuania has short summers and long winters. If you are wanting to get in some beach time then you need to visit between June and August. Even during this time, the temperatures can cool in the evenings so make sure you pack a sweater. Expect daily highs of 20-22°C (68-71°F) during the summer.

To save a bit of money and beat the summer crowds, visit during the shoulder months of April-May or September-October. During these months, it’s still warm enough to spend time outdoors. The national parks are particularly pretty during the autumn.

Winters are cold, with daily temperatures dropping below freezing. While prices are lower, unless you’re here for winter sports, I’d skip a winter visit.

Regardless of the time of year, rain is common in Lithuania so be sure to always keep a raincoat handy. If you plan on hiking be sure to bring a waterproof jacket.

How to Stay Safe in Lithuania

In Lithuania, violent crime is rare. Scams and pick-pocketing are common enough, though, so you’ll want to be vigilant in high-traffic areas in Vilnius, such as bus stations and on crowded public transportation.

If someone strikes up a conversation with you trying to sell something on the street or if young children suddenly approach you, be on alert — someone may be reaching for your wallet while you’re distracted.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

If you rent a car, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare but it’s best to be safe than sorry.

Overall, scams are rare but, to avoid getting ripped off, you can read about common travel scams to avoid right here.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you: