Lithuania Tour and Trip Highlights 

So why visit Lithuania? There are many reasons to do so which include quaint historical towns and cities, interesting ancient buildings of various architectural styles including old castles, UNESCO World Heritage Sites including some old town centres, beach resorts, and many attractive National and Regional Parks. 

What are the best cities to visit in Lithuania?  Vilnius 

The Gate of Dawn

The city gate in Vilnius is one of the most important religious, historical and cultural monuments in Lithuania. It was built between 1503 and 1522 and was a part of the city’s defensive fortifications. Only the Gates of Dawn remains out of the ten original city gates and it is one of the most visited shrines in Vilnius. It is adjoined by a chapel containing a painting of the Virgin Mary from the 17th Century. It has been said to have miraculous powers. You can’t miss this remarkable site on a Lithuania vacation as you walk up the main street of Vilnius’ mediaeval centre.

Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania was, a few centuries ago, one of the most famous in Europe and was built for the rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the future Kings of Poland. For centuries, the palace was the political, administrative and cultural centre of the Polish/Lithuanian Commonwealth. The palace is located in the centre of Vilnius within the confines of the Lower Castle which is now a museum describing the historical and architectural development of the palace. You can visit the ceremonial halls here. 

Vilnius Cathedral

Possibly the most prominent building in the city is the imposing and outstanding Cathedral located on a square surrounded by roads. Its size and stark white colour catch your eye instantly. Built-in 1387 in the Gothic style, it was rebuilt in the Classical style between 1783 and 1801. The church is the heart of Catholic spiritual life in Lithuania. The coronations of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania all took place here. Inside the crypts and catacombs, many famous people from Lithuanian are buried here. In the interior of the cathedral are over 40 works of art from the 16th to the 19th Centuries including frescoes and paintings.  

Presidential Palace

The elegant Presidential Palace situated in the Old Town is the official office and residence of the President of Lithuania. It dates back to the 14th Century.  In 1997, the building was renovated. Over time, it has served as a residence for Vilnius bishops and was occupied and annexed by the Russian Empire. It has also been the home of Czar Alexander I, the French King Louis XVIII and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Every day at 6 pm, you can watch the changing of the guards here and each Sunday at 12 pm, a solemn flag-hoisting ceremony takes place. Participating in the ceremony are soldiers of the Honour Guard Company of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, dressed not only in ceremonial uniforms but also in mediaeval armament. Free tours of the Presidential Palace are available on Saturdays when, on a Lithuania vacation, you can see the interior of this historic building and can visit the office of the President.

Gediminas Castle

Towering way above the city is Gediminas Hill on top of which are the ruins of Gediminas Castle. These can be reached by walking or by means of a funicular. Dating back to the 13th Century, the castle was rebuilt after a major fire in 1419. In the early 1600s, it was used as a prison for disobedient members of the ruling classes. In the 17th Century, the towers and defensive walls were almost completely destroyed. Partial restoration work began as late as 1930. The views from the hill and the top of the castle are outstanding.

The Museum of Genocide Victims

The Museum of Genocide Victims is a memorial and historical exhibition about what took place during the occupation of Lithuania by the Soviets. Originally the headquarters of the Nazi Gestapo, it was taken over in 1944 by the Soviet Secret Police (the KGB). It is divided into two parts with the upper displaying documents and photographs of the Lithuanian partisans’ resistance against the Soviets and the deportations of Lithuanians to Siberia. The lower part houses the prison cells and execution and torture chambers unchanged since their original use. This is an essential way of understanding this chapter in Lithuanian history.

Uzupis

This is a totally unique district in Vilnius which is home to bohemian artists who run the numerous art galleries and workshops here. There are also a number of restaurants, bars, cafes and boutique shops in which to spend your time on a Lithuania tour. On April Fool’s Day in 1997, Uzupis was declared to be the Republic of Uzupis by the residents. It has its own flag, currency, and president and today are whimsically still regarded as an ‘independent state.’ On a wall, you can read the 39 articles of the ‘Republic’s’ constitution in 23 different languages.

Frank Zappa Memorial

A piece of whimsy to be experienced on Lithuania tours is the Frank Zappa sculpture. This famous American rock performer and impresario had never been or had any connection to Vilnius but the city decided to honour him anyway with this sculpture. The Frank Zappa fan club erected this monument to their hero to mark a new post-Soviet era in Lithuania as an opportunity to assert truly democratic independence. iThe bust of Frank Zappa was sculpted by 70-year-old Konstantinas Bogdanas, the artist who made the statues of communist heroes that were to be found in the city many years previously. The bust was unveiled in 1995. The Vilnius military band performed various Zappa tunes at the ceremony.

Kaunus

Old Town

Kaunas is Lithuania’s second-largest city and Kaunas Old Town, the oldest part of the city is where you can find many Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. These include the Kaunas Town Hall, Kaunas Castle and the Historical Presidential Palace as well as the Kaunas Cathedral and many other churches. City Hall Square, the heart of the city, is the location for all celebrations, the Christmas market and military parades. In the centre of the square is the City Hall with its tall tower. To the east of the square is the red brick Kaunas Cathedral, the largest Gothic building in Lithuania.

St. Michael the Archangel Church

This is an immense 50 metre/163 feet tall Roman Catholic Church built between 1891 and 1895 when Kaunas was part of the Russian Empire. It was designed to accommodate 2000 worshippers. Its unusual architecture includes 266 large and small columns. Under the church are catacombs that can be explored by visitors on a Lithuania vacation. During the Soviet occupation, it was used as an art gallery and now serves as a church.

Trakai Castle

Trakai Castle is located on an island in Lake Galve and is the only castle in Eastern Europe built on the island. The construction of the castle was in the 14th Century. Trakai was one of the main centres of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the castle was of great strategic importance. The magnificent Trakai castle complex became a residence for the Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The castle lost its political power when the capital city was moved from Trakai to Vilnius. In the sixteenth century, the castle was converted into a prison for nobles and noble prisoners of war. Nowadays, the castle is the home of the Trakai History museum with a collection of objects representing Lithuanian culture and history. The castle hosts mediaeval tournaments and various concerts.

Klaipeda

This is Lithuania’s third-largest city and the former Prussian capital which has retained a distinct German and Scandinavian flavour in the architecture of its old town with its cobblestone streets. Its streets are geometrically and precisely configured so that the angle of intersection is always straight unlike any other old town in Lithuania. Theatre Square hosts concerts as well as the Sea Festival, the International Jazz Festival and other events. An important item on Theatre Square is the Tarawa Anike sculpture depicting a youthful barefoot girl, a sculpture which was erected in memory of the poet Simonas Dachas. Klaipeda's main attractions are the historic buildings in the city centre which date from the 13th to 18th Centuries. Some of the older buildings have picturesque half-timbered construction, similar to that in Germany, France, England, Denmark and southern Sweden. The remnants of Klaipeda Castle, built in the 13th Century, are surrounded by ramparts and bastions.

Palanga

On the coast is the resort of Palanga with its lovely sandy beaches and known for its lively atmosphere and large choice of restaurants, bars, cafes and nightlife. 

Curonian Spit

An unusual region is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Curonian Spit which is a 98-kilometre/60-mile-long narrow sandy peninsula that takes up a large portion of the Baltic Sea coastline. Sandwiched between the sea and the Curonian Lagoon, it is a popular vacation centre with its beautiful sand dunes, resorts and archaeological interests. Nearby is the fascinating Hill of Witches which is an outdoor gallery of wooden sculptures depicting mythological creatures. 

Kernave

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in the town of Kernave with its hill-fort archaeological site It was once the mediaeval capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and now serves as a tourist attraction and centre for modern art that includes a modern sculpture garden featuring a large number of local artists.  

Aukstaitija National Park

The Aukstaitija National Park is visually beautiful and is home to some interesting wildlife which includes elk, deer and wild boar. It has 126 extremely clean lakes. The Labanoras Regional Park has rare plants, rare birds including black storks and cranes and rare animals such as lynx and wolves. 

So with this wide variety of attractions, perhaps Lithuania could well be your next destination. For more things to do in Lithuania click here.

Lithuania Travel Information

When is the best time to visit Lithuania?

The climate in Lithuania is continental inland and maritime along the Baltic coast. The best time to visit Lithuania is in the late spring or summer when the weather is at its warmest. The winter is consistently cold. In other seasons, the weather can be changeable. Summers are relatively short from approximately mid-June to late August and although it can be hot and dry, showers and chilly nights are possible. Temperatures cool down quickly from mid-September onwards. However, the fall can be an exceptionally beautiful season in which to visit Lithuania. The first snow can come as early as mid-November and by early to mid-December winter arrives. In April, there is a sudden explosion of colour which transforms the landscape.

What types of tours are available in Lithuania?

You can simply have a stay in Vilnius or you can combine it with stays in Riga, Latvia and Tallinn, Estonia on an escorted tour. You can also combine the same cities with Poland, Helsinki, Finland, or St. Petersburg, Russia on escorted tours. 

Travel to Lithuania

Vilnius can be reached via a large number of European destinations including London, Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.

Transportation within Lithuania

Lithuanian roads are among the best in Eastern Europe. Lithuania has a network of four-lane highways connecting Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Panevezys and Palanga. Car rental is readily available at the airports.

The Lithuanian intercity public transportation is cheap but rather slow. Buses between the main cities are very frequent, with Vilnius-Kaunas buses leaving each terminal station every 15 minutes. Bus routes connecting the main cities to regional towns are usually at least several a day.

 "Globetrotting with Goway" blog articles

For some additional reading, the following articles are from our blog “Globetrotting with Goway”….. a great source of information for those people who are, or who want to be, world travellers!

You’ll Love What the Baltics Have to Offer on European Vacations

Extend your Stay

Consider an additional stopover to your Lithuanian vacation at one of Goway's other European destinations. You can choose from a Paris vacation, a London vacation or an Amsterdam vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from Lithuania.