22 best attractions in Lithuania

The Republic of Lithuania is located in the north-east of Europe and is considered the largest Baltic state. The country has many parks, reserves and ancient architecture has been perfectly preserved.

Who and why should come to Lithuania

Cultural and historical monuments of Lithuania attract tourists from all over the world. People come here to walk along the narrow cobblestone streets, see religious monuments, medieval castles, and museums.

Lithuania invites fans of beach holidays to visit resorts on the shores of the Baltic Sea. In the cities of Klaipeda and Palanga, sightseeing can be combined with walks along the embankment and swimming in cool clear water. The Baltic Sea is often stormy, so there are favorable conditions for surfing. Klaipeda hosts an annual surfing championship, which brings together athletes from different countries. All tourists can go diving, rent a boat or go on a yacht.

About 30% of the country’s territory is occupied by pine forests, the rest is plains with picturesque meadows. Connoisseurs of nature and outdoor activities come to national parks to walk along hiking trails, see rare birds and plants.

People come to the country not only to relax, but also for shopping. In large shopping centers, stores of famous European brands are open. During the summer and winter sales there are good discounts. But to buy amber jewelry, embroidery, wooden crafts, pottery as a gift, it is better to go to souvenir shops or markets.

There is no sweltering heat in Lithuania, and a cozy atmosphere reigns. Every city has attractions, parks, museums. Adults and children who come here can improve their health, broaden their horizons and have a great rest.

Historical landmarks

Old town in Vilnius

The oldest district of Vilnius, which has preserved buildings of various architectural styles, is located on the banks of the Neris River. The territory, which occupies about 3.6 km², attracts guests with medieval temples, monuments, palaces.

In this part of the capital there are outstanding sights:

• Cathedral Square;
• Cathedral of St. Stanislaus;
• Churches of St. Anne and St. Michael.

Walking in the Old Town, you can explore the original architecture, relax in small cafes and buy souvenirs.

Castle Hill

The famous Castle Hill rises in the center of Vilnius. It was here that in the 14th century Prince Gediminas laid the foundation for the city and built the Upper Castle. The building was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The western tower, which is considered a symbol of the capital, has been well preserved to this day. Previously, you could get to the top by funicular. Now it is closed, and tourists go up to the tower of Gediminas on foot. Inside the castle there is the National Museum of Lithuania.

Church of St. Catherine

In Vilnius, you can see the most beautiful Catholic church built in the Baroque style. The Church of St. Catherine was erected in the middle of the 17th century. Its main facade is decorated with sculptures, stucco, pilasters. Towers crowned with crosses are visible from afar. The church is open to believers. The interior is distinguished by cylindrical vaults, arches, drawings on the walls. Opposite the main entrance there is a monument to the Polish composer Stanislav Moniuszko.

Kaunas Castle

In Kaunas there is a red brick castle built in the 13th century. In ancient times, it performed a defensive function and more than once withstood cruel sieges. The entire complex has not survived to this day. Only the Round Tower, the defensive walls and the buildings of the firing bastion survived.

The castle regularly hosts exhibitions of exhibits of the historical museum. His collection contains ancient weapons, household items, paintings. Arriving here, tourists can take part in costume games and relax in the park by the river.

Trakai

27 km from the capital is the town of Trakai, which became famous among tourists thanks to the medieval castle founded by the same prince Gediminas. The complex has been rebuilt more than once, acquiring new features. The main palace was built in the Gothic style. It is protected by powerful walls and watchtowers. During the tour, you can get acquainted with the interior of the castle, see frescoes, stained glass windows, paintings and admire nature from the window.

Old district in Kaunas city

To feel the atmosphere of an old Lithuanian city, go to the historical part of Kaunas.

Popular attractions are concentrated here:

• town hall;
• Cathedral of Peter and Paul;
• Laisves alley;
• church of st. Francis Xavier.

There are always a lot of people in the old district of Kaunas. But on the open terraces you can take a break from the bustle of the city, drink coffee and taste national cuisine.

Pazhaislis Monastery

The Pažaislis Monastery rises on a peninsula in the Kaunas Reservoir. The Baroque architectural complex was built in the 17th century and is an object of national importance. In the XVIII century the monastery was partially destroyed and plundered.

Large-scale restoration began after 1992. To date, many cultural monuments in the territory have been restored. Tourists can see the monumental temple with a dome and a two-tower facade, decorated with pilasters and stucco. Inside the monastery, paintings by M. Palloni and ancient frescoes are kept. And behind the church is a garden with monks’ houses.

Notable buildings and monuments

swing bridge

In the Castle Port of Klaipeda there is a bridge equipped with an iron turning mechanism operating in manual mode. The structure was built in 1855 for the transportation of goods. Now a metal drawbridge with stone pillars is used for walking tours by local residents and guests of the city. Twice a day, attendants operate the turning mechanism to put on a show for tourists and let yachts into the Castle Pond.

Ancient pharmacy

There is a pharmacy in Palanga, which is over 150 years old. The wooden structure with a high roof is decorated with carved elements. Inside, the 19th century interior has been recreated. Previously, Dr. Schroeder’s drops and a balm of 27 herbs were made here. These medicines were valued throughout the country and exported abroad. In the pharmacy and now you can buy tinctures prepared according to old recipes.

Mountain of Crosses

Not far from the city of Siauliai there is a unique place — the Hill of Crosses. On the hill, which can be seen from afar, there are about 50,000 crosses of various shapes and sizes. It is believed that if a person comes to this mountain and puts his cross there, good luck will favor him.

The exact time of the appearance of the shrine is unknown, but some scholars suggest that the first crosses appeared here in the 14th century. In 1993, the Pope visited the place of worship and installed a crucifix. This gesture made the Hill of Crosses even more popular among the faithful.

Vilnius TV tower

One of the central modern sights of Vilnius and Lithuania is the 326.5-meter high tower, which houses the television and radio broadcasting center. There are always a lot of tourists here. On the ground floor there is an exhibition of photographs dedicated to the tragic events of 1991 and the struggle for independence. If you take a high-speed elevator to a height of 165 meters, you can get into the revolving restaurant «Milky Way». From its observation deck, a gorgeous panorama of the city opens.

Three Crosses

In Vilnius there is the Three-Cross Hill. There are three white crosses made of concrete. They were erected at the end of the 14th century in memory of the tortured and crucified monks. Initially, crosses were made of wood. They were replaced with concrete only at the beginning of the 20th century.

In the fifties the monument was blown up. Restoration began in 1989. Now the Crosses on the Hill are a reminder of the victims of Stalin’s repressions. An observation deck is equipped next to them and alleys for walking are laid. In the evenings, the backlight turns on.

Museums in Lithuania

National Museum named after M.K. Čiurlionis

Čiurlionis Art Museum is located in Kaunas. The gallery opened in 1921 and was constantly replenished with various exhibits. The Modern Art Museum has 12 branches, which contain expositions of applied, folk and artistic art.

Vilnius Art Gallery

The exhibition is opened in the estate of the Counts Chodkiewicz, which has preserved its magnificent old interior.

The permanent exhibition features paintings by famous artists:

• Yana Rustem;
• Andrzej Valinovich;
• François-Xavier Fabre;
• Valenty Vankovich.

In the gallery you can get acquainted with the work of local artists in detail.

National Museum of Lithuania

The National Museum of Vilnius contains the cultural heritage of the country.

In the exhibition halls you can see:

• ancient coins;
• weapon;
• ceramics;
• icons;
• archaeological finds.

Exhibitions dedicated to documentary photography of the beginning of the century, ethnic culture and famous Lithuanians are very popular.

Tyszkiewicz Palace

Palanga has a beautiful white mansion surrounded by a lush garden. The Amber Museum has been opened in the residence of an old aristocratic family. During the tour, visitors are told how the process of mining and processing of stones takes place, and they are given advice on how to distinguish real amber from a fake. Numerous amber products are exhibited in the halls. Some of them contain frozen plants and insects. The weight of the largest exhibit is 3.5 kg.

Maritime Museum

The Kopgalis fortress was built on the Curonian Spit. The Lithuanian Maritime Museum operates in a two-story building. Not far from the entrance there is an ethnographic village. Children and adults here can see fishermen’s houses, boats, ships, anchors, fishing tackle. The exhibits are displayed outdoors.

There are 34 aquariums in the main building on the ground floor. They are inhabited by tropical and northern fish, jellyfish. Employees also breed penguins and Baltic seals. On the second floor there is a collection of sea shells, fossils, corals. There is a dolphinarium on site.

Parks and unusual places

Botanical garden in Klaipeda

In the northern part of the city, on the banks of the Dange River, there is a botanical garden planted on the site of the abandoned royal park Tauralaukis. This is a protected natural object, covering an area of ​​9 hectares.

The garden is divided into 4 sectors in which grow:

• coniferous and deciduous trees;
• medicinal herbs and shrubs;
• ornamental plants;
• the most beautiful roses.

In the local store, visitors are offered to buy seeds, seedlings of flowers and trees.

Witch Mountain

On the Curonian Spit, near the village of Juodkrante, there is a mystical place — Mount Witches. In ancient times, rituals of worship of pagan gods were held here. Now tourists come here to enjoy the purest air, beautiful natural landscapes and see wooden sculptures that personify the heroes of Lithuanian folklore.

Curonian Spit National Park

A narrow long spit stretches from Zelenogorsk to Klaipeda. On the one hand, it is washed by the Baltic Sea, on the other — by the Curonian Lagoon. Rare species of trees, grasses grow here, large populations of elks, wild boars, and roe deer live here. The Curonian Spit is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the resort of Neringa was built on its territory. It attracts visitors to Lithuania with its mild climate, clean sandy beaches and walks in a pine forest.

Treetop trail

In the resort town of Anyksciai there is an interesting attraction — a path through the crowns of trees, made of a durable metal mesh. An unforgettable journey awaits tourists, starting at the Puntukas stone. From there, the trail gradually rises to a height of 21 meters and runs along the national park. Signs are hung along the way, telling about the flora and fauna of the reserve. There is an observation tower at the end of the trail. Having reached it, people can explore the surroundings from a 37-meter height.

Aquapark «Vichy»

The largest water park in Lithuania is located in Vilnius. There are rides of varying difficulty. For adults, the 120-meter long Maori Shout slides, the Volcano and Tornado Fiji slides have been redesignated. For a family holiday, the long winding slide «Snake Tonga» or «Ogana River» is suitable. Small children are invited to the safe Play Island area with low slides, water cannons and a shallow pool.