Lithuania travel guide: Vilnius, castles, dunes and how to get around
Lithuania is the largest and most southerly of the Baltic states, with a baroque old town in Vilnius, a lake castle at Trakai, forest, and a long sandy coast with dunes. It suits a city break with a day or two outside. The one thing to know is distance: the sights are spread out, so choose a base and a couple of trips.
The short answer
- First trip
- Base yourself in Vilnius for three days, then add Trakai as a half-day and Kaunas as a day or a night.
- How long
- Three days covers Vilnius and Trakai. A week adds Kaunas and the coast.
- Best time to go
- May to September for warm days and the beach. December for Christmas markets and snow.
- Getting around
- Trains and buses link Vilnius with Kaunas, Klaipėda and Trakai. Vilnius itself is walkable.
- Money
- The euro. Cards are taken in most places, with a little cash useful in villages and markets.
- Book ahead
- Summer rooms on the Curonian Spit, and dinner at popular places on weekends.
Best cities to visit in Lithuania
Vilnius
A baroque old town of courtyards, churches and cafes, with green hills close by. It suits couples, history lovers and anyone after a relaxed, good-value capital.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Beyond the cities
Trakai
A red-brick castle on an island in a lake, with a small town of wooden houses beside it. Trains and buses from Vilnius take roughly half an hour.
Kaunas
Lithuania's second city, with a wide pedestrian avenue, an old town at the river meeting and a collection of 1930s modernist buildings. It is about an hour or so from Vilnius by train.
The Curonian Spit
A narrow strip of sand dunes, pine forest and fishing villages between the Baltic and a lagoon. Reach it by ferry from Klaipėda, and plan a night or two.
The Hill of Crosses
A hill covered with many thousands of crosses, north of Šiauliai. It is simplest by car or tour, and works as a stop on the way to or from Latvia.
Lithuania itineraries
- Three days: Vilnius and Trakai
Spend two nights in Vilnius on the old town, the hills and a museum. Use the third morning for Trakai and its castle, and return by the afternoon.
- Five days: Vilnius, Trakai and Kaunas
Three nights in Vilnius with a half-day at Trakai, then the train to Kaunas for two nights in the old town and the modernist districts.
- Seven days: Vilnius, Kaunas and the coast
Three nights in Vilnius, one in Kaunas, then on to Klaipėda by train or bus. Cross to the Curonian Spit for two nights on the dunes, with walks and a bike ride.
- Ten days: the Baltic loop
Four nights in Vilnius with Trakai, a night in Kaunas, three days on the coast, then north to Riga. A stop at the Hill of Crosses breaks the road, and buses connect the cities.
Best time to visit Lithuania
June to August is the warmest and busiest period. Days are long, lakes and the Baltic are open for swimming and the Curonian Spit is at its best. Book coastal rooms ahead for July and August weekends.
May and September are calmer and cheaper, with lighter crowds. December brings Christmas markets in Vilnius and Kaunas but short, cold days. Winter can be icy, so pack warm layers and shoes with grip.
How to get around Lithuania
- TrainsLTG Link runs the passenger trains, linking Vilnius with Kaunas, Klaipėda, Trakai and across the border to Latvia. Tickets are sold in the LTG Link app and at stations, and Interrail and Eurail passes are accepted on many services. Seat reservations are compulsory on some trains.
- BusesIntercity buses are frequent and often quicker than trains for coastal routes and smaller towns. Buy tickets online or at bus stations.
- CitiesVilnius and Kaunas are best explored on foot, with buses and trolleybuses for longer hops. Taxis and ride apps are cheap by Western European standards.
- Cars and ferriesA car helps for the Hill of Crosses and villages off the main lines. The Curonian Spit is reached by a short ferry from Klaipėda, which carries foot passengers, bikes and cars.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Lithuania. Each city guide has its own list.
- Rooms on the Curonian Spit in summer1 to 3 months ahead
Villages are small and July and August weekends sell out.
- Dinner at popular restaurantsa few days to 2 weeks ahead
Well-known places in Vilnius and Kaunas fill up on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Trains and long buses at busy timesa few days ahead
Booking early gets you a seat on summer weekends and avoids queues at the station.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro, which Lithuania has used since 2015.
- Cards and cashCards and phone payments are taken in most shops, restaurants and on public transport. Carry a little cash for markets, villages and small kiosks.
- TippingService is not always included. Leaving around 10 per cent in restaurants for good service is common.
- Tourist taxesWe could not confirm a national hotel tax. Some towns may charge a local tourist tax, so check whether your booking mentions it.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and Type F sockets at 230 volts. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
What to skip in Lithuania
- Trying to see the whole country in a long weekend
Distances add up on buses and trains. Pick Vilnius with one trip out, and leave the coast for another visit.
- Eating only on the main old town streets
Menus there lean touristy and cost more. Walk a few streets away or into the neighborhoods across the river.
- Visiting the Curonian Spit as a rushed day trip
Getting there takes time, and the best of it is walking and cycling. Stay a night or two.
Lithuania: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Lithuania?
Three days is enough for Vilnius and Trakai. Five adds Kaunas, and a week gives time for the coast and the Curonian Spit.
What are the best places to visit in Lithuania?
Vilnius comes first. Beyond it, Trakai, Kaunas, the Curonian Spit and the Hill of Crosses are the most popular choices.
Is Lithuania cheap for tourists?
It costs less than much of Western Europe, especially for meals and local transport. Coastal rooms in July and August cost more.
What is the best time to visit Lithuania?
June to August for warm weather and the beach, May and September for fewer crowds. December has Christmas markets, but winter is cold and dark.
Can you get around Lithuania without a car?
Yes, for the main places. Trains and buses link Vilnius with Kaunas, Trakai and Klaipėda. A car helps only for the Hill of Crosses and country villages.
Do you need cash in Lithuania?
Rarely. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere in cities. Carry a little for markets and small villages.
Which currency does Lithuania use?
The euro. Cards work in most places, and a card without foreign fees saves money if you pay in another currency.