12 Unique Experiences to Enjoy Only in Lithuania
Lithuania shines as a hidden gem in the Baltics. With its stunning baroque and art deco buildings, poignant remnants of its Soviet history, a vibrant and evolving culinary scene, and abundant natural wonders, the country offers something special for every traveler.
With a history that spans thousands of years, Lithuania has steadfastly maintained its language, culture, and identity despite numerous border changes and the impact of Soviet rule. Today, traditional villages, where crops are still harvested by hand and artisans perfect age-old crafts, exist alongside modern cities. Lithuania’s lush forests invite foragers, while the Baltic Sea attracts sun seekers to its amber-studded shores.
Tips from an experienced traveler will help make your journey through Lithuania truly memorable.
Giant dunes mesmerize on the Curonian Spit. Walter Bibikow/Getty Images1. Discover the enchanting Curonian Spit
Shrouded in pine forests and adorned with towering sand dunes, the Curonian Spit—often referred to as the 'Sahara of Lithuania'—is a narrow strip of land measuring just over 1 km (0.6 miles) wide, extending into the Baltic Sea. Its four quaint fishing villages—Nida, Juodkrantė, Pervalka, and Preila—offer serene retreats, with cycling paths between Nida and Juodkrantė providing a fantastic way to see the sights. Be sure to visit the towering Parnidis Dune and the impressive Mizgiris Amber Museum in Nida. Climb Vecekrugas Dune (67m / 220ft) on your way to Preila, and check out Nagliu Dune near Pervalka for stunning views of the famed Dead Dunes, while enjoying refreshing swims in the Baltic Sea. Lastly, don’t miss Witches’ Hill in Juodkrantė, where you can connect with wood carvings of mythological creatures along a forest sculpture trail.
Practical tip: Rent a bicycle from one of the many shops in Nida or Juodkrantė. Local buses that connect the villages are equipped with bike racks. Alternatively, you can explore the spit by walking the scenic Baltic Coastal Trail, which follows the coastline.
2. Experience authentic Lithuanian culture in Dzūkija National Park
Rural traditions thrive in the southern regions of Lithuania. In the villages nestled within Dzūkija’s forests, locals continue to harvest crops using scythes, weave their own wool and linen, and engage in intricate wood carving and basket making. To immerse yourself in this traditional lifestyle, consider a farm stay in Merkinė, Marcinkonys, or other nearby villages. Explore Dzūkija by walking or cycling along the designated trails in the national park, and meet pottery artisans along the 12 km (7.5-mile) Secrets of the Black Clay trail, which links Merkinė to other villages that preserve this ancient ceramic craft.
Planning tip: Join locals for mushroom foraging from August to November, and be sure to attend the mushroom festival in Varėna in September.
The poignant Hill of Crosses features markers made from various materials and sizes. Damien Tachoires/500px3. Contemplate life at the Hill of Crosses
A stunning sight awaits just 10 km (6 miles) north of Šiauliai: a small hill adorned with thousands of crosses in various styles and sizes. Some are draped in rosary beads, while others showcase exquisite ironwork or carved wooden folk art, alongside Lithuanian koplytstulpis (wooden figures topped with roofs) and beautiful sculptures of the Sorrowful Christ (Rūpintojėlis). Crosses have been placed here since the 14th century, reemerging as symbols of hope and resistance during Soviet times, when erecting a cross could lead to arrest. Today, pilgrims travel from across Lithuania and beyond to visit this sacred site.
Planning tip: Arrive early in the morning for a peaceful experience and take your time strolling among the rows of crosses and around the base of the hill, soaking in the intricate details. You might encounter a memorial for 9/11 victims, recent tributes to those lost to COVID, blue-and-yellow ribbons honoring civilians affected by Russia’s war on Ukraine, and a cross made from bicycle gears.
4. Appreciate the art deco architecture of Kaunas
During its two decades as Lithuania's capital (while Vilnius was under Polish control), Lithuania’s second city radiated inter-war optimism, reflected in its impressive collection of well-preserved art deco buildings. Begin your visit by exploring the cobbled streets of the Old Town and its medieval castle, then stroll down the tree-lined Laisvės alėja to New Town, where museums and stunning 20th-century architecture await, including the Resurrection Church (1933) and the historic Romuva Cinema (1940). Don’t miss the immersive experiences at the Art Deco Museum and the Amsterdam School Museum, where you can enjoy sparkling wine while hearing the fascinating stories of former residents in their beautifully preserved apartments.
Practical tip: Reservations are required for visits to the private Art Deco Museum and the Amsterdam School of Architecture museums, so plan your entire trip to Kaunas around these highlights.
Embrace the joys of summer like a local in Aukštaitija National Park. Shutterstock5. Experience a true Lithuanian summer in Aukštaitija National Park
Wrapped in pine and spruce forests and featuring numerous lakes, Lithuania’s oldest protected area is a popular summer retreat for city residents. Join them in hiking or biking along the many woodland paths, climbing Ladakalnis Hill (a historic pagan site), foraging for bilberries and wild strawberries, swimming in the lakes, and enjoying canoeing or paddleboarding. Beyond outdoor activities, you can delve into the cultural heritage of the quaint villages, visiting the Ancient Beekeeping Museum near Stripeikiai and Ginučiai’s functional 19th-century watermill.
Practical tip: Ignalina offers the widest variety of accommodations and dining options, while Palūšė serves as the main hub for water sports. LitWild provides custom-guided tours of the national park for active adventurers.
6. Savor the farmhouse beer of Biržai
For over a millennium, northern Lithuania has been a haven for barley-malt beer, with villagers crafting unpasteurized, unfiltered kaimiškas alus (village beer) using local hops. While Soviet rule nearly extinguished this farmhouse brewing tradition, it is now experiencing a delightful revival, especially around Biržai, where brewers are reviving ancient recipes. Rinkuškiai Brewery offers guided tours of its brewing facilities, allowing visitors to see the entire process from malting to fermentation and bottling. The experience concludes with a tasting of six types of unfiltered beer, including black ale, porter, pale ale, and the smoky house gira (kvass).
Planning tip: If you can, visit Biržai during the lively two-day festival in August, where all the town’s breweries showcase their creations on the streets.
Enjoy the stunning Trakai Castle on a leisurely day trip from Vilnius. Roman Belogorodov/Shutterstock7. Explore Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania
Figuring out how to spend your time in Lithuania’s capital can be a delightful dilemma. A leisurely stroll through the beautifully preserved Old Town is a must, where locals reside among stunning baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture lining the cobblestone streets. Don’t miss the historic university, Cathedral Square with its iconic leaning bell tower, and the panoramic views from Gediminas Hill. Venture to the quirky artist enclave of Užupis, enjoy contemporary pieces at MO Museum, reflect at the Holocaust Museum and the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, and check out the vibrant scene at Lukiškės 2.0, a former Soviet prison now buzzing with arts and culture.
Detour: Consider a day trip by bus or train to picturesque Trakai, home to Lithuania’s most striking castle, located on an island in Lake Galvė. Rent a boat to paddle around the castle and indulge in kybinai (meat-filled pastries) at lakeside eateries, a specialty of the local Karaite community.
8. Experience the healing waters in Druskininkai
The riverside spa town of Druskininkai, nestled among pines, has been renowned since the 18th century for the supposed healing benefits of its mineral-rich springs. You can sip this rejuvenating water at the Health Resort Druskininkai, soak at Grand Spa Lietuva, Spa Vilnius, or Mineral Spa Draugyste. Alternatively, stay at one of the spa hotels and enjoy treatments such as mud baths, salt therapy, deep tissue massages, and oxygen therapy.
Detour: Connect with history at Grūto Parkas, located 8km (5 miles) east of Druskininkai, where you can find statues of Lenin and Stalin alongside other salvaged communist artifacts and memorabilia.
In the Nemunas Delta, watch for great crested grebes and other beautiful birds. Simonas Minkevicius/Shutterstock9. Experience bird watching in the Nemunas Delta
As the Nemunas River flows into the Curonian Lagoon, just south of Klaipėda, it forms a wetland delta bustling with avian life, home to 270 of Lithuania’s 294 bird species. This prime location makes bird watching remarkably rewarding. Storks can be seen perched atop electricity poles while traveling south towards Ventės Cape, which juts out into the lagoon. Near the cape’s end, visit the Ventės Ragas Ornithological Station, a bird-ringing facility situated along a key migration route that stretches from the Arctic to East Africa, where you can spot cranes, tits, finches, geese, and other migratory birds in early spring and autumn.
Practical tip: Don't forget to bring binoculars for birdwatching, allowing you to spot great crested grebes and white-winged black terns gliding across the lagoon.
10. Explore a nuclear bunker at Žemaitija National Park
Nestled within the lush forests and lakes of Žemaitija National Park, the region's sole Soviet nuclear missile base once housed four medium-range SS-4 missiles, each equipped with two-megaton thermonuclear warheads—sufficient to devastate all of Europe. Venture into one of the underground bunkers, tour the reconstructed command center, engage with multimedia exhibits, and reflect on how perilously close the world was to nuclear disaster.
Practical tip/detour: To further discover the national park, consider renting a bicycle in Plateliai, the area’s main hub. While there, visit Plateliai Manor to view an impressive collection of traditional Shrove Tuesday masks.
Every summer, the beach town of Palanga transforms into a vibrant playground. Franz Marc Frei/Getty Images11. Experience the nightlife in Palanga
Since Soviet times, Palanga has been a favorite seaside getaway, turning into a lively party hub each summer. The pedestrian Basanavičiaus gatvė buzzes with arcade games, carousel rides, electric cars, street performers, and nightlife venues blasting music, while the rest of the tree-lined town remains surprisingly serene. Stroll along the coastal path winding through pine trees, and take breaks on the beach for sunbathing and swimming. Don’t miss the Amber Museum set within the expansive Botanical Park, showcasing over 15,000 pieces of Baltic amber in a neoclassical palace, including ancient insects preserved in resin and stunning contemporary amber jewelry crafted by modern artisans.
The Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant offers a glimpse into Lithuania’s Soviet past. Alexander Welscher/picture alliance via Getty Images12. Explore a nuclear power facility in Ignalina
Fans of the 2019 HBO miniseries Chernobyl will recognize elements of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) located in Visaginas. Although now a hub for “nuclear tourism,” the plant has been shut down due to its design being similar to that of the ill-fated Chernobyl station in Ukraine, with its reactors undergoing dismantling. To experience a comprehensive 3-hour guided tour of the site, which includes the turbine hall, RBMK reactor hall, and control room, be sure to fill out the online application form well in advance. You can also join an Information Center tour for a historical overview of the plant, enhanced with a VR headset.
Detour: The LitWild team offers a chance to step into a simulator of the INPP control room near Visaginas, where former plant staff trained for emergency situations.
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