My trip to Lithuania was short (4 nights) but long enough to have a closer look at the highlights of Lithuania and I can tell you: it’s worth it! Here are the four places in Lithuania I think you should see and I’ll explain why.
1st Vilnius
The capital of Lithuania is clearly one of the most beautiful places in Lithuania. The old town can be explored wonderfully on foot and if you are a fan of old churches like me, then Vilnius will not disappoint you. It is said that in Vilnius you can look up at any place and you can always see a church tower.
But the city also has a lot more to offer. I particularly liked the «Nemuziejus«, the «Non-Museum«, which presents the history of the country in an impressive multimedia show, and you can also virtually travel Lithuania there with VR glasses.
Also known is Užupis, the «hippie quarter» Vilnius, even if I have to say that I expected a bit more from it (for a hippie quarter it’s very orderly), but alone the constitution of Užupis should be seen in my opinion. It’s there in over 20 languages. What is in the constitution? Among other things, that every person has the right to be happy and every dog has the right to be a dog.
You want to get to know Vilnius from another side? Then you should definitely take part in a hot air balloon ride! If the weather is good, you start in the middle of town on a meadow. Just the way the hot air balloons all rise together is an experience, often many locals come to watch this spectacle! A hot air balloon ride costs around €100.
2nd Kaunas
Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania and one could almost say the hip little brother of Vilnius. Hip? Yes, Kaunas is known for its extremely cool street art. In addition, a visit to the Devil’s Museum is worthwhile, nowhere else in the world can you find so many devils in one place. And if you want to regain your peace of mind afterwards, then I recommend you a detour to «Spurginė«, there you will find perhaps the best lard biscuits from all of Lithuania and the interior of the shop alone is worth a visit.
3rd Trakai
On the way from Kaunas to Vilnius (or vice versa) a detour to Trakai is worthwhile. The castle there is a late medieval moated castle and definitely worth one or two or ten photos. It is situated on an island in a fabulous lake landscape. In summer, concerts and theatre performances are also held in the castle courtyard. Tip: drive there as early as possible in the morning before the buses arrive with the day tourists. The legend behind it, according to which the construction of the castle is only due to the whim of a woman, is also beautiful: Birutė, the Palanga-born wife of the prince Kęstutis, is said to have been unhappy in Trakai because she lacked water. And so Kęstutis had a new castle built for his wife in the middle of the 14th century in the middle of Lake Gavé. You can also rent a pedal boat or rowing boat and explore the castle from the water.
4th Curonian Spit
If you are looking for a fresh breeze and at the same time would like to have the feeling of being in the middle of the desert, then you must not miss the Curonian Spit. The Curonian Spit separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea, it belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage and was my personal highlight of my trip to Lithuania. I found the Thomas Mann House, the high dune and the idyllic village of Nida particularly cool.
On the way to the Curonian Spit you have to go through Klaipėda, there is a very interesting amber museum and on a guided tour you can try to fish amber yourself. This was a lot of fun for me.
amber fishing lithuania
Have you ever been to Lithuania? Do you have any other tips for Lithuania? Places not to be missed and things to do in Lithuania? On my next trip to Lithuania I really want to see the «Hill of Crosses», I saw photos of it and was very enthusiastic. Have any of you been there before?
