5 Places To Visit in Lithuania for First-Time Travelers

Need another travel destination, but you're short of ideas? Consider amazing, yet-to-be-discovered Lithuania! In this country, you can also see old cities, castles, and natural wonders. Here are the top five destinations to get you started.

Places To Visit

1. Vilnius, the Capital City

Chances are you'll arrive in Vilnius, the capital, first, so you'll want to explore the city. The largest and one of the oldest cities in Lithuania will amaze you with its extensive green spaces and friendly people.

Although this is a post-Soviet country, and not everyone knows a language apart from Russian, the youth of Lithuania speak perfect English, so you'll be able to communicate with them.

Stops in Vilnius should include the Old Town, the main cathedral, and the famous St. Anne's Church. Just visit Vilnius and take a simple tour to discover the city.

2. Castle of Trakai

Another historical site to visit is a few miles away from the capital. Trakai was once the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 13th century.

The main castle has been rebuilt in the center of a vast lake and attracts a large number of international visitors. In Trakai, you can also meet the local community of Tatars and discover their traditional cuisine.

Trakai is the ideal place to stop if you want to learn about Lithuania's rich history, as well as to experience a glimpse of the country's natural beauty.

3. Rumsiskes Open-Air Museum

While traveling further, be sure to visit the Rumsiskes Open-Air Museum as well. Located in a rural area of Lithuania, you can visit and see traditional mini-villages representing four different ethnographical regions.

If you happen to be visiting or are planning to visit Lithuania during Pancake Tuesday, be sure to visit this area. During that holiday, Rumsiskes comes to life because of the exclusive traditional Lithuanian Pancake Tuesday celebration the museum hosts.

So, put Rumsiskes Open-Air Museum on your list and visit it to learn more about Lithuania.

4. Siauliai Hill of Crosses

One of the most sacred places in Lithuania, the Siauliai Hill of Crosses, is a one-of-a-kind place to visit in the Baltic Sea region.

The entire hill near the city of Siauliai is adorned with a multitude of crosses of various types and sizes, symbolizing the historical struggles of Lithuanians throughout the years.

It is believed that the first cross was erected here in the 19th century, following the 1831 Uprising, which did not end well. In the years that followed, crosses were placed in and out, especially during Soviet rule.

The exact number of crosses today is unknown, but some people who have tried to count them estimate there are about 100,000. Visit this small, yet amazing place and experience its unique energy.

5. The Curonian Spit

Finally, one of the greatest natural wonders in Lithuania, and indeed in Europe, is the Curonian Spit.

Although it is only 61 miles (98 kilometers) long, the thin, curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea coast offers a fantastic view while walking through this place.

It is no wonder that UNESCO decided to include the Curonian Spit on its list of World Heritage Sites.

It's also no surprise that many famous people, not just Lithuanians, are drawn to this place. Renowned writers, such as Thomas Mann, had their summer homes there, as did Jean-Paul Sartre, who also loved to visit.