9 Things to Know Before Visiting Lithuania

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After two trips to Lithuania now, it perplexes me that this Baltic nation hasn’t become more popular. It must come down to a lack of awareness, because there’s definitely plenty to do. Visiting Lithuania you have majestic castles, scenic lakes, a gorgeous coast and a complex culture all waiting to be explored. To me it’s exactly the kind of destination you want to visit if you’re after the unexpected and keen to learn about a place you might know very little about.

Much like its fellow Baltic states, Latvia and Estonia, Lithuania has only opened up to international tourism in the last 25 years or so. To some travellers, that lack of background knowledge can make Lithuania an uncertain choice for a visit. It’s that kind of hesitation that leads people to only allow a brief stop somewhere like Vilnius on their first Baltic trip. Afterwards, I’m sure most wish they’d allowed more time. So, to help you prepare and feel a little more confident about visiting, here are my Lithuania travel tips.

1. More than Just Vilnius

A common problem among countries that don’t see a lot of tourism is that people only really know one or two of their destinations. With Lithuania, that’s obviously the capital Vilnius.

It’s fair enough that people may have only heard of the main cities in each of the Baltic States. There’s definitely a lot to like about Vilnius, as it’s quite a curious place to visit. People may have even heard of Trakai thanks to photos of its incredibly beautiful castle.

But as is always the case, there’s so much more to Lithuania than people could possibly know. This small country boasts a real variety of destinations are sure to delight if you give them the time.

The problem is that people try to visit Lithuania in just a few days and there’s only so much you can see in that short of time. Sure, you might get to see Vilnius and Trakai in that brief visit. But what about other cities like Kaunas and Siauliai, each with their own look and atmosphere?

Moving further out you have the country’s smaller towns, untouched countryside and its gorgeous coast. The number of times I’ve heard travellers say that their favourite place in Lithuania was the Curonian Spit, with its sand dunes and beaches, just reinforces the idea that you need more than a few days to see how enchanting this country is.

2. Getting to Lithuania

Lithuania is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Zone, so entry here is just as straightforward as most of Europe. Travelling within the Schengen Zone, you’ll benefit from the ability to freely move between member countries, which include neighbouring Latvia and Poland. Essentially, if you have a European passport it should be insanely simple.

For those that are able to get a 90 day Schengen Visa on arrival like Australians, visiting Lithuania is like you were visiting Germany or Italy. Information on countries that don’t need a visa to visit and other entry requirements can be found here. As always, ensure you know your visa requirements before visiting.

As for actually reaching Lithuania, you really have your pick of options. Lithuania shares land borders with Latvia, Poland, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The borders that I can’t speak from personal experience about are the ones with Belarus and Russia. Both are reasonably complex, I can assure you that though.

To get from Latvia to Lithuania, one way is to take the train from Daugavpils down to Vilnius. Alternatively, there are bus routes that go from Riga to Siauliai and Vilnius, while the coastal route from Lieapaja to Palanga and Klaipedia is also straightforward. Coming from Poland you have slightly fewer approaches. The border between the two is kind of narrow, so there’s really only the Flixbus route from Warsaw and Bialystok up to Vilnius.

Flying in to Lithuania, you’ll most likely be coming in to Vilnius Airport. It may not be a huge airport but it’s extremely easy to get from into the city. The airport is nice and close to the city and you only need a short local bus to get to the edge of Senamiestis, the Old Town.

Lithuania’s other two airports are in Kaunas and Palanga, but you can expect far fewer flights through them. No matter where in Lithuania you want to fly to, Skyscanner is the best place to go for finding flights.

3. Getting About

Lithuania may not seem all that large on a world map, but it’s by no means a small country. It’s going to take time getting from one side of the county to the other. Don’t make the mistake in thinking you can just pop over to the coast from Vilnius for the day. It’s possible but you’re going to spend most of the day driving.

To get around Lithuania, you have the options of driving, taking the train or travel by bus. If you really want to get off the beaten path or have flexibility in your Lithuania itinerary, then driving is probably best. That’s usually the case in these parts of Europe anyway.

Train travel in Lithuania is possible, but there’s a fairly limited network. Vilnius is the hub for the train network, with frequent connections to Trakai and Kaunas. The frequency of trains drops off the further away you get, with the exception of between bigger cities like Klaipeda and Siauliai.

In my experience, the best way to get about Lithuania is by bus. Buses go everywhere and link up every city and town. Vilnius is still the hub but not quite as rigidly as the trains. You should find that buses in Lithuania are quite good quality and extremely reasonable in cost. Bus schedules for Lithuania can be found here.

The one thing to watch out for is that regional routes are often handles with minibuses. This means that not only are there limited seats, but at times there’s no luggage storage making it hard with big bags or suitcases. I had quite an awkward time lofting my pack over people’s heads once to reach the back of bus, so just a heads up there.

4. Importance of Religion

Estonia may be one of Europe’s least religious countries, but Lithuania definitely ranks as one one the continent’s most devout. Further proof that the Baltic States are each unique in their own way.

Lithuania is a deeply Catholic country, something that is easily noticed through its major landmarks. We’re not just talking about churches and cathedrals here either. Throughout Lithuania you find some really unusual but equally fascinating attractions that centre on the country’s religion.

The most well-known religious attraction is the Hill of Crosses in Siauliai. On this hill out in the countryside, hundreds of thousands of crosses have been planted in the ground, creating a sight like no other. Whether you’re religious or not, it’s an overwhelming and utterly fascinating sight to see.

There are also museums in Lithuania that reflect the country’s religious passion. One that turns heads is the Devil Museum in Kaunas. This unlikely museum explores the devil’s role across cultures, displaying artwork and figures that show how he is represented around the world.

As a perfect contrast you also have the Angel Museum in Anyksciai. Much like it’s counterpart, the museum is packed full of art, sculpture and figurines that depict its focus, only this time it’s angels instead of devils. That you can find both a Devil Museum and an Angel Museum in Lithuania really says it all, doesn’t it?

5. Language

Getting to know the local language is always a good idea when travelling abroad. In Lithuania the language is, you guess it, Lithuanian. It’s most common neighbour is Latvian, both of which are Baltic languages with Slavic influence.

All of this goes to say that you may struggle to make out words unless you know Latvian or other Slavic languages. One positive though is that they use the Latin alphabet, so reading signs won’t be a problem.

One aspect of Lithuanian that tripped me up at first is how the endings on words can change. For instance, you’ll often see city names with different endings when describing bus stations. Vilnius becomes Vilnių  and Trakai becomes Trakių. Getting to the bottom of that is beyond my skillset, but it sure does add some doubt when trying to get about.

Even if you don’t master Lithuanian for your trip, you’re not out of luck. English is somewhat common, especially in the younger population and in bigger cities, so communicating is often easier than you’d expect. Other languages that are sure to prove useful are German and Russian particularly with older locals based on the country’s history.

Some useful Lithuanian phrases to know include Labas which is ‘Hello’; Aciu (like you’ve sneezed) which is ‘Thank you’, Prasau for ‘Please’; and Taip and Ne for ‘Yes’ and ‘No’.

6. History of Lithuania

If I was to tell you that Lithuania was once Europe’s largest country, would you believe me? Well it’s true. During the 15th-16th centuries, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania stretched all the way to the Black Sea. That’s just one of the interesting nuggets of history the country has.

This may just be my personal fascination with European history talking, but learning about Lithuanian history really is quite something. Each period of the region’s history has its own interesting turns, from the Teutonic Knights arriving in the 13th century right up to the country’s reinstated independence in 1990.

People tend to focus only on the country’s past 100 years but go further back and you’ll be surprised. Destinations like Kaunas and Trakai each offer really enlightening details on the country’s history. I personally found it quite fascinating to learn of the different ethnic groups that called Trakai home in the past. What I’m saying is that you only need to do a little digging to find engrossing stores from Lithuania’s past.

7. Managing Money

Like its Baltic neighbours, Lithuania is a fairly recent adopter of the Euro, joining the Eurozone in 2015. It’s another reason why visiting Lithuania is so easy, as you don’t need to worry about exchanging money if you’re already travelling around Europe.

You’ll also find that Lithuania is a fairly affordable place to visit, relative to say Western Europe and places like Austria. It’s probably fairly even with Poland and perhaps a little cheaper than Latvia. To give you an idea of costs, coffee runs around 1-2€, local buses are roughly 1€ and intercity transport ranges from 2-8€ usually. Attractions should generally only cost 1-2€, accept for big name attractions like Trakai Castle.

The one thing I did notice was that the most expensive places to visit in Lithuania were typically Vilnius and Palanga on the coast. This might mean that getting dinner at a restaurant went from 8€ to 11€, which is still great value mind you. Basically, if you’re on a budget, a Lithuania trip won’t do too much damage to your wallet.

8. A Green Country

One of the biggest highlights of the Baltic States that doesn’t get enough attention is the wonderful nature there. Lithuania in particular really charms those who take the time to move away from its cities. This was a side of the country I got to experience more of the second time around and it really elevated the whole trip.

Lithuania is home to five national parks, with quite a bit of variety between them. You need only look at the sand dunes of the Curonian Spit and the countless lakes of Aukstaitija National Park to see the difference. Each suits different outdoor activities as well, so whatever your favourite outdoor hobby is, you’ll probably find somewhere that’s perfect for it.

What’s nice is that you don’t even have to head out to the national parks to enjoy a bit of greenery. The resort town of Anyksciai is a great example of this. While in winter it’s a ski town, the forest and riverfront is beautiful during the warmer months. It’s also home to the only elevated treetop walking path in the eastern half of Europe, making it extra special.

To anyone that asks is Lithuania worth visiting, I’d say the country’s natural beauty is reason enough to go.

9. Noteworthy Alcohol Laws

Something interesting I noticed during my Lithuania travels was the country’s approach to alcohol. Europe tends to have a pretty relaxed approach to drinking and alcohol, but not so in Lithuania. I don’t mean in the sense of Muslim countries where alcohol is banned, but it’s definitely stricter than elsewhere on the continent.

In 2017, Lithuania raised their legal drinking age from 18 to 20. In parts of Europe where there is even a drinking age, it’s usually 16 or 18, so this is one notable outlier. It’s said that the government introduced this new law to help curb excessive drinking by the country’s youth.

While this law may or may not effect you based on your age, one rule that effects everyone is the hours in which alcohol can be sold. Supermarkets, liquor stores and night shops are not allowed to sell alcohol after 8pm Monday to Saturday, nor after 3pm on Sundays. So if you want a drink after these hours, you’ll need to go to a bar or restaurant.

Resources for Visiting Lithuania

• Getting There: To find the cheapest and most convenient flights to Lithuania make sure to check Skyscanner.
• Accommodation: Here you can find hotels, apartments and guesthouses for across Lithuania, plus don’t forget Airbnb.
• Tours: There are countless day trips and sightseeing tours available when you visit Lithuania.
• Car Hire: If you want to travel more independently, consider renting a car to drive yourself about.
• Guide Books: Lastly, if you’re after a physical guide to take with you then you can’t beat a Lonely Planet Guide.

What questions do you have for visiting Lithuania? Do you think there are other things people should know before going? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.