Lithuania also has good railway connections with neighboring countries. Lithuania has well-developed infrastructure and the country is crossed by six European highways. The Lithuanian intercity public transportation is cheap and the system is dominated by buses.
Each Lithuanian city has a single bus station. Buses between the main cities are very frequent, with Vilnius-Kaunas buses leaving each terminal station every 15 minutes. Bus routes connecting the main cities to regional towns are usually slightly rarer, but they still operate several times a day.
Lithuanian railroads are not as developed as those in Western Europe and many other developed countries. They are also less frequent than the buses. Before planning to go somewhere by rail, you should first check the map and the operating routes.
Moreover, unlike buses, bicycles can be taken on trains, which is a great idea, especially when traveling to national parks. Public transport in Lithuania is a bit slow, as there is no metro or local trains in Lithuania. You can always choose between buses and trains. In most cities, the routes, tickets and schedules of local buses are available online. Timetables are also available at every bus stop in every city. Tickets for buses and trolleybuses can be bought at kiosks and on the bus or trolleybus itself.
Keep in mind that if you buy them from the driver, they charge more. Monthly passes are available in every city and many also have daily, three-day and weekly deals, but they are only beneficial if you plan to use public transport extensively. You can find public transport routes and timetables here. For those who prefer taxi service, there are plenty of affordable taxi options in Lithuania. Beginning in the Lithuanian currency is the euro. The euro is used in many European countries.
Although most shopping centers, restaurants and hotels in Lithuania take payments by credit card, this is less common in smaller towns and traditional marketplaces.
So do not forget to have some cash when you go shopping in markets and fairs or travel to more remote tourist destinations and rural tourism homesteads.
The official language in Lithuania, and the most used among the population, is Lithuanian. Seventy percent of the population can speak Russian and it is still the most popular second language in Lithuania. The Russian language was compulsory during the Soviet occupation from to For this reason, every person of the older generations was fluent in the language. The use of the Russian language in public places has been gradually removed and replaced by English.
Nevertheless, some restaurants and private hotels have Russian menus and Russian-speaking staff to serve the Russian tourists. However, in Lithuania older generations are not likely to speak English because it was not used or taught during the Soviet period.
Nowadays, English is a widely accepted language that Lithuanians expect foreigners to speak. It is used in universities, modern museums, hotels, on tourist signs, and on restaurant menus.
The language has also become fashionable for some popular songs and important local trademarks. Vilnius is the capital city of Lithuania and has a population of more than , citizens. According to some geographic reports, it is located right in the middle of Europe. Moreover, Vilnius is the second-largest city in the Baltic states and is surrounded by green forests, hills and valleys.
Vilnius is an extraordinary city, with a variety of architectural styles and places to visit. Its Gothic and Baroque architecture makes it one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. Ethereal cathedrals stand alongside restaurants and cozy cafes and old buildings that tell the story of this historic city.
If you're looking for an elegant, peaceful and unforgettable destination, Vilnius should be on your list. The old town is fascinating for its exceptional architecture, preserved Gothic, renaissance, baroque and classicist buildings, the structure of a medieval city, and its natural environment. Kaunas is the second-largest city in the country and is another great destination for sightseeing.
Surrounding Kaunas, the Neris and Nemunas rivers offer breathtaking views of its beautiful and vibrant life. Kaunas also has a wide range of museums, historic structures, and parks with plenty of things to see.
Kaunas is also known for M. It is the third - biggest city in the country and the only seaport in Lithuania. The Curonian Spit is a thin, 98 km long, curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea coast. Part of the spit is located in Russia but the northern side is in Lithuania. The spit has some of the highest dunes in all of Europe. Some of them measure 60 meters and lead to beautiful sandy beaches.
Nida is a resort town famous for its seashore and sand dunes. Nida, which is the most popular place in the Curonian Spit, has a distinct family focus. In recent years the town has become a point of interest for electronica music and modern art shows.
People call this city "the city of the sun. People who visit the Hill of Crosses partake in the ritual of leaving a cross on the hill. The exact origin of the practice of leaving crosses on the hill is uncertain, but it is believed that the first crosses were placed there in You can experience the beauty of this region by visiting the Hillforts of Kernave.
There you can enjoy panoramic views of the valleys and spot the animals that live in the area. Druskininkai is the largest resort in Lithuania and is surrounded by a natural forest reserve. Vilnius is truly an amazing city wherever you think it is. This is actually Vilnius tourism ad made last year to attract tourists and travellers to the capital of Lithuania you can explore a special Where is Vilnius website dedicate to this ad campaign.
You might be wondering what is so amazing about Vilnius. Well, it is a very diverse city. Most of the travellers and tourists visiting Vilnius are fascinated by Vilnius Old Town which is one of the largest in the region. Some people do not even step out of Vilnius Old Town during their visit. And you cannot blame them. The narrow winding streets, magnificent churches on every corner visit the church of St.
Peter and St. Paul, which is famous for its interior! So many places to take excellent pictures! However, if seeing is not enough for you, you can dive deep in the history of Vilnius and Lithuania by reading some guidebooks, visiting museums or joining Vilnius city tours run by professional local guides.
Even though Vilnius Old Town is the place that attracts most of the tourists in Vilnius, we recommend you to explore more of this beautiful city. If you are the fan of street art, you can visit Open gallery — an open air street art gallery with over thirty murals made by artists from all over the world in the territory of former Soviet factory, or wonder around the New Town Naujamietis where you can find weird sculptures, more murals and many cool new restaurants and cafes, some bars.
If the weather is not the best, you can check out some cool Vilnius museums. If you are into art, check out the most popular museum in Vilnius among locals - MO museum.
You can even fly over Vilnius in hot air balloon, go kayaking in Vilnia or Neris rivers during the summer time. One of the unique attractions in Lithuania - hot air balloons taking off at Vingis Park for a flight over Vilnius. If you are visiting Vilnius for the first time, we recommend joining Vilnius free walking tour.
It is a great way to get an overview of Vilnius, Lithuania and history just into 2 hour walking tour. There is no fixed fee for the tour, so you can give the guide whatever you feel he or she deserves! Our guides are also always ready to give you recommendations and local insights to help you to explore Vilnius and Lithuania better.
Just ask! We are also based in Vilnius, so if you check our blog on things to do in Vilnius , you might find more useful posts about activities, local events, history, tips and recommendations. Here is one for 5 things to do in Vilnius for every traveller. If you have only a few days to visit Lithuania, Vilnius is the place you should travel to. Time to spent in Trakai : half a day Best time to visit Trakai : early morning.
Trakai is a beautiful small historical town surrounded by lakes approximately half an hour away from Vilnius. The town is mainly famous for its red brick Trakai castle on the island in the middle of the lake. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Lithuania and a must see place for anyone visiting Lithuania.
Trakai also offer a lot of picturesque views as the town is surrounded by lakes. The most visited place in Lithuania - Trakai with its red brick castle in the middle of the lake. It gets very busy in Trakai during the summer season May — September , especially during the weekends when locals also flood this cosy little town. We recommend you to get to Trakai early in the morning so you could enjoy the views without crowds of people.
If the weather is nice, you can rent a boat to float around the castle. It is very easy to do, as there many people offering water activities around the lakes. Otherwise, you can visit a museum inside Trakai castle. The entrance costs 8 EUR. However, if you have been to other castles in Europe, do not expect to see a lot in there.
Lithuania has always been between fighting sides and many things were lost during history. One more must thing to do in Trakai is try kibinas - traditional food of the Karaites community in Trakai.
Karaites were brought to Lithuania from Crimea over years ago and preserved their traditions. You can not only taste kibinas or other dishes Karaites make, but also find their cute wooden houses with three windows facing the street as well as their house of worship called Kenesa and a tiny museum to learn more about this small community still living in Trakai. If you are wondering where to get kibinas, you will find anywhere closer to the castle.
I would recommend you to take away a few kibinas, then rent a boat and enjoy this dish in the middle of the lake! You can get to Trakai very easily from Vilnius by public transport or if you are active, you can even try cycling from Vilnius to Trakai!
Also, you do not need a lot of time to explore Trakai. Actually half a day is enough to see the castle, try kibinas and swim in the lake! Time to spent in the Hill of Crosses : around 1 hour Best time to visit the Hill of Crosses : daytime. Hill of Crosses is also consider as one of the highlights of Lithuania.
A powerful and mysterious place with thousands of crosses. Just check our blog post about how to get to the Hill of Crosses. Visiting one of the unique tourist attractions in Lithuania - Hill of Crosses - with Vilnius with Locals tour guide. Hill of Crosses represents the resistance of Lithuanians through the hardships of the last two centuries when Lithuania was under Soviet rule and a part of the Russian Empire. The castle is located within Trakai Historical National Park , just a short drive from the capital Vilnius.
Lithuanian s love to eat food that is filling, hearty and keeps you warm. Lithuanian dishes are mainly made of root vegetables potatoes and beetroot , meat and dairy products, all of which can be grown in Lithuania's cold climate. The dish was named due to its similarity to the zeppelin airship and is made of a mixture of raw and cooked potato dough that is filled with pork and served with a sour cream and bacon sauce. The dish is similar to the dumplings served in countries like Austria, Belarus, Germany and Poland.
Think of it as a dumpling meets pierogi. It is prepared from hard-boiled eggs, boiled and grated beets, fresh cucumbers, dill and green onions. All the ingredients are chopped and put in a pot, then kefir is added. The soup can be seasoned with salt and a little pepper.
The dish is served cold, usually with hot boiled potatoes sprinkled with dill. Lithuanians have been eating potatoes for a short time — only a couple of centuries — but dishes with potatoes are a staple in their cuisine. They boil the starchy sprouts and add them to soups, balls and dumplings. They also fry them into crispy Lithuanian potato pancakes, called Bulviniai Blynai. Bulviniai Blynai are deep-fried pancakes made with savory ingredients like grated potatoes, onions, eggs and flour.
Most Lithuanians eat Bulviniai Blynai spread with sour cream or applesauce. The most traditional Lithuanian bread is made with natural yeast and dark rye flour. You can find dark rye bread at markets and restaurants. Fried bread, or kepta duona, is Lithuanian dark rye bread fried in oil, seasoned with garlic and salt, and served with a cheese sauce.
Fried bread is often eaten as a snack with beer and is one of the most popular comfort foods to Lithuanians. Grybukai mushroom biscuits are delightful biscuits in the form of mushrooms, made of cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, sugar, butter, and the like.
The cookies are glazed to create the familiar white "hat" and dark "stem" of the mushroom. The taste is delicious and there are many bakeries and restaurants around the country where you can try them. This cake is a large, hollow ring with tasty spikes around the edges, formed from dripping dough when the cake is turned back and forth on a skewer-like cooker. Can you imagine that in the 15th century Lithuania was one of the largest countries in Europe with borders as far as the Black Sea?
In the past, Lithuania was occupied many times by its neighboring countries. The last occupation by the Soviet Union lasted almost 50 years. Today, Lithuanians have a great sense of national pride due to fights to regain and maintain their freedom. You can find military remains scattered all over Lithuania that date back to the time when the country was part of the Soviet Union.
In Lithuania, you have the opportunity to go back in time. You go five meters underground to a two-story, 3,square-meter labyrinth. The survival drama begins with a not-so-welcome greeting by security guards and their barking dogs before they take your personal belongings.
Embark on an adventure and experience the stressful life in the USSR for two hours! The first floor of the museum is full of documents, photographs, maps and other items depicting the Sovietization of the region in to The exhibition, dedicated to the partisan war from to , presents the territorial structure and military organization of the partisan units, the aspirations of the freedom fighters, their daily activities and everyday life.
On the second floor of the museum , there is an exhibition devoted to the imprisonment of Lithuanians in gulags from to , the deportations from to , and the activity of the KGB from to Ancient Lithuanian traditions and folklore stand out from the heritage of other European nations because of their preserved links to Baltic mythology and the pre-Christian way of life.
Lithuanians have original musical instruments that you won't find anywhere else. Wooden cowbells attached to a rack and struck with sticks is another local instrument. Throughout the year, a variety of traditional festivals take place in Lithuanian cities and towns. It's always fun and exciting to join one of those! Have you ever been to an authentic festival or felt the spirit of an old way of life? Here you will find a museum of folk lifestyle, as well as Europe's largest open-air museum.
All the structures and household items in the museum are authentic and were brought from different places in Lithuania.
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