Why We Spent a Week in Lithuania

Shay's great-grandparents were from Lithuania, so we decided to spend a week exploring this beautiful Baltic country. What we discovered was a land of pristine nature and rich cultural heritage. From the cobblestone streets of Vilnius's Old Town to the mystical Hill of Crosses, Lithuania offered us a perfect blend of history, tradition, and natural beauty.

The country impressed us with its excellent infrastructure, affordable prices, and walkable cities. Whether we were floating over Trakai Castle in a hot air balloon or exploring centuries-old amber traditions, Lithuania consistently exceeded our expectations.

Vilnius, Lithuania

Medieval Charm, Hot Air Balloons, and a Hidden Republic

Vilnius, Lithuania's capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like stepping into a fairy tale. With its baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, and vibrant cultural scene, it's the perfect introduction to Baltic culture. Here's how to make the most of your time in this enchanting city.

Where to Stay

We stayed at the St. Palace Hotel for 3 nights with breakfast included for $596.65 ($200/night). The hotel was centrally located, clean, and comfortable with delicious breakfast options.

Must-Do Experiences

🚶♀️ Free Walking Tour

Start your Vilnius adventure with a free walking tour at 10:30 AM or 3:30 PM daily (2-2.5 hours). This was definitely a highlight of our time in Vilnius! Learning about Lithuania's culture and history from a local guide gave us incredible insights into the country's resilience and rich heritage. This was a great way to get introduced to the city. They rely on tips so have some cash on you to tip your guide.

🏰 Gediminas Hill and Castle

Take the funicular up Gediminas Hill for $2.25 one way or $3.50 round trip per person. The views of the city from the top are absolutely spectacular, especially during golden hour. The Hill is not very big and many people walk it. There is no charge to enter if you are walking.

🎈 Hot Air Balloon Over Trakai

This was another absolute highlight of our Vilnius experience! We booked with OREIVYSTÉS CENTRAS (Ballooning.LT) for $163 per person. They picked us up at the central square in Vilnius, drove us the 30 minutes to Trakai, then we spent about an hour floating over the stunning castle, lake, and forests. After the ride, they hosted a fun ceremony with a champagne toast and other delightful surprises. They alternate between flying over Trakai and Vilnius so if you have a preference, check with them first.

🏛️ Republic of Užupis

Visit this charming mini republic within Vilnius that supposedly has its own rules and government (but it is borderless so there is no passport or ID check). We discovered it during our free walking tour and returned the next day to explore more. It's a bohemian artist quarter with quirky art installations and a constitution posted on a wall in multiple languages.

🌟 Unique Vilnius Experiences

• Portal at Central Square: See people in real-time from several cities around the world through this fascinating art installation.
• Amber Museum: Learn about Lithuania's amber heritage for free. The Baltics are world-famous for their amber deposits.
• Changing of the Flags: We stumbled upon this impressive ceremony at the Office of the President (daily at 3pm). It's free and a wonderful display of Lithuanian tradition.

Where to Eat and Drink in Vilnius

• California Bar and Restaurant: 2 duck leg dishes with peach and couscous specials plus water and coffee for $25.50
• Etno Dvaras: Traditional experience with a tasting flight of 6 brandies, pork hock, and traditional meat dumplings for $51.44. This is a chain restaurant but popular.
• Pilies Katpėdėlė: Traditional gira (kvass), table water, dumplings, pork shank and potato pie for $25.70
• Šnekutis: Experience Lithuanian mead culture with 2 draft meads and 2 shots for $25.70, followed by pork stew and fried fish for $22.20
• Fiona: Our guide said this ice cream place was her favorite. A scoop of ice cream was $4.11

Kaunas, Lithuania

Devils, Folk Music, and Open-Air History

Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city, offers a fascinating glimpse into the country's cultural roots with unique museums and experiences you won't find anywhere else. The train ride from Vilnius took about an hour and there are regular departures. We purchased the first-class train ticket because it was cheap but the second-class seats looked just as nice. Kaunas had fewer tourists but also a long stretch of a pedestrian only street.

Where to Stay

We stayed at the Radisson Hotel Kaunas for 2 nights with breakfast included for $236.43 ($120/night). The hotel was modern, centrally located, and even had a gym and sauna.

Transportation

Train from Vilnius to Kaunas: 2 first-class tickets for $25.81
Bolt from Kaunas train station to hotel: $3.74

Unique Museums and Attractions

👹 Devils' Museum

Tickets: $9.30 per person. This quirky museum is a fun way to learn about Lithuania's pagan and Catholic roots through its extensive collection of devil figurines and artwork from around the world. There are really great exhibits about how the devil has been depicted in different cultures and throughout history. The focus is Lithuania, but the rest of the world was also covered. 

🎵 Folk Music Museum

Tickets: $4.65 per person. This hands-on museum lets you interact with historical instruments. Our favorite exhibit was on the first floor where you can experiment with creating your own music using sounds from current folk bands.

🏘️ Ethnographic Open-Air Museum

Tickets: $12 per person, Bolt ride: $25 each way (about 30 minutes from Kaunas). This incredible museum features over 3 miles of trails with villages recreated to look like different parts of Lithuania in the 1700s and 1800s. Be prepared for a lot of outdoor walking. We enjoyed 2 potato and meat entrees at the on-site café for $23.35.

Food and Drinks in Kaunas

• Avilys: Perfect for mead beer tasting and was on the pedestrian street in the old city. We had 2 half-liter mead beers for $15.19.
• Chacapuri: We tried Georgian food for a break. We had 2 glasses of wine, salad, dumplings, and a lamb entrée for $52.

Road Trip Adventure: Exploring Ancestral Roots

From Kaunas to Klaipėda via Family Heritage Sites and Hill of Crosses

We rented a one-way car for around $250 to explore the villages where Shay's relatives likely came from. The roads were well-maintained and Google Maps made navigation easy. We explored historic churches and a cemetery, and enjoyed a delicious seafood lunch near Rekyvos Lake. We used the local car rental company named Admita, which was highly rated.

Hill of Crosses

This sacred site is exactly what it sounds like. People have been bringing crosses here for hundreds of years. The site has been destroyed by the Germans, Soviets, etc but the crosses keep coming back! We spent time strolling through the hill, marveling at the different types of crosses planted. It is an earie site but was really cool and we are glad we visited. Getting there is not easy; you need to rent a car or get there through a tour group. There is a $2.50 parking fee but entering the site is free. 

Klaipėda, Lithuania

Baltic Sea Charm and Coastal Adventures

Klaipėda is a charming coastal town along the Baltic Sea that serves as the perfect base for exploring both the Curonian Spit and Palanga. We chose to stay here to avoid jumping between hotels and instead took day trips to these incredible destinations. The town is quiet so you will not experience the bustle of Vilnius or Kaunas. 

Where to Stay

We stayed at Reja Hotel in Klaipėda where breakfast was included for everyone. $450 ($150/night). This was a modern and trendy hotel and very well maintained. The service and breakfast were great.

Day Trip to Curonian Spit

Ferry cost: $2 per person round-trip

The Curonian Spit is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Lithuania's most stunning natural wonders. If you have a car, go to the new ferry terminal; pedestrians and cyclists can use the old ferry terminal in the old town.

Instead of taking a bus to the famous large dunes, we decided to walk about a mile through the forest to the beach. The paved trails are well-maintained with bathrooms, benches, and food/drink stops along the way. We stopped for coffee on our walk back. A cappuccino and coffee cost $7.

The beach itself was quiet, clean, and beautiful with white, soft sand and clear wavy water. While we didn't swim due to cool weather, it was perfect for a peaceful walk.

Day Trip to Palanga

Bolt ride: $30 each way (30 minutes), or take a bus to save money

Palanga is a bustling beach town with a long pier extending into the sea and a pedestrian street filled with shops and restaurants. The town is popular amongst locals and was a nice getaway to see what a Lithuanian beach town is like. We had dinner at Senoji Hansa: table water, pork cutlet with mushroom sauce and fries, and duck leg with beets and mashed potatoes for $43.25.

Transportation Summary

• Bolt from Vilnius airport to hotel: $8.42
• Bolt from Vilnius hotel to train station: $4.67
• Train from Vilnius to Kaunas: $25.81 (2 first-class tickets)
• Bolt from Kaunas train station to hotel: $3.74
• Bolt from Klaipėda to Palanga: $28.98
• Ferry from Klaipėda to Curonian Spit: $2.00

Final Thoughts: Why Lithuania Should Be on Your Travel List

Lithuania surprised us at every turn with its rich history, stunning natural beauty, and gorgeous cities. From the medieval charm of Vilnius to the coastal beauty of the Curonian Spit, this Baltic gem offers experiences you simply can't find anywhere else. The combination of affordability, safety, and unique cultural experiences makes Lithuania a perfect destination for travelers seeking authentic European adventures off the beaten path.

Whether you're tracing family roots, exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites, or simply enjoying some of the world's best mead, Lithuania invites you to slow down and discover the beauty of Baltic culture. The memories we made floating over Trakai Castle and walking along the Baltic coast will stay with us forever.

Planning your own Lithuanian adventure? Be sure to grab our free packing list It's got everything you need to travel smarter and lighter.