Best attractions in Lithuania: Top 25

Where to go in Lithuania? When choosing a tour of this country, tourists often ask themselves the question, what to see in Lithuania in the first place? Below are the most interesting sights in Lithuania, which must be visited as part of an introductory tour of the country.

What to see in Lithuania first

Being the closest to the countries of the former Soviet Union, this country is associated with something native and close. In addition, guides in Lithuania perfectly knows not only English, but also Russian, which is even more attractive to travelers from Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. Knowing the main local attractions, you can easily organize the best vacation of your life abroad.

1. Vilnius old town (Vilnius)

Vilnius Old Town

The sights of Lithuania begin with the Old Town of Vilnius. It is a true historical center with a special atmosphere of the past centuries and many cultural monuments. The Old Town of Vilnius has preserved the old architecture almost completely. The narrow streets paved with cobblestones and cobblestones allow only for walking. Wandering along these intricate paths among the ancient stone buildings, you can find yourself walking by no less interesting churches - Orthodox, Lutheran, and Catholic. Also worth seeing are museums, hotel yards, educational institutions, and apartment buildings. Here you can get acquainted with the Gothic architecture, see buildings created in the style of the Renaissance, Art Nouveau, Classicism, Baroque. In addition to a visual acquaintance with the historical part of the city, a walk through the Old Vilnius suggests an opportunity to have a snack in a cozy cafe or restaurant. There are also many souvenir shops, where you can buy something as a gift for relatives and friends.



2. Trakai castle (Trakai)

Trakai Castle-Fortress

Lithuanian sights are full of amazing natural colors and real architectural masterpieces. The Trakai Castle, located 30 km from Vilnius and near the small ancient town of Trakai, is just that. The island castle is a Gothic architectural ensemble. In the center rises a huge princely palace. The main building is surrounded by powerful defensive walls and a lot of towers. The Trakai castle is a must-see in Lithuania. You will be impressed not only by the external picture of the architecture. The excursion through the halls of the palace deserves special attention. The state rooms of the Palace are decorated with frescos, stucco and stained glass windows. Every detail of the interior and exterior speaks of the wealth of the people who once lived within these walls. Even the saddles for the horses were used here in gold. The special romance of a guided walk to the walls of Trakai Castle is in the possibility to admire the water smoothness of lakes Helvia and Luka, washing the approaches to the ancient building.

Official site: http://www.trakai-visit.lt/



3. Neringa resort town (Curonian Spit)

Neringa Resort City

It’s hard to imagine the sights of Lithuania without Neringa Resort City. This rather young tourist corner of the country is especially recommended by guides when answering the question of what to visit in Lithuania in the first place. Neringa was founded in 1961. However, the history of the origins of this wonderful place goes back many centuries. Neringa is situated on the Curonian Spit. The resort town is rightly called the pearl of Lithuania. It is a haven for artists and a place of attraction for tourists from all over the world. There you can truly relax and unwind. The beaches of Neringa are of the highest level of organization and environmental cleanliness. There are many hotels and private inns that welcome visitors all year round. You can go fishing, take a rest, or just enjoy walking to the landmarks and relaxing by the water. Neringa is famous for its tall pine trees, unique vegetation, clean air and mild climate. It is the right place to revitalize the body and relax the soul.

4. Curonian Spit National Park (between Klaipeda and Kaliningrad)

Dunes of the park-reserve Curonian Spit

Lithuania’s sights cover a huge territory. Literally every corner of the country is interesting in terms of tourism. Not far from the city of Klaipeda is a unique place - the Curonian Spit. Part of this area is located in Lithuania - Neringa, and part of the Curonian Spit is part of the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation - a national park. The park’s territory is washed by the salty waters of the Baltic Sea and the freshwater Kurshsky Bay. The colors of the dune landscapes are truly impressive. In this place, a combination of fir and birch forests is gathered. Vegetation will surprise not only biologists. The brilliance of local plants and the uniqueness of the geographical picture will prompt the spirit of true natural beauty and ordinary tourists. Ecotourism is widespread here. Come to this park, to rest your soul, breathe fresh air and enjoy the untouched beauty of wildlife. Not far from the Curonian Spit is located three residential villages and several tourist centers.

Feel the atmosphere of Lithuania in this beautiful video!

5. Kaunas Castle (Kaunas)

Ancient Kaunas Castle

Lithuanian sights such as the Kaunas Castle are a must-see as part of a sightseeing tour of the country. After all, this is something to see in Lithuania that is especially curious, in terms of historical interest, as well as in terms of getting to know the unusual architecture of the past times. Until now, almost a third of the buildings have survived. The castle is of Gothic architectural style. The round building is made of stone. Around the preserved main part of the castle there are two towers, fragments of the fortification wall and other small buildings of intricate forms. You can learn about the history of this Lithuanian landmark in the museum, which is organized in one of the towers. It is noteworthy that colorful theatrical performances are regularly held on the territory of the castle. In this place there are a lot of entertainment events that may be of interest to tourists. Guides in Kaunas recommend visiting the annual operetta festival, medieval music concerts, costume shows.

Official website: http://www.visit.kaunas.lt

6. Amber museum in Palanga (Palanga)

The building of the Amber Museum surrounded by a park in Palanga
Amber tractor at the Amber Museum in Palanga Liilia Moroz

What to visit in Lithuania? Of course, the Amber Museum, located in the city of Palanga! It is a unique museum, which colorfully tells the history of the “sun stone”. Visiting the walls of this attraction, you can plunge into the bright colors of the stone fairy tale. Museum of Amber was opened in 1963 in the building, which once belonged to the famous historical figure - Earl Tyshkevich. The Count’s Palace was built in 1897. Today the walls of the building have been restored, and the surrounding areas are adapted for comfortable walks and recreation. But the most interesting thing is in the 15 halls of the palace. Once you cross the threshold of the museum, you encounter a unique collection of amber. See the “live” beauty of the stone, feel the attraction of amber, listen to the fascinating stories about mining Lithuanian “gold” - all this is offered during a visit to the museum. Here tourists are also told about the life of the founder of Palanga - Earl Tyshkevich. After visiting the museum you can take a walk in the park near the palace.

Official site: http://www.pgm.lt

7. Hill of Crosses (near Šiauliai)

Christian landmark of Lithuania Mount of Crosses

Lithuanian sights related to local shrines are especially interesting and impressive! For example, the famous Mount of Crosses is a must-see in Lithuania. The unusual hill is about 12 kilometers from the city of Šiauliai. On the hill there are more than 50 thousand crosses of different size and shape. It remotely resembles a cemetery, but there are no graves in this place. There is a legend that explains why there are so many symbols of faith. It turns out that by placing the cross on the hill, people hope to attract good luck. This is exactly the reward everyone who sets his cross on the mountain will receive, if the prophecy is to be believed. In this place you can see crosses of all kinds. There are both huge wooden crucifixes and small crosses. There are entire statues created in the form of the holy face of Christ, and there are simple wooden crosses without additional patterns and inscriptions. The atmosphere of this place is strange, but light. This is something really worth visiting in Lithuania. Memories after visiting the holy hill, will remain vivid. And who knows, maybe luck will really smile.

Official site: http://www.hillofcrosses.com/

8. Kernave

Museum Reserve Kernave

Lithuanian sights are fascinating with a huge number of protected places of nature. Kernavė Museum Reserve is a tourist destination that is especially popular with visitors. Kernavė is the first capital of Lithuania. It is a complex of five settlements, 35 km from Vilnius, on the banks of the Neris River. This wonderful place keeps the memory of the history of the development of the country and the Baltic peoples. Traces of the civilizations that lived here in the 10th century B.C. have been found in this reserve. This place is especially attractive in early July. The Days of Living Archaeology festival is organized to celebrate the State Day in Kernav. During this period it is possible to see grandiose performances demonstrating the peculiarities of ancient crafts. There is old-time music everywhere, and every detail of the festival has a distinctive local flavor. You can also try different medieval entertainment. For example, you can compete in the martial arts or touch the skills of medieval warfare.

Sights in Lithuania: What else to see while in Lithuania

The list of historical monuments, parks and those places that may be of interest to travelers in this state is extremely extensive. Below you will find photos and descriptions of tourist sites that are included in many tours in Lithuania, and you can decide whether or not to include them in your sightseeing itinerary.

9. Kaunas Old Town (Kaunas)

Old Town Kaunas

Lithuania’s sights are crowned by perhaps the most impressive part of the country, the old town of Kaunas. The old part of Kaunas concentrates a huge number of unusual monuments of architecture. The atmosphere here is saturated. The area is simply mesmerizing in its beauty. Start your trip to the old part of town with the Town Hall Square. Here you can see the former Palace of Marriages, and now the White Swan of Kaunas - the City Hall. Further along the way you can see the Kaunas Cathedral of Peter and Paul. The pedestrian street Vilniaus deserves special attention. Here you can walk and enjoy the beauty of the old part of town. Street is very lively and colorful. Walking along it you can see a lot of strange buildings. Part of the buildings are given under the residential premises, but a greater number of buildings occupied by a cozy cafes, souvenir shops, stores. After walking along the pedestrian street Viliņiaus and visiting the stores and cafes, it is worth going to Laisves Alley - the widest pedestrian boulevard of the old city.

10. Cathedral (Vilnius)

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and Wladyslaus in Vilnius

A list of must-see places to visit when exploring Lithuania would be incomplete without such a sight as the Vilnius Cathedral. It is the most important Roman Catholic cathedral in Lithuania. The cathedral was given the status of a “small basilica”. The history of the cathedral goes back centuries. The building literally “remembers” the days when Vilnius was founded. It is the oldest cathedral in Lithuania, in which the great Lithuanian princes were crowned. The cathedral is located in the center of Vilnius, at the foot of the Zamkova Mountain. The building has gone through many changes, including some destructive ones. Nevertheless, today the cathedral retains its status as one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in Lithuania. It is built in the style of classicism. Its exterior resembles that of an ancient Greek temple. Inside it is no less attractive in terms of decoration. Unique paintings, frescoes and other works of art create a unique coloring of the interior decoration of the temple. On the lower tier of the cathedral there is a museum, which carefully preserves the history from pagan times.

Official site: http://www.piligrimukelias.lt

11. The Witches Mountain (Curonian Spit)

The wooden sculpture "Lucky Fisherman" on the Witch Mountain Rimantas Lazdynas

Lithuania’s sights not only impress with beauty, but also shock with mystery. The Witches’ Mountain is a must-see in Lithuania! This mystical place is located in the Curonian Spit area. Witches Mountain is represented by a beautiful dune, which has a parabolic shape. There are mysterious rumors and curious legends around this amazing sight. It is believed that this mountain appeared, thanks to the Giantess Neringa. When you come to these places, you can enjoy the fabulous scenery of local nature. There are intricate sculptures of characters from Lithuanian folklore on the mountain. Walking around the mountain, you can literally feel the mystical atmosphere of the place. If you manage to look at the mountain from afar, you can understand why there is an opinion that the mountain is divided between light and dark forces. Visually, the elevation is divided into two colors. One half of the mountain is lighter than the other. To visit the Mountain of Witches will be interesting even to those who do not believe in fairy tales. Clean air, beautiful nature, special local relief - this is something that in itself fascinates the eye and without the accompaniment of fairy tales and mysterious tales.

12. St. Anne’s Church and Bernardine Church (Vilnius)

Saint Anne's Church

The sights of Lithuania are represented by a variety of local shrines. One of the most interesting monuments of architecture located in Vilnius is the Church of St. Anne and Bernardine Church. The church is located in the Old Town on Mairone Street. The building was created in the classic Gothic style. The architecture of the shrine is striking in its forms and depth of style. Going to this Lithuanian landmark, you can enjoy not only the unique architectural pattern of the structure, but also touch the history. In the temple, there is an exhibition showing the history of the cathedral’s oldest building, from the times when it was a pagan sanctuary to the present day. In the lower tier of the temple, there are tombs of famous personalities: princes, bishops and nobles. In the main room of the temple there are fourteen altars with wooden sculptures of saints. The beauty and attractiveness of this temple is difficult to convey in words. It is better to see it once and see for yourself how beautiful the architectural image of the Lithuanian capital is.

Official site: http://www.onosbaznycia.lt

13. Tyshkevich Palace (Palanga)

View from the park of Palanga's neo-Renaissance Tyshkevich Palace Kévin Veau

One of the most popular Lithuanian resorts is Palanga, where people go to enjoy the cleanest pine air, relax in the sands of the Curonian Spit and dip in the waters of the Baltic Sea. Palanga owes its well-being to the Tyshkevich family, who greatly contributed to improvement of the resort town, development of roads and local beaches. The symbol of the resort is the Earl’s Tyshkevichi manor, an elegant and noble palace. Once it was wooden and served as a summer residence of counts, but years later one of the heirs of the famous family decided to settle here for a long time, so he commissioned a German architect to design a new stone building. The new two-storey palace took on Baroque, Renaissance and Classicist features, and after restoration in the 1950s it was opened to the public. Today the palace houses the world-famous Amber Museum, the precious stone that the Baltic Sea coast is rich in.

14. Lithuanian Sea Museum and Aquarium (Klaipeda)

Lithuanian Maritime Museum in the building of the old Kopgalis Fort in Klaipeda Algirdas
Water shows with Black Sea dolphins and sea lions at the Maritime Museum-Aquarium ViršuLF

Sea Museum in the city of Klaipeda can be called one of the best options for what to see in Lithuania in winter. This cozy and exciting place is located on the northern tip of the Curonian Spit in the premises of Kolgalis, a fortress of the 19th century. All in all, the museum complex includes several departments - in addition to the Maritime Museum itself, there is the Natural Museum of the Curonian Spit, the Aquarium and the Dolphinarium. On the way to the fort the first is the Maritime Museum, where you can get acquainted with the peculiarities of everyday life of local fishermen and see a boat, built by an amateur fisherman on the basis of ancient drawings. In the building of the fort there is a complex of aquariums - 34 small and one large one, which contains more than a hundred species of fish and other inhabitants of the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. Finally, the main pride of the museum is the dolphinarium, where regular performances and interesting facts about the life of dolphins are presented.

Official site: https://muziejus.

15. Acute Brahma (Vilnius)

Chapel for the icon of the Mother of God of Ostrobrahma above the city wall gate in Vilnius Marcin Białek
Ostrobrahma icon of Our Lady of the 19th century Alma Pater

Once in the early 16th century, Vilnius was surrounded by a strong fortress wall with five gates, one of which has survived to this day - the Ostrea Brama Gate. Such an unusual name some attribute to the family name of Princes Ostrogsky, others - to the long metal spikes, which were set in the fortress wall. Anyway, today Ostrya Brama is an architectural monument, in which Gothic style and Renaissance are mixed. The gate’s attic is decorated with the Lithuanian coat of arms and the image of Hermes with a winged helmet; the outer side of the tower is decorated with the coat of arms of the Lithuanian principality; below it there is a mural depicting the Savior; and on the right side of the tower there is a small section of the restored fortress wall. Directly above the gate is the Chapel of Our Lady of Ostrobram, one of the most famous and revered icons in Lithuania. The icon of the Virgin Mary inside is believed to have miraculous powers.

Official website: https://www.ausrosvarta

16. Gedimin’s Tower (Vilnius)

A top view of the western tower of the Upper Castle in Vilnius

The historic centers of the Baltic capitals are veritable treasure troves of objects of antiquity, with narrow cobbled streets, odious cathedral spires, mysterious alleyways and mystical basements of old houses. Sights of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, among which the medieval castles and historic towers have a special place, will tell about the centuries-old heritage of the Baltic states. For example, the Gediminas Tower, named after the founder of Vilnius, Prince Gediminas, adorns the Old Town of Vilnius. The tower is 48 meters tall and stands on the Castle Hill, offering a beautiful view of the Old Town of Vilnius. The tower was once part of the Upper Castle, built in the 14th and 15th centuries, and today among the fortifications only Gedimin’s Tower has survived in its original form. The tower has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, and in its present form it is an 8-cornered structure, within the walls of which is a branch of the Lithuanian National Museum.

Official site: http://www.lnm

17. Laisves Alley (Kaunas)

Laisves Alley is a place of rest and leisurely walks in Kaunas Phillip Capper

Laisves is the Lithuanian Freedom Alley in Kaunas, which is a pedestrian street more than 1.5 km long and up to 27 meters wide. It is a great place for walking and recreation, located near the Old Town, so when you explore the historic center, you can sooner or later get to the Laisves. The beautiful green boulevard is framed by slender rows of linden, maple and chestnut trees, and along it are many stores and souvenir shops, bars and cafes, museums and theaters, monuments and fountains. So when you get to this avenue, you can always find something to do - whether it is shopping, a cultural program or even a bike ride. Laisves is a mirror of city life - it regularly hosts festivals and various processions, festive and tragic events. Among the latter is the act of self-immolation as a protest against the Soviet occupation, which was committed in 1972 by Romas Calante - in memory of this hero there is a plaque on the alley.

18. Park of Europe

Space of unknown growth of Magdalena Abakanovich under the open sky in Park of Europe Legionas
Sol LeWitt's sculpture Double Negative Pyramid in Park of Europe Dan

A tourist map of Lithuania shows that just 20 km from Vilnius there is an open-air art museum, where the beauty of nature and the charm of modern art are wonderfully intertwined. The Park of Europe is located right in the middle of a wooded area, and its origins date back to the early 1990s. That’s when it became known that in this place is the geographical center of Europe, which it was decided to mark through art. The initiator of the arrangement of the park was sculptor Gintaras Karosas who addressed an invitation to his colleagues from all over the world to take part in the decoration and to place their works here. The sculpture park began its existence with the installation of a stone pyramid on which a pointer indicating the distances to all the capitals of Europe was installed. Later the collection was enriched by hundreds of art objects, which were donated to the park by artists and sculptors from many countries around the world.

Official website: http://www.europo

19. IX Fort of the Kovno Fortress (Kaunas)

IX Fort of Kovno Fortress is one of the biggest attractions of Kaunas
Jail cell in the ninth fort of Kovno Fortress in Kaunas Andrius Vanagas

For those interested in Lithuanian military landmarks, the presentation recommends a visit to the city of Kaunas. It is here that the Kovno Fortress is located, a masterpiece of fortification that could have become one of the centers of tourism, if not for a grim milestone in its history: during World War II, this fort became a place of mass extermination of Jews and Poles. Tens of thousands were killed in Forts 7 and 9, among them it was the 9th that was used as a prison for prisoners. When the prison was overcrowded, its prisoners were driven into a ditch and shot, and their bodies were covered with quicklime and burned in order to destroy any evidence of large-scale murder. Sixty prisoners, however, managed to escape and the atrocities of the Nazis were known before the war was over. Today Fort 9 is the best preserved of all the fortifications, it has been restored and houses a museum dedicated to the tragedy of the Holocaust.

Official website: http://www.9fort

20. Druskininkai town (southern Lithuania)

View of the spa town of Druskininkai from Lake Druskonis in Lithuania Juliux

Magnificent pine forests, wide sandy beaches, emerald sea, ancient homesteads, health-improving rest and effective treatment - all this is resort Lithuania. Spa cities, though not always can boast clear and warm weather, but local sea air, mixed with the scent of pine is extremely pleasant and healthy. One of the most well-known and popular balneological resorts of the country is Druskininkai. There is a number of mineral springs which serve as a basis for the work of local balneotherapeutic resorts. Along with waters of various degrees of mineralization, local soils are also famous for therapeutic peat muds used for treatment of various diseases. Apart from sanatoriums, the resort has a number of spa centers, hotels, health resorts, entertainment centers for adults and children. Also Druskininkai regularly becomes a place of interesting events - festivals and master classes.

Official website: https://www.druskininkai

21. Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania (Vilnius)

Facade of the reconstructed palace facing Cathedral Square to the monument to Gedimin Poznaniak

The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is not quite an ordinary historic castle: on the one hand it is the most important national symbol of the country, on the other - a new building, reconstructed in our days on the model of the construction of the 15th century. In the 4-8th centuries the first settlement was located on this site and the constructions were of wood, while in the 13th century the first stone fortifications appeared. The ancient lower castle was built in the 15th century, but over the next 3 centuries, it was rebuilt, changing the architectural style, and by the 17th century was half destroyed after the invasion of Russian troops. The idea to rebuild the original structure appeared in the 1980s, and only in the early 2000s it began to materialize. Seven years later the castle was erected and officially opened, and 6 years later it received its first visitors. Today there are expositions revealing the role of the ancient residence and displaying various historical findings.

Official website: https://www.valdovur

22. Old Town of Klaipeda (western Lithuania)

Architecture of Klaipeda Old Town Mantas Volungevicius
The Old Town is a tourist part of Klaipeda on the left bank of the Dana River jo.sau

If your itinerary in Lithuania covers the western part of the country, you can visit the ancient city of Klaipeda, divided by the Dange River into two parts: on the right side is the modern city center, on the left - the Old Town of Klaipeda, preserving the old shape and atmosphere of the past centuries. In the narrow streets of the Old Town there are Lithuanian houses neighboring with German ones. Since the 13th century the town was owned by Germans, and Lithuanians, who were not allowed to settle there, used to live in the outskirts of the town. During World War II when the Soviets occupied the city, the Germans were expelled to their historical homeland; after some time the city was inhabited by the natives as well as the Russians and the Belarusians. Among the historical monuments of Klaipeda there are part of the fort on the Curonian Spit, the remains of Memelburg Castle, and among the German heritage - numerous houses of burghers and merchants.

23. Aukstaitija National Park (north-east of Lithuania)

View from Ladakalnisna Hill to the lake in Aukstaitija National Park in Lithuania

In the 1970s, the first national park, later renamed Aukstaitija National Park, appeared on Lithuanian territory. It is located about a hundred kilometers north of Vilnius, covers an area of about 400 square kilometers, and most of its area is covered by forest. The rest of the territory is occupied by mirror-like lakes, picturesque rivers and brooks. Among the lakes, the largest is Kretuonas, the deepest is Tauragnas, the most unusual is Baluošas, it has 7 islands, one of which has its own lake. The abundance of forests and reservoirs creates perfect living conditions for hundreds of species of birds and animals. Local reservoirs attract visitors not only with their beauty, but also with excellent conditions for fishing - there are dozens of species of fish, there are rental stations for boats and equipment. There are about 120 villages on the territory of the reserve - these are interesting places, popular with tourists, where you can admire the mills and wooden churches.

Official website: https://www.aparkai

24. Dzukija National Park (southern Lithuania)

Great natural scenery of Dzūkija National Park in Lithuania

A serene vacation at the Druskininkai resort can be diversified with a trip to nearby attractions. When looking for something to see around Druskininkai, you can stop at the picturesque landscapes of the Dzūkija National Park. It was once created to preserve the local forests and villages, as well as to protect the natural landscape of the region. The park’s vast territory of almost 600 square kilometers stretches along the Neman River and is a land of pine forests, crystal-clear rivers, lakes and continental dunes. Among the most attractive places are the unique villages of the pine dunes, where at any time of the year you can go on a trip - on foot, by bike or by canoe. Visitors are very interesting to meet on the way hollow pines - ancient relics for beekeeping, in which artificially made passages for bees.

Official site: http://gamta.cepkeliai

25. Rumsiskes ethnographic museum (Lithuania)

Household outdoors at the Rumsiskes Ethnographic Museum in Lithuania Phillip Capper

About 30 kilometers from Kaunas is Rumsiskes - a vast open-air ethnographic museum, where all the natural beauty of the Lithuanian land is revealed. It is here that you can get a full sense of the spirit of Lithuania, experience the atmosphere of the past and listen to stories about Lithuania of the 18th and 20th centuries. The 174-hectare museum features almost two hundred buildings from different parts of the country, some of which are more than 200 years old. The natural scenery features huts, outbuildings, mills, chapels, farmsteads and front gardens. Along all this splendor laid a circular hiking route length of about 6 kilometers. The central place in the park occupies a paved square, where the atmosphere of the old county is recreated. Here, in the old tavern you can try dishes of national cuisine, and in the museum of everyday life - you can see how to make clay pots, weave lace, create jewelry from amber, leather and wood.

Next door to Lithuania is a country famous for its wide beaches and huge dense forests - Latvia. When traveling in Lithuania, consider visiting Latvia. Read about sights of Latvia and get inspired for your future journey around Europe!