A real insider tip for holidaymakers from all over the world is Lithuania. But anyone who visits the southernmost country of the Baltic States will take countless unforgettable impressions home with them. After all, the country has a lot to offer – from beautiful old towns to breathtaking nature to the longest sandy beaches in Europe.
Vilnius and Kaunas: Beautiful historic old towns and numerous sights
If you are on holiday in Lithuania, you can’t miss the capital Vilnius . The city of 550,000 inhabitants in the southeast of the country is also affectionately referred to as the “Pearl of the Baltic States” – and quite rightly so. To explore Vilnius, you should take a lot of time. Even a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets of the historic old town reveals a lot of exciting insights into the more than 600-year history of the city. If you want to get an overview of the versatility of Vilnius, you have a fantastic overview of the entire city from the 140-metre-high castle hill near the Neris River. Here you can also see the remains of the Gediminas Castle. You can go even higher on the almost 330-metre-high TV tower, where you can enjoy the breathtaking view in a cosy café at a height of about 160 metres.
Vilnius is also famous around the world for its many historic buildings and churches. The impressive Cathedral of St. Stanislaus is the most famous church in the country. The Lithuanian National Museum, the city’s historic town hall and the Amber Museum, which is well worth seeing, are also worth a visit in Vilnius. If you are traveling in the center of Lithuania, you will also find plenty of opportunities to pass the time pleasantly in Kaunas. The second largest city in the country impresses with a beautiful historic old town. Among the biggest attractions here are the large art museum, the Devil’s Museum, the Kauno Pilis Castle and the largest reservoir in Lithuania, the Kaunas Sea.
Baltic Sea region with Klaipeda and beautiful beaches
If you are traveling in the west of Lithuania, you should definitely make a detour to Klaipeda. In the popular port city, which is also the third largest in the country, it is also worth taking an extensive stroll through the old town. Extremely worth seeing are the sculpture park and the Memelburg Museum, among others. The famous historic sailing ship “Meridianas” is anchored directly in the harbour. The city’s landmark is one of the most famous and popular photo motifs in the country. The approximately 150-kilometre-long Lithuanian Baltic Sea coast is also always worth a visit. Here you will find numerous wide sandy beaches, which are among the longest and most beautiful beaches in Europe. 20 kilometres from Klaipeda is the seaside resort of Palanga with its impressive 470-metre-long pier, the most famous tourist centre in Lithuania. The ten-kilometre-long beach is also the longest beach in the country. On the Curonian Spit peninsula on the Lithuanian-Russian border is the small seaside resort of Nida, which also attracts thousands of beach vacationers every year. Nearby, on the beach of Smiltyne, you will also find what you are looking for in summer beach fun. It is striking that cleanliness is very important on the Lithuanian Baltic Sea beaches. The up to 60-metre-high shifting dunes on the peninsula are also not to be missed.
Breathtaking nature parks with lots of greenery and lots of wilderness
Lithuania’s nature also has a lot to offer. About a third of the country is covered with forest. Lithuania has five national parks. The largest is the Dzūkija National Park in the south of the country, which is divided into various nature reserves. Much better known, however, is the Curonian Spit National Park, which has many animals and plants in addition to popular beaches. With a bit of luck, you can even see moose in their natural habitat here. The Trakai Historical National Park near Vilnius is also always worth a visit. The absolute highlight here is the historic moated castle of the same name from the 14th century, which stands on an island in the middle of Lake Galve. Cyclists and hikers get their money’s worth throughout Lithuania. A special tip for this is also the Aukstaitija National Park with its dense forests and rolling hills.
Best time to travel to Lithuania: For hikers in May and June, for beach vacationers in July and August
Lithuania has a temperate climate all year round. The best time to travel to the Baltic country always depends on the plans of the holidaymakers. If you want to discover the country’s nature, you should go in May or June. During this time, pleasant temperatures of about 20 degrees Celsius prevail. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a beach holiday, the almost rain-free summer months of July and August with summer temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius are just right.
