Lithuania

Lithuania Flag

Why visit Lithuania?

Known for art, birdwatching, bicycling, boating, castles, churches, culture, fishing, folk art, forests, historical sites, horseback riding, hunting, ice fishing, lakes, museums, music, nightlife, rivers, and theatre.

   

Trakai Island Castle, Trakai, Lithuania. Photo Credit: Anaterate/Pixabay

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy:  Amber, Chocolate, Folk Crafts, Leather Works, Linens, Metal Work, Pagan Art, and Wood Carvings.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Bulviniai Blynai (potato pancake). Grybai (mushrooms). Kugelis (potato pudding). Kumpis (smoked ham). Saltibarsciai (soup). Skilandis (sausage).
• Local Drink to Try: Kalnapilis (beer). Maluninku (liqueur). Midus (liqueur). Raguti (beer). Suktinus (liqueur). Svyturys (beer). Utenos (beer).

Photo Credit: nerami30/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Grand Duke Algirdas built (1346) the Cathedral of the Theotokos (Orthodox Church). 
• The Palace of the Grand Dukes hosted the the first opera (1636).  
  

• Kaunas Railway Tunnel is the f

  irst (1860) and still in operation. 
• In 1918 became independent.
• Klaipeda port is ice-free all year.
  
• The Vilnius Hitchhiking Club is a leading due paying organization dedicated towards getting a free ride.
  
• Nemunas River (largest) is used in international shipping.
  
• A folklore, a groom carrying his bride over seven bridges on their Wedding Day is said to bring good luck.
• Speaks one of oldest languages in the world, archaic Indo-European.
  
• Birdwatching is popular at Curonian Spit.
• Romuva Sanctuary (Sambia) is where Krivis, Pagan Pope resided.
  
• Aukštojas Hill (Medininkai Highlands) is the highest point (965 ft).
  
• Home to over 330 bird species.
  
• Rye bread is eaten during most meals. 
  
• Launched three satellites to space: LitSat-1, Lituanica SAT-1 and LituanicaSAT-2.
  
• Church of St Peter & St Paul (Vilnius) has over 2000 different interior decor items.
  
• Has over 75 breweries and 32 of them are microbreweries.
  
• A 10 year education is mandated (ends at 16 years old).
  
• Asveja is the longest and Tauragnas is the deepest lake.
  
• Has approximately 3,000 lakes (majority in the northeast) and over 1,000 rivers and streams.
• Basketball is their national and most popular sport.
  
• Largest fresh water supplies amongst European countries.
• Has 5 national parks, 30 regional parks, and 402 nature reserves.
  
• Amongst those few in the world permitting hot air balloons over the city (Vilnius). 
  
• Birthplace of team sport, ritinis.
• Tourists largely visit from Belarus, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Russia, UK, and Ukraine.
  
• Organic farming is popular.
• Provides free state-funded healthcare to all citizens and long-term residents.
  
• SIM cards out number the population.

Vilnius, Lithuania. Photo Credit: Jacqueline Macou/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (February) Lithuanian Indoor Athletics Championships, Vilnius Book Fair, (March) Kaziuko Mugė, Vilnius International Film Festival, Užgavėnės, (April) Kaunas Jazz, (May) Kauno Miesto Diena, Miss Lithuania, (June) Kilkim Žaibu, Klaipėda Castle Jazz Festival, Parbėg laivelis, Saint Jonas's Festival, Vilnius Culture Night, (July) Devilstone Open Air, Great Žemaičių Kalvarija Festival, Klaipėda Sea Festival, Lithuanian Archery Championships, (August) Be2gether, Lithuanian Athletics Championships, Mados Infekcija, (September) Vilnius Marathon, and (December) Baltijos Garsas.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Independence Restoration Day, Independence Day/National Day, March Equinox, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, June Solstice, St John's Day/Day of Dew, King Mindaugas’ Coronation Day, Feast of the Assumption of Mary, September Equinox, All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day, December Solstice, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Second Day of Christmas. 
  

Hill of Crosses, Šiauliai, Lithuania. Photo Credit: Arunas Bruzas/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Vilnius is often compared to Prague.
  
• Vilnius is nicknamed "Rome of the East" and "Jerusalem of the North".
  
• Rural areas (south) horses are the preferred mode of transportation.
  
• Eastern region has thousands of lakes.
  
• Avoid crowds and demonstrations.
• Few cruise lines offer a port of call.
  
• Nightlife is in Vilnius.
• The National Song Festival (Dainu Svente) occurs every four years.
  
• Palanga is a popular summer spot.
  
• Tourists are known to be targeted for pick pocketing and purse snatching,
• Cyclists enjoy the scenic route of EuroVelo 10 which starts in Nida and follows the Curonian Spit to Palanga.
• Paddlers enjoy Aukstaitija National Park (north-eastern).
• Curonian Lagoon is popular for sailing.
  
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a serious offense.
• Fishing known for crawfish, carp, crawfish, eel, lamprey, pike, salmon, salmon trout, sardines, and trout.
• LGBTI are known to be physically and verbally assaulted.
  
• Beaches are guarded. Select designated areas are nude bathing.
  
• Antiques and artwork 50 years or older require a permit to export.
  
• Seat belts are mandatory.
  
• Smoked fish is considered a delicacy.
  
• Cuisine is influenced by Germany, Scandavania, and Russia.
  
• Low beam lights on vehicles are required while driving.
  
• Scammers are known to boot rental cars demanding compensation to remove the boot.
• Requires proof of funds and a return plane ticket.  
• Rail service connects to Belarus, Germany, Poland, and Russia.
• Ferry service connects to Ahus (Sweden), Kiel (Germany), Mukran (Germany), and Stockholm (Sweden) from Port of Klaipeda.
• Prevalent Diseases: Lyme Disease, Rabies, Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE), and Tuberculosis.

Church of St Peter & St Paul, Vilnius, Lithuania. Photo Credit: Makalu/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.

Photo Credit: Darin McLeod/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: May - September
• Coldest Months: December - February 
• Hottest Months: June - August
• Peak Season: December, May - June 

Photo Credit: kmarius/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Curonian Spit, Kernavė Archaeological Site, Struve Geodetic Arc, Vilnius Historic Centre

Nida, Lithuania. Photo Credit: Makalu/Pixabay 

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                                              All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.