Lithuania
Holidays and Tours

A casual visitor to modern Lithuania’s quaint world of gothic quarters and wetland-based national parks might be forgiven for assuming little of consequence has occurred in this Baltic backwater. But this is the land which gave birth to a burgeoning trade that established the Amber Road; this was the last European bastion of paganism; this was the pulsating heart of the largest European empire of the 1300s.

At every turn and in every town, the drama of the rise and fall of the many incarnations of Lithuania are apparent from fabulous moated, galleried and terracotta-topped towers to museums telling of amber trade, art and the tragedies of foreign occupation. Beyond that, unforgettable landscapes of woods and water stretch into the distance.

Covering a mere 65,000 km², Lithuania has a short coastline guarded by the amazing 100km of sandy Curonian Spit. The vital amber trade established the Balts in the region, meaning tribal domains thrived, building hill forts and maintaining their ancient religions until well into the 12th century A.D.

By the 12th century, Lithuania was rapidly expanding its territory into Ruthenia, with the 13th century Grand Duch’s forces defeating the Pope’s German crusaders. Following promises of Christian conversion, the papacy in 1253 and the Holy Roman Emperor in 1429 both recognised the Lithuanian kingdom. 

Christianisation followed a defeat of the Mongols and led to a flowering of sacred architecture, and a union with Poland shored up the massive empire and lasted for 400 years until ravaged by war, plague and famine. Russia subsumed Lithuania into its empire in 1795, with independence achieved in 1918 leading to a period of strong economic growth. 

This lasted until the Soviet-German pact of 1939 carved up the Baltic States and ushered in invasion by the USSR. The invasions and counter-invasions of the 1940s saw hideous purges, deportations and mass executions, but nationalist resistance amidst the wilderness areas of the country meant that Lithuania was inevitably the first Baltic state to achieve independence in 1991.

What is the best time to visit Lithuania?

As with most of the Baltic countries, the best time to visit Lithuania is in the late spring and summer. This is when the weather is likely to be hot and dry, which provides ideal conditions for sightseeing or exploring Lithuania’s landscape.

Lithuania can be incredibly beautiful in the winter when the country is covered in snow and frost, but the temperatures are consistently incredibly cold, which can impact what you do whilst you’re visiting.

Is Lithuania safe to visit?

Lithuania is no more dangerous than any other developed European country, so it is a pretty safe place to visit on holiday. There’s no area of the country that is particularly unsafe, and the only things that tourists should be aware of are the usual pickpocketing, petty theft, and scams targeting visitors. As long as you exercise sensible caution during your holiday, you’re unlikely to run into any trouble.

How many days are enough to visit Lithuania?

Lithuania is a travel destination that is better suited to long trips. Giving yourself at least a week is the best way to ensure that you see all that the country has to offer, although if you can only stay for several days then you will be able to see the main sights in places like Kaunas and Vilnius. A longer trip to Lithuania however means you can visit both the rural and the cosmopolitan areas of the country and get a real feel for what it’s like.

How can I spend 15 days in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania?

15 days is a great amount of time to spend in Lithuania and some of the other neighbouring countries like Estonia and Latvia. We recommend that you spend five days in each country and split your time between exploring towns and cities to enjoy cultural attractions, and visiting more rural spaces to admire the scenery and try outdoor activities.

Our Baltic Small Group Tour is the perfect way to experience all of that, taking guests through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on a trip with a local guide that focuses on authentic travel experiences and seeing the real side of every country.

Is it cheap to visit Lithuania?

The Baltics are quite a budget-friendly destination in general, and Lithuania is no exception. If you’re looking to travel cheaply then this is a great place to do so, as transport, accommodation and activities are all reasonably priced thanks to the country’s ‘undiscovered’ status. What you do when you visit will impact the cost, but overall it’s not an expensive travel destination.

Another great way to get the best value for money when visiting Lithuania is to book one of our tailor-made tours of the Baltic countries, where things like transport, activities and accommodation will all be included in your package, with the added bonus that you won’t have to organise any of it yourself!