Lithuania
Why Travel to Lithuania?
Seemingly a callow latecomer to the world map, Lithuania holds a remarkable and highly significant place in the annals of European history. Boasting a former territory that stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea, it was the largest country in Europe during its Golden Age in the 16th-17th centuries.
On the edge of the North European Plain, the country is essentially a patchwork of pleasant meadows, forests, wetlands and lovely coastline, where nature thrives, dotted with some of the most memorable historic sites imaginable. The wealth of Vilnius and its satellite towns is reflected in the amazing buildings and dramatic fortifications that characterise today’s old town centres.
Highlights of a Trip to Lithuania
Our fascinating group tour and tailor-made trips take you the length and breadth of this former European major political power, as well as its neighbouring Baltic countries, Estonia and Latvia.
You will marvel at the vestiges of mediaeval opulence in Lithuania, but nowhere more so than in Vilnius, a city which boasts some of the best Baroque architecture on the continent. Here you will enjoy a plethora of grand historic buildings and tiny cobbled café squares that jostle together in the timeless streets of the Old Town, whilst the imposing red-brick watchtower on Gediminas Hill still seems to stand a sentinel against foreign invaders.
Travel to Lithuania’s intriguingly idyllic coastline with lagoons and saltmarshes spread behind the 100km Curonian sand spit. Wander around the iconic island fortress at Trakai and the elegant immensity of Palanga’s botanical gardens. Above all, be prepared to be beguiled by the rich culture and surprising history of this friendliest of nations.
Lithuania & the Baltics Tours
As Seen in…
Places you’ll visit in Lithuania on our group tours of the Baltics
We offer tailored-made and small group tours to Lithuania and the Baltics, each led by a local guide who can offer unique insight into these countries, their histories and their hidden wonders. Our guided tours to Lithuania provide a fresh perspective of the country that creates a more meaningful travel experience, with our Lithuania travel packages including a range of activities as well as accommodation and transport around the country.
For expert advice get in touch now with our passionate,
well-travelled team.
+44(0) 191 296 2674 from THE UK
1-800-614-2967 from THE US & CANADA
1-300-956-415 from AUSTRALIA
Lithuania History and Culture
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.
FAQs – Holidays in Lithuania
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!
Why travel with us?
- Small Group Tours with a Maximum of 12 People
- Tailor-made Tours and Private Tour Options
- Expert Advice and First Hand Knowledge