I admit I’d never really thought much about Lithuania, its culture or its history. However, in my recent visit my expectations were well exceeded.

Lithuania is probably the closest the EU has to a ‘hidden gem’ – it only had 1.4 million inbound tourists in 2024. 30% of these arrived from its neighbours: Poland, Latvia and Belarus. Yet, it has so much to offer tourists. From its ancient language, relatively recent pagan religions or basketball team, there’s so much to see, do and learn. And it’s affordable.

Route: Kaunas to Vilnius

I flew into Kaunas airport, stayed in the city for a few days then travelled to Vilnius by train. I did a day trip to Trakai, then flew out of Vilnius airport. You could easily do this route in reverse. The trains are quick, affordable and can be booked online.

Kaunas

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Bus €1 or 70 cent with app. Board front pay driver . Get off middle or back. 

Google up to date except for airport – use schedule. Same price. 

Vilnius 

Trakai

Trakai is a small town and the former capital of Lithuania. Today, it is best known for its impressive orange castle and lake. It’s one of those views you have definitely seen somewhere as a screensaver.

It is also known for its small Karaite population — descendants of Turkic-speaking Crimean Karaites who were relocated to the town by Grand Duke Vytautas the Great in the late 1300s. You can see their traditional wooden houses and try kibinai, a savoury pastry filled with meat.

It’s pretty close to Vilnius. You can take a bus or train from there, which takes about 30 minutes. Both options are pretty affordable. I chose the train, which was €4.90 for a same-day return ticket, booked last minute. The train station is about a 30 minute walk to the castle, which is lovely along the lake on a spring or summer day. The bus can drop you closer to the centre.

Overall, it’s a sleepy town with not much to do aside from visiting the castle, taking a walk and eating kibinai. Yet, it’s well worth a half-day visit.

Vilnius

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Use the app, or contactless on the bus. Contactless is slightly more expensive but there’s no minimum spend – so if you prefer walking most of the time, it’s probably better. 

Need to knows

• Lithuania is flat – there are very few hills, but many cobbles.
• Pavements are often uneven and cobbled – decent footwear required.
• It gets very cold and very hot, ranging from -25°C to 35°C.
• Almost everywhere takes card (euros).
• Public transport is cheap and reliable.
• Museums are closed on Mondays.
• Churches are free to visit.
• English is widely spoken.
• It feels safe.

What to listen to

I love to listen to songs in the language of the place I’m visiting, especially when walking around old towns. My favourite song from this trip was by Vytautas Kernagis, a folk ballad exploring nature as a metaphor for emotion.

Lithuania was once a major player in European politics or, at the least, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania controlled huge regions of the continent. This podcast gives a brief overview to how Lithuania was founded, united with Poland, then gained independence from the Soviet Union.

If you want an insight into the modern day politics of Europe’s happiest country, try this BBC World Service debate that covers topics from Ukraine to LGBT rights.

Lithuania from above

I took my drone on a Lithuania, Sweden and Norway trip. Enjoy some aerial footage – Lithuania is the first 39 seconds:

One of Lithuania already been to the other Baltic countries of Estonia and Latvia although I had a really nice time in both of those countries Lithuania really blew me away. I managed to visit corners Trica and Vilnius the two biggest cities and main tourist town in the country all three of these locations did not disappoint. They’re all absolutely amazing to visit The cities themselves for bus full of life loads of full shops and restaurants everywhere very clean very safe well organised there are lots of attractions to go to things to see in both cities. I usually think that’s about every place I visit but I could really see myself living in a country like Lithuania.

Kaunas 

Bus €1 or 70 cent with app. Board front pay driver . Get off middle or back. 

Google up to date except for airport – use schedule. Same price. 

Vilnius 

Use the app, or contactless on the bus. Contactless is slightly more expensive but there’s no minimum spend – so if you prefer walking most of the time, it’s probably better. 

Cottage cheese zuowrmandef shells 

Calais bread 

llld. Baras 

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Mushroom bakery 

Cottage cheese in supermarket 

Fried bread 

National dish + fig soup 

Tree cake u