11 Lithuania

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Currency and Payments

Lithuania uses the Euro (adopted in 2015). Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in cities but less so in smaller towns and traditional markets. ATMs are readily available near supermarkets and in city centers. Avoid changing money at airports or hotels; banks and exchange bureaus in the city offer much better rates.

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Affordable Destination

Lithuania is one of the most affordable countries in the EU. A meal at a local restaurant costs around EUR 8-15, and a half-liter of Lithuanian beer is EUR 3-4 at a bar. Public transport is very cheap at just over EUR 1 per ride. Budget accommodation (hostels) starts from EUR 15-20 per night. This makes it excellent value for backpackers and budget travellers.

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Getting Around

City centers in Vilnius and Kaunas are compact and best explored on foot. Local buses are the main public transport and cost around EUR 1 per ride. Buses between Vilnius and Kaunas run every 30 minutes, take 90 minutes, and cost about EUR 10. Trains offer similar prices and schedules. Bolt is the go-to ride-hailing app for taxis throughout Lithuania.

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Tipping

Tipping was introduced to Lithuania only in the 1990s and is not deeply ingrained in the culture. Most Lithuanians do not expect a tip. If you want to reward good restaurant service, 10% is considered generous. Tipping taxi drivers is not common or expected. In cafes and bars, simply rounding up is sufficient.

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Uzupis Republic

The Uzupis district in Vilnius is a self-declared independent republic with its own constitution, president, and even an army of about 12 people. The constitution is posted on a wall in dozens of languages and includes articles like 'Everyone has the right to be happy.' It is a bohemian art district with galleries, street art, and a unique creative atmosphere. Free to explore.

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Best Time to Visit

June to August offers the warmest weather (18-25 degrees C) and longest days. The Song Festival, held every four years, is a massive Lithuanian tradition of choral singing. May and September are pleasant with fewer tourists. Winters are cold (down to minus 15 degrees C) but Vilnius is atmospheric with Christmas markets from late November.

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Vilnius - Baroque Old Town

📍 Vilnius

Explore Vilnius Old Town, one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start at the Gates of Dawn (Ausros Vartai), the only remaining gate of the original city wall, housing a revered icon of the Virgin Mary. Walk through the old town to Vilnius Cathedral and its Bell Tower on Cathedral Square. Climb Gediminas Tower for panoramic views over the Old Town and the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers. Visit the self-declared Republic of Uzupis, a bohemian art district with its own constitution posted on a wall in dozens of languages. Evening dinner trying cepelinai (potato dumplings stuffed with meat) at a traditional Lithuanian restaurant.

2

Trakai - Island Castle

📍 Trakai

Take a 30-minute bus ride from Vilnius to Trakai. Walk along the lake shore to the red-brick Trakai Island Castle, a stunning 14th-century Gothic fortress on an island in Lake Galve, the former seat of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Explore the castle museum with exhibits on Lithuanian medieval history. Walk around the town to learn about the Karaite community, a Turkic ethnic group brought here in the 14th century. Try kibinai (traditional Karaite pastries filled with lamb and onion) at one of the Karaite restaurants along the main street. In summer, rent a kayak or paddleboat on Lake Galve to paddle around the castle island. Return to Vilnius for an evening walk through the illuminated old town.

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Kaunas - Second City

📍 Kaunas

Take the 1.5-hour train to Kaunas, Lithuania's second largest city and a former temporary capital. Start at Kaunas Castle, the oldest stone castle in Lithuania dating to the 14th century, at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers. Walk along Vilniaus Street and Laisves Aleja (Liberty Boulevard), the longest pedestrian street in Eastern Europe at 1.6 km. Visit the M.K. Ciurlionis National Art Museum showcasing Lithuania's most celebrated painter and composer. Explore the Town Hall Square (known as the White Swan for the building's elegant shape) and the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica. Visit the Ninth Fort, a sobering WWII memorial and museum on the outskirts of the city. Try sakotis (tree cake) at a Kaunas bakery, a spectacular cone-shaped cake baked on a rotating spit.