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Lithuania travel guide
Baroque Vilnius, island castles and towering sand dunes.
Lithuania is the largest and southernmost of the Baltic states. It is known for Vilnius's baroque old town, the island castle of Trakai and the dunes of the Curonian Spit.
Travel tools
Getting there
Vilnius International Airport is the main gateway, with additional flights to Kaunas and Palanga. Trains and buses link Lithuania with Poland and Latvia, and ferries sail from Klaipėda to Germany and Sweden.
Best time to visit: May–Sep – warm days, festivals and beach time.
Tougher months: November–February if you dislike cold and short days, although Christmas markets are charming.
Weather by month in Vilnius
- -2°J●
- -1°F●
- 4°M●
- 12°A●
- 18°M●
- 21°J●●
- 23°J●●
- 22°A●●
- 17°S●
- 10°O●
- 4°N●
- 0°D●
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Europe/Vilnius. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 93 of 198 other passports can enter Lithuania without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 105 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of the Schengen Area (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-04-28). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Lithuania travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Lithuania are based around Vilnius, Trakai or Curonian Spit. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$35–55 for a backpacker and US$90–160 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Lithuania page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: C, F. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +370.
Mobile data: read the eSIM for Europe before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Vilnius (Capital · baroque old town): A UNESCO-listed old town, lively cafés, and the Gediminas Tower overlooking the city.
- Trakai (Lakes · island castle): A fairytale castle and the heritage of the Karaim community, famous for kibinai pastries.
- Curonian Spit (Coast · dunes and forests): A UNESCO-listed sandy peninsula with dunes, pine forests and the fishing village of Nida.
- Kaunas (Central · interwar capital): A creative city with modernist buildings, a castle and lively student life.
- Hill of Crosses (North · pilgrimage site): An extraordinary site with countless crosses of every size.
- Klaipėda (Coast · port city): A port with a half-timbered old town and the gateway to the Curonian Spit.
- Palanga (Coast · resort town): Lithuania's lively summer resort with a long pier and the Amber Museum.
- Aukštaitija National Park (Northeast · lakes and forests): Lakes, wooden villages and canoe routes in a peaceful landscape.
Things to do
- Get lost in Vilnius Old Town. Wander one of Europe's largest surviving medieval old towns, packed with baroque churches and courtyards.
- Visit Trakai Island Castle. Row or walk across to a red-brick castle rising from the middle of a lake.
- Climb the dunes of the Curonian Spit. Hike over towering sand dunes between the Baltic Sea and a vast lagoon near Nida.
- See the Hill of Crosses. Walk among a vast, moving collection of crosses left by pilgrims near Šiauliai.
- Explore the Republic of Užupis. Read the playful constitution of this artistic Vilnius district, displayed on a wall in many languages.
- Eat cepelinai. Try the national dish of zeppelin-shaped potato dumplings with meat and sour cream.
- Discover Kaunas modernism. Admire the interwar architecture that earned Kaunas a UNESCO listing.
- Watch basketball. Catch a game and experience the country's greatest sporting passion.
Source: full Lithuania guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Cepelinai – large potato dumplings filled with meat
- Šaltibarščiai – cold pink beetroot soup
- Kibinai – meat-filled pastries from Trakai
- Šakotis – tall 'tree cake' baked on a spit
Source: RoamSun Lithuania guide
Money and safety
Currency: Euro (EUR). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: Around 10% for good service.
Emergency numbers: 112 police, fire & ambulance.
- Lithuania uses the euro, and cards and contactless payments are widely accepted.
- ATMs are common in cities and towns.
- Lithuania is generally safe, with low violent crime; watch for pickpockets in busy areas.
- Use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps, especially late at night.
Source: RoamSun Lithuania facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Lithuania?
May–Sep – warm days, festivals and beach time. Cool, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
What time zone is Lithuania in?
Lithuania uses Europe/Vilnius.
Do I need a visa for Lithuania?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 93 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 0 need an e-visa or eTA and 105 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Lithuania use?
Lithuania uses plug type C, F at 230 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Lithuania?
The international calling code for Lithuania is +370.
Do you tip in Lithuania?
Around 10% for good service.
What is the emergency number in Lithuania?
112 police, fire & ambulance.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Lithuania?
Traffic drives on the right.