•  Get a different view of Old Town Vilnius and the countryside surrounding the city by taking a hot air balloon ride. Every ride is different depending on the weather and wind direction, but expert pilots will make sure you touch down safely — just remember to bring your passport in case your landing spot happens to be across the Lithuanian border!
• Take a trip to the Hill of Crosses outside of Siauliai. Thought to have been the site of an ancient hill fort, the hill is now covered in thousands of wooden crosses placed there by pilgrims and residents of the area as signs of faith and patriotism; the Hill of Crosses remains one of the world’s most important and unique Catholic pilgrimage sites. 
• Visit the Europos Parkas just outside of Vilnius. This park & museum marks the exact geographic center of Europe, and features over 130 acres of modern art and sculptures which can be explored by foot or bicycle. 
• For a day of muddy outdoor fun, go on a guided walk of Lithuania’s Kulgrindas. The Kulgrindas are ancient stony roads built across swampy areas of the countryside, undetectable from the surface and originally intended as escape routes for locals in case of invasion; now, they’re a testament to Lithuania’s fascinating history and a unique way to see the countryside.
• Take a walk through the Hill of Witches outside Juodkrante, in the northern part of the country. The Hill of Witches is an outdoor sculpture park created in 1979, which features locally-made handcrafted carvings depicting the best-known stories and legends of Lithuanian folk history. 
• Explore the Lithuanian countryside and learn about the tradition of beekeeping in the rural village of Musteika. Beekeeping is a long-standing part of Lithuanian culture and mythology, and Musteika has maintained the practice amongst other traditional cultural customs; it even has its own beekeeping museum full of information and beekeeping equipment.
• Walk along the Anykščiai Treetop Walking Path in the Anykščiai Regional Park outside of Vilnius. The walkway rests 35 meters above the forest floor and offers beautiful views of the woods and a unique outdoor activity. 
• Get a taste of traditional Lithuanian cuisine by trying a dish such as chilled borscht (cold beetroot soup) or “spit cake” — cake made by cooking batter on a spit as it turns. Ask your tour guide for recommendations on the best places to try the local food.
• Explore one (or several!) of Lithuania’s five famous national parks for plenty of hiking, biking, and water sports. You can even take a boat out to the Trakai Island Castle in the Trakai Historical National Park, or walk through the shifting sand dunes of the Curonian Spit. 
• Relax and recharge at one of Lithuania’s resort towns, such as Druskininkai and Birštonas. Located on the Nemunas River, these towns are known for their mineral waters and health spas which offer treatments such as massages, facials, and mud baths.

One Week in Lithuania

Because Lithuania is such a small country, you’ll be able to fit in plenty of its top experiences and attractions in one week. You may not have as much time for extended stays in larger cities such as Vilnius or for exploring each of the incredible outdoor spaces that the country has to offer, but you’ll still be able to get a wonderful taste of Lithuania’s culture and landscapes. 

Day 1-2: Arrive in Vilnius. Spend a couple days exploring the Old Town, including the Vilnius Cathedral, the Gediminas Tower, and the Gate of Dawn — the city’s old defensive structure. There’s plenty of museums and delicious restaurants and cafes to choose from in Vilnius, so treat yourself to a traditional Lithuanian meal.

Day 3: Travel to Kaunas, stopping in Trakai and Kernave on the way. It’s only about a two hour drive, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the Trakai Historical National Park, the town of Trakai, and the Trakai Island Castle. A little ways north lies of the village of Kernave, a 13th century UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location of an archaeological site that contains human settlements dating back to 9000 BCE. 

Day 4: Spend the morning exploring Kaunas, Lithuania’s second largest city. Walk through the beautiful Old Town and and see the Gothic Kaunas Castle, which overlooks the Nemunas River. That afternoon, drive to Klaipeda on Lithuania’s coast.

Day 5: Explore Klaipeda’s Old Town and fresh sea air, and optionally take a day trip to nearby Palanga, about thirty minutes outside of Klaipeda. Palanga is known for its beautiful beaches and and Amber Museum, which is housed within a 19th century palace and contains thousands of amber pieces. 

Day 6: From Klaipeda, take another day trip south to explore the Curonian Spit and Curonian Lagoon. Explore the park’s beautiful sand dunes as well as the Hill of Witches at the nearby village of Juodkrante. Optionally, you can also visit Nida, another of Lithuania’s resort towns located in the middle of the Curonian Spit. 

Day 7: Leave Klaipeda and drive northeast to Siauliai, where you can explore the town as well as the nearby Hill of Crosses. 

Day 8: From Siauliai, head back to Vilnius to catch your flight home. Optionally, you can make a slightly longer detour to explore the village of Anykščiai and the Anykščiai Treetop Walking Path. 

Lithuania and Beyond: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, & Russia/Finland

For those with a little more time and the desire to travel further afield, this 14-day sample itinerary of the Baltic region is perfect. It’s easily adaptable to different schedules and interests, so let yourself be inspired!

Day 1-2: Arrive in Vilnius, Lithuania, and spend a few days exploring the city’s beautiful Old Town cathedrals and museums. If you’re interested, see the city and countryside from a hot air balloon!

Day 3: From Vilnius, head to the Trakai Historical National Park where you can explore the village of Trakai and the Trakai Island Castle. Then make your way to Kaunas, Lithuania’s vibrant second-largest city. 

Day 4: After a morning in Kaunas, head to the Curonian Spit, where you can get some fresh seaside air and walk through the fascinating Hill of Witches within the town of Juodkrante. Spend the night in Nida, a resort town located on the Curonian Spit. 

Day 5: From Nida, head north to Riga, the capital of Latvia. On the way, stop in the  town of Siauliai, where you can explore the nearby Hill of Crosses. 

Day 6-7: Spend a few days exploring Riga, the largest capital of the Baltic region. Enjoy its beautiful architecture, stunning cathedrals, and unique neighborhoods.

Day 8: Take a day trip from Riga to the nearby Gauja National Park, Latvia’s largest national park. Gauja National Park is highly diverse and well-protected by the government, making it the perfect destination for a day in the outdoors. 

Day 9: From Riga, head to Tallin, the capital of Estonia. On the way, stop in Parnu, Estonia’s fourth largest city and beautiful seaside resort town.

Day 10-11: Spend a couple days in Tallin. Explore its Medieval Old Town, as well as its many beautiful parks and museums. Make sure to try some local Estonian cuisine at one of Tallin’s cafes or restaurants. 

Day 12: From Tallin, head east to St. Petersburg, Russia. This is about a five hour drive, so be ready for a longer day of travel and beautiful views of the countryside and Baltic Coast. 

Day 13-14: Spend your final two days exploring stunning St. Petersburg, full of bridges, canals, and awe-inspiring architecture. Optionally, take a day trip to Peterhof, one of the Romanov’s surviving summer palaces, before flying out of St. Petersburg. 

Alternate Day 13-14: Take a ferry from Tallin to Helsinki, Finland. While Finland is technically a Scandinavian country rather than a Baltic one, it’s still a very easy journey from Tallin. Spend a few days here enjoying the views of the harbor, charming architecture, and many wonderful museums and cafes.