Lithuania is famous for its landscapes, flatlands, abundant forests, lakes and marches. In addition, the seaside with its sandy beaches where amber may be found and the Curonian Spit with its impressive images and dunes attract tourists as well.
Lithuania boasts stunning natural sites and a unique mix of architectural styles. This northern European country has plenty to offer and attracts visitors interested in culture, nature and history.
Lithuania is known for its lush, green landscapes, so if you want a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, you should go to the Curonian Spit, Anykščiai, Trakai, or one of the many national parks
Typical Lithuanians look like?
- Cepelinai (Potato Dumplings Filled with Minced Meat) Cepelinai are typically filled with minced meat.
- Šaltibarščiai (Cold Beet Soup) .
- Bulviniai Blynai (Potato Pancakes) .
- Kepta Duona (Fried Bread with Garlic) .
- Kibinai (Meat-Filled Pastries) .
- Žirniai su Spirgučiais (Peas with Cracklings)
Best Places to Visit in Lithuania .
Vilnius Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sits at the point where two of Lithuania’s main rivers converge.
It is known for being one of the premium medieval towns in Europe thanks to its amazingly well preserved buildings, and showcases architecture in the Gothic, Renaissance, and Neo-Classical styles.
All the structures are centered on a main piazza and you will find cobbled streets that are dotted with bars and eateries.
Some of the signature spots here include St. Anne’s Church, the Presidential Palace, and two Jewish quarters.
Trip to Trakai
Trakai is a lake resort and historically important city that sits close to Vilnius and makes a nice day trip if you are looking to get out of town.
Trakai dates from the 13th century and is also the home of the Trakai Historical National Park that dates from 1991. One of the main sights in the city is the Island Castle which is also the host of the Trakai Castle Festival and the entire town is surrounded by pretty water.
In the wider Trakai region there are some 200 lakes to enjoy during the warmer months.
Brave the Devil’s Museum.
The Devil’s Museum is found in Kaunas and as you would expect from the name it has a huge collection of art work that depict images of the devil, witches, and a range of other wicked mythological creatures.
You will find over 3,000 different pieces here and visitors can even donate items to the collection.
There are a huge range of works here that use different materials such as ceramics, textiles, and paintings and you can even find other interesting items like pebbles that feature images of the devil.
St. Anne’s Church.
St. Anne’s Church in Vilnius is one of the prettiest buildings in Lithuania and is made up of picturesque brick towers and rose windows.
The spires date from 1501 and were designed in the Gothic style and inside the church you will find high ceilings as well as carved pews.
The church has a grand bell tower that sits to its right and together with St.
Bernadine and St. Francis churches that nestle close by it makes up part of the wider Bernadine Priory.
The Curonian Spit & Kursiu Nerija National Park.
The Curonian Spit refers to a long strip of sand between the Curonian Lagoon and the mighty Baltic Sea.
Part of the spit is located in Russia with the northern side in Lithuania.
The spit is the product of a glacier that dates back 5,000 years and it has some of the highest dunes in all of Europe.
Some of these measure 60 meters and lead on to beautiful sandy beaches.
The national park here was formed in 1991 to guard the precious ecosystems found in the Curonian Spit and you will find a wide range of waterfowl here in the wetlands and dunes.
Siauliai Hill of Crosses.
Close to the city of Siauliai is the Hill of Crosses which sits atop a small promontory.
Here you will find thousands of different types of crosses that include small crucifixes as well as large crosses made from metal and wood.
The site is meant to pay tribute to the devotion of many people in Lithuania and has become a pilgrimage spot for many followers.
The Hill of Crosses is also a memorial for those who have died in the country over the years due to uprisings and other civil strife.
The Money Museum.
The Money Museum is aptly located on the former site of the Bank of Lithuania and will take you on a journey to find out all about Lithuanian litas.
As well as the currency of Lithuania you can also find out about other world currencies and much of the museum is interactive to allow you to get hands-on.
The museum also tells the history of banking in Lithuania and how silverware was returned to the country after the fall of Communism.
There is also a great exhibit where you can weigh yourself to determine your weight in gold or other precious metals.
The Gate of Dawn.
The Gate of Dawn is part of the original walls of defense of Vilnius which date from the medieval period.
In the days of old the walls would have had nine different entry points which would have been marked with a picture of the Virgin Mary as a good luck symbol to protect the city.
The wall was attacked by Russia in 1799 and most of it was destroyed except for the Gate of Dawn which can still be seen to this day.
Ginuciai Water Mill
Nestled close to Ignalina is the Ginuciai Water Mill which dates from the 19th century and still straddles the waters that travel down to scenic Lake Linkmenas.
In the days of old it would have been used to make flour and produce electricity although now it is a museum that also has a hotel attached.
It is famous for being the only remaining wooden mill in Lithuania and you can still see all of its traditional machinery such as water wheels and mill stones.
Museum of Genocide Victims.
The Museum of Genocide Victims sits in the old Gestapo and KGB headquarters in Vilnius and acts as a permanent memorial to all those who lost their lives during the Soviet occupation of Lithuania after the Second World War.
The museum tells the story of how Lithuania suffered under Stalin and has models of torture chambers and execution grounds.
There is also a section of the museum dedicated to the Jewish ghettos and the period during the Holocaust.
Kaunas.
Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania and sits at the point where the majestic Neris and Nemunas rivers converge.
It is known throughout Lithuania as the city of culture as there are over 40 museums housed here as well as a picturesque Old Town area.
Many of the buildings located here showcase baroque, renaissance, and gothic designs and tops spots not to miss include the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica, the Kaunas Castle, and Vyautas Church.
spa session in Neringa.
Neringa is located in the Curonian Spit National Park and is primarily known for being a scenic spa own.
The reason for this is the waters of the Baltic Sea which flow here and which are said to be rich in healing minerals that can treat a range of illnesses.
Visitors from all over Lithuania flock here for the spa treatments and the area is surrounded by sandy beaches and majestic sand dunes.
Kedainiai Old Town.
Kedainiai Old Town has the claim to fame of being one of the oldest towns in Lithuania and is covered in pretty baroque architecture.
The town was first founded in 1372 and used to be a fishing village before growing in size and the city center is full of wondrous sights.
These include townhouses from the Baroque period as well as Protestant and Orthodox churches and a range of synagogues.
There are also a number of market squares that sell local produce during the week
The Atomic Bunker Museum.
One of the most famous attractions in Kaunas is the Atomic Bunker Museum which offers you a glimpse of war history in Lithuania.
The museum is located in a nuclear bunker which is 6 meters underground and would have been set up during the Soviet period.
There are 1,200 items here that date from the Second World War to the modern era and you can see Cold War memorabilia like period radios and transmitters.
There is also a range of medical equipment and you will even find gas masks and air horns.
- Cepelinai (Potato Dumplings Filled with Minced Meat) Cepelinai are typically filled with minced meat.
- Šaltibarščiai (Cold Beet Soup) .
- Bulviniai Blynai (Potato Pancakes) .
- Kepta Duona (Fried Bread with Garlic) .
- Kibinai (Meat-Filled Pastries) .
- Žirniai su Spirgučiais (Peas with Cracklings)
Top 10 most popular Lithuanian dishes
- Dumplings. Koldūnai. Lithuania.
- Dumplings. Kukuliai. Lithuania.
- Savory Pastry. Kibinai. Trakai.
- Cake. Šakotis. Lithuania.
- Pancake. Bulviniai blynai. Lithuania.
- Chocolate Dessert. Tinginys. Lithuania. .
- Dumplings. Cepelinai. Lithuania.
- Vegetable Soup. Šaltibarščiai. Lithuania.
Comments
Post a Comment