This Lithuania travel guide covers the largest and southernmost of the Baltic states: the baroque old town of Vilnius, the island castle of Trakai, the modernist architecture of Kaunas, the Hill of Crosses, the dunes of the Curonian Spit and the Baltic coast. It helps you plan your trip: when to go, where to go, how many days, what budget, how to get around and how to combine the country with Latvia and Estonia.
Time zoneUTC+2, UTC+3 in summer; 2 hours ahead of London, 7 hours ahead of New York
AirportsVilnius (VNO), Kaunas (KUN), Palanga (PLQ)
EntrySchengen area: no visa for short stays for US and UK citizens · travel.state.gov · GOV.UKPassport valid at least 3 months beyond your stay (US) or after leaving the Schengen area (UK)
Electricitycheck plug types and voltage before you go · plugs
Ideal length3 days for Vilnius and Trakai7 to 10 days for the country, 2 weeks for all three Baltic states
When to go to Lithuania
The best time is from May to September. May and June are bright, and the Midsummer festival (Joninės) celebrates the solstice. July and August are beach months in Palanga and on the Curonian Spit, but July is also the wettest month. September stays mild and quieter. Winter is cold and dark (−1.5 °C (29 °F) in the afternoon in January in Vilnius, 7 h 16 min of daylight on 15 December), with snow; it suits a short stay in Vilnius over the festive season.
Month
Max °C (°F)
Min °C (°F)
Rain mm (in)
Sunshine (h)
Daylight (on the 15th)
Sunset
Verdict
January
−1.5 (29)
−6.0 (21)
48 (1.9)
35
7 h 51 min
16:23
❌ Cold, frost, short days
February
−0.4 (31)
−5.6 (22)
42 (1.7)
56
9 h 46 min
17:25
❌ Cold, snow possible
March
4.5 (40)
−2.7 (27)
41 (1.6)
132
11 h 49 min
18:22
⚠️ End of winter
April
12.7 (55)
2.6 (37)
43 (1.7)
195
14 h 06 min
20:21
⚠️ Cool spring
May
18.5 (65)
7.5 (46)
56 (2.2)
261
16 h 06 min
21:18
✅ Mild and bright
June
21.8 (71)
11.2 (52)
65 (2.6)
263
17 h 16 min
21:57
✅ Long days, Midsummer
July
23.8 (75)
13.6 (56)
92 (3.6)
263
16 h 45 min
21:47
✅ Warmest, but wettest
August
23.1 (74)
12.7 (55)
76 (3.0)
246
14 h 57 min
20:51
✅ Warm
September
17.4 (63)
8.5 (47)
57 (2.2)
168
12 h 44 min
19:36
✅ Mild, fewer visitors
October
10.3 (51)
3.8 (39)
60 (2.4)
95
10 h 33 min
18:21
⚠️ Cool, autumn colours
November
3.9 (39)
−0.1 (32)
47 (1.9)
31
8 h 27 min
16:17
❌ Grey, early nightfall
December
−0.1 (32)
−4.1 (25)
51 (2.0)
25
7 h 16 min
15:52
⚠️ Cold, Christmas tree and market
Temperature, precipitation and sunshine: 1991-2020 normals from the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service (LHMT), Vilnius station; average highs and lows published by the World Meteorological Organization. Daylight and sunset on the 15th of each month in 2026: Destination de Voyage calculation (NOAA solar algorithm, local time).
The table gives normals for Vilnius, inland. The coast (Klaipėda, Palanga, Neringa) has milder winters and slightly cooler summers, under the influence of the Baltic Sea.
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia: what the figures say
Capital
January max °C (°F)
July max °C (°F)
Rain per year mm (in)
Sunshine per year (h)
Tallinn
−0.7 (31)
22.2 (72)
701 (27.6)
1,923
Riga
−0.1 (32)
23.8 (75)
675 (26.6)
1,879
Vilnius
−1.5 (29)
23.8 (75)
678 (26.7)
1,769
Destination de Voyage calculation based on 1991-2020 normals from the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian national weather services (sums of monthly values).
Daylight: on 15 June, Vilnius has 17 h 16 min of daylight; on 15 December, only 7 h 16 min (NOAA calculation).
Climate: Lithuania, more continental, has the coldest winter of the three capitals, but summers as warm as Riga’s.
Route: for a first trip, start or finish in Vilnius, then head north to Riga and Tallinn.
Where to go in Lithuania: the highlights
Vilnius
The capital has one of the largest baroque old towns in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the cathedral, Gediminas Tower, the university, St Anne’s Church and the Užupis district. Everything is covered in our guide to things to do in Vilnius.
Trakai
Near Vilnius, the red-brick castle on an island in Lake Galvė is the country’s best-known image. Trakai Historical National Park, with its lakes, is good for walks and, in summer, boat trips.
Kaunas
The country’s second city and temporary capital between the two world wars, Kaunas has kept an ensemble of modernist architecture that was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. The old town, the castle, Freedom Avenue and the museums (including one devoted to the painter and composer Čiurlionis) are worth a day. The city was a European Capital of Culture in 2022.
The Curonian Spit
This narrow strip of sand between the lagoon and the Baltic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has high dunes, pine forests and the fishing village of Nida. Be aware: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026), the northern half is in Lithuania and the southern half is part of Russia’s Kaliningrad region, and a walk along the spit in Lithuanian territory will eventually reach Russian territory.
Klaipėda and Palanga
Klaipėda, the country’s only seaport, has a half-timbered old town and is the gateway to the Curonian Spit. Palanga, further north, is the main seaside resort, with its long pier and an amber museum housed in a palace set in a park.
The Hill of Crosses
Near Šiauliai, in the north, tens of thousands of crosses cover a small hill. A place of pilgrimage and a symbol of peaceful resistance during the Soviet period, it fits easily into the road between Vilnius or Kaunas and Riga.
Kernavė, Druskininkai and the national parks
Kernavė, a former capital with fortified hills, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the south, Druskininkai is a spa town on the Neman River. In the east, Aukštaitija National Park is a succession of lakes and forests, ideal for canoeing in summer.
Itinerary ideas for Lithuania
Weekend: Vilnius and Trakai.
7 days: Vilnius (2 days), Trakai, Kaunas (1 day), Klaipėda and the Curonian Spit (2 days), Palanga, then the Hill of Crosses on the way to Riga.
10 days: add Druskininkai or Aukštaitija National Park, and Kernavė.
2 weeks in the Baltic states: Vilnius – Trakai – Kaunas – Hill of Crosses – Riga and the Gauja – Tallinn, by bus or car (see our Latvia page).
With Poland: direct buses link Vilnius and Warsaw; see our Poland and Kraków guides.
Budget for a trip to Lithuania
Your budget depends mainly on accommodation and the season. The coast is more expensive in July and August.
Getting around Lithuania
Train: LTG Link trains connect Vilnius with Kaunas, Trakai and Klaipėda, among others.
Bus: a comprehensive network within the country and international buses to Riga, Tallinn and Warsaw. According to GOV.UK (updated 11 August 2026), Poland has reintroduced checks on the Lithuania/Poland border, and vehicles may be stopped and documents checked.
Car: handy for the Hill of Crosses, the coast and the national parks; a ferry runs from Klaipėda to the Curonian Spit. UK photocard licences can be used in Lithuania (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026). US visitors need a valid US licence and an International Driving Permit, available from AAA; the legal limit is the equivalent of 0.04% BAC, low-beam headlights must be on at all times, and after an accident you must leave the vehicle where it is and call the police on 112 (travel.state.gov, last updated September 3, 2026).
Taxis: the State Department recommends booking by phone, app or through your hotel; GOV.UK advises using a recognised taxi app or a registered metered taxi.
Borders: according to GOV.UK (updated 11 August 2026), only one crossing point between Lithuania and Belarus remains open (Medininkai–Kamenny Log), by private vehicle only, with no scheduled buses; do not plan to cross into Russia (Kaliningrad).
Where to stay in Lithuania
In Vilnius, the old town and Užupis are the most pleasant areas. In Kaunas, the old town and Freedom Avenue. On the coast, Nida and Palanga mainly have guesthouses and holiday hotels, to be booked early for July and August. In the countryside, farm stays (agritourism) are plentiful.
Entry requirements for Lithuania
US citizens: Lithuania applies Schengen rules. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay, and you will need sufficient proof of funds and a return ticket (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated September 3, 2026).
UK citizens: no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. At the border you may be asked for proof of accommodation, travel insurance, a return or onward ticket and enough money for your stay. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented: fingerprints and a photo may be taken, free of charge (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026).
Health and safety
Safety: the UK FCDO notes that petty crime is common (pickpockets in busy places and on public transport) and that there have been instances of drink spiking in Vilnius and at festivals. It also reports that some Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia have crossed into Lithuanian airspace: follow official guidance (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026).
Health: the State Department lists tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease among the diseases present (travel.state.gov, last updated September 3, 2026): check yourself for ticks after walks in the forest, and ask about vaccination before you travel (GOV.UK refers to TravelHealthPro). UK travellers need a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare; the State Department strongly recommends insurance covering medical evacuation.
Insurance and emergencies: take out travel insurance covering medical costs; see our travel insurance guide. Emergencies: 112 (ambulance, fire, police).
Mistakes to avoid before you go
Using an old passport: for UK citizens, a passport issued more than 10 years ago is not valid for the Schengen area (GOV.UK).
Planning a hike to the south of the Curonian Spit: it leads to Russia.
Ignoring ticks: in spring and summer, check yourself after every walk in the forest.
Leaving valuables in a rental car: the State Department reports that thefts from cars occur regularly.
Practical tips for Lithuania
Payment: cards are accepted almost everywhere; use indoor bank ATMs where possible, as travel.state.gov advises.
Mobile data: check your home carrier’s roaming charges before you leave; see our eSIM guide.
Food: cepelinai, cold beetroot soup (šaltibarščiai) in summer, black bread, kibinai in Trakai.
Basketball: the national sport; a game in Kaunas or Vilnius is a real local experience.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to visit Lithuania?
Three days for Vilnius and Trakai, a week to add Kaunas, the coast and the Curonian Spit.
When is the best time to visit Lithuania?
From May to September. July and August for the beach; May, June and September for cities and nature with fewer people.
Do I need a visa for Lithuania?
Not for short stays as a US or UK citizen. Lithuania is in the Schengen area: UK citizens can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and US citizens need a passport valid at least three months beyond their stay. Check travel.state.gov or GOV.UK before you leave.
What currency is used in Lithuania?
The euro, since 2015.
Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia: which should you choose?
Lithuania for Vilnius, Trakai and the Curonian Spit; Latvia for Riga; Estonia for Tallinn and the islands. In two weeks, you can combine all three.
Our sources
Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service (LHMT) and World Meteorological Organization: 1991-2020 normals for the Vilnius station; average highs and lows published by the WMO, via the climate table of the Wikipedia article « Vilnius »
Estonian Weather Service and LVĢMC: 1991-2020 normals for Tallinn and Riga, via the Wikipedia articles « Tallinn » and « Riga »
Destination de Voyage calculation: daylight and sunset (NOAA solar algorithm), comparison of the Baltic capitals
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