Lithuania attracts many tourists from neighbouring countries and all over the world.
Statistics Lithuania issues national tourism reports. They are based on statistical surveys, visits to tourist information centers, statistics compiled by the Ministry of Economy, and aggregated data from the Bank of Lithuania's balance of payments records.
Lithuania experiences a constant increase of foreign visitors. As of the first half of 2006 the number of visitors (except from the member states of the European Union and member states of EFTA) has risen 11.1 percent compared to 2005 and reached 985,700. Lithuania attracts foreign visitors mostly from Russia, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Belarus, the United Kingdom, Estonia and Finland. Druskininkai and Birštonas resorts experienced around 50 percent increase of occupiers in 2005 compared to 2004; while the increase of arrivals staying in Neringa and Palanga averaged 22 percent. The majority of visitors staying in hotels and lodging houses come from Germany, Poland, Latvia, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Finland.
From January to September 2006, Lithuanian hotels have experienced a 13,7 percent increase of occupiers compared to 2005, 51 percent of them being foreign visitors (nearly 620,000). Among them, a number of foreign occupiers in Druskininkai has increased 25,7 percent and 27,5 percent in Palanga. Almost a half of the foreign visitors were staying in the capital, Vilnius, that experienced an increase of 10,6 percent. More than twice as many foreigners had stayed in Birštonas' sanatories, compared to 2005.
In 2013, 2.2 million tourists, of whom 1.2 million were from other countries, stayed at various accommodations in Lithuania. This represented an increase of 10.5 percent from 2012.
The new Vilnius City Center
Hill of Crosses
Agrotourism has also gained extreme popularity in the country among the locals as well as foreigners.
Major cities
Vilnius - capital of Lithuania
Kaunas - temporary interbellum capital of Lithuania with prominent Functionalism architecture
Klaipėda - sea port with an attractive old town and heritage of the German culture
Panevėžys - capital of Aukštaitija
Šiauliai - famous for nearby Hill of Crosses
Kėdainiai - city in central Lithuania with prominent Renaissance architecture monuments
National parks
Aukštaitija National Park
Žemaitija National Park
Kuršių Nerija National Park
Dzūkija National Park
Trakai Historical National Park
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Kernavė - a complex of historical hillforts and an archeological site, nicknamed "Lithuanian Troy"
Curonian Spit
Vilnius Old Town - the old capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, is among the largest in the Eastern Europe
Resorts
Seaside resorts
Palanga - the summer capital of Lithuania with sandy beaches
Nida - a world heritage site with unique heritage and nature
Juodkrantė - a former German luxury resort
Spa towns
Birštonas
Druskininkai - a developed spa town with the largest water park in the Eastern Europe.
Pilgrimage sites
Lithuania is a perfect spot for people who are looking for some spiritual energy and to come in peace with themselves. It has many holy sites, especially in Samogitia, which are worth a visit.
Major pilgrimage sites:
Gate of Dawn (Vilnius);
Hill of Crosses, (Samogitia);
Žemaičių Kalvarija, (Samogitia);
Šiluva.
Military heritage tourism
Due to former Soviet occupation of Lithuania, the country has many military sites left and may be very interesting place as a place of Militarism heritage tourism. It might be interesting for everyone to see, who is interested in history of the warfare or the Cold War.
Major militarism heritage sites in Lithuania:
Kaunas Fortress, a massive system of forts built around Kaunas during the Russian Empire rule in the 19th century;
Former Soviet Nuclear launch site near Žemaičių Kalvarija in Samogitia.
Tourism
Before visiting Lithuania, try to answer to yourself what you wish to see and do here. Despite being a relatively small country, Lithuania has much to offer to a visitor, from many types of leisure activities and entertainment to a wide list – of around 1000 – of sightseeing objects. Therefore, we recommend you try to see more of the country, not just its principal towns.
You will see that the condition of roads is truly good here for travelling by car or that you can reach practically any place of the country by train or bus. Try to stop off at UNESCO and national heritage sites, visit different ethnographic regions, taste authentic meals, stop by valuable cultural and architectural sites and museums, have a walk in parks, enjoy the beauty of landscape dotted with lakes and rivers.
We have much to offer also to those who prefer spending their leisure time actively. They can take a canoe down a fast-flowing river or make a bicycle tour of the country, go hang- or motor-gliding or fly on board of a hot air balloon.
Citizens of 78 states do not need visas to come here, yet some of them must hold diplomatic, service, special or biometric passports. Therefore, before coming, be sure to find out if a visa is required and how it can be obtained.
Before and during your stay in Lithuania, take a minute to learn some key phrases in the Lithuanian language and do not forget such important information as speed limits applicable on country roads, how to find addresses and routes, how to call a trusted taxi and how to seek assistance and obtain required information.
Why to Visit?
You are in Lithuania. Feel the surrounding green nature: meadows and hills are everywhere. Hear how the land is praised by singing birds. Five national parks are waiting for you. Travel through refreshing forests, see cultural monuments: castles, mounds, churches, crosses.
Lithuania’s rivers and lakes are calling to be explored; numerous resorts and spa centres are ready to share the healing secrets of mineral springs. Hear the soughing of the sea, feel the grains of sand on your fingers as they disappear from your palm. Get a raditional amber necklace and bring a piece of Lithuania back home.
Did you know that the name Lithuania is a thousand years old? Discover Lithuanian history and art. Theatres, exhibitions, concerts, festivals – all for your entertainment. In Lithuania you can listen to world-class classical music, watch numerous plays and operas in the country’s 30 theatres and enjoy high quality contemporary art.
Need a good place for a conference, seminar or meeting? Look no further. Experienced Lithuanian travel agencies will help you find conference halls and make sure everything goes smoothly. Hotels, holiday camps, homesteads, guest and recreation houses are ready for your stay.
Taste Lithuania, literally. Take a bite of brown bread and feel the golden rye. Spread some honey, put a slice of white cheese on top and enjoy... Don’t forget to thank those little workers buzzing in the meadows. If you are thirsty, have a sip of Lithuanian kvass. Smile. You are in Lithuania.
Why to Visit?
You are in Lithuania. Feel the surrounding green nature: meadows and hills are everywhere. Hear how the land is praised by singing birds. Five national parks are waiting for you. Travel through refreshing forests, see cultural monuments: castles, mounds, churches, crosses. Discover Lithuanian history and art. Taste Lithuania, literally. You are in Lithuania.
Lithuania is a relatively small country, but you will be surprised at how much there is to see and visit. You can choose among different ways to explore the country – you may want to limit your sightseeing to UNESCO or national heritage objects or you may want to visit individual ethnographic regions to get a feeling of their lifestyles, dialects, behavioural specifics, or authentic cuisine.
Before coming to Lithuania, find out if a visa is required and how it can be obtained. A visa-free entry to Lithuania is granted to citizens of 78 states; yet, arrivals from some of them must be holders of diplomatic, service, special or biometric passports. Citizens of other states should apply to Lithuanian diplomatic missions or consular offices for a Schengen or national visa.
Once you have reached our country, whether by air, water or land, do not limit your stay to its bigger towns - visit the whole country. You will see that the condition of roads is truly good here for travelling by car and that a train or a bus can take you to practically any place of the country. Getting comfortable bed-and-breakfast accommodation will not be a problem wherever you decide to go.
What to See
Lithuania is a relatively small country, but you will be surprised at how much there is to see and visit. You can choose among different ways to explore the country – you may want to limit your sightseeing to UNESCO or national heritage objects or you may want to visit individual ethnographic regions to get a feeling of their lifestyles, dialects, behavioural specifics, or authentic cuisine.
A trip to the bigger towns of the country will be equally interesting. Larger towns will meet you with more bustle and urbanity, while in smaller towns time seems to run much more slowly. Take an advantage of this: see valuable objects of culture and architecture, visit museums, have a walk in a park, see the beauty of landscape pierced by lakes and rivers.
Another way to see Lithuania is to visit its national parks – territories managed by the state where the landscape, authentic settlements and cultural valuables are preserved. Lithuania has five national parks: Aukštaitija, Žemaitija, Trakai Historical, Dzūkija, and the Curonian Spit. All of them are quite different.
We have much to offer also to those who prefer spending their leisure actively. They may take a canoe down a fast-flowing river or make a bicycle tour of the country, go hang- or motor-gliding or fly on board of a hot air balloon.
Anxious to escape the teeming city? Then take refuge in a countryside tourism homestead. A hot bath in a barrel in the open air is a must! Even the hardest frost is not to be feared, and just think of the romance floating in the air under a starry night sky!
Travelling Tips
Before coming to Lithuania, find out if a visa is required and how it can be obtained. A visa-free entry to Lithuania is granted to citizens of 78 states; yet, arrivals from some of them must be holders of diplomatic, service, special or biometric passports. Citizens of other states should apply to Lithuanian diplomatic missions or consular offices for a Schengen or national visa.
Before and during your stay in Lithuania, take a minute to learn some key phrases in the Lithuanian language and do not forget such important information as speed limits applicable on country roads, how to find addresses and routes, how to call a trusted taxi and how to seek assistance and obtain required information.
Plan Your Trip
Once you have reached our country, whether by air, water or land, do not limit your stay to its bigger towns – Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda or Palanga. Take a trip to other places.
You will see that the condition of roads is truly good here for travelling by car and that a train or a bus can take you to practically any place of the country. Getting comfortable bed-and-breakfast accommodation will not be a problem wherever you decide to go.
If you travel by car, make a stop in parking areas, many of which are located at particularly spectacular spots at highways and national or regional roads. On your way, you will also see many cafes and restaurants as well as petrol stations, where you can have a snack or do some shopping.
As you set off, be sure to take note of the speed limit on the road concerned and do not exceed it. Many speed cameras are installed and police regularly patrol on roads, and speeding carries heavy fines.
Culinary heritage is another area to be explored: as you visit the ethnographic regions of Lithuania – Aukštaitija, Suvalkija, Žemaitija and Dzūkija – try their traditional meals, apple and berry wines, homemade kvass and beer.
Useful links for planning Your trip:
www.lietuvosmarsrutai.eu - information about places of interest in Lithuania.
www.maps.lt - interactive map of Lithuania.
www.poiplaza.com - maps for GPS navigation.
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