Lithuania
Lithuania
Capital city description
Vilnius is Lithuania’s capital city and the largest city in the country. The city houses the office of the Prime Minister and the President of Lithuania and other important government offices, ministries, and foreign embassies. The Old Town of Vilnius is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its historic landmarks and architectural treasures. The stunning Seimas Palace in Vilnius is the meeting place of the parliament of Lithuania.
The street art, murals, and buildings dotting Vilnius make it an urban gallery on its own, and the numerous high-level art festivals and cultural events throughout the year give the city its unique vibe.
Climate
The climate in Lithuania is temperate continental. Typically, several sweltering weeks in summers and one or two freezing weeks in winter.
July is the wettest month, with 77 millimeters of rain. In winter, it snows, but the snow cover rarely stays for more than a couple of days before melting; however, "snow periods" are widespread every winter.
Spring: March to May
Summer: June to August
Autumn: September to November
Winter: December to February
Languages spoken
Lithuanian language is the official and widely spoken language in Lithuania, whereas the most prominent minority languages are Russian and Polish, spoken natively by 8.2% and 5.8% of the population, respectively.
Fun/Fascinating Facts
- Lithuanian is one of the oldest languages in the world today. This language is one of the oldest living Indo-European languages of Europe.
- Lithuania has a unique national scent. Developed by well-regarded perfumer Galimard, “Lietuvos Kvapas,” which translates roughly to “The Scent of Lithuania,” is a blend of bergamot, wildflowers, ginger, raspberry, and grapefruit, with base notes of amber, cedar, sandalwood, patchouli and, somewhat oddly, tree moss and smoke.
- Basketball is the most favored sport in this country. Several Lithuanians have gone on to NBA fame, the most outstanding star being Arvydas Sabonis.
- In Lithuania, the river Vilnia is dyed bright emerald green for St. Patrick’s Day every year.
- Lithuanians have two independence days: one on February 16 and another, the Day of the Restoration of Independence, on March 11.
Unique Customs/Traditions
- A unique tradition in Remygala, Lithuania, is a particular custom that holds an annual beauty goat pageant. Goats are groomed, decorated with flowers, and dressed in outfits in preparation for the pageant.
- Lithuanian have a kind-hearted Easter Granny. The Easter Granny leaves eggs and sweets to children when children leave a homemade nest outside their house. Before tucking into a delicious meal, one hard-boiled Easter egg is cut into enough pieces for each family member present. Sharing one Easter egg among the whole family symbolizes a harmonious family.
- Rasos and Joninas Day is a unique tradition celebrated on Midsummer. During the morning, young women have to wash their faces only with fresh dew. Later, in the evening, bonfires are organized around the cities and in the countryside, and people make wishes and put spell bags in the water to make their dreams come true.
- During Christmas Eve, Luthunian practices particular customs only Luthunian can understand; as such, the tradition says that an empty plate should be left on the dinner table for family members or friends that have been lost during the past year. Also, the dinner's leftovers are left outside to symbolically "feed" these lost significant others. When the dinner is over, it is time to play the traditional game. Before the big Christmas dinner, the host will put a few pieces of straw, some of them longer than others, under the tablecloth. Each guest at the table must take one of the straws without knowing its total length. Once it is out, the length of the straw represents the length of your life—a lovely Christmas present for those lucky enough to pick a long straw.
Popular universities
Name | Description | |
---|---|---|
Vilnius University (Vilniaus Universitetas) | Vilnius University (Vilniaus Universitetas) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Vilnius. It is the most famous and most acknowledged higher education establishment among Lithuanian secondary school graduates. The university offers an academic environment focused on excellence in research and teaching. Vilnius University is Lithuania’s leading academic institution, ranked among 400 universities worldwide (QS). | |
Kaunas University of Technology(Kauno technologijos universitetas) | Kaunas University of Technology(Kauno technologijos universitetas) is a public research university in Kaunas, Lithuania, established in 1922. The university then consisted of seven faculties comprised of the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, Faculty of Evangelical Theology, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Technology. The Kaunas University of Technology engages in research of physical, technological, and social sciences and experimental development, biomedical sciences, and humanities. | |
Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilniaus Gedimino Technikos Universitetas) | Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilniaus Gedimino Technikos Universitetas) is a leading higher education institution situated in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Established in 1956, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University is one of the most prominent research universities in the country, emphasizing technologies, engineering, and university-business cooperation. | |
Vytautas Magnus University ( Vytauto Didžiojo Universitetas | Vytautas Magnus University ( Vytauto Didžiojo Universitetas) is a public university in Kaunas, Lithuania, established in 1922. It is an international and multilingual institution that continuously develops international networks and intercultural dialogues, participates in international scientific, academic, and social projects, encourages lecturer and student mobility, and promotes dialogue and tolerance. Vytautas Magnus University works with many universities and scientists around the globe, implementing projects, student and employee exchanges, and improving the study and research system. | |
Klaipėda University (Klaipėdos Universitetas) | Klaipėda University (Klaipėdos Universitetas) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the Lithuanian seaport of Klaipėda. Its location in a port determined that the university develops academic programs not found in other Lithuanian universities, including marine environment research and engineering of maritime transport, hydrology and oceanography, port technologies and engineering, history and languages of Lithuania Minor and Baltic region, ecological engineering, landscape architecture, underwater archaeology, port technology, and naval engineering. Klaipėda University offers a developed three-level study system: 58 bachelors, 2 specialized vocational, 56 masters, 10 doctoral study programs. It also provides 7 international study programs for international students. | |
Mykolas Romeris University (Mykolo Romerio Universitetas) | Mykolas Romeris University (Mykolo Romerio Universitetas) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Vilnius. This institution also has a branch campus in Kaunas. Mykolas Romeris University is an international university with full membership of international higher education organizations: International Association of Universities, European University Association, European Association for International Education, European-Asian Knowledge Consortium Social Technologies for Smart and Inclusive Society, etc. The university offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctorate degrees. | |
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (Lietuvos sveikatos mokslu universitetas) | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (Lietuvos sveikatos mokslu universitetas) is the largest university higher education institution in Lithuania's field of biomedical studies. The university offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. | |
European Humanities University(Europos Humanitarinis Universitetas) | The European Humanities University(Europos Humanitarinis Universitetas) is an international university that aims to strengthen civil society by offering studies in the humanities and liberal arts. The European Humanities University follows the principles of liberal studies in the European intellectual tradition and focuses on students. European Humanities University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. | |
ISM University of Management and Economics (Vadybos ir ekonomikos universitetas) | ISM University of Management and Economics (Vadybos ir ekonomikos universitetas) is a private higher education institution located in the large city of Vilnius, Kaunas. ISM University of Management offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. | |
Vilnius College (Vilniaus kolegija) | Vilnius College (Vilniaus kolegija) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Vilnius, established in 2000. Vilnius College offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study. The university has seven faculties: Electronics and Informatics, Economics, Business Management, Health Care, Agrotechnology, Pedagogy, and Arts and Creative Technologies. |
Festivals & Events

Sea Festival
Date: July
The Klaipeda city’s Sea Festival happens every July and is the most vibrant and most extensive summer celebration. The event lasts for three full days and sees more than half a million people flock to the port to dance and listen to music. It is a highly regarded event in the Klaipėda city and is called the ‘second Christmas’ by the locals.
The city hosts various cultural, sporting, and entertainment events during the festival: concerts, shows, and performances, and the sailing ships exhibited in the port welcome visitors on their decks.

Galapagai Rock Music Festival
Date: July
Galapagai Rock Music Festival is one of the largest international open-air summer music and entertainment festivals in Lithuania, attracting music lovers to enjoy live performances and outdoor entertainment. Known for its high-quality music, wild atmosphere, and wide selection of entertainment, the festival is growing every year, enticing participants from Lithuania and guests from Germany, Finland, Sweden, Belarus, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, and other countries.
It is the only festival in Lithuania involved in the European Talent Exchange Program (ETEP). It has been nominated as the best festival in small European festivals for a few years in a row.

Palanga Smelt
Date: February
Palanga Smelt is a unique festival in Lithuania that holds a wide variety of culinary experiments that often complements traditional recipes. Guests of the Palanga Smelt festival could try both traditional and non-traditional recipes. Battered and fried smelt and dried, smoked, marinated, or grilled fish was offered at the fair, and fishers praised their traditional fish soup.
Many conventional and exciting new entertainments are arranged for visitors every year. Basanavičius Street tempts with scents and colors of the fair and artistic performances. Fishers’ competitions, such as anchor holding, boat towing, smelt eating, and similar, are incredibly fun and attract much attention.

Middle Age Festival
Date: July
The Middle Age Festival is one of the most prestigious tournaments and festivals in Trakai, Lithuania. The prime focus of this event is knights‘ fights with swords, bats, and battleaxes. Competitors worldwide participate for the honor of the International Armed Forces Commander title.
People usually dress up in ancient attire, and you will find them in the streets speaking and acting like ancient soldiers, among other things. Every visitor is encouraged to become part of the festival community by joining ancient crafts workshops, dancing or young soldier training routines, archers’ competitions, or lectures.

Vilnius Festival
Date: March
Vilnius Festival is the most respected event in the beautiful capital of Lithuania, and it attracts thousands of people across the country and international audiences.
This summer festival aims to encourage and promote classical Lithuanian music to the world. Vilnius festival features thousands of renowned musicians from different parts of the world.

International film festival
Date: January
An international film festival is an annual event that showcases some critically acclaimed movies of Europe and other continents. The festival is also known as Kino Pavasaris locally, which screens around 200 films in the duration.
It is a two-week event in the lovely spring season of Lithuania. During this festival, you will get an opportunity to meet some of the best in the entertainment industry. On the day of the event, the movies are classified according to categories before being screened.

Klaipeda Castle Jazz
Date: June
The Klaipeda Castle Jazz Festival is one of the city’s most favored music festivals that attract thousands of visitors annually. The festival was first formed in 1994 by Klaipeda University’s Jazz Music Department.
The festival features the best musician from all over the world. Held in June, the event is free, and music is usually played at some open-air concert venue.
Attractions / Top Sights

Kaunas Castle
When to visit: May to September
Built in the mid-14th century, Kaunas Castle is an impressive medieval Gothic-style castle, situated on an elevated bank near the river junction about 100 kilometers (62 mi) from Vilnius.
The castle was home to a prison in the 16th century. At present, the castle is a Kaunas city museum branch and hosts some significant annual cultural events.

Rumsiskes Open Air Museum
When to visit: May to September
One of the largest ethnographic open-air museums in Europe, Rumsiskes Open Air Museum, was established in 1966 in Rumsiskes.
The museum’s displays were mainly re-creations of farming hamlets from the various ethnographic regions of Lithuania such as Sodovia, Dainava, Highlands, Samogitia, as they witnessed the end of the 18th and the first half of the 20th century.

Aukštaitija National Park
When to visit: Between April and September
Aukštaitija National Park comprises verdant pine forests, including the ancient woods of Azvinciai, Mincia, and Linkmenos. It has about 126 lakes, and Lake Tauranga is one of its most profound. A footpath leads to a hill where the beauty of the seven lakes unfolds. The woods, marshes, and meadows of Aukstaitija National Park abounded in rare plant species, including several plants listed in the Red Data Book of Lithuania and protected as endangered species.
The park represents a picturesque forested and hilly terrain abounding in lakes and having ethnographic villages; it contains many other cultural monuments. The park's woods are the domain of elk, deer, and wild boar. The lakes and rivers, too, are rich in wildlife, from Canadian mink to a variety of birds that can bring quite a few exciting moments to a devoted birdwatcher.

Palanga Amber Museum
When to visit: May to September
Near the Baltic Sea in Palanga, Lithuania, the Palanga Amber Museum is a branch of the Lithuanian Art Museum. It is housed in the restored 19th-century Tiškevičiai Palace and is surrounded by the Palanga Botanical Garden.
The museum's collection of amber comprises about 28,000 pieces, of which about 15,000 contain inclusions of insects, spiders, or plants. About 4,500 pieces of amber are exhibited; many of these are items of artwork and jewelry.

Hill of Crosses
When to visit: July
The Hill of Crosses is a symbol of faith, hope, and freedom. The hill covered with thousands of historical wooden crosses coming from a different era is a sacred pilgrimage site about 12 km north of the city of Šiauliai, in northern Lithuania.
It is believed that the first crosses were placed on the former Jurgaičiai or Domantai hill fort after the 1831 Uprising. Over the centuries, not only crosses but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary, and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims.

Lithuanian Sea
When to visit: May to September
A fantastic museum in the Baltic, Lithuanian Sea shows at least six expositions, all very different ones. The museums offer more than just aquatic performing animals; the penguins, fish-laden aquaria, and performing dolphins.
The pleasant emotions and the eyes of little ones, filled with joy, explain why the museum has half a million guests every year.

Gediminas Castle Tower
When to visit: May to September
Gediminas Castle Tower is the most visited branch of the National Museum of Lithuania, exhibiting archaeological findings from the hill and the surrounding areas. It is three stories tall and is made of decades-old bricks.
The museum tower boasts several exhibits presenting the development of the Vilnius Castle territory and displays of Baltic jewelry and important military artifacts. Its exhibition invites visitors to learn about the history of Vilnius as the center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and take in the most spectacular panoramic view of the city.

Lithuanian Zoo
When to visit: May to September
The only zoo in Lithuania, called Kaunas Zoo or Lithuanian Zoo, is located in an Ąžuolynas oak grove park in the south-western Žaliakalnis of Kaunas. The zoo was initiated in 1935 by Lithuanian zoologist Tadas Ivanauskas and opened on July 1, 1938, with 40 animals. The territory of the zoo covered 15.9 hectares.
The zoo houses thousands of insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

St. Anne's Church
When to visit: May to September
The most impressive ancient church in Lithuania, St. Anne's Church, was built between 1131 and 1138 to replace a past Byzantine church. It is a standout amongst the loveliest Crusader places of worship in Israel and a top choice of Vilnius Attractions.
The Church of St. Anne was built for Anna, Grand Duchess of Lithuania, and wife to Vytautas the Great. The church was burned down in 1419 and then rebuilt in brick on the orders of the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander I Jagiellon. Consecrated back in 1500, the facade seen today is essentially unchanged since its reconstruction in the 1400s.

Trakai Island Castle
When to visit: May to September
The stunning island castle in Trakai, Lithuania, on Lake Galv, Trakai Island Castle, an impressive abode of the Lithuanian Grand Duke, hosts significant Lithuania festivals. It is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in summer and winter.
The Castle was built in the 14th and 15th centuries, standing strong on the island of Lake Galvė with an excellent strategic location as it is surrounded by water on all sides.