Lithuania — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Baroque Vilnius Old Town, the Hill of Crosses, and Trakai Castle”
Lithuania is the southernmost Baltic country, rich in history and nature — Vilnius has the largest Baroque World Heritage Old Town in Northern Europe, the Hill of Crosses holds hundreds of thousands of sacred crosses, Trakai Castle stands in red brick on a lake island, and the Curonian Spit features sand dunes along the Baltic Sea. It's great value and easy to combine with Latvia and Poland.
Lithuania at a glance
Choose a city in Lithuania
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Lithuania right for you?
Why people love Lithuania, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Vilnius Old Town
The largest Baroque World Heritage district in Northern Europe, with churches, cobbled lanes, and the artists' quarter of Užupis.
Hill of Crosses
A hill planted with hundreds of thousands of crosses near Šiauliai — a sacred site and a symbol of faith.
Trakai Castle
A red-brick castle on an island in a lake, a popular day trip from Vilnius.
Curonian Spit
A World Heritage sand peninsula on the Baltic Sea, with dunes, pine forests, and the fishing village of Nida.
Gediminas Tower
A castle tower on the hill in the middle of Vilnius, with views over the red rooftops of the whole Old Town.
Užupis
An artists' quarter with its own constitution, full of galleries, cafés, and a bohemian vibe.
Lithuania vs its neighbors
| Lithuania | Latvia | Poland | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $46–91 | $46–91 | $51–100 |
| Visa for Thais | Schengen | Schengen | Schengen |
| Known for | Baroque · Hill of Crosses | Art Nouveau · central market | Old towns · history |
| Capital | Vilnius | Riga | Warsaw |
| Price | Best value | Best value | Good value |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Old town and history
Base yourself in Vilnius — Baroque Old Town, Gediminas Tower, Užupis, and Trakai over 2–3 days.
See this plan → 🚌Baltic tour into Poland
From Vilnius take the bus to Riga or head south to Warsaw and Kraków, combining several countries in one trip.
See this plan → 🏜️Nature and coast
The dunes and forests of the Curonian Spit and the port city of Klaipėda, for nature lovers.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviews
No reviews match these filters — try removing some.
We're adding Lithuania food reviews
We're adding Lithuania sightseeing reviews
🚆 Getting around Lithuania
Walk the Old Town
Vilnius Old Town is compact and entirely walkable, with a lovely atmosphere.
Baltic buses
Lux Express connects Riga, Tallinn, and Warsaw, with Vilnius as the southern gateway of the Baltics.
Domestic trains
Trains run from Vilnius to Klaipėda (the coast), and day trips to Trakai are done by bus.
Vilnius Airport
VNO is small and compact, with bus or train into the city in about 15 minutes.
Ferry to the Curonian Spit
From Klaipėda, take the ferry across to the Curonian Spit and Nida.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Lithuania
Catholic faith
Catholicism runs deep, churches and the Hill of Crosses matter, and you should dress modestly at religious sites.
Baltic amber
Amber, the gold of the Baltic, is a famous souvenir and jewelry material.
Basketball-mad
Basketball is the second religion — the national team is world-class, and the atmosphere is electric during games.
Tip ~10%
At restaurants, tip around 10% if you're happy (not mandatory).
Reserved but warm
Lithuanians tend to be reserved but warm up once they get to know you.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / guesthouse $23–51
The best value in Europe — strolling the Old Town is free, markets and cafés are well-priced, and the day trip to Trakai is cheap.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4 star hotel $51–100
Boutique hotels in the Old Town, good restaurants, and day trips to Trakai and the Hill of Crosses.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury / historic hotel $114+
Historic hotels, fine dining, and Curonian Spit resorts.
🗓️ When to visit Lithuania
Summer
Jun – AugLong, warm days, a lively Old Town, and the Curonian Spit open — the best time to visit.
Late spring
MayThe weather is just right, flowers are blooming, and there are fewer people than in summer.
Christmas
DecThe Christmas market in Cathedral Square and Vilnius's famous, beautiful Christmas tree (but it's bitterly cold).
Autumn
Sep – OctChanging leaves, fewer people, lower accommodation prices, and a peaceful atmosphere.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Lithuania — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.2💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.2💑 Great for your trip
★ 8.8💼 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Lithuania?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Lithuania
How many days should I spend in Lithuania?+
2–3 days for Vilnius (Old Town, Užupis, Trakai), or 4–5 days to add the Hill of Crosses, Kaunas, and the Curonian Spit.
Do Thais need a visa?+
You need to apply for a Schengen visa in advance (which also lets you travel across Schengen Europe, including the Baltics and Poland).
How do I reach the Hill of Crosses?+
It's near the town of Šiauliai (midway between Vilnius and Riga), reached by tour or rental car — ideal to stop at while touring the Baltics.
Is Lithuania expensive?+
It's one of the best values in Europe — food, accommodation, and transport are all very affordable, perfect for budget travelers and backpackers.
Tips before you go to Lithuania
- Vilnius Old Town is entirely walkable (it's compact).
- Day-trip to Trakai (the island castle) by bus in ~30 minutes and try the kibinai.
- Stop at the Hill of Crosses midway between Vilnius and Riga.
- It's the best value in Europe, perfect for budget travelers.
- Try the cold pink beet soup (Šaltibarščiai) in summer.
- Baltic amber is a famous souvenir (choose a reputable shop).