Lithuania is home to a number of ancient ruins and interesting architecture. One of the most famous is the Hill of Crosses, a pilgrimage site near the city of Šiauliai, where thousands of crosses have been placed over the centuries. This unique and …
Read more
backpacking Europe
Lithuania
Explore Latvia
Explore Luxembourg
Backpacking Lithuania in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Lithuania with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Lithuania
Discover Lithuania, where Baltic charm, rich history, and affordability converge for backpackers. Pros? Immerse yourself in medieval architecture, explore vibrant cities, and enjoy budget-friendly accommodations. Lithuania boasts efficient transportation and safety. However, the weather can be unpredictable, and English may not be widely spoken in remote areas. For backpackers seeking a blend of history and affordability, Lithuania offers a unique European experience, where every cobblestone street and scenic landscape contributes to an enriching journey off the beaten path.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Lithuania
Architecture
💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Lithuania
- Vilnius Old Town: Explore the charming cobblestone streets, Gothic architecture, and historic landmarks in Vilnius Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Trakai Castle: Visit the picturesque Trakai Island Castle, located on an island in Lake Galvė. This well-preserved medieval castle offers a glimpse into Lithuania’s rich history.
- Curonian Spit: Discover the unique landscape of the Curonian Spit, a narrow sand dune peninsula shared by Lithuania and Russia. Explore the sandy beaches, forests, and traditional fishing villages.
- Hill of Crosses: Witness the powerful sight of thousands of crosses at the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai. This pilgrimage site is a symbol of Lithuania’s enduring faith and resistance.
- Palanga Amber Museum: Visit the Palanga Amber Museum housed in a beautiful palace surrounded by a botanical park. Admire the extensive collection of amber pieces, including the famous Amber Room.
But Lithuania offers more...
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Lithuania
The best time to visit Lithuania for backpacking is during the summer months of June to August. This is when the weather is the most pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). During this time, you can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and exploring the country's beautiful landscapes.
Additionally, summer is also the time when various festivals and events take place in Lithuania, offering a vibrant and lively atmosphere. You can experience the famous Vilnius Street Musician's Day, the Klaipėda Sea Festival, or the Joninės (Midsummer) celebrations.
However, it's worth mentioning that summer is also the peak tourist season, so popular attractions and accommodations may be crowded and more expensive. If you prefer to avoid the crowds and enjoy milder temperatures, consider visiting Lithuania during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October). These months offer pleasant weather and fewer tourists, allowing you to explore the country at a more relaxed pace.
Additionally, summer is also the time when various festivals and events take place in Lithuania, offering a vibrant and lively atmosphere. You can experience the famous Vilnius Street Musician's Day, the Klaipėda Sea Festival, or the Joninės (Midsummer) celebrations.
However, it's worth mentioning that summer is also the peak tourist season, so popular attractions and accommodations may be crowded and more expensive. If you prefer to avoid the crowds and enjoy milder temperatures, consider visiting Lithuania during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October). These months offer pleasant weather and fewer tourists, allowing you to explore the country at a more relaxed pace.
Risk level: low (0%)Safety advice for Lithuania
- Drink spiking can happen. Don't leave drinks unattended.
- Take care on public transport, at bars and restaurants where pickpocketing can occur. Be careful on trains where scammers may befriend you before robbing you.
- Keep your car locked, even when driving.
- Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Be alert, especially in places known to be possible targets.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
LithuaniaMy tips to get you on the way!Does Lithuania sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Lithuania. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Lithuania may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Lithuania. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Lithuania may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Lithuania, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Lithuania, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
.jpg)
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024