Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuva) is a Baltic country in northeastern Europe. Lithuania possesses a unique character that distinguishes it from other Baltic countries. Its distinctiveness arises from being primarily a Catholic nation which was the last country in Europe to accept Christianity and having a history of being a medieval great power and later a part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was one of the most powerful entities in Europe.

Lithuania is a charming country with a rich history and culture that is definitely worth exploring. From the charming streets of Vilnius, the capital city, to the serene beauty of the Curonian Spit, there are plenty of reasons to add Lithuania to your travel bucket list. As the largest of the three Baltic states, this small yet diverse country offers everything from medieval castles and stunning lakes to sandy coastlines and lively cities.

Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, is famous for its charming old town, one of the largest and best-preserved in Europe, Trakai is home to the iconic Trakai Island Castle, floating in the middle of Lake Galvė, Lithuania’s coastline, home to numerous resort towns such as Palanga, a paradise for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts are just a few of many beautiful sights throughout the country.

Administratively Lithuania is divided into 10 counties (apskritys) and 60 municipalities (savivaldybės). To bring out the unique characteristics of Lithuania, this guide uses five ethnographic regions. Regional differences of Lithuanian culture reflect the complicated historical development of the country. Since the 13th century, five ethnographic areas, or regions, have formed the current territory of Lithuania:

Aukštaitija (Highlands) (Panevėžys, Kėdainiai, Utena, Kaunas) Northeastern and eastern region; the name means Highlands due to the regions hilly terrain. Considered the cradle of Lithuanian culture, with the purest form of the Lithuanian language and many traditional villages. The region is filled with many lakes and rivers which make it a centre for fishing and water tourism.

Samogitia (Žemaitija) (Telšiai, Šiauliai, Kretinga, Palanga, Mažeikiai) Žemaitija (meaning Lowlands), north-western region. Rolling hills with a more rugged, hilly terrain than its name ("lowlands") suggests. The region is filled with lush forests, wetlands, and traditional wooden villages. Unique dialect, almost a separate language from standard Lithuanian.

Dzūkija (Dainava) (Vilnius, Trakai, Druskininkai, Alytus, Merkinė, Daugai, Kernavė) South-eastern region. Features the Nemunas River, which flows along its western edge. Flat to slightly hilly, dominated by forests. Rich forests make it famous for mushroom picking and beekeeping. Home to Dzūkija National Park - the largest protected area in Lithuania, known for its dense pine forests, river valleys, marshes and traditional villages. The highest point of Lithuania, Aukštojas Hill (293.84 m), is located in this region.

Sūduva (Suvalkija) (Marijampolė, Birštonas, Kaunas) Southern and south-western region. Crossed by the Šešupė River, an important waterway for the region. The flattest and most fertile region, ideal for agriculture. Famous for high-quality cured meats such as "Skilandis" and vast farmlands.

Lithuania Minor (Mažoji Lietuva) (Klaipėda, Nida, Juodkrantė) Coastal region, including the Lithuanian section of the Curonian Split. Known for strong Prussian and German influence, historically outside the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Centred around Klaipėda, Lithuania’s primary port city.

These ethnographic regions even today differ by dialects, ways of life and behaviour styles, while until the turn of the last century there were pronounced differences in dress and homestead styles as well as village planning.

Lithuania is justly proud of its unfailing treasures of folklore: colourful clothing, meandering songs, an abundance of tales and stories, sonorous dialects and voluble language. This ethnographic heritage is nourished by ethnographic and folklore companies and barn theatres. Ethnographic crafts and culinary traditions are being revived. Folk craft fairs and live craft days are organised during many events and festivals.

'"`UNIQ--maplink-00000006-QINU`"'

Map of Lithuania

• 54.68722225.281 Vilnius the must-see capital has a gorgeous old town lined with gothic, renaissance, baroque and neoclassical buildings. The best of the country's museums, hotels and eating places are here.
• 54.63333324.9333332 Trakai 28 km west has a picture-perfect lake castle.
• 54.923.9333333 Kaunas the second largest city has interwar modernist architecture and a compact old town. National sports events are here rather than Vilnius.
• 55.712521.1354 Klaipėda is the country's only port, so much is industrial, but with a distinctive half-timbered old town.
• 55.92805623.3166675 Šiauliai has several museums, sculptures and old churches, but is best known for the "Hill of Crosses" 12 km north.
• 55.72524.3638896 Panevėžys is drably industrial but has museums, churches and a heritage narrow-gauge railway.
• 54.424.057 Alytus is only of interest to refrigerator manafacturers, but is a base for exploring Dzūkija National Park further south.
• 54.55666723.3544448 Marijampolė was wrecked in the last war so it's modern, with churches, museums and an art scene.

• 55.27444420.9708331 Curonian Spit is a 99 km strip of sand dunes, forest and secluded villages.
• 56.11666722.0166672 Žemaičių Kalvarija is a pilgrimage site with a large church festival in July.
• 55.34426.0573 Aukštaitija National Park is a land of lakes and forests.
• 54.88333324.854 Kernavė was the capital in medieval times, now an archaeological site.

Capital	Vilnius
Currency	euro (EUR)
Population	2.8 million (2023)
Electricity	220 volt / 50 hertz (Europlug, Schuko)
Country code	+370
Time zone	UTC+02:00, UTC+03:00
Emergencies	112, 02 (police force)
Driving side	right
edit on Wikidata

Some visitors tend to see the Baltic states as being similar countries with regional differences. They share a common recent history: the three countries declared independence in 1918 at the collapse of the Russian Empire, were occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940, conquered by Nazi Germany in 1941, and incorporated into the Soviet Union from 1944 until independence was restored in 1991. However, there are differences between the countries' languages (Estonians speak a Finnic language unlike Latvia or Lithuania) and religion (Lithuanians are Catholics, Latvians are mostly Lutherans and Estonians are irreligious). Also, Lithuania is more oriented towards Central Europe, while Estonia is oriented towards Northern Europe).

Since 2004, Lithuania has been a member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Lithuania is the only Baltic country with more than 800 years of statehood tradition, while its name was first mentioned one thousand years ago, in 1009. For a period in the 15th century, Lithuania was one of the largest states in all Europe, where crafts and overseas trade prospered.

In 1579, Vilnius University, an important scientific and educational centre on the European scale, was opened. In the 16th century, Lithuania adopted its First, Second and Third Statutes. They were the backbone of the legislative system of the country, and had a major impact on the legislation of other European states of the time. Lithuania managed to keep its Third Statute in effect for as many as 250 years, which was instrumental in preservation of national and civic self-awareness of the public. The Constitution of Lithuania-Poland together with the French Constitution, both adopted in 1791, were the first written constitutions in Europe. Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire in the nineteenth century, became independent after World War I, and was annexed to the Soviet Union in 1940, before again gaining its independence in 1991.

History

[edit]

See also: Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

The lands of present-day Lithuania were inhabited by Baltic tribes, including the Lithuanians, Samogitians, and Prussians, who spoke early forms of the Baltic languages. These tribes engaged in trade with the Romans, Scandinavians, and Slavs while resisting external domination. Unlike many neighboring peoples, they maintained their pagan beliefs well into the medieval period. In ancient times Lithuanian lands were renowned for their abundance of amber. The Amber Road, a major trade route, connected the Baltic region with the Roman Empire, Greece, and the Middle East. Lithuanian amber travelled as far as Egypt, Rome, and China, where it was highly prized.

Lithuania was formed in the middle of the 13th century. The first major political unification of Lithuanian tribes occurred under King Mindaugas, who centralised power and was crowned Lithuania’s first and only king in 1253. To secure his rule, he briefly converted to Christianity, but after his assassination in 1263, Lithuania returned to paganism. Throughout the late 13th and early 14th centuries, Lithuania expanded rapidly under rulers like Gediminas (r. 1316–1341), who founded Vilnius as the capital, and his successors Algirdas and Kęstutis, who resisted the Teutonic Order, a crusading military force aiming to Christianise the region. Under Vytautas the Great (r. 1392–1430), Lithuania became one of the largest states in Europe, stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea and incorporating much of present-day Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Russia. Vytautas consolidated power, strengthened the economy, and defeated the Teutonic Knights at the Battle of Grunwald (1410) alongside the Poles, securing Lithuania’s dominance in the region. During this period, paganism gradually declined, and in 1387, under Grand Duke Jogaila, Lithuania officially converted to Christianity, aligning itself more closely with Western Europe.

Lithuania’s growing ties with Poland led to the Union of Lublin in 1569, which merged Lithuania and Poland into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a major European power. While Lithuania retained autonomy within the Commonwealth, Polish influence grew, and the Lithuanian nobility gradually adopted Polish culture and language. The Commonwealth was a centre of Renaissance culture and political innovation, with its unique system of elective monarchy and noble democracy. However, internal conflicts, wars with Muscovy, Sweden, and the Ottoman Empire, and ineffective governance weakened the state. By the 18th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth had declined due to corruption, foreign interference, and military defeats and was partitioned.

After the Commonwealth's fall most of Lithuania was annexed by the Russian Empire, ending its independence for over a century. Despite this loss, Lithuanian national identity and culture persisted, setting the stage for future struggles for independence in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Lithuania regained its independence from Russia in 1918 following World War I and the dissolution of the Czarist monarchy. However, in 1940 Lithuania was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union, and shortly thereafter occupied by the Nazis, who murdered almost its entire hitherto very prominent Jewish population and many local Poles, with help from local collaborators. Later in World War II, the Soviet Union recaptured Lithuania and also brutally persecuted and killed many Lithuanians, particularly during Stalin's reign of terror. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but this proclamation was not generally recognised until September 1991, following an abortive coup in Moscow. The Soviet Union recognised Lithuania's independence on 6 September 1991. A constitution was adopted on 25 October 1992. The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania restructured its economy for integration into Western European institutions and became a stable democracy and a member of the European Union and NATO.

Lithuania received comparatively fewer Russian immigrants than the other two Baltic states during the Soviet era, and the town of Visaginas is the only one with an ethnic Russian majority. However, ethnic Russian minorities exist in Lithuania's major cities. Lithuania was the only one of the three Baltic states to grant citizenship to its ethnic Russian minority following its independence from the Soviet Union.

See also: Lithuanian phrasebook

The official language of Lithuania is Lithuanian, making up one of two languages (along with Latvian) of the Baltic branch of the Indo-European family. Its highly complex grammar makes it a very difficult language to master. That being said, attempting to learn the language will most certainly endear you to the locals.

English is widely spoken by the younger generation who grew up after independence, but the older generation who grew up under Soviet rule typically do not speak any English. Lithuanians who speak English are usually keen to practise it with foreigners.

Russian is commonly used as a second language in Lithuania, although its use is decreasing as most younger Lithuanians prefer to study English. Notwithstanding this tendency, Lithuania is home to a sizable ethnic Russian minority who speak Russian as their first language. According to EU data, 40% of Lithuanians speak Russian. In general, older generations are more fluent in Russian than younger generations, but the younger generation that was educated after independence is more likely to speak English than Russian. Younger ethnic Russians who were educated after independence generally speak Lithuanian as a second language. Older ethnic Russians who were educated during the Soviet era, on the other hand, usually do not speak any Lithuanian.

Because of Lithuania's complicated and turbulent history with Russia, some ethnic Lithuanians may take offence if they are addressed in Russian. The usage of Russian may be interpreted as a lack of respect for Lithuanian language and culture, especially in delicate political circumstances or situations.

Other spoken languages include Polish and German, but their use is limited to a few pockets in the country.

In Samogitia (Western Lithuania), most people also speak Samogitian, which is somewhat different from Standard Lithuanian.

	Visa restrictions: Admission to Lithuania will be refused to citizens of Russia.
	(Information last updated Apr 2023)

Lithuania is a member of the Schengen Agreement. See Travelling around the Schengen Area for more information on how the scheme works, what countries are members and what the requirements are for your nationality. In summary:

• There are normally no immigration controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty; there may be such controls temporarily, such as in connection with important events and various crises.
• The operators may carry out identity checks before passengers board international flights or ferries, even between Schengen countries.
• Citizens of the EEA countries and Switzerland do not need visas to travel in the Schengen area, and may stay up to 90 days with no requirements other than having a valid ID card or passport. See European Union#EEA citizens.
• Normal visas granted by any Schengen member are valid in all countries that have signed and implemented the treaty (with exceptions for some overseas territories). The granting country may offer additional rights (such as longer stays or right to work) that apply only locally.

By train

[edit]

Lithuania has a broad-gauge railway (1520 mm / 4 ft 11 27⁄32 in), same as Latvia, Estonia, Belarus and Russia, so trains can't cross the border with Poland. "Rail Baltica" is a project to convert this to standard gauge (1435 mm / 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in), to strengthen links with the west. It's a slow process and you might encounter disruptions or substitute buses as the works grind on.

From Poland: a daily train runs from Kraków at 04:00 via Warsaw Centralna at 07:30 to reach the border towards 15:00. Here you change onto the Lithuanian train for Kaunas at 16:30 and Vilnius at 17:30. The westbound train sets off from Vilnius at noon.

Another train lumbers on Saturday and Sunday between Białystok, Marijampolė and Kaunas, an older route pre-dating the Rail Baltica line. It's slower than the Kraków-Vilnius train and you'd only use it to reach one of the towns along the old route.

From Belarus: trains from Minsk to Vilnius have been suspended since 2022.

From Russia: trains from Moscow to Kaliningrad transit Lithuania, but since 2022 they're "sealed" here, neither picking up nor setting down passengers.

From Latvia and Estonia: a daily train runs from Tallinn via Tartu to Riga, connecting with a train to Vilnius. The Riga-Vilnius section often sells out.

There is no longer a rail link between Lithuania and Daugavpils in Latvia.

• Vilnius Old Town is a 2 km strip from Aušros vartai ("Gates of Dawn") south, past the Town Hall and University quarter, to the castle, cathedral and main museum in the north. It's a part-pedestrianised mix of gothic, renaissance, baroque and neoclassical buildings, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Užupis is a boho eastern district of Vilnius that proclaimed itself a wacky independent republic.
• Trakai Island Castle is the most attractive of the country's castles for its setting, with its red towers reflected as if in an infinity pool.
• Curonian Spit is a 99 km bootlace of sand dunes and forest reached by a short ferry ride from Klaipėda. "Hill of Witches" near the village of Juodkrante is decorated with sculptures illustrating the country's folktales and legends.
• Hill of Crosses 12 km north of Šiauliai has been planted with over 100,000 crosses, from the small and simple to the huge and exuberant.
• Aukštaitija National Park is a landscape of lakes and forest, home to elk, deer and wild boar.
• Kernavė north of Vilnius is a well-preserved archaeological site.

• Beaches: Palanga has the best, long and sandy, punctuated by a curious L-shaped pier.

Curonian Spit is good for water sports on its breezy west coast. The sheltered lagoon is better for kiddy-bathing.

• Football: The men's national soccer team usually play in Kaunas, which has the country's principal sports venues. The domestic playing season is March-Nov to avoid the harsh Baltic winter. Ten clubs play in A Lyga the top tier.
• Basketball is an even bigger sport in Lithuania, and major clubs such as Žalgiris in Kaunas field basketball, soccer, ice hockey and other sports teams.
• Nemunas Delta is a wetland near Šilutė, a quiet place for bird-watching and fishing.
• Pilgrimage: Žemaičių Kalvarija is the main focus, with a "Stations of the Cross" walking route around the village.

Šiluva and the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai are two others.

Lithuanians like their meat, and eagerly consume all parts of the pig - partly this symbolises escape from repressive impoverished times. Vegetarians and vegans should do okay in Vilnius and Kaunas but may struggle elsewhere, and there's not much in the way of international cuisine, since Lithuania never drew in the overseas workforce, cultures and cuisines that you encounter in the west.

If you're given a menu in English or German, take a glance at the Lithuanian version in case it offers lower prices.

Appetisers: Piršteliai prie alaus are thin, rolled-up puff pastries served with beer. Soups include Šaltibarščiai a summer soup based on beets and soured milk, Juka (blood soup), or Cabbage soup flavoured with carrots, ham, onions. Ruginė duona - dark rye bread - goes well with soup.

Cepelinai (Zeppelins) are potato dumplings with meat. Vėdarai is sausage, a potato-stuffed pig intestine. Skilandis is pig's stomach stuffed with ground meat and garlic, cold-smoked. Plokštainis is a serving of potatoes. Bulviniai blynai are grated potato pancakes with different sauces. Virtinukai are curd patties. Kastinys is soft sour cream butter. Šaltnosiukai are dumplings filled with lingon berry.

Fish (pike or perch) may be baked whole or stuffed, or made into gefilte fish. Silkė is herring, marinated, baked, fried or served in aspic.

Wild berries, mushrooms and cheese are common ingredients, and honey and poppy seeds are commonly used as filling in pastries. For desserts, try Žagarėliai - twisted, thin deep-fried pastries dusted with powdered sugar - or Spurgos, doughnuts often filled with preserves.

Beer is the main drink: in Lithuanian ask for alus, think of "ales". Popular brands are Svyturys, Kalnapilis, Utenos, Volfas Engelman and Gubernija. These are every bit as good as international brands, without the price tag.

Vodka (degtinė) is consumed, but not as much as you might expect for East Europe, and there's only two distilleries in the whole country. Samane traditionally meant moonshine, you only concussed yourself with it because the authorities advocated sobriety, but like Irish Poitín it's become a mainstream brand.

Midus is mead, fermented honey. Its strength ranges from that of beer (3.5% abv) to that of fortified wine (20% abv) and it can be distilled into brandy or honeyjack at 40%+.

Wine: for a list of Lithuanian vineyards click ---> here <---. Until climate change alters this, sparkling wines such as Alita or Mindaugas are made from imported grape concentrates.

Alcohol cannot be sold in shops between 20:00 (15:00 on Sundays) and 10:00, but can be purchased in bars, cafes and restaurants.

In shops and cafés different tea and coffee qualities are widely available. The selection in coffee ranges from northern European brands to French ones. In coffee houses, you should expect to pay up to €1.50 for your coffee. Some cafés offer also a variety of special coffees with more or less special prices. Many cafes (kavinės) still make "lazy" coffee, which is simply coffee grounds and boiling water, unfiltered, with grounds at the bottom of the cup, often surprising the drinker - ask before you buy. Tea is usually sold at 50% of the price of coffee. Some of the wonderful drinks such as the Marganito are great for fun filled party drinks and rated one of the top kinds of wine in the country, perfect for weddings.

Unlike restaurants, or pubs aimed at tourists, bars (Baras) may be frequented by heavy drinkers and can therefore be somewhat rowdy. Nevertheless, a visit may still be very rewarding, especially if you accept an invitation to participate in karaoke.

Smoking is banned in cafés, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, discothèques and other public establishments. However, many nightclubs have internal smoking rooms, which have a degree of ventilation.

The price of accommodation depends very much on the place. For instance, in Joniškis (Northern Lithuania), you can get a good hotel room for €25 whereas an equivalent room might be as much as €100 in Vilnius. Some hotels do not have home pages. Nevertheless, the Internet helps considerably in planning.

Throughout the country, homestays, sleeping "with the grandmother", are typical. On main street of a town there are many elderly townsfolk offering spare beds in their extra rooms. These experiences are worth seeking out.

If you want to rent the apartment, the prices will be usually from €200 a month. In the biggest towns there are companies which rent apartments "to the long-time tourist or working here". In these you complete on good conditions the apartment furnished and cleaned by the cleaner. From €300.

If you are looking for an apartment for a shorter period (from a few days onwards), do a Web search for "trumpalaikė butų nuoma". This will give you some portals or sites of companies, though not all of them are available in English – some are, however, available in other languages such as German, Polish or Russian.

You will find the hotels of every town on their own interleaves. However, remember that this is the service maintained by the volunteers and you should not wait for current prices let alone that there would be all the possibilities listed.

An interesting accommodation alternative is a countryside accommodation or an own cottage. Countryside.lt offers the shining catalogue for accommodation alternatives and you find nearly all the countryside targets and a reservation system from there.

Most large cities such as Vilnius or Kaunas have an abundance of hotel options. When travelling to a popular vacation spot in the summer (like Palanga or Druskininkai) make sure to book a room in advance because demand may outnumber supply. Additionally, some of the cafes on the main highways between cities also have rooms to rent.

Lithuania has one of the best educational systems in the world. Many universities participate in student exchange programs. Most popular international university in Lithuania is LCC International University in Klaipeda. The best universities of Lithuania are Vilnius University (Vilniaus Universitetas), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilniaus Gedimino Technikos Universitetas) and Kaunas University of Technology (Kauno Technologijos Universitetas).

In Kaunas there is the biggest technical university, KTU, in the country and a medical university LSMU (Lithuanian University of Health Sciences), sports academy LKKA, music and theatre academy LMTA, agriculture university ASU and multidisciplinary University of Vytautas Magnus, VDU.

Klaipeda and Siauliai also has its own universities. In the country several lower educational institutions which go with the name kolegija (eng. college) also are found.

The course supply hangs very much from the university and there also are somewhere programmes for English. However, pay attention to the fact that Lithuania's official language is Lithuanian and in the law it has been prescribed that the Lithuanian student has a right to study in Lithuanian in Lithuania. Especially all the courses of the candidate level will be thus in Lithuanian and in the Master of Arts programmes in English the bulk of the courses is in English. Depending on the rules of the university the courses must have a certain number of foreign students attending before the lectures need to be in English (this concerns courses announced to be held in English) and if this limit is not exceeded, the lecturer may lecture, if desired, in Lithuanian.

The grading system in Lithuania is generally 1–10 in which 5-10 correspond to the accepted performances. The local students usually have to keep their average very high and still a higher one in order to get the scholarship in order to guarantee free studies. There is no financial aid for studies.

There are now many work options in Lithuania. One seldom manages working life without control of the language, therefore basic working knowledge of Lithuanian is highly recommended. You may get by with Russian or, to an increasing extent, English, although your mileage may vary.

Any EU national can work and live freely in Lithuania. However, EU nationals spending more than 90 days over an 180-day period in Lithuania need to obtain a residence title (teisės Lietuvos Respublikoje gyventi pažymėjimas or just TLRGP). This document is issued to any EU national who can provide proof of a valid health insurance (in the form of a European Health Insurance card) and a source of sufficient income (the amount is determined based upon individual circumstances). It can be applied for at Migracijos departamentas (Department of Migration). Upon obtaining the residence title, registering your residence with the municipality of residence is mandatory within a month. This requires proof, such as a rental contract, the landlord's signature on the declaration form or an extract from the land register proving your ownership. Not all immigration officials are familiar with the procedures for EU nationals (which are much less stringent than those for non-EU nationals), therefore ask if you have doubts.

Non-EU nationals need a residence permit and a registered address for working.

The Migration Department provides its services in Lithuanian, English and Russian. Visits require registration through the web site, which is also where you can indicate what language you would like to communicate in.

As of 2021, workers in Lithuania pay 20% income tax (up to €400/month are exempt from taxes for workers earning less than approx. €2700/month) and 19.5% for health and unemployment insurance. Web sites such as Atlyginimo skaičiuoklė provide an exact breakdown.

Workers are required by law to undergo periodic health inspections if they are under 18, work shifts or during night hours, or if their workplace exposes them to certain risk factors. The latter is the case even for office jobs (risks being eye strain and carpal tunnel syndrome).

In general, Lithuania is a safe country. But you should take basic safety measures:

• Take care when visiting potentially dangerous neighbourhoods at night. After dark it is safer to walk along main roads, than to take a short cut through a park or apartment complex, as these areas often have very poor lighting. Take a taxi if you are afraid of possible encounters. A thing to watch out for is bicycle theft, and it is advisable not to leave valuable things in your car.
• As in other Eastern European countries, public displays of affection between same-gender partners such as holding hands or kissing may result in a confrontation from an onlooker. Suspicion of homosexuality may also cause problems.
• Members of ethnic minorities, (particularly those of African or Asian descent), may experience some form of racism. This is not tolerated by the authorities and racist attacks are rare. However non-whites might be stared at by locals, especially in rural areas. More often than not this can be out of pure curiosity rather than malice. The issue of race relations, the history of slavery and civil rights are relatively unknown. That said, the presence of several Afro-American basketball players in the Lithuanian league does help and means that anti-Black racism is perhaps not as big a problem as other eastern European countries. Anti-Asian and anti-Roma racism is very much a common place.
• Homophobic violence is common and Lithuania has "anti-gay propaganda" laws similar to that of Russia, Poland and Ukraine.
• Driving in Lithuania is considered dangerous according to European standards. Lithuania's rapidly expanding economy has led to an increase in traffic density, thus accident rates are high. As a pedestrian, take great care when crossing the roads, as pedestrian crossings are widely ignored. When driving be careful of aggressive, quickly going and irresponsible drivers. It's better to pass them even if they are flouting rules. Keep in mind that traffic police could be corrupt. Mind the forest roads, collisions with wildlife animals can easily occur.

If bitten by a dog, wild animal or a snake, seek medical attention immediately. Snakes are not venomous in Lithuania, except for the European Viper (angis) whose bite only rarely is lethal though quite painful. A dog (šuo) or cat (katė) bite can carry the risk of rabies. Mosquitoes (uodai) carry no disease and are only an annoyance in the summer months. A forest tick (erkė) bite carries the risk of Lyme disease or encephalitis.

Tap water is suitable for drinking in many parts of Lithuania. In other areas, local people prefer to purchase bottled water or to run tap water through water filters. If you need to buy bottled water, a 5-litre bottle is not much more expensive than a one-litre bottle. Where in doubt about the tap water, seek local advice.

Mineral water is also offered in restaurants, cafés and shops, although it's a bit more expensive than tap water. Some popular brands are Birutė and Vytautas. But be warned - those are carbonated, and foreigners describe "Vytautas" as "sea water" due to its salty taste.

Lithuanians are a Baltic ethnic groups together with their brotherly Latvians; confusing them as Russians or anything else may cause offense or result in puzzled reactions.

Lithuanian is a notoriously difficult language to master and Lithuanians do not expect you to know it perfectly. Still, learning a few words of Lithuanian can go a long way.

Lithuania has a rich spiritual heritage that blends ancient pagan traditions with deep-rooted Catholic beliefs. From the sacred Hill of Crosses and Catholic churches of variuos architectural styles to ancient pagan shrines and hillforts, these sites are not just tourist attractions but places of profound cultural and religious significance to Lithuanians. Visitors should show respect by following local customs, refraining from disruptive behavior, and avoiding damage to historical artifacts. Whether lighting a candle in a church or observing silence at a pagan site, honoring these traditions fosters a deeper appreciation of Lithuania’s unique spiritual identity.

Solar symbols such as swastikas hold deep historical and cultural significance in Lithuania, primarily as one of multiple ancient Baltic pagan symbols. Long before its appropriation in the 20th century, the swastika was already widely used in Lithuanian folk art, mythology, and religious practices, symbolizing the sun, fire, and the powerful thunder god Perkūnas. It is believed to bring protection, strength, and good fortune and as such it should not be associated with nazism.

Societal attitudes towards Muslims, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities tend to be negative.

Lithuania was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union from the end of World War II until 1990. However, due to several historical events, including 19th century occupations by Tsarist Russia, territorial disputes with Poland in the early 20th century, and Soviet rule in the 20th century; discussions of disputes with neighboring countries can be sensitive. When referencing Lithuania in the context of the former USSR, it's essential to exercise caution as praising Soviet practices is unlikely to be appreciated by Lithuanians.

World War II and the Holocaust are emotional and sensitive topics for many Lithuanians.

Lithuanians may appear at times nationalist. Ethnic identities and local traditions might be taken very seriously. The history of the country is rife with invasions and confrontations. It is best to avoid superficial comments on sensitive topics such as Russian Tsarist rule, World War II, Nazi occupation, and Soviet rule.

Smiling at a Lithuanian in the street and most likely they will not respond in kindness. Smiling in Lithuania is traditionally reserved for friends; smile at a stranger and they will either think you're making fun of them and there's something wrong with their clothes or hairdo. Furthermore, an automatic Western smile is often regarded as insincere.

Lithuanians view friendships and relationships as long-term commitments; therefore, the journey to friendship is often a long process. Do not expect Lithuanians to open up to you that easily and do not be taken back if they do not show interest in you right away.

Women in the entire former USSR area are traditionally treated with respect. Female travellers should not act indignant when local male friends pay their bills at restaurants, open every door in front of them, offer their hand to help them climb down that little step or help them carry anything heavier than a handbag - this is not sexual harassment or being condescending.

As is the case throughout the Baltic countries, there is still widespread resentment and distrust towards Russia and Lithuanians are often stereotyped as "anti-Russian". Keep in mind that most Lithuanians have absolutely nothing against Russian people; rather, many of them only remain distrustful of the Russian government.

Anti-China sentiment is also high in Lithuania, and most Lithuanians are staunch supporters of the Taiwan independence movement. Taiwan's struggle for independence from China is seen by most Lithuanians as reminiscent of their own long and hard struggle for independence from the Soviet Union.

Lithuania's phone code is +370, so if calling from abroad, substitute that for the leading zero. Thus the number for Vilnius airport changes from 0612 44442 to +370 612 44442, where + denotes your local system for initiating an international call.

Land lines have a monopoly operator TEO, jointly owned by Telia of Sweden and Sonera of Finland. Land line phones and booths are still to be found, though they're retreating before the advance of mobiles. Public phones don't take cash, you need a card, obtained from newspaper kiosks and shops displaying a TEO sign.

Mobile phones have three operators: Bitė, Telia (also branded as Ezys) and Tele2 (also branded as Pildyk). About 97% of the country has at least 4G coverage, and the major cities and highways have 5G. Quiet parks and forests may have no signal. See individual city pages for more detail, which may influence your choice.

Pre-paid SIM cards are available from any kiosk or store chain for each operator. As well as price and coverage, you might want to check their deal for other countries, as EU roaming may be included in the deal or incur extra charges.

If you're staying longer and use the phone a lot, a monthly plan is better. You may have to supply proof of residence, as the companies reckon that every international crook is trying to freeload on their network. For extended stays (eg studying), get a plan that includes a mobile signature (mobilusis parašas). With this you can log in by phone to government services, banks, utilities and similar, without needing multiple apps or sign-ups.

Internet: Wifi is widely available in public places, but may be charged for. The main social media are Facebook, Instagram and Reddit, and Whatsapp is not much used.

Lietuvos paštas on a storefront does not indicate a pasta shop, nor does it deliver pizza. It's the national postal service, with a branch in almost every settlement and several in each city. Services include letter and parcel delivery, express and tracked mail and parcels, and money transfer.

• Latvia: highways and trains head north to Riga, the must-see capital. Routes west, crossing near Daugavpils, are better for transit towards Estonia.
• Estonia: Tartu and the capital Tallinn both rank as must-see. A fast ferry plies from Tallinn to Helsinki.
• Poland: the obvious destination is Warsaw, but take time to explore the country's eastern parks, where bison roam.
• Belarus since 2022 is difficult to enter. Minsk the capital is squeaky-clean, to reassure visitors that the rest of the country under its wise leadership is equally immaculate.
• Kaliningrad Oblast as part of Russia is likewise difficult. The main city Kaliningrad was once Königsberg in Prussia.