First-time visitors
First visits often include seeing Vilnius Old Town, touring Trakai Castle, and visiting the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai. Hot air balloon rides near Vilnius offer unique views in summer.
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Preview travel guide
Things to do in Lithuania
Lithuania offers historic sites and natural landscapes including the Hill of Crosses and the Curonian Spit. This page lists available tours and tickets from partners like GetYourGuide, with practical tips while a full editorial guide is in development.
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Editor’s preview picks
Bookable experiences in Lithuania
A short list of bookable tours and tickets in Lithuania — Hill of Crosses, Trakai Castle, Curonian Spit and hot air balloon flights near Vilnius.
4.8(1280)
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From Riga: Hill of Crosses and Jelgava Gems Tour
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4.3(1165)
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Vilnius: Trakai Tour with Audio Guide and Minibus Transfers
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4.8(21)
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Vilnius or Trakai: Hot Air Balloon Flights
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4.9(794)
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From Riga: Hill of Crosses & Jelgava Tour + Local Drink
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4.9(138)
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Trakai: Hot Air Balloon Ride
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4.9(85)
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Day group tour: Curonian Spit (Neringa) from Klaipeda (EN)
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Plan by travel style
How are you travelling?
A starting point for shaping the trip around the way you actually travel — not a fixed itinerary.
Families
Families can enjoy the Curonian Spit’s beaches and nature trails, visit Trakai with its castle and lakeside setting, and take gentle walking tours around Vilnius Old Town.
See suggested experiencesCouples
Evenings in Vilnius feature quiet walks in Užupis or along the Neris River, and hot air balloon flights near Vilnius or Trakai provide a distinctive shared experience.
See suggested experiencesCulture lovers
Cultural visitors should consider the Lithuanian National Museum, the Palace of the Grand Dukes in Vilnius, and the hilltop Gediminas’ Tower for historical context.
See suggested experiencesFood & local flavour
Food-focused visitors can try local markets in Vilnius such as Hales Market, sample traditional cepelinai dishes, and attend small-group tasting tours in the capital.
See suggested experiencesEasy wins / short stays
A 2-3 day trip can include a morning in Vilnius Old Town, an afternoon at Trakai Castle, and a day trip to the Hill of Crosses or the Curonian Spit from Klaipeda.
See suggested experiencesTop experiences by type
Browse by what you want to do
Landmark tickets
Look for tickets to Trakai Castle, Gediminas’ Tower in Vilnius, and Hill of Crosses tours near Šiauliai.
See optionsMuseums & culture
Key museums include the Lithuanian National Museum, Vilnius Cathedral Museum, and the KGB Museum (Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights).
See optionsWalking tours
Walking tours of Vilnius Old Town and the bohemian Užupis district provide detailed local insight.
See optionsFood & wine
Food experiences include market visits at Hales Market and guided tastings of traditional Lithuanian dishes in Vilnius.
See optionsRiver & boat tours
Boat tours along the Neris River in Vilnius and coastal trips near Klaipeda showcase Lithuania’s waterways.
See optionsDay trips
Day trips to the Hill of Crosses, Curonian Spit from Klaipeda, and Jelgava from Riga are popular options.
See optionsFamily activities
Family activities include visits to Trakai Castle, beach time on the Curonian Spit, and casual walking tours in Vilnius.
See optionsTransfers & practical travel
Transfers are commonly arranged from Vilnius Airport to city or Trakai, and from Klaipeda to the Curonian Spit.
See optionsTrip-planning notes
A short guide to Lithuania
What should you book ahead in Lithuania?
Popular attractions like Trakai Castle and hot air balloon rides near Vilnius and Trakai should be booked several weeks in advance, especially from May to September when demand peaks. The day trip to the Curonian Spit from Klaipeda also fills up quickly during summer months. The Hill of Crosses tours departing from Riga can require advance booking during spring and summer weekends. Planning ahead ensures availability for these specific experiences.
What can usually wait until you arrive?
Casual activities like wandering Vilnius Old Town, visiting local markets such as Hales Market, and dining at neighbourhood restaurants can usually be arranged on the spot. Walks through Užupis or along the Neris River generally require no advance booking. Similarly, spontaneous visits to smaller museums or cafés in Vilnius and Trakai are flexible and readily accessible throughout the year.
Tickets, guided tours or passes?
Single-entry tickets for landmarks like Trakai Castle are suitable if you prefer an unstructured visit, but guided tours provide context, such as the Hill of Crosses & Jelgava Gems Tour from Riga. Combo passes are less common but some providers bundle hot air balloon flights with transfers. Guided tours often include transport logistics which may be useful when visiting remote sites like the Curonian Spit.
A simple first-trip plan
Start with a morning walk in Vilnius Old Town, including Gediminas’ Tower, then head to Trakai Castle in the afternoon. Evening options include a hot air balloon flight near Vilnius if in season. On a following day, consider a day trip to the Hill of Crosses or the Curonian Spit from Klaipeda. This itinerary covers historical and natural landmarks with manageable travel time.
Quick answers
The short version
Direct answers to the questions most travellers actually ask before they book.
- Best things to do in Lithuania for first-time visitors
- First-time visitors should focus on Vilnius Old Town, Trakai Castle, the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, and optionally a hot air balloon ride around Vilnius or Trakai during summer months.
- What should you book ahead in Lithuania?
- Book Trakai Castle tours and hot air balloon flights well in advance, especially from May to September. The Curonian Spit day trip from Klaipeda also often sells out during peak season.
- Best Lithuania experiences by travel style
- Families benefit from the Curonian Spit and Trakai Castle visits; couples may prefer evening walks in Užupis and balloon rides; culture lovers focus on museums in Vilnius; food enthusiasts should visit local markets and tasting tours.
- How to choose tours and tickets in Lithuania
- Choose guided tours for remote sites like Hill of Crosses or Curonian Spit for transport convenience, whereas single tickets work for urban landmarks like Vilnius museums. Combo options for balloon flights plus transfers can add value.
- Simple first-trip plan for Lithuania
- Spend a morning in Vilnius Old Town, an afternoon at Trakai Castle, and a day trip to Hill of Crosses or the Curonian Spit, balancing cultural and natural highlights within easy reach.
Compare booking partners
Compare more Lithuania tours and tickets
Each partner has a different sweet spot. Use this as a shortcut to the right catalogue for what you're trying to book.
Headout
Best for Vilnius museums and city tickets
Headout offers efficient entry tickets to key Vilnius landmarks and museums with straightforward booking.
Browse HeadoutGetYourGuide
Best for tours and day trips in Lithuania
GetYourGuide provides a wide selection of Lithuania day trips and multi-attraction tours including Hill of Crosses and Curonian Spit.
Browse GetYourGuideTiqets
Best for museum timed entry in Vilnius
Tiqets specializes in timed entry tickets for Vilnius museums like the Lithuanian National Museum and Palace of the Grand Dukes.
Browse TiqetsViator
Best for comprehensive tours and day trips
Viator offers a broad range of Lithuania tours including transfers, making it suitable for complex multi-stop itineraries.
Browse ViatorFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Lithuania
- Visit Vilnius Old Town, Trakai Castle, and the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai. Hot air balloon rides near Vilnius or Trakai provide a different perspective during summer.
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