9 Days in Lithuania | Exploring Kaunas & Trakai

Are you planning a trip to the Baltics? Make sure you don’t miss Lithuania!

It is a marvellous country, famous for its landscapes, flatlands, abundant forests and lakes, which has so much to offer. Nine days weren’t enough for us!

We spent our first night in a hostel and the remaining days at a local in Vilnius. A Japanese living in Vilnius!

We love staying with locals during our travels as we learn more about different cultures. And, of course, who can tell you about the hidden spots more than the locals themselves?

On one particular night, our host Hinano greeted us with two of her friends, Mark and Lukas, whom she met unexpectedly in Lithuania. Coincidently, they were doing a backpacking adventure similar to ours and started exactly the same day we started ours! We spent the night exchanging our travel experiences, which was a night full of fun and laughter.

Vilnius

Vilnius, the Capital of Lithuania, is a city full of attractions and places one must visit.

Top Attractions in Vilnius 

Vilnius Cathedral

Vilnius Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic Cathedral of Lithuania and is situated in Old Town, just off Cathedral Square.

Neris River

The Neris River, which is 510km in length, is, in fact, in northern Belarus; however, it flows westward, passing through Vilnius and in the south-centre of that country, it flows into the Nemunas, at Kaunas, as its main tributary.

Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square, the main square of Vilnius Old Town, reflects diversity. It’s a popular location with locals at the crosswalk of the city’s main streets. 

The Theotokos Orthodox Cathedral

This Cathedral was a temple for metropolitan bishops of Kyiv of the Ruthenian Orthodox Church and the Ruthenian Uniate Church within the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1415 to 1795.

Vilnius Old Town

Vilnius Old Town is a striking UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its winding streets, historical buildings and beautiful churches.

The Roman Catholic Church of St. Francis of Assisi (Bernardine) 

This Roman Catholic church is found in the Old Town of Vilnius, located next to St. Anne’s Church. It’s dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi and Bernardino of Siena.

We spent most of our days wandering around the beautiful Vilnius streets filled with good vibes.

Kaunas

If you love photogenic places, you should visit Kaunas.

Kaunas, chosen as the European Capital of Culture 2022, was awarded the European Heritage Label and is on the way to UNESCO. Kaunas is the only city in the world where most of the style of the buildings has survived till today.

Must see and do in Kaunas

Walk around the streets and the picturesque Town Hall.

Visit the marvellous Courtyard Gallery.

See the WW2 Jewish Ghetto.

Stopover at the confluence of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris.

Taste the traditional Lithuanian food. We loved the Su Prieskoniais Keptas Baltasis Sūris.

Trakai 

If you visit Vilnius, Trakai is a must-see.

Trakai is a historic city and lake resort in Lithuania that lies 28km west of Vilnius. We recommend spending a full day in Trakai.

Getting There 

You have two options.

Option 1: Take the bus from the main Vilnius bus terminal to Trakai, which runs every 20-30 minutes throughout the day. It takes approximately 30-45 minutes. You get off at the last stop.

Option 2: Take the 30-minute train from Vilnius Railway Station every 2-3 hours.

Co-Ordinates: 54.6704383112292, 25.284257584988328 

Whatever you choose is a matter of timing as they both cost around €2 each way.

Trakai Town

Before getting to Trakai Island Castle, first, you need to pass through the town. You’ll enjoy walking across several lakes next to typical Baltic wooden houses in town. 

Trakai Island Castle 

Along the way to the castle, you’ll walk over a series of bridges and islands. The amount of colourful paddle boats on the crystal clear water makes the atmosphere more eye-catching. Once you reach the shores of Lake Galve, you will be amazed by the colour and the form of this majestic castle.

After some time at the castle, you can enjoy the rest of the day walking along the lake, taking the most scenic photos and appreciating the calmness of this place. You can find souvenir shops and restaurants along the lake. If you like, you can also go on a tour lake cruise around the castle that costs around €5.

Where to Stay in Lithuania 

For backpackers: If you’re staying in Vilnius, we suggest Jimmy Jumps Hostel a modern hostel located right by the Town Hall. You’ll find everything necessary for a comfortable stay.

For all travellers: In Lithuania, there are several accommodation options from hotels, guesthouses and apartments. We suggest you search for options through Booking.com.

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