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Vilnius skyline over river with bridge

Lithuania travel guide

A compact Northern European country for unhurried city hopping, from Vilnius to coastal Klaipėda

Best: May, Jun, Aug, Sep

Photo: Omar ‎ / Pexels

Capital
Vilnius
Language
Lithuanian
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+02:00
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112
Entry
EU and Schengen area

Why visit Lithuania

Lithuania suits a slow, city-based trip. The country covers 65,300 km², so distances stay short. Start in Vilnius, the capital, then add Kaunas, Trakai and Druskininkai. The best months are May, June, August and September, and all inland cities share roughly this window. One limitation: the coast has a shorter season. In Klaipėda, only June and September make the list of best months. Plan beach time with that in mind.

  • Vilnius Old Town and recent history

    Vilnius, the capital, has about 581,475 people. Plan a full day to walk its Old Town. Add a few hours for the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights. September, June, August and May are the best months to visit the city.

  • Trakai Island Castle

    Trakai is a small town of about 5,912 people, and its Island Castle is the main reason to go. Half a day is enough for the visit. The best months match the capital's: September, June, August and May.

  • The Curonian Spit coast

    The Curonian Spit, in Neringa (Nida), needs a full day or more. Klaipėda is Lithuania's coastal city, with about 158,420 people. June and September are its best months.

  • Kaunas, a second city break

    Kaunas has about 305,120 people. Its Old Town takes about half a day to explore, so it fits into a short trip. September, June and May are the best months to go.

  • Short stops beyond the cities

    The Hill of Crosses, near Šiauliai, takes about an hour. Grūtas Park, near Druskininkai, a town of about 13,170 people, needs a few hours. The country covers 65,300 km² and uses the Euro, so planning a route is simple.

Is Lithuania right for you?

Great for

  • Summer city breaks in June to August, with Vilnius highs of 22.5–23.1°C and 11–13 sun hours a day
  • Travellers who dislike strong heat, as the warmest month, August, peaks at only 23.1°C
  • Shoulder-season trips in May or September, with highs of 17.6–18°C and fewer rain days in September
  • Multi-city trips linking Vilnius, Kaunas, Trakai, Druskininkai and coastal Klaipėda, which share June and September as best months
  • Eurozone visitors, since Lithuania uses the euro

Less ideal for

  • Sun-seekers in winter, as December averages just 1.4 sun hours a day and January 2.1
  • Travellers who mind rain in July, the wettest month with 110 mm over 13.9 days
  • People who dislike cold, with January lows averaging -5.3°C in Vilnius
  • Hot beach holidays, since summer highs in Vilnius stay around 23°C

Lithuania right now: October

3.8/10
Avg high
11°C
Avg low
5°C
Rain days
13

Averages for Vilnius.

Weather by month

In Vilnius, the best weather runs from May to September, when highs reach 17.6–23.1°C and days get up to 13 hours of sun, though July is the wettest month with 110 mm of rain. December and January are the toughest months, with highs of -1°C to 1.3°C, about 14–15 rain days and only 1.4–2.1 hours of sun a day.

Average highs and lows in Vilnius by month January: high -1°C, low -5°C , 14 rain days . February: high 1°C, low -4°C , 12 rain days . March: high 6°C, low -2°C , 10 rain days . April: high 12°C, low 2°C , 11 rain days . May: high 18°C, low 7°C , 12 rain days . June: high 23°C, low 13°C , 11 rain days . July: high 23°C, low 14°C , 14 rain days . August: high 23°C, low 14°C , 12 rain days . September: high 18°C, low 10°C , 10 rain days . October: high 11°C, low 5°C , 13 rain days . November: high 5°C, low 1°C , 13 rain days . December: high 1°C, low -2°C , 15 rain days . -1°C -5°C JAN 14d 1°C -4°C FEB 12d 6°C -2°C MAR 10d 12°C 2°C APR 11d 18°C 7°C MAY 12d 23°C 13°C JUN 11d 23°C 14°C JUL 14d 23°C 14°C AUG 12d 18°C 10°C SEP 10d 11°C 5°C OCT 13d 5°C 1°C NOV 13d 1°C -2°C DEC 15d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Vilnius · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Lithuania: month-by-month weather →

Where to go in Lithuania

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Vilnius, Trakai and Kaunas in one week

  1. Day 1–3

    Vilnius

    Give a full day to Vilnius Old Town. Spend a few hours at the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, then use the rest of your time to explore the capital slowly.

  2. Day 4

    Trakai

    Trakai Island Castle takes about half a day. Trakai is a small town of about 5,912 people, so one day here feels unhurried.

  3. Day 5–7

    Kaunas

    Kaunas Old Town needs about half a day. That leaves plenty of time to get to know a city of about 305,120 people at an easy pace.

10 days

Inland Lithuania to the coast

  1. Day 1–3

    Vilnius

    Start in the capital with a full day in Vilnius Old Town. Add a few hours at the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights.

  2. Day 4

    Trakai

    Spend about half a day at Trakai Island Castle, then enjoy the quiet of a town of about 5,912 people.

  3. Day 5–6

    Druskininkai

    Grūtas Park, near Druskininkai, takes a few hours. The town has about 13,170 people, and its best months are May, June, August and September.

  4. Day 7–8

    Kaunas

    Kaunas Old Town needs about half a day. Use the second day to see more of the city at your own pace.

  5. Day 9–10

    Klaipėda

    Finish in Klaipėda, the only coastal city on this route. Its best months are June and September.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

Senamiestis

Vilnius

Good for first-timers, sightseeing, nightlife

The UNESCO-listed Old Town packs baroque churches, cobbled lanes, courtyards, cafés and bars into a compact, walkable area. You can reach most major sights on foot, and Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower and the Gates of Dawn are all close by. Cobblestones are tough on suitcases, and streets such as Vokiečių and Pilies can be loud late on weekend nights.

Food to try in Lithuania

Cepelinai

Large potato dumplings, usually filled with minced meat, curd cheese or mushrooms. They are often served with a sauce of sour cream and fried bacon, and many locals call them the national dish.

Šaltibarščiai

A cold, bright pink soup made with beetroot, kefir, cucumber, dill and egg. It is eaten mostly in warm weather, usually with hot boiled potatoes on the side.

Kibinai

Baked pastries filled with meat or vegetables, brought to Lithuania by the Karaim community. Trakai, near Vilnius, is the best-known place to try them.

Kugelis

A baked pudding of grated potato, egg and bacon, cut into squares. It is a filling home-style dish, often served with sour cream in cafés and family kitchens.

Šakotis

A tall 'tree cake' baked in layers on a turning spit over an open fire, which gives it many branch-like spikes. It is common at weddings, Christmas and other celebrations.

Gira

A lightly fizzy drink made from fermented rye bread, with little or no alcohol. You can find it in shops and cafés, and it is especially popular on hot days.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Lithuania uses plug types C and F, the round two-pin plugs common across continental Europe. The supply is 220 V. Bring an adapter if your plugs differ, and check that your devices accept 220 V.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right in Lithuania. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts during your first days.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 for police, fire or ambulance. This is the same emergency number used across the European Union, and it works from any phone.
  • Currency: Lithuania uses the Euro. If you travel from another Eurozone country, you can use the same cash and cards without changing money.
  • Language: The official language is Lithuanian. Learning a few basic words, such as greetings and thank you, is a polite way to start conversations with locals.
  • Time zone: Lithuania is on UTC+02:00. Check the time difference from home before you book transport or plan calls, especially if you are arriving from outside Europe.
  • Calling code: The country calling code is +370. Add it before local numbers when you call Lithuania from abroad, or when you save hotel and tour contacts on your phone.

Lithuania: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Lithuania?

The best months to visit Lithuania are May, June, August and September. September scores highest at 8. In Vilnius it has highs of 18°C and only 9.9 rain days, the fewest of the year. June is the sunniest month, with 13.1 hours of sun a day and highs of 22.5°C. These figures are averages for Vilnius from 2015–2024.

Is Lithuania good in July?

Yes, July is a good month for Lithuania, with a score of 7. It is warm, with highs of 22.7°C and lows of 14°C in Vilnius. It is also the wettest month. Rain averages 110 mm over 13.9 days, so bring a rain jacket and plan some indoor options. You still get about 11.9 hours of sunshine a day.

What is the weather like in Lithuania in winter?

Winter in Lithuania is cold, grey and dark. In Vilnius, January has highs of -1°C and lows of -5.3°C. December gets only 1.4 hours of sunshine a day and has 14.9 wet days, the most of the year. Pack warm layers and waterproof shoes. Winter suits travellers who like cold, quiet city breaks with short days.

Is spring a good time to visit Lithuania?

Late spring is good, but early spring is still cold. March has highs of only 6°C and lows of -1.7°C in Vilnius. April is milder, with highs of 11.7°C, and is rated ok. By May, highs reach 17.6°C and sunshine rises to 11.7 hours a day. That is why May is one of the best months.

When is the best time to visit Klaipėda on the coast?

June and September are the best months for Klaipėda, Lithuania's coastal city. For inland places like Vilnius, Trakai and Druskininkai, May, June, August and September all score well. Kaunas is best in May, June and September.

What currency and plugs does Lithuania use?

Lithuania uses the euro. Power sockets are type C and F, at 220 V. The time zone is UTC+02:00, and cars drive on the right. The emergency number is 112. The calling code is +370. The language is Lithuanian.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Lithuania.