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Vilnius skyline over river with bridge

Lithuania travel guide

Baltic old towns, lake castles and a quiet coastline, best explored from late spring to early autumn

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 travellers who want cobbled old towns, pine forests and a slower Baltic coast rather than big-ticket sights. Vilnius and Kaunas work well for city breaks, Trakai for its lake castle, and Klaipėda for coastal air. May, June, August and September are the best months, with warmer, longer days than the rest of the year. The honest limitation: Klaipėda and the coast only make the best-months list for June and September, so the swimming season is short.

  • A lake castle in Trakai

    Trakai Island Castle sits a short trip from Vilnius and takes about half a day to see properly. It's one of the few lake castles in Europe, and Trakai itself is small enough to pair with a longer Vilnius stay.

  • Vilnius Old Town, a full day's worth

    Vilnius, home to 581,475 people, has an Old Town that needs a full day to explore. Add the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights for a few hours of 20th-century history alongside the baroque streets.

  • The Curonian Spit on the coast

    Klaipėda is Lithuania's main coastal city, with 158,420 people. From here the Curonian Spit near Nida offers a full day or more of dunes and forest between the Baltic Sea and a lagoon.

  • The Hill of Crosses, a quick but striking stop

    Near Šiauliai, the Hill of Crosses takes only about an hour to visit but has thousands of crosses left by pilgrims over decades. It works well as a stop between Vilnius or Kaunas and the coast.

  • Warm months without the peak crowds

    May, June, August and September are the country's best months, giving a longer window than just midsummer. Druskininkai, a small spa town of 13,170 people, and Kaunas's Old Town both suit these shoulder months well.

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: November

1.2/10
Avg high
5°C
Avg low
1°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

A Week Across Lithuania

  1. Day 1–3

    Vilnius

    Spend a full day in Vilnius Old Town, then visit the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights for a few hours. Use the extra day to explore at a slower pace.

  2. Day 4

    Trakai

    Take half a day to see Trakai Island Castle on its lake, a short trip from Vilnius.

  3. Day 5

    Kaunas

    Spend half a day walking Kaunas Old Town.

  4. Day 6–7

    Klaipėda

    Finish on the coast. Use one full day or more for the Curonian Spit, with time to relax in Klaipėda itself.

10 days

Ten Days Around Lithuania

  1. Day 1–3

    Vilnius

    Give Vilnius Old Town a full day, then add a few hours at the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights. Keep a third day free to wander the city.

  2. Day 4

    Trakai

    Spend half a day at Trakai Island Castle by the lake.

  3. Day 5–6

    Kaunas

    Take half a day for Kaunas Old Town, with a second day to explore the city further.

  4. Day 7–8

    Druskininkai

    Spend time in Druskininkai, including a few hours at nearby Grūtas Park with its Soviet-era statues.

  5. Day 9–10

    Klaipėda

    End on the coast with a full day or more on the Curonian Spit, plus time in Klaipėda before departing.

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

These are large potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat or curd cheese, served with sour cream and bacon bits. They are a national dish eaten across Lithuania, often as a hearty lunch or dinner.

Šaltibarščiai

A cold beet soup made with buttermilk or kefir, usually pink in colour and served with boiled potatoes on the side. It is popular in warmer months as a refreshing starter.

Kibinai

Small pastries filled with meat, usually mutton, and baked until crisp. They come from the Karaim community in Trakai and are a common snack or light meal there.

Šakotis

A tall, spiky cake made by pouring batter over a rotating spit so it bakes in layers. It is traditionally served at weddings and other celebrations.

Kepta duona

Deep-fried slices of dark rye bread, often rubbed with garlic and served with a cheese dip. It is a common bar snack found across the country.

Midus

A traditional honey-based alcoholic drink similar to mead. It has roots in Lithuanian history and is still made and sold today, especially around festive occasions.

Know before you go

  • Currency: Lithuania uses the Euro. Cards are widely accepted, but it's useful to carry some cash for small purchases.
  • Language: Lithuanian is the official language. English is common in Vilnius and other cities, especially among younger people.
  • Plugs and voltage: Lithuania uses plug types C and F, with a voltage of 220 V. Travellers from countries with different plug types will need an adapter.
  • Driving side: Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road in Lithuania.
  • Emergency number: The general emergency number in Lithuania is 112. This connects to police, fire, and medical services.
  • Calling code: Lithuania's international calling code is +370. Useful to know if you need to contact local numbers from abroad.
  • Timezone: Lithuania is in the UTC+02:00 timezone. Check the time difference with your home country before you arrive.

Lithuania: frequently asked questions

Is Lithuania good to visit in August?

Yes, August is one of the best months, scoring 7.6 out of 10. Vilnius highs reach 23.1°C and lows stay near 13.9°C, so it's warm without being hot. There are 11.7 rain days and 89 mm of rain, so pack a light rain jacket, but sunshine still averages 11.3 hours a day.

What is the best month to visit Lithuania?

September scores highest at 8 out of 10. Highs average 18°C and lows 10°C, giving mild, comfortable days. Rain drops to 9.9 days and 56 mm, the lowest rainy-day count of the warmer months, making it a reliable choice for sightseeing outdoors.

Is Lithuania cold in January?

Yes. January is the coldest month, with highs of only -1°C and lows of -5.3°C. It also scores just 0.9 out of 10 on the travel scale. Sunshine is scarce at 2.1 hours a day, and there are 13.8 rain or snow days, so short, dark days are the norm.

How many days do I need in Lithuania?

The fact pack doesn't give a fixed trip length, but the five main destinations suggest a route of several days: Vilnius (581,475 people), Kaunas, coastal Klaipėda, spa town Druskininkai, and lakeside Trakai. Covering the capital plus two or three of these towns typically needs at least 5 to 7 days.

Does it rain a lot in Lithuania in summer?

July is the wettest month, with 110 mm of rain over 13.9 rain days, more than any other month. June and August are drier, with 68 mm and 89 mm. Despite the July rain, the month still scores 7 out of 10, since temperatures stay warm at 22.7°C.

What is the weather like in Vilnius in winter?

Winter in Vilnius is cold and dark. December, January and February all score below 2 out of 10. Highs stay near or below freezing, from -1°C in January to 1.4°C in February, and sunshine is minimal, around 1.4 to 3.9 hours a day.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Lithuania.