12 amazing experiences only in Lithuania

From visiting the mysterious Hill of Crosses to missile silos…, Lithuania offers unique experiences that make every trip a memorable one.

When in Lithuania, don't miss the chance to take a day trip from Vilnius to Trakai village to admire the fairytale beauty of Trakai Castle, which stands out among the clear blue waters of Lake Galvė. (Source: kimkim)

Lying modestly on the Baltic coast, Lithuania is not a name often mentioned on the European tourist map. However, it is precisely this seclusion and lack of ostentation that makes Lithuania so attractive. This is a place where the beauty of Baroque and Art Deco architecture converges, where the past intertwines with modern life, where pristine nature goes hand in hand with a promising emerging cuisine .

While the capital Vilnius and cities like Kaunas have a contemporary urban feel, traditional craft villages, ancient forests and pristine coastlines coexist, making Lithuania a unique destination.

Here are 12 unique experiences that can only be found in Lithuania, things that will make your trip an unforgettable journey.

Cycling along the white sands of the Curonian Spit

On the Curonian Spit, giant sand dunes appear overwhelmingly as a wonder in the middle of wild nature. (Source: Getty Images)

Curonian Spit is a narrow sand strip just over 1km wide, lying across the Baltic Sea, where you can cycle through pine forests while admiring giant sand dunes, likened to the "Lithuania Sahara".

Here, the four fishing villages of Nida, Juodkrantė, Pervalka and Preila offer a peaceful atmosphere, especially when you cycle along the trails from Nida to Juodkrantė.

Not only that, this is the ideal place to conquer high points such as Parnidis and Vecekrugas hills to see the vast "dead sand dunes".

In the Juodkrantė Forest, Witches' Hill is home to strange wooden sculptures of demons, witches and legendary figures. Those who love legends will find this place like another world – both mysterious and fascinating.

Slow living in Dzūk craft village

Fresh mushrooms picked during the famous Varėna mushroom festival. (Source: Wikimedia)

In southern Lithuania, deep in the forests of Dzūkija Park, there are still villages where people still harvest with sickles, weave linen and wool by hand, weave baskets and carve wooden statues as their ancestors did centuries ago.

To experience this way of life, there is nothing better than a farm stay, walking or cycling through the forest paths and chatting with ceramic artisans on the 12km long “Secrets of the Black Clay” route, a journey that leads visitors to discover traditional ceramic art through craft villages.

If you come during mushroom season, from August to November, you can join the famous Varėna mushroom festival and join the locals in picking mushrooms in the forest as an autumn ritual.

Contemplation on the Hill of Crosses

Hill of Crosses with thousands of crosses creates a sacred scene. (Source: 500px)

About 10km from the city of Šiauliai, a small hill covered with crosses appears like a spiritual mirage. Thousands of crosses of all sizes, materials and styles – from elaborate wrought iron to rustic carved wood – are interspersed with statues of sorrowful Jesus and rosaries.

Formed in the 14th century, the Hill of Crosses was once a place where people silently planted crosses during the Soviet era, an act of resistance and indomitable faith, all together telling the story of a resilient nation.

Stroll through Kaunas' Art Deco architecture

Panorama of Kaunas old town. (Source: Wikipedia)

Kaunas, the ancient capital of Lithuania, boasts one of the richest Art Deco architectural heritages in the Baltic region.

Starting from the old town with its medieval castle and cobblestone streets, you can walk along Laisvės alėja boulevard to the new town to discover the Church of the Resurrection (1933), the Romuva cinema (1940), unique museums such as the Art Deco museum and the Amsterdam School of Architecture museum.

Here, you will step into original apartments from the 20th century, sip sparkling wine and listen to everyday stories from the former owners, an experience rarely found anywhere else.

Trekking to the lake in the Aukštaitija forest

Live like a true Lithuanian by making the most of your summer at Aukštaitija National Park. (Source: Shutterstock)

Lithuania's oldest national park, Aukštaitija, is where city dwellers head every summer.

With pine forests, blue lakes and traditional small villages, this place is ideal for those who love hiking, swimming, boating or simply strolling in nature.

You can conquer Ladakalnis hill, which was once a sacred pagan site, visit the ancient Stripeikiai beekeeping museum, the 19th-century Ginučiai watermill or go picking wild strawberries and blueberries.

In particular, when you come here, visit Ignalina, the town with the most accommodation and dining services, and Palūšė - the center of water sports activities.

Enjoy the traditional beer of Biržai village

For centuries, Lithuanians have been brewing beer, constantly inventing new recipes and incorporating the drink into both traditional ceremonies and intimate family gatherings. (Source: Vilnius with locals)

In northern Lithuania, beer brewing has been around for over 1,000 years. The traditional kaimiškas alus, unfiltered and unpasteurized, brewed with hops and local barley, nearly disappeared during the Soviet era, but is now enjoying a strong revival, especially in the Biržai region.

At the Rinkuškiai brewery, you can take a tour of the brewing process from malting barley to fermentation and bottling, ending with a tasting of six signature beers: from dark beer, to golden ale, to kvass (gira) with its distinctive smoky flavour.

If you come during the beer festival in August, you will be immersed in the vibrant atmosphere when the whole town sells craft beer on the streets.

Explore Vilnius Old Town

No trip to Lithuania would be complete without a stroll through Vilnius' charming old town. (Source: Shutterstock)

Lithuania's capital Vilnius is a difficult place to choose a destination, with every corner fascinating. The Old Town with its Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture is almost completely preserved and still inhabited.

You can explore the ancient Vilnius University, the Cathedral Square with its leaning bell tower, and Gediminas Hill overlooking the entire city.

Museums such as the MO (Contemporary Art), Holocaust Museum or the Museum of Combat and Occupation offer visitors an insight into modern history. In particular, the former Soviet prison Lukiškės 2.0 impresses as a center of culture and creativity in the capital Vilnius.

Don't forget to visit Trakai, a town not far from Vilnius, to see the ancient castle located on an island in the middle of Lake Galvė and enjoy the typical kybinai dish of the Karaite minority.

Mineral baths in Druskininkai

Druskininkai Water Park is where visitors can enjoy mineral baths, treatments and water activities. (Source: Akvapark)

Since the 18th century, the spa town of Druskininkai has been famous for its healing saltwater. Today, many spas still offer treatments such as salt mud baths, deep massages and oxygen therapy.

Not far away is Grūtas Park – where statues of Lenin, Stalin and artifacts from the Soviet era are still preserved. This is also an attractive destination for those curious about this special historical period.

Bird watching at the Nemunas River Delta

In the Nemunas River Delta, visitors can easily spot great crested grebes and many other impressive rare bird species. (Source: Shutterstock)

The area where the Nemunas River flows into the Curonian Lagoon, south of the port city of Klaipėda, is home to 270 bird species (out of a total of 294 in the country). It is a bird lover's paradise.

On the way to Ventės Cape, visitors will see white storks nesting on electricity poles, flocks of migrating geese, cranes and sparrows flying overhead.

In autumn and spring, the Ventės Ragas bird observatory is an unmissable stop to admire the migratory birds from the Arctic to East Africa.

Down to the nuclear missile silo in Žemaitija

Visitors to the nuclear missile base in Žemaitija must strictly follow safety regulations. (Source: Gnome Trotting)

Deep in the woods of Žemaitija National Park is the only remaining nuclear missile base in the Baltic region – which once housed four SS-4 missiles with enough power to flatten all of Europe. Exploring underground bunkers, command rooms, and multimedia displays also reminds visitors of the most tense period of the Cold War.

Summer fun at Palanga beach

In the summer, Palanga becomes an indispensable destination for tourists visiting Lithuania. (Source: Getty)

Since Soviet times, Palanga has been Lithuania’s most popular summer holiday destination. During the day, the pedestrianised Basanavičiaus Street is bustling with games, music and lights. At night, it transforms into a party paradise.

Just a few steps into the coastal pine forest, you can enjoy the deserted sand and cool blue water.

The Amber Museum in the vast botanical park displays over 15,000 specimens of Baltic amber, from ancient insects buried in gemstones to modern jewelry by contemporary artisans, all displayed in an ancient palace in the middle of a vast botanical park.

Visit the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant

The Ignalina nuclear power plant is part of the Soviet industrial legacy that remains in Lithuania. (Source: Getty)

If you’ve seen the 2019 HBO series Chernobyl , you’ll recognize the Ignalina plant. Although it’s been decommissioned due to its Chernobyl-like design, it’s still open to “nuclear” tourists, with a three-hour VR tour of the turbine room, control room, and historical exhibits.

Afterwards, you can continue your experience at the simulation center – where staff were trained to handle incidents. A trip not for the faint-hearted, but a rare glimpse into post-war energy and memories.

Lithuania is not a noisy destination or one that tries to attract tourists with flashy slogans. But it is this silence that creates an irresistible attraction, as if this place is waiting for us to calm down, to see in every sand dune, old wooden roof or traditional beer a whole stream of memories and identity.

In Lithuania, visitors not only travel through space, but also take a journey back in time: step into the ancient village of Dzūkija to hear the sound of weaving in the pine forest; place your hand on a small cross in the middle of a windy hill and feel the faith spread from many generations; or simply sit quietly by Plateliai Lake, letting the afternoon light spread on the water surface.

Like nowhere else, experiences in Lithuania have a very unique nuance, simple but unforgettable. And when leaving, perhaps the most profound thing that remains is not a specific destination, but the feeling of having returned home.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/12-trai-nghiem-tuyet-voi-chi-co-o-lithuania-317475.html