Lithuania is a beautiful and green country where you meet rural idyll, vast beaches, medieval towns with impressive castles and fortresses – where, among other things, crusaders and princes have lived – and a population that is proud, humorous and protects its national identity. Lithuania is the southernmost of the three Baltic countries, and the largest and most populous.
See trips to Lithuania
Residents: 2.9 million
Capital: Vilnius
Language: Lithuanian
that Lithuania’s female president Dalia Grybauskaité has a black belt in karate?
that in Lithuania there is a hill with about 100,000 crosses? In addition to the crosses, pilgrims have also left behind crucifixes, statues and wreaths, and the Cross Hill has an important national and religious significance for the Lithuanians?
Nature in Lithuania
According to top-medical-schools, the Lithuanian landscape was leveled by the melting glaciers after the last ice age. The highest areas consist of moraine hills in the western and eastern highlands. The terrain has several lakes and wetlands and over 30 percent of the country is covered by forest which is not only home to lots of fish, chanterelles and berries, but also wild boar, elk, wolf and bear. The forests and bogs are some of Europe’s largest and contain an outstanding flora and fauna.
Farthest to the south, the Lithuanian coast is shielded by the 95-kilometer-long Kuriska Näs National Park, which is a sand tongue consisting of beautiful, elongated white sandy beaches and pine forests.
History of Lithuania
From the 13th century onwards, the grand princes of Lithuania ruled, and the then huge country stretched from the Baltic Sea and all the way to the Black Sea. Poland and Lithuania were in an alliance that in 1569 became a union between the two states. However, Poland was the big brother and the end of the Poland-Lithuania Union came with three divisions in the 18th century, which resulted in the dissolution of the once great empire. Most of Lithuania instead fell to Russia, but after the First World War in 1918, Lithuania was declared independent. The country, on the other hand, was first forced through a war of independence and the Russian Revolution. With the so-called non-aggression pact of Germany and the Soviet Union from 1939, the two countries divided most of Eastern Europe between them in a secret additional protocol,
In 1941, Lithuania was invaded by Nazi Germany. This meant that about a quarter of a million Jews were murdered in Lithuania because Jews from many other European countries were brought here and murdered by the Nazis. After the war, Soviet troops returned to Lithuania, which again became a Soviet republic. There was great resistance to the Soviet siege, and partisan soldiers hid in the woods and fought against the superior forces, but in vain. It was not until 1991 that Lithuania became independent after a violent struggle with Soviet troops in Vilnius.
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania. Vilnius is incredibly beautiful where the rivers Neris and Vilnia meet. Vilnius’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its impressive architecture with examples of Gothic style, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism. A walk along the streets of Vilnius takes you all the way from the Middle Ages to the Soviet era and up to the present.
Centrally located in Vilnius, we find the Grand Princes’ Palace, which was recently rebuilt and symbolizes the country’s history, the state of Lithuania and the national identity and consciousness. Everything is very audience-friendly and even though the palace is new, it gives a good impression of everything that was once there.
Facts about Lithuania
Below you will find practical information in connection with your trip to Lithuania. Read about currency, tips and pace and tone, among other things.
- Language: Lithuanian
- Capital: Vilnius
- Residents: 2, 9 million
- Religion: Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox and several Protestant denominations
- Currency: Euro
- Surface: 65 300 km2
Worth knowing
Time difference
Transport in Lithuania
The buses we travel with in Lithuania are in good condition and reminiscent of those in Sweden.
Price level
Prices in Lithuania are lower than in Sweden, and in general prices in the smaller cities are lower than in Vilnius.
Tip
In restaurants and cafés, it is good tone to round the bill up or leave 5-10 percent in tips. Hotel staff and taxi drivers also appreciate an extra penny.
Currency and credit cards
Lithuania’s currency is the euro (EUR). You can change from home or when you arrive in Lithuania. The most common credit cards can be used as a means of payment in most cities and there are ATMs where you can withdraw cash in almost all cities.
Electricity
In Lithuania, 220 volts are used and the sockets are the same as the Scandinavian ones.
Telephone and internet
Lithuania’s international country code is +370. Feel free to ask your Swedish operator about call prices in Lithuania and how much it costs to connect via mobile. Most hotels have internet access and there are a lot of internet cafes in the larger cities.
Drinking water and hygiene
The toilet conditions in Lithuania are reminiscent of the Swedish ones, but it is always good to have toilet paper or intimate napkins with you and possibly hand disinfection in the bag.
The tap water is ok but can taste like chlorine. We recommend that you buy bottled water.
Smoking
In Lithuania, smoking is allowed indoors in public buildings and in restaurants and cafes.
Tact and tone
Lithuanians are hospitable, relaxed and down to earth and it is not difficult to thrive in the country.
Climate and weather in Lithuania
Here you can read about Lithuania’s climate and weather. You will find, among other things, average temperatures for Vilnius.
Lithuania is located on the border between coastal and mainland climates with temperate climates and unstable weather. The winters are slightly colder than in Denmark, and the summers are slightly warmer.
