Whether you decide to solely explore Lithuania or opt to include a trip to its Baltic neighbors, Latvia and Estonia, this charming part of Europe should definitely be on your radar. While many travelers tend to focus on the capital city, Vilnius, and the nearby Trakai Castle, there are numerous compelling reasons to venture to the coast and spend a few days there. Intrigued? Here are 7 compelling arguments for why a visit to Lithuania is worth your while. Let's get to the point!
What makes Lithuania a worthwhile choice for your next destination?
1. Discover the charm of Vilnius' old town
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Vilnius boasts one of Europe's largest and most enchanting old towns. Many years ago, it served as a fortified city with walls and nine gates. Presently, only the Gate of Dawn remains, which is a significant attraction. Within this gate, there is a chapel that houses a sacred icon of the Virgin Mary, drawing pilgrims who leave offerings. The city is home to various captivating museums, including the Museum of Genocide, which occupies a former KGB prison. Another notable site to visit is the Gediminas Tower, offering panoramic views of the city and housing the National Museum of Lithuania.
2. Experience the history of Trakai Castle
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Trakai, a popular day trip from the capital, boasts two castles that should definitely be included in your castle bucket list. Both castles, located on Trakai Peninsula and Trakai Island, were built in the mid 14th century. However, it's the castle on the island that attracts the largest number of visitors due to its impressive setting. Accessing this restored castle is convenient as there is a wooden bridge that spans Galvė Lake, and boats can also be hired. Sometimes, sailing and kayaking competitions are held, and during winter when the lake freezes completely, you might even spot people engaged in ice fishing.
3. Appreciate the sculptures from the Soviet era at Grutas Park
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Lithuania was previously a part of the Soviet Union until it reclaimed its independence in 1990. During the Russian occupation, numerous statues and sculptures were commissioned to honor notable figures like Lenin, Stalin, and Marx. Today, you can discover a collection of these artworks in Grutas Park, an outdoor museum established by Viliumas Malinauskas, a successful mushroom entrepreneur, near the town of Druskininkai. Regardless of your political leanings, it's a captivating place to spend a few hours.
4. Scale the Hill of Crosses
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The origin of Lithuania's Hill of Crosses remains uncertain. For more than two centuries, individuals have been placing wooden and metal crosses on a hill located just outside the northern city of Šiauliai. It's believed that the crosses were initially placed by the relatives of those who lost their lives while rebelling against the Russian regime in the mid-19th century. Another theory suggests that additional crosses were erected towards the end of the 19th century following an apparition of the Virgin Mary carrying the baby Jesus on the hill. Regardless of its origins, the sight of numerous crosses gathered in one place is a striking image, attracting visitors and pilgrims from all over the world.
5. Uncover the fishing heritage of Nida
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UNESCO preserves the Curonian Spit not only for its impressive sand dunes but also to honor the fishing villages that were gradually engulfed by the sand throughout the centuries. Many of the descendants of those displaced settlers eventually settled in the charming village of Nida, which has now become the main tourist hub on the Spit. The lasting impact of the sea on this closely-knit community is evident in various ways. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the captivating museum housed in a converted traditional fisherman's cottage. Inside, you can examine the unique wooden weathervanes that adorn the shores of the lagoon. Each intricately crafted component of these weathervanes provides a glimpse into the history and heritage of the family they belong to.
6. Follow the enchanting Hill of Witches Trail
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There are numerous reasons to take the ferry to the Curonian Spit, with one of the finest being Juodkrantė's Hill of Witches. This easily recognizable path takes you up a gentle hill through the forest, but it's far from your typical stroll in the woods. Along the way, you'll encounter approximately 100 charming wooden sculptures that depict fairytale creatures, as well as the devil himself, paying homage to Lithuania's rich folk and pagan traditions. Local artists have intricately carved seats and benches by hand, and children can even enjoy a slide and seesaw for playtime.
7. Relax on Palanga Beach
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Northern Europe may not be the obvious destination for a beach getaway due to its colder climate. However, there is still something refreshing about taking a walk along the shoreline with the wind blowing through your hair. Among Lithuania's resort towns, Palanga stands out as the best choice. Most of the town's bars, restaurants, and cafés can be found on J. Basanaviciaus Street, which leads to a spacious wooden pier that overlooks the Baltic Sea and provides access to a beautiful beach. Don't forget to keep an eye out for amber, as it often washes up with the tide. If you're lucky enough to find a large piece, it might even cover the cost of your vacation. If not, take a leisurely stroll to the Palace of Count Feliks Tyszkiewicz, a 19th-century building that houses a captivating museum dedicated to this enchanting resin.
Seamless travel starts here: convenient airport parking with us – ParkingNearAirports.io!
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It's pretty clear that everyone wants to save as much money as possible and get excellent services at the same time, especially while traveling. Prefer to get to the airport by your own car? If so, please draw special attention to this part of the article.
We suppose you have used to choose on-site parking if you prefer to get to the airport by your own vehicle. Most people think that it's much more convenient and faster, as it's the nearest area to the place a plane is flying from. However, they probably forget that this type of parking is too costly. Besides, you will have to face the following unpleasant moments:
- You will need to find a spot in a crowded lot,
- You will need to carry the luggage all the way down the parking lot,
- You must pay expensive fees with no service.
Sounds terrible, right? Is there any solution in such a situation, you may ask? We're happy to say – of course, there is one! If you choose to use the services provided by off-site parking, you won't definitely regret it. So let's take a closer look at this parking type.
What is actually off-site parking?
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Obviously, no one wants to face all of such difficulties we described above, and you can easily avoid them if you choose an off-site parking option. So let's take a look at how it works.
When you come to the entrance, the staff member pulls your baggage out of your car and loads it to the shuttle, which will take your bags and you later to the airport you're flying from. Then they will find a parking spot and park your car there for you.
Please don't worry about the few miles, which usually separate the parking lot and the airport. Off-site parking usually provides free shuttles to and from the airport for its customers. Thanks to this, you have no worries about getting stuck in traffic on the way to the airport during the peak times. So all you need to do is choose the best time for you and inform the parking lot staff.
In addition, this type of parking is much cheaper, and this is good news, as nobody wants to waste money. Therefore, off-site parking is the perfect option to receive excellent service and save money at the same time.
You can find the best deals right here!
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If you're looking for the best deals for airports, you're in the right place.
We are glad to inform you that our booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, offers the best prices on airport car parking and bundles hotel and parking packages. Besides, we provide the services for top cruise ports in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas.
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It only takes a few minutes to make a reservation. Get the most affordable rates and experience hassle-free off-site parking.
To understand it better, we would like to give you an example. If your trip starts in Cincinnati, Kentucky, USA, you can use the services of cheap CVG valet parking. If you're flying from Detroit, Michigan, you can choose affordable long-term parking near DTW. So it just depends on the place you're leaving from.
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