Places to Visit And Food to Eat in Lithuania

Traveling is one of the best ways to discover the world beyond your country's borders. You can learn and develop on so many levels, meet new people, and most importantly, gain new experiences. Traveling can be enjoyed in many ways, for example, you can tour the city you are visiting or you can go as a discoverer or you can even travel to study or learn the country's language. The reasons are endless but they all share the same purpose in the end. I personally have a huge passion for discovering the world in addition to learning. I have always been curious to see what is behind the borders and how life differs from my own. I seek different and new; I honestly don't see myself staying or living in the same place forever.  

When I moved to Paris last year, I decided to take the chance to visit other cities in France and also neighboring countries during the holidays. Luckily, I managed to visit three countries and four cities in France. This summer, I visited a country I never thought of visiting but because my best friend lives there, I got the chance to visit her and spend a week with her as we live now on the same continent and it is easier for us to meet. She lives in Lithuania. It is a country in the southernmost of Europe’s Baltic states, a former Soviet bloc nation bordering Poland, Latvia, and Belarus. Its capital, Vilnius.   

In this article, I hope to share the things you can do in this country and how you can make the best of your stay there. In terms of accommodation, I stayed with her in her place but it is better to find a hostile since they are cheaper for short stay visits, you can also use https://www.booking.com/ to find the best offers in terms of flights, hotels, and hostels based on your budget. In terms of flights, Ryanair is so cheap in terms of flights and a round-trip ticket cost me about 75 euros. Anyway, as we visited three different cities, I will share the things we did in each one. 

As I landed in the capital Vilnius, we decided to stay in a hostel which cost us 18 euros per night so we can move around the city and go to the best places there. It is considered cheap in terms of food and spendings in general. Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania. It is famous for its old town which still preserves baroque architecture, seen especially in its medieval Old Town. But the buildings lining this district’s partially cobblestoned streets reflect diverse styles and eras, from the neoclassical Vilnius Cathedral to Gothic St. Anne's Church. The 16th-century Gate of Dawn, containing a shrine with a sacred Virgin Mary icon, once guarded an entrance to the original city. 

The Vilnius Castle Complex, also in the Old Town, consists of 10th- to 18th-century fortifications. You must have breakfast in one of the most famous restaurants in the old town, Gusto Blynine, where you can have traditional potato pancakes with different toppings and fillings. Also, you must try this country's pastries, there is one called Varskes Spurgos which means farmer's cheese doughnuts and it is fried ball-shaped dough with fillings like jam, etc. I must tell you that you will find catholic churches in every corner in the old town, we entered almost everyone we passed by.  

There is the mesmerizing Saint Casimir church, and the Russian orthodox church of Saint Nicholas. Vilnius Cathedral, the Cathedral Belfry, and Cathedral Square are more main sites to see in Vilnius. Vilnius Cathedral, also known as Cathedral Basilica or the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and St. Vladislav, is one of the most important Catholic churches in Vilnius and is the host to numerous festivals and religious celebrations. It dates back to approximately the 13th through the 15th century but has been rebuilt numerous times because of issues with flooding from the nearby Neris River.  

Cats Cafe

In addition, there is a very popular cats cafe where you can enjoy your coffee or tea while cats are playing around you. They are all adopted cats and have been raised and taken good care of and each cat has a story behind its adoption. There was this cat, my friend and I noticed she was the one that has a bell around her neck and when we checked her biography, it says she is deaf that’s why she has the bell in order to find her when she moves around. Each cat has a special story and they are all adopted. 

Welcome to Kaunas

After our amazing day in the capital, we took the bus to head to Kaunas where my friend lives. It is almost a two hours ride. A bus ticket would cost around 7 euros. It is a very small town yet rich in history and stories from centuries ago. Kaunas is a city in south-central Lithuania. Kaunas Castle is a medieval fortress housing historical exhibition. To the east, the old town is home to the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica, with its ornate interior, and the Gothic spires of the Hanseatic House of Perkūnas. Laisvės Alėja, a pedestrianized street lined with trees and cafes, crosses the city from west to east.  

Kaunas City Hall

Couples get married in this church

While you’re there, you must visit the town hall where all marriages are registered and if you are lucky, you might run into a newly married couple coming out of it while their dear ones cheering and clapping. Also, the Kaunas castle is very famous. I must tell you that you will have the best food experience in this city. They surely make food with love! If you are a vegan or you only eat Halal food, you will still find options that would please your taste buds!

traditional garlic and cheese bread

They have this traditional garlic and cheese bread (which is called Kepta Duona in Lithuanian) that I am still craving ever since I left the country. You must also visit the doughnuts famous place where you can have freshly made doughnuts called Holy Doughnuts with many flavors and toppings. This city will give you the best food experience. 

They also have a traditional cheese curt and chocolate crepe. It is mouthwatering and definitely delicious. It has this sourness from cheese curd and the sweetness of chocolate that will give you a lovely sensation! The bus ticket would cost you a euro and since it is a very small town, you can walk around easily.  

CREPE WITH CHEESE CURD AND CHOCOLATE 

Holy Doughnuts

Grill London

The beautiful Trakai Castle

After a few days, we decided to go to another city close by Kaunas, it is called Trakai. It is a town in southeastern Lithuania, west of Vilnius, the capital. Part of the Trakai Historical National Park, Trakai Island Castle is a 14th-century fortress in the middle of Lake Galvė. Once home to Lithuania’s grand dukes, it now houses the Trakai History Museum, with archaeological objects, coins, and crafts.  

On the lake’s southern shore are the stone ruins of the Trakai Peninsula Castle. I must tell you that this town is by far my favorite. It is the spot to spend a summer vacation where you are surrounded by crystal clear water and vintage wooden houses along the road. With the prettiest of views, you will be able to clear your mind and enjoy the beauty of nature. You must visit the famous Trakai castle and rent a boat to sail throughout the lake, you will enjoy the best natural view and have a day of serenity. Lake Galve is mesmerizing and brings inner peace if you are looking for a destination away from the everyday hustle.  

I highly recommend this country for visits. People are very nice and peaceful. It is quiet but also interesting to discover. You can find new things to do and you will still witness the presence of the old days and the impact of historical changes through its streets and old towns. It is budget-friendly and you can always find great offers for accommodation and daily spending.