The understated elegance of Lithuania’s capital and coastline make it a perfect low-key summer escape. Lithuania flies under the radar in terms of rejuvenating destinations, yet this clean, green, affordable, accessible nation has plenty to excite travelers seeking a gentle summer sojourn. Historic cities, traditional spa towns, twinkling lagoons, and vast stretches of lush, silent forest offer a quiet visit gilded with a sprinkling of history and culture.
Discreet design and elegance in Vilnius
Lithuania’s laid-back capital, Vilnius, is dotted with church spires and awash in greenery, cultural attractions, and bijou galleries. This all comes with a splash of Baroque architecture in the capital’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, which offers its greatest rewards to those with time to wander. Summer is the best season to visit, when the tree-lined boulevards shimmer and daylight lingers late into the evening.
The beauty of the Trakai Lakes
Vilnius is within easy distance of some of the country’s greenest escapes. The Trakai Lakes are particularly impressive, with Lake Galvė its star attraction, dotted with 21 lush islets. There you’ll also find Trakai Castle, a 14th-century Gothic wonder set on its own island. Built for the Dukes of Lithuania, the castle is a remarkable sight. Yet there’s more than just history to explore here — you can also swim, kayak and stand-up paddleboard on the lake before climbing to the castle’s observation deck to gaze out over a patchwork landscape. Around Galvė, you’ll also find beaches and a wellness park. Lakes Akilometersena, Totoriškės, and Luka all have their own charms, too, with cafés and bars by the waterfront and restaurants serving traditional Karaim-Lithuanian cuisine. Indeed, the presence of the very small Karaim (aka Kairate) community of Trakai, people who arrived in the 14th century as defenders of the castle and have stayed to this day, is yet another intriguing cultural side to this region. If you have the time, visiting the wooden houses and churches of Karaimų and the tiny main street of Trakai reveals architecture unlike anything else you’ll see here.
Baltic style on the coast and lagoons
Lithuania’s 90 kilometers of Baltic coastline are fringed with pines and golden sands, offering plenty of space and a low-key summer vibe. The real highlight is the Curonian Spit, a striking UNESCO-listed dune landscape separating the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. The gateway to the Lithuanian half of the spit is the relaxed city of Klaipėda, which is rich in history and has been returned to its best in recent years after serious investment. It is also the perfect jumping-off point for exploring Curonian Spit National Park, accessed from Klaipėda by ferry. Think picturesque wooden houses, languorous cycle routes, and pristine white sands. The Lithuanian coast offers a beach escape for the kind of people who don’t do beach resorts but still want to dine magnificently and escape the bustle and stresses of their daily lives.
