5 Unusual Reasons to Visit Lithuania
1. Lithuania is small—but ideal for traveling by car
Though 14th-century Lithuania was the largest in Europe—and many Lithuanians are still proud of this fact—the country in its present form is barely the size of Ireland. In fact, the travel distance between the most northern and the most southern points of Lithuania takes only 3 hours to complete making it ideal for traveling by car or campervan. Therefore, the visitors can traverse through the country’s lush nature, culturally diverse cities, and picturesque sea resorts in just a few days.
While the entire country is compact, so are the individual cities. For example, it only takes 1,969 steps to explore the main sightseeing attractions of the country’s capital Vilnius. The number might seem small, but Vilnius’ is one of the most walkable in Europe. That is why even the shortest afternoon stroll in Vilnius is packed with history, astonishing Baroque architecture, green parks and artistic spaces.
2. Natives might hide their superstition—but Lithuania is actually magical
Although most of them might vehemently deny that, Lithuanians—as residents of the last pagan nation in Europe—have never fully dispensed with their beliefs in the supernatural. You can get a map detailing over fifty magical objects—sculptures, monuments, and places—scattered all over the country. Here, each object—including the famous Miracle Tile of the Vilnius Cathedral Square or the Pupper with a Croissant by the Kaunas Puppet Theater—has its own story and has been attributed with unique wish-granting properties.
Also, while several countries celebrate Halloween in November, Lithuanians enjoy the company of devils, witches and spirits all year round, even in summer, during the magical night of Saint John’s Day—a traditional midsummer folk festival.
3. Odd Lithuanian food preferences—and most bizarre ice cream flavors
As for the sweets, it seems that plain vanilla ice cream has already come out of fashion in Lithuania. Here, chefs around the country are going back to their roots replacing the conventional vanilla flavorings with the quirky essentials of the Lithuanian cuisine. This summer, the country invites the world’s foodies to taste ice cream that has been infused with fresh cucumbers, wild flowers, and even stinging nettle.
4. Lithuanian summer is short-lived—but perfect for nights under stars
During the warm season, it is easy to find delightful, secluded places in Lithuanian nature for a stay: a peaceful hideaway at the edge of a forest, a treehouse at the heart of pine woods, a glamping site surrounded by an old oak grove, or even a cozy yurt on a riverbank. Therefore, in summer, most locals are likely to choose nature over five-star hotels, luxury apartments, or fancy villas.
However, for those not convinced about spending nights in nature, Lithuania is home to the first Sleep Spa in Northern Europe. Here, the rooms with the human-centric lighting system provide a symphony of smells, sounds, and lights that correspond to natural biorhythms, while the ergonomic beds adapt to body position providing visitors with top quality rest.
5. Still largely unexplored—but full of hidden gems
Lithuania is not the tourist hub that Paris or Sicily is. However, since it remains under most tourists’ radars, Lithuania allows its visitors to enjoy the peacefulness and quietude of nature that has been untouched by
