Λιθουανία

Lithuanian is the official language and is one of the oldest living Indo-European languages, related closely only to Latvian. English is widely spoken in Vilnius and among younger people; Russian and Polish are also common, especially among older generations.

Prepaid SIM and eSIM plans from Telia, Bitė, or Tele2 are easy to buy at the airport or phone shops. Mobile coverage and Wi-Fi are reliable in cities and along main roads, with some drop-off in more remote forested or rural areas.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country. Pharmacies (vaistinė) are common in towns and cities, with at least one open late in most larger towns. No special vaccinations are required for entry.

Lithuania is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU/EEA, the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can enter for tourism without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Travelers from countries without a visa-waiver agreement need a Schengen visa, applied for through a Lithuanian embassy or consulate before travel.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Lithuanians tend to be reserved with strangers at first, and small talk is less common than in some other cultures; this reflects a cultural preference for personal space, not unfriendliness. Shoes are almost always removed when entering someone's home. Song and folk-craft traditions are taken seriously and are a genuine source of national pride, especially around the nationwide Song and Dance Celebration held every few years.

Public holidays can affect opening hours in smaller towns more than in Vilnius. Midsummer (Joninės), on June 23-24, is one of the most widely celebrated holidays, with many businesses closing as people head to the countryside.

• By train: Modernized regional trains connect Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda; long-distance rail options to other countries are more limited.
• By bus: Long-distance coaches reach almost every town and are often the most practical way to travel between cities.
• In Vilnius: The Old Town is compact and walkable; buses and trolleybuses cover the rest of the city well.
• By air: Vilnius Airport is the main international gateway, with Kaunas Airport serving as a secondary hub for some low-cost routes.

Cepelinai, large potato-dough dumplings stuffed with meat and served with sour cream and bacon bits, are the national dish and a hearty, filling staple. Šaltibarščiai, a bright pink cold beet soup served with boiled potatoes, is a common summer dish, and kugelis, a baked potato pudding, is common comfort food.

Lithuania has a strong foraging and smoking tradition, with wild mushrooms and berries appearing in home cooking, and skilandis, a smoked and air-dried meat sausage, is a distinctive regional specialty. Šakotis, a tall spit cake with a distinctive spiky exterior, is a traditional centerpiece for celebrations. Craft beer has a long brewing history here, particularly in the northern regions.

Vilnius is the capital, with a UNESCO-listed baroque Old Town and the bohemian Užupis district. Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city and its interwar temporary capital, has a well-preserved old town and a growing street-art scene.

Klaipėda, the main port city, is the gateway to the Curonian Spit's dune landscapes and fishing villages. Palanga, on the Baltic coast, is Lithuania's main seaside resort town, known for its beach and amber museum, and Trakai, a short trip from Vilnius, is home to the red-brick island castle on Lake Galvė.