10 Things Every Tourist Needs to Know about Lithuania both the GOOD & the BAD
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Lithuania. Mark lived in Lithuania for almost four years, so it’s near and dear to his heart. We’ve returned many times as a family. While there are many things to love, there are also a few things to love less about visiting Lithuania.
Best of Lithuania
The foods of Lithuania are one of the best reasons to visit! Our whole family loves Lithuanian food, especially the cepelinai which is a potato dumpling cooked with a meatball in the middle. They have great sausage and soups, and lots of sour cream in every dish! The foods of Lithuania are hearty, delicious and reasonably priced.
Shocks to Expect When Visiting Lithuania
Lithuania’s natural attractions are another reason we love to visit. If you love the outdoors, you’ll love Lithuania. There are around 6,000 lakes in Lithuania so there are many opportunities for boating and swimming. Of course, there are also many beaches along the Baltic Sea. On top of that, you have forests for hiking and tons of fun outdoor festivals in the summer.
Prices in Lithuania are fantastic, especially when compared to other European countries! You can eat very well in Lithuania without breaking the bank. For example, our dinner for four adults and two kids, with starters, salads, and drinks was less than 100 Euros. Accommodation in Lithuania is also extremely affordable.
The quaint towns in Lithuania are another great reason to visit. Even the capital city of Vilnius is cute and charming, especially in the Old Town district. Klaipeda is another fun town to visit.
Things to do in Klaipeda, Lithuania
My absolute favorite thing about living in Lithuania was the people. I met some of the nicest and most hospitable people in the world during my time in Lithuania. Sure, it helped that I lived there and learned a bit of the language, but I have still found the same friendly people anytime I have returned. The locals are super helpful and willing to give recommendations.
Worst of Lithuania
Getting to Lithuania is not the easiest. There are a few RyanAir flights, but in general, it’s hard to find cheap flights to Lithuania. The budget airlines that do fly to Lithuania do not fly there every day. And forget about a direct flight from the US. They don’t exist! The bus and train from Poland aren’t great, but it’s one way to arrive if you are already traveling through Lithuania.
Lithuania has more rural tourism than urban cultural attractions. There are a lot of natural attractions in Lithuania, but if you like big bustling cities, you might not love Lithuania. What Lithuania lacks in urban atmosphere, it more than makes up for with natural attractions.
Prices in Lithuania are higher than they used to be. Lithuania is a relatively affordable destination, so this mostly affects the locals. When the country went to the Euro in 2015, prices have increased quite a bit.
There are a lot of bugs in Lithuania. With all of the lakes and forests, it’s the perfect climate for bugs. If you plan to spend time out in nature, make sure you have bug spray!
Service in Lithuania is not always great. It’s way better than when Mark lived here several years ago, though! However, it’s still slower than what you might be accustomed to. You have to be a little proactive at a restaurant and make sure you are ready to order all at once.
The weather in Lithuania is both a love and a hate, depending on when you visit and where you go in the country. Winters can be dangerously cold and the coastal areas can get sudden downpours and fast changes.
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Clearly, our “worst” things about Lithuania are mild annoyances and not a reason to avoid planning a trip to this beautiful country. Want more Europe travel tips? Check out these blog posts!