A vast area of greenery dotted by the blue of its numerous lakes, this national park is paradise for lovers of the great outdoors – walkers, cyclists and canoeists. Lying in the northeast of the country, its 40 000ha can be discovered setting off fro..

This makes for a unique sight: crosses, crosses and yet more crosses… standing in tight formation, without order or logic, making for an astonishing ensemble. The result of an old Lithuanian tradition, the earliest of these crosses date from the 19C;..

A section of forest bordering Palanga beach was landscaped in 1897 by French garden designer Édouard-François André (1867-1942). More than 18km of cycle and footpaths wind among the spread-out pines and over 500 fragrant species. They lead to the sea..

In the middle of the botanical park stands a fine neo-Renaissance country house (19C) built for the Tiskevicius family, now home to an exhibition dedicated to the gold of the Baltic. Visitors learn about the different forms and colours of amber. Th..

As has long been the case, this square represents the hub of Kaunas; its finest buildings are located here and it served as the city marketplace for centuries. Note the town hall (n°15) which dominates it, the Jesuit church of St Francis Xavier (nos7..

The country’s only Gothic basilica, its foundation stones were laid in 1410 under Grand Duke Vytautas. Its exterior is sober both in form (fine Gothic apertures) and ornamentation, but the interior is extremely rich, embellished using Renaissance and..

For those wishing to glimpse the traditional scenery of the Zemaitija, Suvalkija, Dzukija and Aukstaitija regions, a visit to this open-air museum is a must. School, church, houses, artisanal workshops… all are reconstructed here, together with perio..

Established in a rural setting in 2001, the emphasis is on political history at Gruto Parkas. Statues of communist figures who forged the country’s history are arranged along pleasant woodland avenues; they are placed in context by displays of object..

An immense strip of sand 98km in length marks the west coast of Lithuania on the Baltic Sea: the Courland Isthmus. Its early history encompasses fact and legend; what is for certain is that this is a magnificent landscape, a playground for lovers of ..

It was on this 48m-high hill that Vilnius was first founded, replacing Trakai as the nation’s capial. Since the 13C, an octagonal brick tower (Gedimin bokstas) has stood here, all that remains of a larger castle. Visible throughout the city, it is to..

Restored in 1986, this huge white 16C building (a former arsenal) hosts temporary and permanent exhibitions. Furniture, porcelain, earthenware and tapestries from a variety of European schools are displayed in a series of vast rooms. Lithuanian arts ..

In the basement of this gallery-museum, amber is placed in context against a backdrop of 16C ceramics ovens. Visitors first learn its name in 28 languages. Text in English explains where the resin comes from, the trade routes used and the different s..

This pleasant street lined by colourful low houses is enlivened by numerous businesses. Crossing a little park leads to the church of the Assumption (n°9). As with the rest of this old quarter (“Piaski” or sand district), this Franciscan church is in..

See contemporary art against the grandiose backdrop of the natural world: such was the dream of Gintaras Karosas who conceived the idea of Europos Parkas. Here, at the heart of a forest of tall fir trees, are around 100 sculptures by renowned artists..

Karaites have lived in Trakai since the late 14C, when Vytautas invited them to come here from the Crimea to guard the fortress. Today, less than 100 Karaites live here, mostly on Karaimu Street. Note their houses in painted wood, all of which follow..

On a low hill, this museum is surrounded by ancient beehives, the boxes topped with straw or otherwise decorated with sculptures. Some are still working, and the bees can be seen coming and going through the mouth of a local deity (Babilas, the god o..

This village museum is made up of 26 wooden houses (19C-20C) surrounded by characteristic perimeter hurdles of interwoven branches. Their interiors retain a bygone atmosphere. The place teems with cats and chickens. Well-tended orchards and thatched ..

The native land of the Samogitians, a group particularly attached to their traditions, the Zemaitija national park extends around the extensive calm waters of Lake Plateliu. Forestry predominates here (9 700ha); visitors exploring the region should n..

High barren dunes fringe the southern outskirts of Nida. The 52m-high Parnidis dune is the last shifting dune of the isthmus and may be climbed by steps reached along the shoreline (those in a hurry can drive to them). From the top, there is a lovely..

Lined by 16C-19C houses, the pedestrianised Vilniaus Street is the main artery of the historic centre of Kaunas. This middle-European scene would not be out of place in Sibiu (Romania) or Ceské Budejovice (Czech Republic). The view westwards is espec..