What to see in Lithuania: 8 must-sees

Admire Trakai Castle, a 14th-century fortress standing on an island in Lake Galvė, half an hour from Vilnius. Follow its trails among lakes and wooded hills, cross the wooden bridge to the island, and watch the birds nesting along the shores. Try kibinai, the pastry of the Karaite community that has lived here for centuries, and sail the calm waters that surround the castle's red-brick walls.

Explore Žemaitija National Park, in the Telšiai region, and make your way along its 300 km of trails among pine forests and glacial lakes such as Plateliai, the largest in the area. Bring binoculars: birdwatching is one of the usual activities here, along with hiking and kayaking. The wooden villages inland preserve Samogitian traditions that give context to every route.

Immerse yourself in the Old Town of Vilnius, where 1,200 historic buildings form one of the most extensive Baroque ensembles in Eastern Europe, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Wander the cobblestone lanes that connect hidden courtyards, pass through the Gate of Dawn with its chapel revered by pilgrims, and stop in the courtyards of the university founded in 1579. Each Gothic, Renaissance, or Baroque church tells a different chapter of the city's Lithuanian, Polish, and Jewish history.

Take in the modernist buildings that earned Kaunas the title of 2022 European Capital of Culture as you explore the Old Town of this city, which served as Lithuania's provisional capital between the two world wars. Walk along Laisvės alėja, the pedestrian boulevard that crosses the center, and ride the Aleksotas funicular to watch the Nemunas and Neris rivers converge beside the medieval castle. Explore the Ninth Fort, a memorial to World War II, and try the local markets, where everyday life still sets the rhythm of the city.

Stroll among the more than 100,000 crosses of wood, stone, and metal that cover this hill near Šiauliai, planted by pilgrims and Lithuanian families over generations. The mound was razed several times during the Soviet occupation, and each time the faithful returned at night to place new crosses. Today the wind sets the rosaries hanging among the crucifixes chiming—some tiny, others several meters tall. You can leave your own, as visitors have done since the 19th century, and wander the paths that wind through this silent forest of symbols of faith and resistance.

Dive into Palanga, the gateway to the Baltic beside Klaipėda, where 3 km of uninterrupted sand stretch between dunes and pines. Walk down the Basanavičius promenade to the pier at sunset, cross over to the botanical garden to read the labels on the linden trees and rose gardens, and step into the amber museum to see polished Baltic pieces and learn the history of amber gathering. Head back to the shore for a cold swim, bike rentals, and smoked fish near the marina.