From tremendous sand dunes to soul-nourishing cuisine, from epic hikes through virgin landscapes to lively festivals shooing away the spirit of winter, Lithuania is full of surprises. Give this welcoming, affordable and notably beautiful county some attention on your next trip to Europe. Here’s why.
Did You Know ...
Lithuania Has Impressive Sand Dunes.
That’s right! This northern European gem is home to the tallest shifting sand dunes in Europe. The sandy site is part of the National Park of the Curonian Spit and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you happened to have visited before, you’ll find the dunes have shifted dramatically since you last saw them - at a rate of up to 9 miles per year. The Neringa Resort on the spit is more than 31 miles long and connects Juodkrante, Preila, Pervalka and Nida villages. It’s a mesmerizing vista, with drifting white sand, the blue waves of the Baltic and the green of the forests - a quilt of nature.
Lithuania Offers Limitless Outdoor Recreation.
In stark contrast to its impressive sand dunes, Lithuania is also heavily forested. Nearly 40 percent of the land is covered by dense forests, most of which make up the country’s five national parks. Go hiking through the dark woods and you may find roe deer, wild boar and hedgehogs. From foraging for wild strawberries and blueberries to rafting on rivers, to boating and windsurfing on lakes, to trekking to the castle in Trakai Historical National Park, you won’t want for adventure in Lithuania.
Lithuanians Love to Celebrate.
It’s always festival time in Lithuania - or so it may seem. There are several cultural festivals that light up the villages each year, including the Kaziuko Festival to honor Vilnius’ patron saint, St. Casimir. Join the locals as they shop for hand-painted Easter eggs, locally made linen goods and delicious street food. In February, the county celebrates the Shrove Tuesday Festival (or Uzgavenes) at the Open Air Museum of Lithuania in Rumsiskes. You’ll be able to explore various Lithuanian ethnic regions and visit old homesteads, complete with authentic household items. Bring an appetite for pancakes and cheer at the burning of a More (straw effigy), said to be an evil symbol of winter.
Lithuania Has a Rich Jewish Heritage.
Despite having just one synagogue currently in use, prior to the Holocaust, Vilnius was home to approximately 45 percent of the 250,000 Jewish people who resided in the country. At one time, there were 105 synagogues throughout the country, which were ultimately destroyed during World War II and the Soviet occupation. See the bust of Lithuanian Jewish scholar Elijah Ben Shlomo Zalman on the former site of the Great Synagogue, or learn about the persecution of Jews and Lithuanians at the sobering Ninth Fort museum and burial ground.
Lithuanian Cuisine Is Delicious.
Known for its hearty cuisine - meant to keep Lithuanians warm in those frigid winter months - chefs focus their meals on potatoes and beetroot, meat and dairy products. Don’t leave without trying cepelinai, or zeppelins (for their similar shape to the airship), a dumpling-like concoction of raw and cooked potato dough stuffed with pork and topped with sour cream and bacon sauce. Only eat veggies? Ask for it filled with cheese curds or mushrooms. And definitely try the Saltibarsciai - recognizable by its bright pink color. It’s served cold - perfect for a hot summer’s day after a hike - and made of hard-boiled eggs, beets, cucumbers, dill, green onions and kefir. One more treat in which to indulge: crispy Lithuanian potato pancakes, or Bulviniai Blynai.
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