Lithuania

The largest Baltic country impresses tourists with its natural and cultural splendor.

Lithuania extends over about 65 thousand square kilometers in the northeast of Europe, which makes it the largest Baltic country. It borders with Latvia in the north, Belarus in the southeast, Poland in the south and with the Russian territory Kaliningrad area in the southwest.

It is a mostly lowland country of fertile plains, so it doesn’t surprise that most of the 3.6 million people are engaged in agriculture.

The capital and largest city – Vilnius – is situated at the mouth of the river Vilniu in Neris in the southeast of the country, near the border with Belarus. It is an important economic, cultural and artistic center of the country.

Lithuanian cuisine is a quite common combination of Polish and Russian influences. Large amounts of meat regularly occur in the menu – especially pork, lamb and beef, which is combined with potatoes and other vegetables. Lithuanians like to drink beer and other alcoholic beverages.

5 memorable tourist attractions in Lithuania:

1. Vilnius

Explore the rich architecture of the capital, which ranges from Gothic to Neoclassicism. Particularly interesting is the Vilnius Cathedral, which looks like a Greek temple. Be sure to visit the old center which is under the protection of UNESCO and the Gediminas fortress, palace and town hall on the main square Rotuses Aikšte.

2. Lithuanian wildlife

Explore the stunning nature of this Baltic state in the National Park Aukštaitija in the northeast of the country. It stretches over about 405 square kilometers, and almost 70 percent of the territory is covered with evergreen trees, which are intersected with a hundred lakes. In the park you can see some rare species of Lithuanian birds and 64 endangered plant species.

3. The geographical center of Europe

The center of the world is located in the Croatian Ludbreg, and in the Lithuanian village Purnuskesu – in the opinion of French scientists – lies the geographical center of Europe. Truth or lie? Tourists do not care as long as they can photograph the beautiful monument that stands in the village.

4. Hill of crosses

Visit one of the oldest cities in Lithuania – Šiauliai – which was established in 1236 and is situated in the eastern province of Musa. The city is the center of Lithuanian pilgrims because of its proximity to the famous hill of crosses (Krizia Kalnas) – Roman Catholic symbol of resistance against Russia. The exact number is not known, but it is assumed that in the hill more than 50 thousand crosses rise.

5. Sand dunes

Curonian Spit is a narrow sandy peninsula, 98 kilometers long, which separates the Gulf of Kursk from the Baltic Sea. Here are some of the highest moving sand dunes in Europe, and is also home to several Lithuanians who practice the traditional crafts of this area. This unusual site borders with Kaliningrad area and is under the protection of UNESCO.