7 days — Vilnius, Trakai, Hill of Crosses and the Curonian Spit
🔥 Book Tours 🏠 Compare HotelsThis itinerary covers the essential Lithuania — UNESCO Baroque Vilnius, the fairy-tale Trakai Castle, the profoundly moving Hill of Crosses and the UNESCO Curonian Spit. A rental car is strongly recommended from Day 4 onwards.
Start at Cathedral Square, climb Gediminas Tower for panoramic views, then wander the medieval lanes around Pilies and Didžioji Streets. The Gate of Dawn — the only surviving medieval city gate — houses a revered Marian icon and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Eastern Europe.
Day 2: cross into the bohemian Užupis Republic — the self-declared independent artists quarter with its own constitution in 42 languages. Evening: traditional Lithuanian dinner — try cepelinai (potato dumplings) or šaltibarščiai (cold beetroot soup).
Morning at the KGB Museum — housed in the former KGB headquarters and prison, this is one of the most important historical museums in post-Soviet Europe. Afternoon: the Jewish Quarter — Vilnius was the "Jerusalem of Lithuania", home to one of the most important Jewish communities in Europe before the Holocaust. The Paneriai Memorial, 10km from the city, is a crucial site of remembrance.
Morning at Trakai Island Castle (28km from Vilnius) — a stunning red-brick medieval fortress on an island in Lake Galvė. Arrive early for best light. Try kibinai (Karaite pastries) before driving on to Kaunas — Lithuania's second city has remarkable interwar modernist architecture and a vibrant food scene. Overnight in Kaunas.
The Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai is one of the most extraordinary sights in Europe — over 100,000 crosses covering a hillside, placed over centuries as acts of faith and defiance through Soviet occupation. Allow an hour and arrive with an open mind. Drive west toward the Curonian Spit. Overnight in Nida.
The UNESCO Curonian Spit is a narrow 98km peninsula of shifting sand dunes, pine forests and traditional fishing villages separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. Nida is the most beautiful village — colourful wooden houses, the Thomas Mann Museum and the spectacular Parnidis Dune with its panoramic Baltic views. Day 7: morning on the dunes, afternoon drive back to Vilnius.
Is 7 days enough for Lithuania?
7 days covers the highlights well. If you only have 3-4 days, focus on Vilnius and Trakai. 10 days allows you to add the Aukštaitija Lake District.
Do I need a rental car?
For Vilnius only — no. For the Hill of Crosses, Curonian Spit and lake districts — yes, strongly recommended.
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