Why Lithuania for a Honeymoon
The appeal is variety in a small space. In one week you can explore a UNESCO-listed capital, row a boat around an island castle, cycle through dunes on the Curonian Spit and soak in a spa town surrounded by pine forest.
Vilnius is one of Europe's most underrated romantic cities. Its old town is full of hidden courtyards and church bells. The self-declared Republic of Užupis adds playful bohemian charm. Hot-air balloons regularly float over the rooftops on calm summer evenings, which few capitals allow.
Lithuanian traditions add another layer. Šakotis, a tall spiked cake baked on a spit over an open fire, is a fixture at weddings. Midsummer, called Joninės or Rasos, brings bonfires, flower wreaths floated on rivers and all-night celebrations. Couples who enjoy food, folklore and a touch of the unexpected tend to love it.
Best Time to Visit
June through August is the best season. Average July temperatures reach the 70s Fahrenheit on warm days, evenings are long and light while the coast comes alive. June has the longest days. July and August are best for swimming in the lakes and the sea, though the Baltic stays cool.
Midsummer falls on June 23–24 and is a national holiday, with festivities across the country. Lodging on the coast and around the lakes books up for that week.
May and September are calmer, cheaper and often pleasant, with fresh greenery in spring and golden forests in early autumn. Some seasonal businesses on the Curonian Spit close after mid-September.
Winter is cold and dark, with temperatures often well below freezing. Vilnius looks pretty under snow and runs a Christmas market, but daylight is short. For a honeymoon, stick to the warmer months unless you want a cozy city break.
Where to Go
Vilnius is the essential base. Our Vilnius guide covers the old town, Užupis, the best viewpoints and an easy day trip to Trakai, whose Island Castle sits in Lake Galvė about 18 miles west of the city.
The Curonian Spit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Lithuania's most beautiful natural area. This thin strip of land holds some of Europe's highest drifting sand dunes. Nida, the main village, has colorful wooden fishermen's houses, lagoon sunsets and a quiet, artsy atmosphere. Reach it by ferry from Klaipėda.
Kaunas, the second city, has interwar modernist architecture, a lively food scene and a riverside old town. Druskininkai in the far south is a spa town set in pine forest, good for a couple of pampered days. Palanga is the main seaside resort, busy and cheerful in summer. The Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, covered in thousands of crosses, is a moving stop on a drive north to Latvia.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
Days 1–4: Vilnius. Settle into the old town and spend the first day simply wandering. Take a day for museums, Užupis and a sunset from Gediminas Tower, then a half day at Trakai for the castle and a boat on the lake, with kibinai pastries for lunch. Book a balloon flight for one calm evening.
Days 5–6: Druskininkai or Kaunas. Choose spa time in Druskininkai, or architecture and food in Kaunas.
Days 7–9: The Curonian Spit. Drive or bus to Klaipėda, take the short ferry across and continue to Nida. Cycle the forest trails, climb the Parnidis Dune and watch the sunset over the lagoon.
Day 10: Return to Vilnius for your flight, or drive north past the Hill of Crosses into Latvia to continue the trip in Riga. Palanga airport near the coast has a small number of European connections as an alternative.
Budget and Costs
Lithuania is one of the better-value countries in the eurozone. The ranges below are approximate and vary with season.
A quality four-star or boutique hotel in Vilnius old town often costs around $90 to $200 a night, with the top luxury properties higher. Prices in Nida climb sharply in July and August when demand outstrips supply. Guesthouses and apartments in smaller towns cost considerably less.
Dining is affordable. A traditional lunch of cepelinai and soup is inexpensive. Even creative tasting menus in Vilnius are moderately priced by American big-city standards.
The main extras are a rental car for the coast and the countryside, a hot-air balloon flight and spa treatments in Druskininkai. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, though a few rural cafes and small Trakai eateries prefer cash.
Getting There and Around
Vilnius International Airport is the main gateway, just a few miles south of the center and linked by bus, a short train ride and taxis. Kaunas and Palanga have smaller airports with mostly European routes. There are no nonstop flights from the US; most couples connect in Helsinki, Warsaw, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Riga or Istanbul.
Within Vilnius, the old town is walkable. Buses and app-based taxis cover longer distances. Trains and buses link Vilnius with Trakai in about 30 to 40 minutes. Kaunas is roughly an hour or a little more away.
For the Curonian Spit, drive or take a bus to Klaipėda, about three to four hours from Vilnius, then cross on the short car or passenger ferry. A car is useful on the spit and in rural areas, though cycling is the nicest way to explore around Nida. Express buses connect Vilnius with Riga in about four hours.
Culture and Etiquette
Lithuanians can seem reserved at first but are warm once you get talking. A handshake is the usual greeting. Learn ačiū, which means thank you.
If you bring flowers to a host, give an odd number, since even numbers are for funerals.
Basketball is close to a national religion. If there is a big game on, joining locals at a bar is a fun way to meet people, though some will want to explain the sport's history to you at length.
Lithuania is a predominantly Catholic country where churches are active places of worship. Dress respectfully and keep quiet during services. The Gates of Dawn chapel in Vilnius is an important pilgrimage site.
History, especially the Soviet occupation and the independence movement of 1990, is a source of pride and pain. Visiting the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius helps put the country in context.
Quick tips
- Book Curonian Spit lodging months ahead for July and August; Nida has limited rooms.
- Order taxis through an app such as Bolt; street cabs in tourist areas may overcharge.
- Reserve hot-air balloon flights over Vilnius with flexible dates, since wind cancels many.
