HISTORIC CITIES. TIMELESS STORIES.
Lithuania
Explore medieval capitals, grand duchy heritage, baroque old towns and centuries of Baltic history. From Vilnius and Trakai to Kaunas, Klaipėda and Šiauliai, Lithuania offers a fascinating journey through pagan traditions, Christian kingdoms, imperial rule and modern independence.
A BALTIC COUNTRY SHAPED BY KINGDOMS AND CROSSROADS
Discover Lithuania Through the Ages
From pagan hillforts and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to baroque churches, imperial rule and restored independence, Lithuania has a rich and highly visible past. Explore the cities, castles, sacred sites and stories that shaped the country.
EXPLORE BY DESTINATION
Discover Lithuania’s Destinations
Vilnius
Explore Lithuania’s capital through its UNESCO-listed Old Town, baroque churches, Gediminas Tower, cathedral square and layers of grand-ducal, Polish, Russian, Jewish and Soviet history.
Kaunas
Discover Kaunas through its medieval castle, old town, interwar modernist architecture, museums and the story of Lithuania’s temporary capital between the world wars.
Trakai
Explore Trakai’s island castle, lakes, Karaim heritage and grand-ducal history at one of Lithuania’s most iconic medieval sites.
Klaipėda
Discover Klaipėda’s German and Prussian heritage, half-timbered old town, maritime history and its gateway role to the Curonian Spit and Baltic coast.
Šiauliai
Explore Šiauliai and the nearby Hill of Crosses, where religious devotion, national identity and resistance history come together in one of Lithuania’s most distinctive cultural landscapes.
LITHUANIA THROUGH THE AGES
A Brief History of Lithuania
From pagan Baltic tribes and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, imperial rule, occupation and restored independence, Lithuania’s past remains visible across its cities, castles and sacred landscapes.
13th century
Rise of the Grand Duchy
Lithuanian lands unite under powerful rulers, laying the foundations of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
1253
Mindaugas Crowned
Mindaugas is crowned king, marking Lithuania’s brief medieval kingdom and growing recognition in Christian Europe.
1386
Union with Poland
Jogaila becomes king of Poland, creating a dynastic union that reshapes the political future of Lithuania and Poland.
1569
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Union of Lublin creates the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, one of the largest states in early modern Europe.
1795
Russian Empire
The final partition of the Commonwealth brings most Lithuanian lands under the Russian Empire.
1990
Restored Independence
Lithuania declares the restoration of independence from the Soviet Union, becoming the first Soviet republic to do so.
Grand Duchy Heritage
Lithuania emerged as a kingdom during the Rise of the Grand Duchy, with a royal tradition that has endured for centuries.
Polish-Lithuanian Legacy
Churches, universities and urban architecture reveal the cultural and political legacy of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Occupation & Independence
Museums, memorials and historic districts tell the story of imperial rule, war, Soviet occupation and Lithuania’s restored independence.
PLAN YOUR LITHUANIA TRIP
Everything You Need for Lithuania
Everything you need to plan your trip to Lithuania, from places to stay and historic experiences to transport, road trips and flights.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay, from old-town hotels in Vilnius and Kaunas to lakeside stays near Trakai and Baltic coast accommodation.
Tours & Activities
Discover guided tours, medieval castles, old towns, museums and cultural experiences across Lithuania.
Car Hire
Explore Lithuania at your own pace, from castle towns and lake districts to Baltic coast roads and rural heritage landscapes.
Trains & Buses
Plan train and bus connections between Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and other historic destinations across Lithuania.