Lithuania

Lithuania is an easy country to start in if you like cities that feel lived-in rather than staged. Vilnius is the obvious first stop: its UNESCO-listed Old Town is a maze of Baroque churches, cobbled lanes, hidden courtyards, and cafés that stay lively well into the evening. Give yourself time to walk up to the Hill of Three Crosses for a wide city view, then drift back down for dinner in the centre. Kaunas feels different—more compact, creative, and street-art heavy, with a strong mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture around the old town. For a practical trip, use buses or rideshares for longer hops and walk as much as possible once you arrive; both cities are very manageable on foot. If you’re planning your days in the Hello app, it’s worth grouping city sights, coffee stops, and museum visits into one itinerary so you can move efficiently between them. And if you’re splitting dinners or taxi rides with travel companions, Hello’s expense splitting can save awkward math at the end of the night.

Lithuania is at its best when you mix a city break with a few days in nature. The classic day trip is Trakai, where Trakai Island Castle sits on the water and looks especially atmospheric in the early morning or just before sunset. Bring a little extra time for the lakeside walks and try kibinai, the local pastry traditionally linked to the Karaim community. Farther west, the Curonian Spit is one of the country’s standout landscapes: sand dunes, pine forests, fishing villages, and long beaches that feel far removed from the capital. It’s a strong place for cycling, birdwatching, and slow travel. For a practical visit, summer is the busiest season, so book accommodation early if you want to stay near the coast. If you’re using Hello eSIM, activate it before you land so you can check ferry times, weather, and trail maps without hunting for Wi‑Fi. That’s especially useful if you’re combining several stops and need reliable connectivity between towns.

Lithuanian food is hearty, seasonal, and very satisfying after a day outdoors. Start with cepelinai, potato dumplings usually filled with meat or curd cheese, then try šaltibarščiai, the bright pink cold beet soup that appears everywhere in warm weather. Other easy wins include kibinai in Trakai, smoked fish on the coast, dark rye bread, and mushroom dishes in forest-heavy regions. Dessert is often simple but memorable: honey cakes and poppy-seed pastries are common and pair well with coffee. In Vilnius and Kaunas, many restaurants serve modern versions of these dishes, while market halls and casual cafés are better for quick, inexpensive meals. For budget planning, Lithuania is still relatively affordable by European standards, but prices vary in central districts and seaside resorts, so it helps to track spending in euro within Hello’s budget tools if you’re on a multi-day trip. If you’re dining with friends, splitting the bill in the app is useful when everyone orders different rounds of food and drinks.

Lithuania is straightforward to travel around, especially if you combine trains and intercity buses. The major cities are well connected, and once you’re in the centre of Vilnius, Kaunas, or Klaipėda, public transport and walking usually cover most needs. Taxis and ride-hailing services are useful late at night or for short transfers, but they’re not essential for a classic itinerary. The local currency is the euro (€), and card payment is widely accepted, though it’s still smart to keep a little cash for markets or smaller cafés. A practical travel budget can be easier to manage if you track meals, tickets, and transit in euros as you go. The most comfortable time to visit is usually late spring through early autumn, when the weather is milder and outdoor plans are easier; summer brings the warmest days, while September often feels calmer. For a smoother arrival, set up Hello eSIM before your flight so maps, booking confirmations, and local transport apps are ready the moment you land.