In Lithuania, nature is everywhere. If you are looking for natural surroundings, privacy, green havens, inspiration or space for a mental cleanse – it might be the place for you. Here you’ll find various landscapes and diverse ways to escape to the great outdoors no matter the season. Discover the best nature spots Lithuania has to offer, such as:
- UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Curonian Spit and the Kernavė Archaeological Site, as well as the UNESCO-recognised Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve;
- Green forests and impressive woods that cover 33% of the country’s territory;
- A sandy Baltic coastline with numerous Blue Flag beaches – Lithuania’s seashore stretches for 90 km;
- Water sports and other activities in Lithuanian rivers and lakes;
- Hiking trails and observation towers in 5 national and 30 regional parks;
- Spots highly valued by birdwatchers – Lithuanian skies contain the most active stretch of the Baltic migration flyway, which is considered among the largest not only in Europe but around the world.
Find your way to deep forest green Lithuanian nature and enjoy wow moments every step of the way!
Lithuania’s Pompeii - the hillforts of Kernavė
Kernavė, Širvintos District
Lithuania has more than 1,000 hillforts – a striking feature of not only Lithuanian culture, which...
Read Moredates back to the ancient Baltic tribes, but also its topology. Those willing to do a bit of climbing can enjoy a wide panorama, including some breath-taking views of the nearby river valleys. The Kernavė complex and its five mounds – sometimes called the Pompeii of Lithuania – has many pedestrian walkways, steps leading up to individual mounds and recreational zones, and a reconstructed fragment of the XIII-XIV century town of Kernavė. Speaking of medieval times – the Kernavė Archaeological Site has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Best time to visit: spring, summer or early autumn for the most scenic views of the hillfort complex. Take note that the open-air Archaeological Site Museum is open only between April and October. To experience the real magic of Kernavė, we recommend you visit during either of the following traditional celebrations: the Days of Live Archaeology (July), the Autumn Equinox Celebrations (September), or the Midsummer Festival (Joninės) (June).
Kayaking the River Merkys
Varėna District
The total length of Lithuania’s rivers and streams would be enough to encircle the Earth...
Read MoreAncient streambeds, winding rivers, and scenic valleys are not only part of a striking landscape, but also attractive for water tourism. Traversing the Dzūkija National Park in southern Lithuania, River Merkys is one of the largest, most beautiful, and most popular arteries of water tourism in the country, perfect for canoeing regardless of skill, including for families with children. We recommend you try out the easy-to-navigate Puvočiai-Merkinė route that shouldn’t take you more than a few hours.
Best time to visit: late spring to late summer – if you’d like to do some canoeing. For more information on canoe rental services and recommended routes, visit the websites of respective tourist information centres and the Dzūkija National Park.
Wetlands of Žuvintas
Alytus District
The natural wetlands of Lithuania, largely untouched by civilization, are home to the rarest of plant and...
Read Moreanimal species. The Wetlands of Žuvintas and its shallow lake of the same name constitute the oldest protected territory in the country. In addition, it’s the only area of Lithuania that figures in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves list thanks to its natural diversity. Here you’ll find more than 200 bird species, including one of the rarest songbirds in Europe – the Aquatic Warbler. To kick off your exploration of the strictly protected Žuvintas Nature Reserve, we recommend you start with the Žuvintas Visitors’ Centre and proceed to the nearby nature trail and birdwatching tower.
Best time to visit: during the spring or autumn migration season (especially early in the morning). You can also go hiking along Lake Žuvintas, Bukta Forest, and Amalva Swamp nature trails. The most strictly protected areas of the Reserve – Lake Žuvintas and the wetlands – are closed to visitors. Guide services are booked in advance at the Žuvintas Visitors’ Centre.
Ventė Cape Ornithological Station
Šilutė District
Half a million birds per day – this is the view you can expect to see above the...
Read MoreVentė Cape (Horn) peninsula during the autumn migration. The skies above this unique area cherished by dedicated birdwatchers are part of the Baltic migration path, among the largest in the world. The Ventė Cape (Horn) Ornithological Station – one of the most popular tourist destinations in Lithuania – has the world’s largest ringing net and dedicated museum. The station – which belongs to the Nemunas Delta Regional Park – rings tens of thousands of birds every year.
Best time to visit: during the spring (March-April) and autumn (September-October) migration. If you book a guided tour with a translator in advance, you’ll also get to see how bird ringing is performed at the station.
Hike in the Grey dunes
Curonian spit
The hiking trail of the Nagliai Nature Reserve, located in the Curonian Spit National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), is considered...
Read Moreamong the best hiking trails in all of Lithuania, where you can enjoy the extraordinary landscape of the Grey Dunes (Dead Dunes). This marks the spot where four villages of the Curonian Spit were swallowed up by the sand several hundred years ago. Thanks to vast open spaces and sand dunes, the Curonian Spit is often called the Baltic Sahara.
Best time to visit: any time, either on your own or with a guide hired at the Directorate of the Curonian Spit National Park. (Warning: visiting hours of the Nagliai Nature Reserve’s hiking trail vary depending on the season. The Grey Dunes (Dead Dunes) can also be enjoyed from the Curonian Lagoon by sailing on a ship or yacht.
White sand Baltic beaches
Baltic seashore
The Baltic seashore and its white sandy beaches are veritable gifts of nature to Lithuania. As...
Read Moremany as five of them – located in Klaipėda, the resort town of Palanga, and the Curonian Lagoon – have been awarded the Blue Flag, an international signifier of quality. The central beach of Nida – the first to receive the award – has several football pitches and volleyball courts, cycling infrastructure, and can accommodate people with disabilities.
Best time to visit: in the summer – if you care to go swimming or in the autumn for relaxing walks along the shoreline. Make sure to visit the highest spot of the Lithuanian seashore – the Dutchman’s Cap. If you prefer more active leisure, check out the picturesque Seaside Cycle Route.
Lake Plateliai water activities
Plateliai, Plungė District
A quick stop at one of Lithuania’s 2,700 lakes will allow you to commune with nature and enjoy water...
Read Moresports and other water activities. Lithuanians are especially keen on spending their free time camping, fishing, and swimming in lakes. Lake Plateliai – the largest in all of Žemaitija – can be navigated by yacht, canoe or boat with a transparent bottom, or by cycling or walking along the Šeirė Nature Trail. To get a feel for the locals’ hospitality, we recommend you stay at a country house.
Best time to visit: summer – if you care for water activities. If you’d like to explore the environs of Plateliai, you can book a tour with the Žemaitija National Park. Key points of interest can be reached by bike or on foot. Advance booking is mandatory.
Kirkilai Observation Tower
Kirkilai, Biržai District
Lithuania has around 30 observation towers, allowing visitors to enjoy different sceneries from bird’s-eye view...
Read MoreAn especially rare landscape formed by sinkholes found in much of northern Lithuania can be observed from the 30 metre-tall Kirkilai Observation Tower in the Biržai Regional Park. From up top, you’ll see numerous tiny lakes (or water-filled cavities) connected by pontoon footbridges. Due to its unique shape reminiscent of the crescent moon or an inverted canoe, the tower is widely considered to be the most spectacular – and the most Instagrammable – tower in Lithuania.
Best time to visit: year-round – views from the tower are never disappointing. However, if you book a guided tour with the Biržai Regional Park during summer, you may get a chance to witness the rare and dazzling event when sulphur bacteria make the karst lakes situated next to the tower shine with different colours.
Europe’s largest animals in Pašiliai
Panevėžys District
The Krekenava Regional Park is the only protected territory in Lithuania where you can observe a herd of the continent’s...
Read Morelargest animals. The fenced meadow and forest area (50 ha in total) – home to countless bison – is plainly visible from an observation tower. These European bison are considered endangered both in Lithuania and internationally. A long time ago, these animals – roughly two metres tall and weighing over 500 kg – were common across Europe, yet are now under protection against extinction.
Best time to visit: the Bison Paddock of Pašiliai is open year-round, except on Mondays. If you’d like to enjoy the local Forest Trail, which ends at the Paddock, or have a picnic in the nearby campsite, your best bet will be the warm season. In October, the Paddock hosts an event where baby bison are given names.
Treetop walking path
Anykščiai
The Treetop Walking Path is an exceptional way to enjoy magical Lithuanian forests. In 2016, the Path...
Read More– built over 20 metres above the Anykščiai woods – was given the Innovation and Excellence Award by the United Nations, and remains the only of its kind in the Baltics. Anykščiai Forest– considered a part of Natura 2000 (a Europe-wide network of protected areas) – is home to some 20 protected plant species. The 34 metres-tall observation tower situated at the end of the Path opens up on a vast green space and the valley of the Šventoji River.
Best time to visit: any time of the year, either on your own or with a guide hired at the Directorate of the Anykščiai Regional Park. If you’re interested in other sites, we recommend you start at the Visitors’ Centre – the point of departure for cycling, educational, and themed hiking tours.
Download a map with your travel itinerary and discover Lithuanian nature! The itinerary includes and connects the country’s most popular and top-rated places and landscapes. We recommend you dedicate at least 7 days for this this breath-taking journey.
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