Lithuania

The Land of Storks

Current Local Time

Lithuania Flag
Time Zone
Eastern European Time (EET)
UTC/GMT +2 hours (DST: UTC+3)

Current Weather in Vilnius

18°C
Partly Cloudy
Feels like: 16°C
Wind: 12 km/h NW
Humidity: 68%
Visibility: 20 km
Tomorrow
16°C / 10°C
Cloudy
Day After
20°C / 12°C
Sunny
Sunrise
4:45 AM
Sunset
10:15 PM
Pressure
1012 hPa
UV Index
5 (Moderate)

Country Information

Capital
Vilnius
Population
2.8 million (2023 est.)
Area
65,300 km²
Government
Unitary semi-presidential republic
President
Gitanas Nausėda
Currency
Euro (€)
GDP
$72 billion (2023 est.)
Languages
Lithuanian (official), Russian, Polish

Travel Information

Best Time to Visit
May-Sep
Visa Requirements
Schengen Area - 90-day visa-free for most visitors
Electricity
230V/50Hz (Type F plugs)
Driving Side
Right
Emergency Number
112
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2), EEST (UTC+3) in summer
Internet TLD
.lt
Calling Code
+370

Famous Landmarks & Attractions

Vilnius Old Town

Vilnius Old Town

UNESCO-listed medieval city center with Baroque architecture and cobblestone streets.

Vilnius
Trakai Island Castle

Trakai Island Castle

14th-century Gothic castle on an island in Lake Galvė.

Trakai
Curonian Spit

Curonian Spit

UNESCO-listed sand dune peninsula separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea.

Near Klaipėda
Hill of Crosses

Hill of Crosses

A pilgrimage site with over 100,000 crosses representing Lithuanian faith and identity.

Near Šiauliai
Aukštaitija National Park

Aukštaitija National Park

Oldest national park with dense forests, lakes, and traditional villages.

Northeast Lithuania
Gate of Dawn

Gate of Dawn

Only remaining city gate with a chapel containing a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.

Vilnius

Historical Timeline

1009
First written mention of Lithuania in historical records
1236
Formation of the Lithuanian state under Mindaugas
1385
Union of Krevo with Poland
1410
Battle of Grunwald - victory over Teutonic Knights
1569
Union of Lublin creates Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
1795
Third Partition - Lithuania incorporated into Russian Empire
1918
Declaration of independence (February 16)
1940
Soviet occupation begins
1941-1944
German occupation during WWII
1990
First Soviet republic to declare independence (March 11)
2004
Joins EU and NATO
2015
Adopts the Euro

Cultural Highlights

Ethnic Composition

Lithuanians (84%)
Poles (6.6%)
Russians (5.8%)
Belarusians (1.2%)
Ukrainians (0.5%)
Others (1.9%)

Traditional Cuisine

Rugelis (dark rye bread)
Cepelinai (potato dumplings)
Šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup)
Džiugas (aged cheese)
Lithuanian beer
Šakotis (tree cake)

Major Festivals

Užgavėnės
February - Traditional Shrove Tuesday celebration
Joninės (Rasos)
June 23-24 - Midsummer festival with bonfires
Kaziuko Mugė
March - St. Casimir's Fair with traditional crafts

Unique Features of Lithuania

Oldest Language

Lithuanian is considered the most archaic living Indo-European language, closest to ancient Sanskrit.

Basketball Nation

Basketball is Lithuania's second religion, with the national team consistently ranking among the world's best.

Land of Storks

Lithuania has one of Europe's highest stork populations, with about 13,000 pairs nesting annually.

Hill of Crosses

This unique pilgrimage site has over 100,000 crosses representing Lithuanian faith and resistance.

Geographic Center

The geographic center of Europe is located in Lithuania, near the village of Purnuškės.

Lithuania on the Map

Coordinates
55.1694° N, 23.8813° E
Bordering Countries
Latvia (N), Belarus (E/S), Poland (S), Russia (W)
Highest Point
Aukštojas Hill (294 m)

Travel Tips & Advice

When to Visit

  • May-Sep: Best for sightseeing and outdoor activities
  • Dec-Feb: Winter sports and Christmas markets
  • Jun-Jul: White nights with nearly 24-hour daylight

Getting Around

  • Public Transport: Efficient buses and trains connect major cities
  • Vilnius Card: Free public transport in Vilnius plus museum entries
  • Biking: Excellent bike paths, especially in cities
  • Ferries: Connect to Sweden and Germany from Klaipėda

Safety Tips

  • One of Europe's safest countries with low crime rates
  • Emergency number 112 connects to all services
  • Tap water is safe to drink everywhere
  • English widely spoken, especially by younger generations

Money Matters

  • Euro (€) is the official currency
  • Contactless payments accepted almost everywhere
  • ATMs widely available with English interfaces
  • Tipping not expected but appreciated for good service (5-10%)

Fun Facts About Lithuania

Ancient Language
Lithuanian is the closest living language to ancient Proto-Indo-European.
Center of Europe
The geographic center of Europe is located in Lithuania.
Internet Powerhouse
Lithuania has one of the fastest internet speeds in the world.
Hot Dog Capital
Vilnius has more hot dog stands per capita than any European city.