Top 10 New Things to Experience in Lithuania this Year

Although traveling has been absent in our lives for the past year, things are looking up in 2021. As the world is getting ready for the influx of tourists, Lithuania prepares to welcome its guests with a variety of new things to see, feel, experience, and explore. From the brand new tours and exhibitions that lead through the history of the region, to the exciting adventures in nature, here are fresh 10 attractions in Lithuania that you should include in your travel plan.

Begin your exploration in the streets of Vilnius and Kaunas, and continue with the deep dive into the other parts of the country to find that in Lithuania, everything that’s “Real is beautiful.”

1. Discover Culture in Lithuanian Desert: Curonian Spit is often regarded as the most charming piece of Lithuanian nature. It is an almost 100 km long strip of land in the Baltic Sea that is a perfect getaway for a calm holiday. This year it will temporarily become the country’s Island of Culture with various art installations made by famous Lithuanian artists throughout the land that explore the coexistence of man and nature in the kingdom of sand, wind, and water.
2. Explore Relationship With Cosmos: The Museum of Ethnocosmology was established to collect information about humanity’s relationship with the cosmic world. This year’s latest exhibition gives a glimpse into Lithuania’s brief involvement in space programs, including the live models of the nation’s first satellites and various artefacts that Lithuanian scientists have developed and contributed to.
3. Find Your Way Out of Cannabis Labyrinth: After admiring a breathtaking view from the moon-shaped Kirkilai Observation Tower, take up a challenge to escape the newly-opened hemp labyrinth in a nearby Kirkilai Entertainment Park. The head trip continues in the Gravity House and the Gravity tunnel that promise to confuse your brain even further. When the disorientation wears off, visit the island of rabbits and finish the day off in a mini and disc golf course.
4. Go to Lithuanian Safari: Anykščiai is a perfect destination for a family day trip. Take a scenic stroll in one of the most visited tourist attractions in Lithuania – Treetop Walking Path and visit camels, zebras, and fallow deers, which are among this year’s additions to the animals that roam around the 50-hectare Safari Park. After the ride, jump around in the trampoline park or test your ninja skills in the obstacle course for an unforgettable end of the journey.
5. Go Back to Cold War Times: During the Cold War, more than 300 civil defence shelters were built in Soviet Vilnius. Automatika, one of the remaining bunkers, is now a popular tourist attraction. The tour around the shelter reveals the most interesting facts about civil defence in Soviet times. This year, the guided tour was expanded to include a screening of a mid-century documentary about Vilnius, while the guests are treated with authentic snacks from Soviet era.
6. Relax in Sleep SPA, work in Tech SPA: The first Sleep SPA in Northern Europe will make your rest a calm and soothing experience. The rooms with the human-centric lighting system provide a symphony of smells, sounds, and lights that correspond to natural biorhythms, while the ergonomic beds adapt to body position for the best rest of your life. If you decide to extend your stay, check out the Tech Spa, a unique combination of functional co-working and peaceful co-living for a fresh workstation.
7. Experience Aristocratic Life : The rich history of Lithuanian noble families lies in almost 500 manors scattered across the country. Step into a cabinet of curiosities of Pakruojis Manor panopticon to see an eerie collection of objects of mystical origins or visit Trakų Vokė Manor where HBO’s Catherine the Great was shot. To fully immerse yourself into the life of the aristocracy, visit the Ilzenberg Manor for menu dégustation that takes the diners through the colourful history of Lithuanian cuisine.
8. Dive into history of Baltic people: The origins of the Balts, the first settlers in today’s Lithuania, date back to several millennia BCE. To explore the unique culture of our ancestors, Balts’ Road was introduced this year. Through the various interactive exhibitions that incorporate biometric data, augmented reality and gaming experience, the visitors are taken back through time and introduced to the rich history of Baltic people.
9. Discover Alternate History of Vilnius: With the 700th anniversary of the capital approaching, the city welcomes people to get acquainted with its history. Opening this spring, the first exhibition in Vilnius Museum will showcase the colorful history of the house that the museum now occupies. Later this summer, Vilnius Museum will present the capital’s utopian alternate history through the unrealised urban projects that gathered dust in the archives for the last century.
10. Stroll in Capital’s Nature: When in Vilnius, enjoy the beautiful greenery around the city. The 100 km trail goes all around the capital and leads through the most alluring spots and panoramas. Pick a section that suits you best and away you go! If you are in for a bigger challenge, check out the new Baltic Forest Trail, a collaborative effort of all three Baltic countries. It is a 700 km hiking route that leads through the most beautiful forests and national parks of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.