Lithuania—once the heart of a vast Grand Duchy—blends Gothic spires, Baroque facades, and interwar modernism with an easygoing Baltic rhythm. You’ll wander cobbled Old Towns, hop between galleries and courtyards, and end the day with hearty Lithuanian dishes or a Nordic-leaning tasting menu. Across two weeks, this itinerary stitches together Vilnius, Kaunas, and the Baltic coast at Klaipėda with a full day on the Curonian Spit.

Expect contrasts: the bohemian “Republic of Užupis” in Vilnius, Kaunas’ UNESCO-listed modernist architecture, and wind-sculpted dunes in Nida where pine forests meet the sea. History is ever-present—from Trakai Island Castle to the Ninth Fort—yet Lithuania’s present is vibrant: specialty coffee, craft beer, and design-forward food halls are everywhere.

Practical notes: Lithuania uses the euro, tap-to-pay works almost everywhere, and English is widely spoken in city centers. Trains and buses are frequent, affordable, and reliable. Summer brings long days and seaside breezes; spring and autumn offer fewer crowds and golden forests—perfect for this 14-day Lithuania itinerary.

Vilnius

Vilnius is a city of spires and stories: a Baroque Old Town threaded by lanes that open into secret courtyards, and the self-declared artistic “Republic of Užupis” with its tongue-in-cheek constitution. Climb to Gediminas Tower for a hilltop view of the red roofs, or step into the Palace of the Grand Dukes to trace the city’s rise.

Plan to savor the food scene. One night might mean cepelinai (potato dumplings) and cold beet soup; the next, a seasonal tasting menu that riffs on forest mushrooms, lake fish, and rye. Between museums, refuel at some of the Baltics’ best coffee roasters.

Days 1–5: Vilnius highlights and essential day trips

• Old Town orientation: Start at Cathedral Square, then walk up to Gediminas Tower for city panoramas. Admire the flamboyant brickwork of St. Anne’s Church, stroll the Bernardine Garden, and pass through the Gate of Dawn, a revered pilgrimage site.
• Užupis, the artists’ quarter: Cross the bridge into the “Republic of Užupis,” spot its constitution plaques, and browse ateliers. Sit by the Vilnia River with a coffee and watch the city slow down.
• Museums with depth: The Palace of the Grand Dukes anchors Lithuania’s medieval story; the MO Museum (design by Libeskind) curates sharp contemporary shows; the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (former KGB HQ) offers sobering insight into the 20th century. Book a guided tour at Lukiškės Prison 2.0 for a memorable look at a reimagined heritage site.
• Trakai Island Castle day trip (easy): Morning train/bus 30–40 min; stroll the wooden bridges to the red-brick 14th-century castle shimmering on Lake Galvė. Try kibinai (savory pastries) at Senoji Kibininė—lamb is classic.
• Nature option: Paddle calm lakes in Aukštaitija National Park (guided kayak loops from Palūšė), or hike forest trails in Dzūkija National Park for pine-scented silence and mushroom lore.

• Where to eat and drink:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Backstage Café for flat whites and croissants; Taste Map for single-origin pour-overs; StrangeLove for espresso flights in a sunny corner; Pinavija for honey cakes and morning pastries.
  • Lunch: Etno Dvaras in Old Town for classic Lithuanian soups and cepelinai; Senatorių Pasažas for a stylish courtyard lunch—try 14Horses bistro for seasonal plates and house pickles.
  • Dinner: Džiaugsmas for modern Lithuanian cuisine built around local veg and lake fish; Nineteen18 (in Senatorių Pasažas) for a terroir-driven tasting menu with fermented and foraged notes; Gaspar’s for bright Goan flavors and Baltic ingredients.
  • After-dark: Alchemikas for crafted cocktails; Alaus Biblioteka (“Beer Library”) for an encyclopedic list of Lithuanian and international brews.
• Where to stay: Base in Old Town or Užupis for atmosphere, or Naujamiestis for quieter nights. Browse stays on VRBO Vilnius and compare hotels on Hotels.com Vilnius.
• Getting there & around: Fly into VNO using Omio flights. In town, walk most sights; rideshare (Bolt) fills gaps. Trakai is 30–40 minutes by train or bus (~€3–6) via Omio trains or Omio buses.

• Transit to Kaunas (morning of Day 6): Take a direct train Vilnius → Kaunas in ~1h10 (~€7–10). Check times and book via Omio trains; frequent buses (~1h40, ~€7–9) run via Omio buses.

Kaunas

Kaunas hums with creative energy: a river city famed for its interwar modernist buildings (now on UNESCO’s list), street art, and lively promenades. Laisvės alėja is a kilometer-long, tree-shaded pedestrian boulevard lined with cafés and bookstores.

History bites deeper at the Ninth Fort and Pažaislis Monastery, while evenings are for gastropubs and wine bars. It’s a city that pairs well with unhurried walks and a notebook.

Days 6–9: Modernism, museums, and monastery dining

• Old Town and Castle: Begin at Kaunas Castle and Town Hall Square, then weave to Vilniaus g. for galleries and boutiques. Ride the funicular up to Aleksotas for the classic river bend view.
• Modernist city walk: Seek out the sleek interwar facades—Central Post Office, former “Milk Center,” and residential blocks that earned Kaunas its UNESCO badge. Keep an eye out for murals like the “Pink Elephant.”
• Museums: The M.K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum blends synesthetic art and music; the quirky Devil’s Museum collects horned figures from around the world. Set aside a half-day for the Ninth Fort, a gripping memorial and museum.
• Pažaislis Monastery: A Baroque jewel by the reservoir; tour its frescoed church, then linger over a refined meal at Monte Pacis, where seasonal produce and monastery wines set a contemplative tone.

• Where to eat and drink:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Kavos Bankas roastery for filter coffee; Green Cafe for espresso and light bites; Pelėdinė confectionery for classic sweets and a nostalgic Kaunas vibe.
  • Lunch: Višta Puode for homestyle Lithuanian plates (think roast chicken, beetroot, buckwheat); Hop Doc for burgers, ribs, and an excellent craft beer list.
  • Dinner: Uoksas for a creative tasting menu with local produce; Monte Pacis for a destination dinner after monastery touring; Godo for wine, small plates, and conversations spilling onto the street in summer.
• Where to stay: Sleep near Old Town or Laisvės alėja to walk everywhere. Browse apartments and homes on VRBO Kaunas and hotels on Hotels.com Kaunas.

• Transit to Klaipėda (morning of Day 10): Direct trains Kaunas → Klaipėda take ~2h55 (~€12–18) via Omio trains. Buses take ~3h (~€12–16) via Omio buses. Grab a window seat—fields give way to pines and dunes.

Klaipėda

Klaipėda is Lithuania’s maritime face: timber-framed courtyards, a breezy harbor, and ferries shuttling to the sandbar-thin Curonian Spit. Sculpture spotting in Old Town and sunset strolls along the Dane River set the tone.

It’s also your launchpad for the UNESCO-listed Curonian Spit—desert-like dunes, fishing villages with weathercocks, and some of the Baltics’ best cycling paths.

Days 10–14: Old Town, sea air, and the Curonian Spit

• Klaipėda Old Town: Start at Theatre Square and the “Taravos Anikė” statue, then find the moored Meridianas sailing ship and the Castle Museum. Keep an eye out for whimsical small sculptures tucked along lanes.
• Smiltynė and the Sea Museum: Hop the passenger ferry (5–10 min; ~€1–2) to Smiltynė for the Lithuanian Sea Museum & Dolphinarium, a favorite for families. Continue by bus or bike to broad beaches.
• Curonian Spit day trip (full day): Bus or car south to Juodkrantė for the wooden Hill of Witches sculptures, then to the Nagliai Nature Reserve and onward to Nida for the Parnidis Dune sundial and lagoon views. Rent bikes for the coastal path and refuel on smoked fish.
• Optional add-on: Pop up to Palanga (30–40 min bus) for the Amber Museum in the Tyszkiewicz Palace and a golden-hour walk on the pier above the Baltic.

• Where to eat and drink:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Kavos architektai for specialty espresso and pastries; Caif Cafe by the river for a quick cappuccino before the ferry.
  • Lunch: Friedricho pasažas, a courtyard cluster of eateries—sample Lithuanian soups, grilled fish, or pizza if you’re with kids; seaside Baltas Ruonis at Melnragė for fish and a beach breeze.
  • Dinner: Momo Grill for expertly grilled meats and fish, seasonal sides, and a strong wine list; Meridianas for a shipboard setting and Baltic classics.
  • In Nida (Curonian Spit): Seek out smoked fish at Tik Pas Jona or a lagoon-front café; pair with dark bread and pickles for the perfect seaside lunch.
  • After-dark: Kurpiai Jazz Club for live music in a vaulted brick cellar; riverside bars for a nightcap with harbor views.
• Where to stay: Choose Old Town for easy dining and ferry access, or a beachside base at Melnragė. Compare options on VRBO Klaipėda or Hotels.com Klaipėda.
• Getting around: Passenger ferries to Smiltynė run frequently (buy tickets at the pier). For the Curonian Spit, buses run to Juodkrantė and Nida (1.5–2 hours, ~€8–12) via Omio buses. Consider renting bikes for scenic segments.
• Departures: Fly out from Palanga (PLQ) to regional hubs or return to Vilnius (train ~4–4.5h, ~€16–22 via Omio trains). For adventurous routes, check Baltic ferries (e.g., to Kiel or Karlshamn) via Omio ferries.

Travel logistics at a glance

• City flow: Vilnius (Days 1–5) → Kaunas (Days 6–9) → Klaipėda (Days 10–14). Morning departures keep afternoons free.
• Typical transit costs: City-to-city trains €7–22; buses similar. City trams/buses €1–2 per ride; most rides are walkable in historic centers.
• When to go: May–September for long days and seaside weather; April and October for cool temps, fewer crowds, and golden forests.

Two weeks in Lithuania lets you feel the country’s cadence: scholarly museums balanced with river walks, cafés giving way to spirited dinners, and a finale of salt air and sandy paths. You’ll leave with Baltic flavors on your tongue and dunes, spires, and murals in mind—already plotting a return.