Lithuania 5-Day Road Trip: Full Route
If you’re not from Europe, you might not be familiar with this small country on the Baltic Sea. But don’t feel bad about it since I, as an Italian, also overlooked this part of the map for a long time!
This trip came about because of my TikTok addiction and it ended up being one of my favorite last-minute adventures so far. Why?
If you love nature and medieval castles, keep reading and get inspired for your next getaway!
Why visiting Lithuania by car?
Lithuania is a small country and the distances between the main sites are short! For reference, crossing the entire country horizontally takes only 3 hours.
Lack of transportation options
Outside of the capital, Lithuania has limited public transportation options. This is mainly due to most of the country being covered in nature or fields, as well as its small population. Additionally, tourism is not a major phenomenon in this area, which means that services are mostly tailored to locals.
Flexibility to explore
The country is crossed by a single major highway that connects the capital city, Vilnius (on the southeast side), to Klaipėda (on the west coast). All the smaller places you may want to visit are just a short exit away from this main road. I did very little planning before embarking on this adventure, and going with the flow turned out to be the best decision I could have made.
Having a car gives you the freedom to stop whenever something catches your attention. Read the street signs, observe the people, and enjoy your surroundings!
Renting a car in Lithuania is incredibly cheap and easy
When you land at the airport, you’ll find a designated parking lot on your left with spaces for car rental companies, each divided by their names. After booking your car online in advance and following the company’s instructions, you’ll be able to pick up and return the car yourself.
Most companies require a credit card, and no cash is needed at the airport.
I used ADCRent.com because they allowed payment with my debit card. However, I was notified that this specific company closed shortly after, so you might need to look for other options if you don’t have a credit card.
The total price was €115 for 5 days with debit card payment; using a credit card would have cost around €50 for the same period.
I can now say that this method of renting is easy and brilliant, but I want to share with you why, at the time, I really thought I was being scammed, so that you won’t feel the same way.
The car was waiting for me, locked in the parking lot (with no keys in sight). I had to search for it based on the model and tablet information sent to me via email and pay a €200 deposit online instantly while being on the phone with an operator. Once I completed each step, the car would be unlocked remotely.
At that point, I truly thought I was being robbed, but I trusted my instincts and went ahead with the payment. Literally 10 seconds later, I heard the click of the door unlocking, and the keys were stored in the dashboard van!
My heart was racing with relief, but I was ready to go! The deposit I had paid was smoothly refunded to my account two weeks later.
Gas is also cheap
With my Toyota Hybrid, I spent a total of €35 on gas for a full tank, which lasted me the entire trip.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the route I followed.
Road trip through Lithuania: the complete route
This is the exact route I followed, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with it. It allowed me to hit so many incredible locations without feeling rushed at all!
First day
Kaunas
After landing at Kaunas Airport, I didn’t spend time exploring right away. Instead, I drove straight to my first destination, which was Trakai.
However, I did visit the city center of Kaunas on my last day, in the hours before my flight home.
The city has a lovely, walkable Old Town, and Kaunas Castle will greet you as you approach. Entering the castle and enjoying the sunset from the top is completely free, and strolling along the riverbank through the Nemunas and Neris Confluence Park is as well.
Trakai Castle
Trakai is located on the beautiful Lake Galvė, just an hour drive from Kaunas. It’s one of the most popular tourist spots in the country, and when I visited, I was surprised to find it crowded with guides and groups from all around the world!
In the middle of the lake stands Trakai Castle, with its bright, warm colors that contrast picturesque with the water, creating a scene that looks like a dreamy, living postcard. You can visit the castle by crossing the bridge that connects it to the mainland, or for 10 euros per hour, you can rent a pedal boat and circle the castle walls on your own, enjoying 360-degree views of the site.
Overlooking the lake, you’ll find interesting souvenir shops and restaurants where you can recharge before heading to your next stop.
Vilnius
I spent my first night in Vilnius and I decided to explore the city before heading to the hotel to rest.
To optimize my time sightseeing, I wandered around on one of the many electric scooters that are easy to rent using a mobile app.
Most attractions in the capital and across the country are connected to Lithuania’s complex religious history, which is reflected in both older buildings, such as Saint Anne’s Church, and newer ones, like Vilnius Cathedral and the Monument of the Three Crosses.
The next morning, I explored the true cobblestone gem that is Vilnius Old Town and had the best thrift shop spree of the year!
Humana Vintage is a chain of second-hand clothing stores with 17 locations in Vilnius city center, along with many other local vintage shops scattered throughout the Old Town. Lithuania has the best thrifting spots, all offering incredibly low prices—especially for cold-weather gear. Since the temperature drops significantly during the winter, this results in an abundance of second-hand winter clothes.
second day
Šiauliai
This next stop was the reason I planned the whole trip in the first place!
Just outside the residential area of Šiauliai, in the middle of a wide field, lies the Hill of Crosses.
If you’re as chronically online as I am, you’ve probably seen at least one of those hypnotic TikTok videos, set to a dark, gothic Rammstein song, showcasing the hill and its mysterious lore. I fell down the rabbit hole and ended up organizing the road trip to make the most of a getaway specifically meant to visit the viral TikTok site.
I arrived in Šiauliai late in the afternoon, just before sunset, and this unplanned timing turned out to be a blessing.
Entering the Hill of Crosses in daylight is breathtaking—no piece of media I had saved in my TikTok favorites could have prepared me for it. But watching the night fall over the 100,000 crosses that cover it from bottom to top in an endless maze chilled my blood in the best way possible.
The Hill of Crosses radiates a strong aura—it’s a unique place you encounter only once in a lifetime, one you’ll remember with goosebumps on your arms.
Curiously, this place was featured in two music videos: one being the lyric video for “1000 Blunts” by $uicideboy$ and the other for “In the Field Where I Found U” by Sematary. The location was chosen because its eerie, dark atmosphere perfectly matched the vibes of their music.
third day
The final goal of the third day was reaching the seaside, specifically the city of Klaipėda, where I had my hotel booked for the last two nights.
This was the longest drive of my trip, and I decided to make a couple of impulsive stops along the way making the drive feel less intense.
Telšiai
I would be lying if I said I knew the potential of this little rustic town before randomly exiting the highway. What was supposed to be a quick run to the grocery store turned into a long walk. Guess where? Another park overlooking another lake! Lake Mastis was crystal blue, shining under the warm September sun, and I had a wonderful time stopping by.
Kretinga
I didn’t properly tour the whole city; instead, I went directly to my main point of interest, which was the Winter Garden. The palace hosts a beautiful greenhouse, home to 5,000 exotic plants, as well as a museum with a large collection of fascinating and unusual archaeological finds.
Surrounding the palace is a vast garden, and if you venture to the edge of the field, you’ll discover a picturesque pond framed by weeping willows!
Palanga
What better way to end the day than with a magnificent sunset by the beach?
Before heading to my final stop, I made my way to Palanga Beach, one of the top beaches in Lithuania, in my opinion. This place is wide and wild in all its natural beauty.
After leaving the car in one of the many designated spots, you’ll pass through what seems like an endless stretch of tall trees. Once you cross a wooden footbridge, the landscape opens up to the vast Baltic Sea and golden sands.
Timing was on my side again, and by 8 p.m., the sun set in a glorious blaze of orange shades. The beach was full of people enjoying picnics, playing beach volleyball, and families gathered around a peaceful nest, creating the perfect vibes.
fourth day
Neringa
After spending the night in Klaipeda, it was time to head to the Neringa Peninsula for a day trip! I hopped on a car ferry and was impressed by how efficiently the ferry system operates. The new ferry runs 24/7, with a new one departing from each shore every 20 minutes, without any delays! The round trip cost around 30 euros, which included bringing the car to the other side and paying the entry fees for Neringa. Crossing the length of Neringa takes a little more than an hour, but one full day was well spent to explore it all!
I stuck to my plan of driving to all my destinations, but Neringa offers a trail for bikers and joggers. Many people hop on the ferry with their bicycles, intending to bike down the peninsula and enjoy the stunning nature. If biking is a passion of yours, I highly recommend considering it as an option!
Right after entering Neringa, I stopped to grab a bite at a local cafe run by a lovely elderly woman. Though the language barrier was quite challenging throughout my trip (very few people speak English, and most of the time I had to rely on pictures and hand signs), that didn’t stop me from enjoying her cuisine. Here, I tried Cepelinai, a typical Lithuanian dish made of grated potatoes stuffed with either minced meat or cheese, which you shouldn’t miss!
The Dead Dunes
Did you know there’s a desert in Lithuania? No? Well, neither did I! Imagine my surprise when I ended up in the middle of one!
The spot is equipped with parking and restrooms. There’s a relatively steep hike (about 20 minutes), but it’s made easier by a wooden catwalk that takes you up the sand hill to the highest viewpoint. The entry fee was 5 euros, and it was definitely worth the experience, the services, and of course, the stunning view. 10/10 spot.
Unfortunately, visits to the dunes are limited to certain designated areas, marked by ropes and monitored by a guard, likely due to the risk of falling toward the sea. Oh, and don’t forget it can get pretty hot and windy, so make sure to bring water (there’s no refreshment point) and a hat!
Nida
The last stop, at the far south of Neringa, is Nida—another postcard-like town, famous for its colorful houses. A long promenade along Nida is a must-do, along with visiting Nida Beach and the Dead Valley. I later discovered that I missed the Nida Cemetery, with its fascinating location and wooden tombstones, but you should definitely check it out if you have the time.
Also Russian border is just 4 kilometers west from Nida!
You can even catch a glimpse of Russia itself by finding the right viewpoint!
Klaipėda
Ironically, I spent such a short time in Klaipėda despite having my accommodation set here! On my last day, I did a little exploring around the city center and walked down the port area, where you can admire the symbol of the city, the sailing ship Meridianas
Aside from some street art and a lot of statues around the city, I didn’t feel there was much more to do. I’m not saying you should avoid this location at all; in fact, it has a highly strategic position for getting around and all the comforts that a big city offers. Plus, the 4-star hotel I stayed at was very affordable, in line with local prices, so it was nice to treat myself!
That being said, one morning was the perfect amount of time dedicated to visiting Klaipėda, allowing me to enjoy the calmness of the old town. After that, I headed back to Kaunas towards the airport and ended my day there before boarding the plane back home.
