Cheap flights to Lithuania from EUR22*

Welcome to the land of wonders! How else would you describe a country whose capital has sprung from divine vision and turned into one of Europe’s quirkiest, proudest and most vibrant cities? Where the dunes are shrines to mythical pagan princesses and the sea coast is sparkling with tears of amber shed by a sea goddess mourning her love long lost? Or where a hill studded with 200,000 wooden crosses stands as a proud symbol of Catholic faith, while another as an open-air museum of folklore and pagan traditions, with witches, demons, kings and princesses immortalised in wood. With a population of less than 3 million, Lithuania is often overshadowed by more popular European holiday destinations. But not for long. Book a flight to Lithuania, where a rich past meets an exhilarating present, both begging to be discovered one story and one step at a time.

Travel to Lithuania to:

• Amble down the cobbled Old Town of Vilnius, a UNESCO-protected treasure trove of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, as well as chic restaurants and cafés.
• Discover the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum and see the captivating art of the famed Lithuanian painter, along with an impressive collection of Lithuanian folk and religious art.
• Get a taste of Lithuania’s booming brewing scene with a pint of kaimiškas, the country’s old-fashioned farmhouse ale.
• Visit Palanga, Lithuania’s summer capital, and have some fun in the sun on the pure Baltic coastline.
• Move with the crowds at one of Lithuania’s many festivals and immerse yourself in the country’s vast folk traditions and bustling cultural scene.

A Baltic wonderland

Eyeing Vilnius as a starting point for your Lithuanian escapade? Solid choice but far from being an obvious one. Ready to be swept away with mind-blowing architecture, strong bohemian vibes and a city full of soul and energy? Roam the winding streets of Vilnius’s enchanted Old Town, frozen in medieval times, or mosey along the fast-flowing Vilnelė river under shady trees. Grand but never one to take itself too seriously, the Lithuanian capital is just as proud of its dizzying array of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical masterpieces as of its bohemian heart and farmhouse ales, upping the ante for the country's craft beer revival. Lithuania’s former capital, Kaunas, has no shortage of things to see, do and enjoy, either. On the contrary, that’s where you can meet Lithuania at its most unspoilt, authentic – and Lithuanian. A swimsuit is all you plan on packing? Palanga is calling your name, then. Book a flight to this gem of a Lithuanian resort town for a well-deserved rest, tan and amber-studded souvenirs.

Cultural riches in and beyond the Lithuanian capital

The history of Lithuania weaves a seemingly endless pattern of mythical and real-life heroes, meeting and clashing cultures, glorious days and devastating losses. All of which are remembered, for better or for worse. When in Palanga, make sure to visit the highest dune on the coastline, once a pagan sanctuary of legendary priestess Birutė. Stand in awe before the masterpieces of European Art Deco and Lithuanian National Romanticism flanking the streets of Kaunas or take in the old-world charm of Vilnius’s Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical cityscape. See the marks of Soviet brutalism on Vilnius’s architecture at the Palace of Sports and Concerts, and the ones left on Lithuania’s collective memory at the Museum of Genocide Victims. Lithuanians have a lot to celebrate, too. Join one of the country’s many festivals, such as Kaziuko mugė (Saint Casimir's Fair), put on every March to pay homage to Vilnius’s patron saint in style.

It’s beer o’clock!

With traditions going back at least a millennium, the art of beer-making is second nature to Lithuanians. Despite the aggressive nationalisation attempts of the Soviets, traditional farmhouse brewing, rooted in pre-industrial times and long abandoned in most of Europe, is still alive and kicking here. Meaning you’ll quite possibly come across local tipples that are unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before. Overwhelmed by the choice? Start with kaimiškas, the country’s old-fashioned farmhouse ale, and work from there. Lithuania is also in the midst of a craft beer revolution, spearheaded by Vilnius, with modern brewers embracing and reimagining the country’s centuries-old microbrewing heritage. That’s right, expect all sorts of herbs, spices and fruits, minus the price tag. Peckish? There’s no shortage of quirky beer snacks either: try kepta duona (deep-fried black bread sticks ,rubbed with garlic), blyani (filling potato pancakes with sour cream) and if you’re feeling adventurous, kiaulės ausis (crispy pig’s ear). Cheers!

Water everywhere you look

Lithuania is the proud home to almost half of the bewitching Curonian Spit, formed by Baltic waves and winds since the dawn of time. Plus it’s earned the nickname ‘Pearl of the Baltic Sea’. The country’s summer capital, Palanga happily lives up to the moniker, with its 24-kilometre strip of white, pillowy sand, aquamarine water, chic seaside resorts and never-ending parties. Never one to lie on the beach for long? Rent a surfboard, jetski or an entire yacht and take it to water, or get your daily workout playing beach volleyball, cycling, horse-riding or hiking. But that’s not all in the water department. Venture out of Palanga to explore the nearby Seaside Regional Park (Pajūrio regioninis parkas) and camp out at Lake Plazė to observe nesting waterbirds and unspoilt wildlife. Oh, and did we mention that there’s also a lake with a castle in it? Surrounded by the picturesque Lake Galvė, Lake Totoriškių and Lake Bernardinų, the fairytale castle of Trakai is hard to miss. Not to mention unwise: the Gothic-style island castle houses plenty of concerts and festivals all year round.