Biggest Lithuanian cities – why is it worth visiting them?

Dear community members, 

In today’s blog post, you will have an opportunity to learn more about the three biggest cities in Lithuania. Each of these cities have something special to offer and I recommend visiting at least one of them if you will have spare time during your mobility in Lithuania. 

So, let’s begin! 

Vilnius 

Paveikslėlis, kuriame yra transportas, dangus, balionas, lėktuvas

Automatiškai sugeneruotas aprašymas 

proslgn/Shutterstock.com 

Vilnius is probably the best known known Lithuanian city and a location where many Erasmus+ mobility participants come to. Being the country’s political, economic and cultural center, Lithuania’s capital attracts many newcomers, both internationally and within the country. 

Why is it worth visiting? Some key highlights: 

  • Old Town of Vilnius is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including multiple churches, palaces and other architectural monuments 

  • Surrounded by parks and forests, Vilnius is one of the greenest European capitals 

  • It is a dynamic city, popular amongst the international community and attracting thousands of international students every year due to a large concentration of universities and colleges 

  • Founded exactly 700 years ago in 1323, Vilnius is celebrating this anniversary by offering many different events and celebrations 

  • Vilnius is one of the few urban areas around Europe where you can take a hot air balloon tour and fly around to have a glance at the magnificent architecture of the city 

Combining arts, history and culture with technology and business, Vilnius is an attractive city and a must visit location for anyone who is planning their mobility in Lithuania or is already living in the country. 

Kaunas 

Paveikslėlis, kuriame yra laukas, dangus, žemė, šventovė

Automatiškai sugeneruotas aprašymas 

Source: http://www.realisbeautifulstock.lt 

Lithuania’s second largest city and a former capital during the period of the interwar Lithuanian state, Kaunas is a modern and rapidly developing city, preserving its role as an important cultural and industrial hub. European Capital of Culture in 2022, in recent years Kaunas has attracted many artists and cultural initiatives. As many major universities are located in Kaunas, this city, just like Vilnius, is becoming more international each year due to incoming exchange or full time students from abroad. 

Why is it worth visiting? Some key highlights: 

  • Kaunas Old Town is very lively and vibrant place, combining multiple churches, squares, riverbank area together with restaurants, cafes and small craft shops 

  • Kaunas modernism architecture is a major part of city’s identity. Kaunas is already included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List and even if it will not receive the final approval, walking around the streets of the city you will have a chance to get familiar with many precisely preserved buildings of the modernism era 

  • Kaunas is home of the BC Žalgiris (BC standing for basketball club), Lithuania’s most followed professional sports team. If you are interested in the game of basketball or just want to experience a game with 15 000 devoted fans, attending one of the team’s home games is a must-do. 

  • City of Kaunas is a place where two biggest rivers in Lithuania (Nemunas and Neris) connect and is surrounded by hills and parks, so those in love with nature will have an opportunity to enjoy the great combination of interesting architecture and lovely greenery.  

Kaunas, with its prospering cultural and sports scene, pearls of modernism architecture and rich history is great destination, as for weekend trip or as a destination for your Erasmus+ study or internship exchange. 

Klaipėda (Klaipeda) 

 

Source: http://www.realisbeautifulstock.lt 

Third largest city in Lithuania, located in the western part of the country near the Baltic Sea, Klaipeda is the country gateway to global waters due to the existence of the port. Besides that, Klaipeda is an important regional center, known for its Prussian past, which is clearly visible in the architecture within city’s Old Town area and beyond. In recent years Klaipeda has received attention from the students abroad due to its widely developed industrial sector and higher education institutions, having a deep expertise in sea research and other areas. 

Why is it worth visiting? Some key highlights: 

  • Klaipeda is located near the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon, which gives this place a different sense of feeling when compared to Vilnius or Kaunas.  

  • Due to its beaches at the Baltic Sea cost, Klaipeda is a perfect destination for those who enjoy sunbathing and swimming during summer. However, this city is full of surprises and can be an interesting place to visit all year around. 

  • Due to its historical past and influence by different cultures, city’s architecture and Old Town is unique amongst other Lithuanian cities.  

  • Each year, in the end of July, Klaipeda hosts the Sea Festival (Jūros šventė), a major four-day celebration, which includes multiple concerts, open air markets, artistic performances and much more. 

Klaipeda, with its small but picture square Old Town and surrounding nature of the Baltic Sea and Curonian Lagoon, is a great place to visit if you want to know more about this Lithuanian region and country’s maritime culture. And, while visiting or staying in Klaipeda, you will have a chance to take a ferry and visit a Curonian Spit, a place I have wrote about in a previous blog post. If you have not read it yet, check it out! 

Have you been in these cities already? Or maybe you currently live in one of them? Let’s have a chat about this in the Living Abroad forum! 

Yours, 

Gytis 

OLS Lithuanian community manager 


Senest ændret: Thursday den 9. March 2023, 13:49