7 Day Lithuania Itinerary: Vilnius, Trakai, Kaunas, Klaipėda & Curonian Spit

Arrive in Vilnius and check into a hotel in or near the Old Town so the main historic sights are walkable from the start.

Start the trip with Cathedral Square, Pilies Street, and the main lanes of Vilnius Old Town. Vilnius Historic Centre is one of Lithuania’s major UNESCO heritage sites and one of the country’s strongest first impressions for first-time visitors.

Finish the day with panoramic views over Vilnius from Gediminas Castle Tower, especially beautiful around sunset

Spend the morning exploring more of central Vilnius, including its baroque streetscape, churches, and hidden courtyards. Vilnius is promoted as one of Europe’s greenest capitals and is especially appealing for slow city walking

Climb to the Hill of Three Crosses for one of the best city panoramas and a classic Vilnius photo stop.

Use the evening to try Lithuanian dishes in the Old Town before leaving the capital the next day.

Leave Vilnius and head west to Trakai, one of the easiest and most rewarding day-trip destinations from the capital thanks to its lakeside setting and famous castle. LTG Link publishes a Vilnius–Trakai timetable, making this section possible by train, though a car is better if you want scenic detours later in the day.

Visit Trakai Island Castle and enjoy the lakeside setting around it. This is one of Lithuania’s most iconic historical sights and a key stop between Vilnius and western Lithuania.

Travelers with a car can continue west via Aukštadvaris Regional Park and stop at Velnio duobė (Devil’s Pit), a famous geological and mythological natural site in a landscape of hills, forests, and lakes

Before arriving in Kaunas, stop at Rumšiškės Open-Air Museum for a strong introduction to Lithuanian ethnographic heritage

Arrive in Kaunas for the night.

Explore Kaunas Old Town, one of the most compact and enjoyable city centers in Lithuania.

Visit Kaunas Castle and enjoy the city’s mix of old architecture and modern urban character. Kaunas is also part of Lithuania’s main rail spine linking Vilnius, Šiauliai, and Klaipėda

Add a scenic afternoon stop at Kadagių slėnis, a short trail and viewpoint area above the Kaunas Lagoon, or explore the Pažaislis / reservoir side for water views before tomorrow’s westbound drive.

Overnight in Kaunas before the longest transfer day of the itinerary.

This is the itinerary’s main scenic transfer day, so it works best as a road-trip day rather than a direct train day.

Use this day for a scenic stop rather than rushing straight across the country. A short detour for a lake, woodland trail, or observation point makes the westbound leg feel like part of the trip rather than just transit.

Stop at the Hill of Crosses, one of Lithuania’s most symbolic and memorable sites. Lithuania Travel describes it as a one-of-a-kind sacral place covered in around 200,000 crosses and known internationally as a symbol of faith and resilience

Continue west to Klaipėda, Lithuania’s port city and the right mainland base for the Curonian Spit. LTG Link’s route map and timetables show Klaipėda on the main westbound rail corridor, but the scenic stops on this day are much easier by car.

Enjoy an evening walk around the old town and waterfront after arriving on the coast.

Duration: 1–2 hours

: Before or after the main Curonian Spit excursion, travelers with a car can stop at Dreverna Observation Tower, a 15-metre-high viewpoint on the Curonian Lagoon with views toward the dunes of the Curonian Spit.

Take the regular ferry from Klaipėda to the Curonian Spit. Lithuania Travel notes that the spit is easily accessible by regular ferry from Klaipėda.

Spend the day exploring one of Lithuania’s most striking landscapes: dunes, forest, beaches, lagoon views, and resort villages. The Curonian Spit is one of Lithuania’s UNESCO-listed highlights and one of the country’s strongest nature destinations.

Return to Klaipėda in the evening, or stay overnight in Nida for a slower coastal experience.

Use the final morning for a relaxed beach or coastal walk. Smiltynė is part of the Curonian Spit side and is one of the easiest seaside options from Klaipėda

Depart from the Klaipėda region or return inland depending on onward travel plans. LTG Link connects Klaipėda with the main rail corridor back toward central and eastern Lithuania.