Lithuania is slightly smaller than Bavaria, is located in northeastern Europe and is one of the three Baltic states. According to Countryaah, Lithuania and its two Baltic “sister states”, Estonia and Latvia, used to belong to the Soviet Union. They achieved independence through a largely peaceful revolution in the early 1990s. Lithuania has been a member of the EU since 2004, and has also been a member of the euro zone since 2015.
If you want to discover culturally rich cities, pretty coastal towns and lonely national parks, you have come to the right place in Lithuania, because Lithuania offers its visitors this varied overall package. While Kaunas and Vilnius attract with culture and history, the Curonian Spit and the other national parks convince with untouched nature and wonderful landscapes. The deep forests, wonderful coastlines, countless lakes, moor and pasture landscapes and the gentle hill formations as relics of the last ice age are a wonderful territory for hiking, cycling holidays, or simply to relax.
There are a total of five national parks in Lithuania. Among them, the Curonian Spit National Park is certainly the most famous and most visited. It was founded in 1991 and is on the UNESCO list. The Curonian Spit, along with the Nemunas Delta (Memel Delta), is one of the most important stations of bird migration.
Entry requirements
Lithuania belongs to the Schengen states and the EU. Germans need a valid passport or identity card to enter the country. Children need their own passport (with photo), an entry in the parents’ passport is no longer accepted.
Currency
In Lithuania, payments have been made in the euro since 2015.
ATMs are widespread, especially in the larger cities. To be able to withdraw money, you need a credit card or an EC card with the “Maestro” symbol. International credit cards are common. But you cannot necessarily pay with it in all hotels or in smaller shops. It is therefore advisable to always have enough cash with you.
Time zone
CET + 1 hour
Climate
Lithuania has a temperate continental climate with warm summers and cold winters.
Language
The official language in Lithuania is Lithuanian. In everyday life, however, Russian and English also play a role.
Telephone / Internet
The international dialing code is +370 according to AllCityCodes.
There are many public points (libraries, tourist information centers, post offices, …) where Internet is freely available, these are marked with an @ symbol. There are also numerous internet cafés in the cities.
Electricity & mains voltage
The voltage is 220 to 240 volts, 50 Hz, so that all devices can be used without problems. As a rule, two-pin plugs are used.
Emergency numbers
112
118 (technical assistance)
ARRIVAL by plane
Lithuania has three international airports: Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga. Vilnius airport is the largest in the country and is served by airlines Air Baltic, LOT, Ryanair, Lufthansa, SAS and Wizzair, for example. Palanga is served by Air Baltic and SAS.
ARRIVAL by ferry
The largest ferry port in Lithuania is located in Klaipeda. From here there are connections with DFDS Seaways to Kiel, as well as to Sweden. The ferry crossing from Kiel to Klaipeda is offered several times a week and takes about 21 hours.
ARRIVAL by land
Of course, you can also travel to Lithuania by car overland. On the way you cross Poland and possibly the Kaliningrad exclave (attention: the Kaliningrad area is part of Russia, so a visa is required!) The “Via Baltica” (E 67) leads from Prague via Breslau to Kaunas. North it continues to Riga and Tallinn.
For the journey you should bring your passport or identity card, the vehicle registration document and your driver’s license with you. The green insurance card is strongly recommended, as is a power of attorney if you are not the owner of the vehicle yourself.
The following applies to traveling by car …
In the Baltic States, gasoline prices are relatively cheap by our standards. The fuel names are not necessarily identical to “ours”. It is important to choose the correct octane number, 95 stands for super, 98 for super plus. “Unleaded” means “lead-free”, it is sometimes indicated by the addition of an “E”.
Maximum speed in urban areas: 50 km / h
Maximum speed outside urban areas: 90 km / h
Maximum speed highways / national roads: 100-110 km / h
Light during the day: all year round
Compulsory winter tires: 1.11. until 1.4.
Blood alcohol limit: 0.4
Carrying of: first aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle, safety vest
(Information without guarantee, please inform yourself about the relevant provisions before departure).
Best travel time
June to August is the main travel time in the whole of the Baltic States, the summers are warm and mild and the days are long. During the summer months Lithuania is ideal for a vacation in nature. But summer is also the time of mosquitos. Especially for holidays in nature, especially in the wetlands, a good mosquito repellent is essential in your luggage. By the way, the Lithuanian summer holidays are between June and August.
If you want to benefit from cheap flight and ferry prices or hotel offers, you should travel in spring and autumn. These seasons are significantly cooler than here, but this does not detract from the experience of nature. However, the weather can then be very changeable, umbrella, warm jacket and rain jacket belong in the luggage.
And Lithuania is worth a trip even in winter. As a city vacationer, you can explore Vilnius or Kaunas or spend a relaxing wellness holiday in the Baltic States. The Curonian Spit is also a pleasure in winter: there are hardly any tourists, the frozen lagoon is a great sight and the atmosphere is calm and relaxing.
Health
Anyone traveling to Lithuania should make sure that they already have the European Insurance Card. However, it is also advisable to take out a mostly inexpensive private international travel health insurance.
Health care is good in Lithuania; almost every city has a hospital. There are enough pharmacies in cities and towns. Nevertheless, travelers who are dependent on medication should stock up on essentials in advance. This also applies to holidaymakers who travel close to nature and to remote areas. In addition, good mosquito and tick protection and good sun protection should also be in the first-aid kit. Vacationers should think about a vaccination against the tick-borne disease TBE (early summer meningoencephalitis) and seek advice from their family doctor.
Holidays and memorial
days In addition to Christmas, New Year, May 1st and Christian holidays with changing dates such as Easter, Pentecost or Ascension Day, the following holidays apply:
February 16 Independence
day March 11th day of regaining independence
June 24th St. John’s
day July 6th day the coronation of King Mindaugas (state founded in 1250)
August 15th Assumption of Mary
November 1st All Saints’ Day
Embassies & consulates general
German representation
Sierakausko gatve 24/8
03105 Vilnius
Tel: +370 52106400
Emergency number: +370 65055510
Austrian representation
Gaono gatve 6
01131 Vilnius
Tel: +370 52660580
Swiss representation
Lvovo gatve 25
09320 Vilnius
Tel: +370 52032969
