Vilnius

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and the largest city in the country. It is the major economic centre of Lithuania and one of the largest financial centres of the Baltic States. The population of the city is about 550,000 people. Vilnius was first mentioned in the letters of Grand Duke Gediminas in 1323. Nowadays Vilnius is a cosmopolitan city which combines both medieval and modern architecture. The historical centre of Vilnius also known as the Old Town has an area of 3.6 square kilometres and is considered to be one of the largest in Europe. The main sights and the symbols of the capital are the Castle of Gediminas and the Cathedral Square. Many old buildings in Vilnius represent the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and classical styles of architecture. There are more than 40 churches in Vilnius. In 1994 the Old Town of Vilnius was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2009 Vilnius will become the Capital of European Culture. The numerous museums, hotels and restaurants will make your visit to this beautiful city interesting, comfortable and pleasant. You can also visit various nightclubs, bars and casinos in Vilnius. The nightclubs offer all sorts of music, from jazz to death metal, from pop music to hardcore punk.

Kaunas

It is the second largest city in the country (its population is about 379,000) and its main industrial centre. It is also famous as the former temporary capital of Lithuania. Kaunas is situated at the junction of the two largest Lithuanian rivers, the Nemunas and the Neris, and also near the Kaunas Lagoon (the largest body of water in the country). According to the legend, Kaunas was founded in 1030. It was first mentioned in written sources in 1361. Among the tourist attractions of the city are the two famous pedestrian streets: the Laisvės alėja (Liberty Avenue) lined with linden trees and located in the centre of the city and Vilnius Street (its continuation) leading to the historical centre of Kaunas. The Kaunas Castle is one of the city’s main sights. Today the round tower of this 14th century fortification built in the Gothic style houses an art gallery. The Vytautas’ Church is one of the oldest churches in Lithuania and the oldest in the city, dating back to about 1400. The Kaunas Cathedral Basilica is the largest Gothic building in the country. It has a late Baroque interior. Other sights of Kaunas include the St. George’s Church, the Pažaislis abbey, the Neo-Byzantine church of St. Michael the Archangel, the Christ’s Resurrection Church and many others. If you are fond of music you can visit the international Kaunas Jazz Festival and many other exciting events. A tour around Kaunas is never dull.

Klaipėda

Klaipėda is a city located at the mouth of the Curonian Lagoon, at the point where it flows into the Baltic Sea. It is the only seaport in Lithuania and also the principal ice-free port on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city is about 187,000 people. The city is very beautiful, some of the buildings date back to the 13th – 18th centuries. Here you can also see timber frame houses similar to the ones found in Germany, England and Denmark. The ruins of the Memelburg Castle built in the 13th century are one of Klaipėda’s main sights. The Žardė ancient settlement is also one of the tourist attractions. It is situated on the right bank of the Smiltelė River. You can also see the remnants of the so-called 'Dutch' defence system built in the 17th – 18th centuries around the town. Fort Wilhelm houses the maritime museum built at the end of the 19th century. When you come to Klaipėda you will probably be interested to visit its museums, theatres, cinemas and shopping centres as well. You are welcome!

Palanga

Palanga is also one of the top destinations in Lithuania. It is a town located about 29 kilometers from Klaipėda. Palanga is a very popular summer resort on the shore of the Baltic Sea. The splendid sand beaches stretch for about 18 kilometres along the sea shore. The town is not very big, its population is about 17,600 people. Many tourists come here every summer to spend an unforgettable vacation. There are dozens of restaurants, bars and many other spots in Palanga, including the Amber Museum which is situated in a large botanical garden.

Šiauliai

Šiauliai is the fourth largest city in the country. Its population is about 128,400 inhabitants. It is the capital of Šiauliai County. The city is located 214 kilometres north-west of Vilnius. Historians think that the city was founded in 1236 because it was first mentioned in written sources as Soule in the Livonian Order chronicles at that time. One of the city’s tourist attractions is the Hill of Crosses. It is located about 12 kilometres north of the city and is a famous site of pilgrimage. The Hill of Crosses looks really impressive. The number of crosses put there is said to be about 50,000. Another sight is located at the crossing of Vilniaus Str. and Vasario 16-osios Str. According to the legend, a wish made under the arch situated at the crossing may come true. Zubov's Palace is also a tourist attraction in Šiauliai. It is located at Ausros Alley 50. The palace was built in the 17th century. The exterior has not changed since 1875. Nowadays the building houses the Faculty of Arts of Šiauliai University. Many famous people were born in this city.

Panevėžys

It is the fifth largest city in Lithuania. Panevėžys has about 114,600 inhabitants. The city was first mentioned in the documents signed by the Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander I in 1503. He is considered to be the founder of Panevėžys. The tourist attractions of the city include the Museum of Ethnography (its valuable collection helps the visitors to learn about the historical and cultural heritage of the city), the Art Gallery and the Photography Gallery (they organize dozens of exhibitions every year) and other sights. The city is famous for its Chamber orchestra, the Women's Choir "Golden Oriole" and the ensemble "Muzika". The Brass Orchestra "Panevėžio Garsas" goes on tours not only in the Baltic States, but also in Germany, France and the Netherlands. The Orchestra won the Grand Prize in France in 1997. The famous theatres of Panevėžys include the Juozas Miltinis Drama Theatre (one of its actors is Donatas Banionis who is world-famous), the Theatre "Menas", the Puppet Wagon Theatre (which is the only one in Europe) and others.

Alytus

It is the sixth largest city in the country with a population of about 68,800 inhabitants situated in southern Lithuania. Alytus is the capital of Alytus County. It is the historical centre of the Dzūkija region. The city is located on both banks of the Nemunas River. Alytus has been divided into two parts for centuries. These parts are still frequently referred to as Alytus I and Alytus II, the former being a smaller town and the latter - the city centre with microdistricts, industrial areas and parks.

Trakai

It is an old town located 20 - 30 kilometres from Vilnius. Trakai is the administrative centre of the region. Its population is about 5,400 inhabitants. There is a beautiful castle standing on an island in Lake Galve. It is the deepest of the 200 lakes located in the region. Trakai is a lake resort and also part of the Trakai National Park territory. There are many architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Trakai. In summer you can visit various festivals and concerts which take place in the castle.