Lithuania is a Baltic gem offering medieval castles, baroque architecture, and pristine nature. From the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Vilnius to the iconic Trakai Island Castle, Lithuania blends rich history with modern vibrancy and natural beauty.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Trakai
Highlights: Trakai Island Castle on Lake Galve · Karaite minority culture and kibinai pastries · Lakeside cycling and kayaking · Peninsula Castle ruins
Kaunas
Highlights: Laisves Aleja boulevard and interwar modernist architecture · Ninth Fort Holocaust memorial site · Zaliakalnis neighborhood and funicular · Kaunas Castle and Old Town
Kernave Archaeological Site
Highlights: Lithuania's first capital with five Iron Age hill forts · UNESCO World Heritage site · Neris River valley panoramas · Midsummer festival in early July
Druskininkai Spa Town
Highlights: Soviet-era sanatoriums and modern spa hotels · Grutas Park (Soviet sculpture park) · Dzukija National Park forests and rivers · Mineral water springs
Palanga Coastal Resort
Highlights: 12 km Baltic Sea beach · Amber Museum in Tiskeviciu Palace Park · Botanical garden with rose garden · Birute Hill and coastal dunes
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Vilnius from $35pp for Trakai, $50-80pp for Kaunas or Curonian Spit through Viator, GetYourGuide, and Vilnius Free Tour
- Private
- Private car and driver for custom day trips from $80-150/day through local operators — ideal for multi-stop routes like Hill of Crosses + Šiauliai + Rundale
- Public
- Trains and buses serve Trakai, Kaunas, Druskininkai, and Palanga reliably. Kernavė bus service is limited — check schedules at autobusubilietai.lt in advance
- Rental
- Car rental from €25-40/day recommended for Aukštaitija National Park, Žemaitija National Park, Hill of Crosses, and any multi-stop rural itinerary
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start Trakai day trips before 10AM — tour buses arrive mid-morning and the castle island gets very crowded by noon in summer
For Kaunas, use the Kaunas Card (€15/day) covering all museums and public transport — excellent value for day-trippers
The Hill of Crosses is best visited at dawn when empty and atmospheric; combine with Šiauliai city or continue to Palanga for a full coastal day
Curonian Spit is almost impossible to fully see in one day from Vilnius — consider staying overnight in Nida or Juodkrantė