Self Guided Walking Holiday around Lithuania 10 days
- Learn about Lithuanian medieval history;
- Enjoy breathtaking view at the sea and lagoon at the same time from Parnidis dune;
- Visit charming small villages in Curonian spit;;
- Experience new tastes - try freshly smoked fish and kibinai;
- Take a walk in the golden beach of Neringa
Enjoy the getaway from the city life and reconnect with nature while visiting two areas in Lithuania. We picked some of the most beautiful routes and views for you to enjoy not missing out any highlights on the way. However, the self guided format will let you decide on your own pace and enjoy peace and quietness.
You will have an opportunity to spend some time in nature while also staying in Vilnius - the capital of Lithuania at the beginning of the tour. During the daytime you will explore two different locations near Vilnius - Pavilnys region park and Trakai, where you will also find medieval castle in the middle of the lake.
You will take a train ride to one of our favourite places in Lithuania - Curonian spit. It is a truly magic narrow piece of land between the Baltic sea and the Curonian lagoon. It is one of the UNESCO world heritage sights – during your walk you will pass through the white sand beaches as well as thick pine forests. You will stay in the old fishermen villages that turned into tiny resort towns.
This tour includes accommodation, walking route maps and descriptions and luggage transfers.
Day 1. ARRIVAL
Arriving to Vilnius. Optional Airport transfer to Hotel. Overnight in Vilnius.
If you arrive earlier - take an easy walk around the old town. Otherwise, you can book extra day to explore Vilnius more.
Optional dinner in Vilnius 6 course Lithuanian historical dinner.
Accommodation: centrally located 3* hotel in Vilnius
Day 2. PAVILNIAI
Today you will explore a regional park which is within Vilnius city boundaries. You will take a short train ride, will walk along the river, walk up and down some hills and through the forests - and everything without really going out of town.
Pristine Pavilniai Regional Park is a protected area that includes the 65 m height Puckoriai rock exposure at the Vilnia river valley. 20 thousand years old formations are visible from the lower side after 1 km easy hike from a restaurant located in a former mill.
Walking 4 h, 10 km
Public transport: Vilnius train station - Pavilnio st. (7 min)
Optional beer tasting in Vilnius.
Accommodation: centrally located 3* hotel in Vilnius
Day 3. TRAKAI
Today after a short train ride you will find yourself in the cosy medieval town surrounded by picturesque lakes and forests.
Trakai, located 30 km from Vilnius is a historical capital of Lithuania and it’s beauty leaves no one indifferent.
Locals take a day trip there and we invite you for one as well. See Trakai Castle, lakes and beautiful views around. Trakai used to be a medieval residence of Lithuanian Grand Dukes. Once a significant and powerful town, nowadays the town is enjoying tranquility and the status of summer resort with its only 5000 residents. The town is also famous for it's karaim community living here since 14th century who make "kibinai" the best local pastries in the area.
This day offers two hikes to choose - a shorter one around the Trakai town and peninsula and a longer one with an extension to Varnikai Reserve that will lead you through an old forest and meadow offering nature lovers an opportunity to enjoy spectacular views and the rich natural biodiversity found here.
Walking:
Short route - 2 h, 7 km
Long route - 5 h, 15 km
Public transport: Vilnius train station - Trakai - Vilnius
Accommodation: centrally located 3* hotel in Vilnius
Day 4. VILNIUS-KLAIPEDA
On this day you will move to the Western coast of Lithuania and explore Klaipeda surroundings.
In the morning you will catch your 4 hour train to Klaipeda. Train journeys let you avoid highways and get a glimpse of the Lithuanian countryside.
After arrival to Klaipeda (Optional private transfer or public transport) check in to your hotel. Accommodation: centrally located 3* hotel in Klaipeda
Day 5. KLAIPEDA-SMILTYNE-KLAIPEDA
This day you will walk a circular route along the northernmost part of Curonian spit. On the way you will pass Ethnographic fisherman’s farmstead and old ships’ ground as well as Sea museum and aquarium. You will walk on both sides of the Curonian spit – the lagoon coast and the Baltic sea coast.
Additional options:
- visit Ethnographic fisherman’s farmstead and old ships’ ground
Hiking for the day: 3 hours (8 km, elevation gain – 18 m)
Accommodation: centrally located 3* hotel in Klaipeda
Day 6. JUODKRANTE
In the morning a taxi will pick you up from Klaipeda and drive you to Juodkrante where you will spend another day hiking. After dropping your luggage at the guesthouse, the driver will drop you at the Amber bay where you will start your walk for the day. You will go into an old forest, walk the trail where you will get acquainted with typical flora of the Curonian spit. You will also walk through the trail on the Hill of Witches which will guide you through the most well-known legends and stories in Lithuanian folk history. We made sure to include another highlight of the Curonian spit – a cormorant colony which is largest in Europe.
In the evening relax at Juodkrante beach which is one of 3 blue flag beaches on the Curonian Spit.
Additional options:
Visit Weathervane gallery (free entrance, Zveju st. 13, Juodkrante).
Hiking for the day: 6 hours (13,5 km, elevation gain – 52 m)
Accommodation: family run guest house/apartment/bed&breakfast in Juodkrante or Pervalka (subject to availability)
Day 7. PERVALKA – PREILA
Taxi will pick you in the morning from Juodkrante and you will be dropped at the Grey dunes – another picturesque trail in the Nagliai nature reserve (get a ticket from the ranger - 2€) There you will start the day’s walk and will be going further south along the coast of Curonian lagoon to Preila. Before entering Pervalka village you can have a picnic in front of the smallest beacon in Lithuania.
Hiking for the day: 6 hours (15 km, elevation gain – 47 m)
Accommodation: family run guest house or apartment in Preila
Day 8. PREILA – NIDA
This day you will walk from Preila to Nida, visiting Vecekrugas – the highest dune in the Curonian spit for 360 degrees views. There are more hills to climb on the way – if you feel so. Do not miss out the Nida civil airfield where you can use the chance to walk on a real runway.
Hiking for the day: 6 hours (13,5 km, elevation gain – 55 m)
Accommodation: 3* hotel or a guesthouse in Nida
Day 9. NIDA
A relaxed day in Nida with some short walk around the town and its main points. Visit Parnidis dune to get breathtaking views of Death Valley, reach the lighthouse of Nida which is showing the way for the ships on both sides of the Spit. Go to the Baltic seaside for a swim or sunbathing session and come back through the forest to the lagoon side.
Additional options:
Visit Thomas Mann summerhouse-museum (entrance 2,5€, Mon-Sun, Skruzdynes st. 17, Nida)
Amber museum-gallery (entrance 1,25€, Mon-Sun, Pamario st. 20, Nida)
Book a sauna on the Baltic sea coast (200€ / 2hours, subject to availability)
Hiking for the day: 6 hours (8,5 km, elevation gain – 45 m)
Accommodation: 3* hotel or a guesthouse in Nida
Day 10. DEPARTURE
Optional transfer to Klaipeda / Vilnius
- 3 nights at centrally located 3* hotel in Vilnius with breakfast
- 2 nights at the centrally located 3* hotels in Klaipeda with breakfast
- 4 nights at the guesthouses / apartments in Curonian spit without breakfast
- Luggage transfers between the accommodations in Curonian spit
- Ecological fee in the Curonian Spit
- Walking route maps and descriptions
- Plane tickets to and from Lithuania
- Arrival / Departure transfers
- Other transportation not mentioned in the description
- Food or drinks
- Entrances to museums
OPTIONALS
Private guided walking tour in Vilnius, 2,5 hours - 120€ per tour
Pre/post tour accommodation in Vilnius - 3* hotel - double room - 75€
Pre/post tour accommodation in Vilnius - 3* hotel - single room - 70€
Optional dinner in Vilnius 6 course Lithuanian historical dinner – 40 EUR per person
Optional beer tasting in Vilnius - 30 EUR per person
Daytour by boat to the Vente horn and Pamarys fisherman village including lunch – 55€ per person (June-September only) - subject to availability
Train / coach ticket from Vilnius to Klaipeda - 25€ per person
Train / coach ticket from Nida to Vilnius - 35€ per person
Transfer from Vilnius to Klaipeda by private car 1-2 persons - 250€ per car
Transfer from Vilnius to Klaipeda by private minivan 1-6 persons - 270€ per minivan
Transfer from Nida to Vilnius by private car 1-2 persons - 250€ - per car
Transfer from Nida to Vilnius by private minivan 1-6 persons - 270€ per minivan
Private guided walking tour in Klaipeda, 2 hours – 90€ per tour
Private guided walking tour in Vilnius, 2,5 hours - 120€ per tour
Sauna on the Baltic sea coast - 2 hours - 200€ group up to 8 persons
TRAVEL INFORMATION AND CONNECTING TRAVEL
Airports and airlines:
Vilnius (VNO)
Kaunas (KUN)
Palanga (PLQ)
Riga (RIX) – in Latvia, but convenient to reach Klaipeda
Direct flights:
Ryanair
Wizzair
Airbaltic
Lufthansa
SAS
Norwegian
TRAVELLING TO KLAIPEDA
From Vilnius airport to the city
A) From Vilnius airport take a bus no 1 or 2 going to the Bus/Train station (ticket price from the driver 1€) - journey takes around 15 min.
B) Take a taxi from the airport to the city (to get a taxi use mobile phone app Taxify or Uber, do not take one from the street as they charge much higher rates) – taxi fare should be 5-6€ to the bus/train station.
From Vilnius to Klaipeda
A) Take a bus at the bus station (3 h 45 min, 15-20€ one way). Tickets can be purchased at the bus station or online (schedules and tickets: https://www.autobusubilietai.lt/)
B) Take a train from the train station (3 h 45 min – 4 h 10 min, 15-25 € one way). Tickets can be purchased at the train station or online (schedules and tickets: https://www.traukiniobilietas.lt)
From Kaunas airport to the city
A) Take a bus no 20 from the airport to Kaunas bus station (ticket price from the driver 1€) - journey takes around 50 min.
From Kaunas to Klaipeda
Take a bus from Kaunas to Klaipeda (2 h 35 min, 13-17€ one way). Tickets can be purchased at the bus station or online (schedules and tickets: https://www.autobusubilietai.lt/)
From Palanga airport to Klaipeda
Take a bus no 100 which will take you to Klaipeda bus station (ticket price from the driver – 2,5€, journey time around 30 min).
You can also book direct shuttle from Vilnius, Kaunas and Riga airports to Klaipeda (https://www.ollex.lt/en/express)
Also, all transfers can be booked privately.
GOING FROM NIDA TO KLAIPEDA
Transfer back to Klaipeda / Vilnius / Kaunas ir not included in the itinerary.
From Nida buses run frequently to Smiltyne (to the old ferry terminal) – ticket at the driver price is 3,4€, journey time is around 1 h.
From Nida there are direct buses to Klaipeda station, Kaunas or Vilnius – tickets can be purchased online or at the bus station (schedules and tickets: https://www.autobusubilietai.lt/)
Private transfers can be booked.
BAGGAGE TRANSFERS
Baggage transfers are included and will be transferred by private transfers from hotel to hotel. One bag per person up to 25 kg.
ACCOMMODATION
In Klaipeda you will stay at centrally located 3* hotel (and upgrade can be booked to a 4* hotel).
In Curonian Spit you will stay either at the carefully handpicked small guesthouses or studios/apartments. Some guesthouse accommodations may have shared bathrooms for a few rooms.
In summer in the Curonian spit accommodation options are selling very quickly, so the bookings should be made as early as possible. The exact hotels will be known only after booking confirmation.
MEALS
Breakfasts:
Included in the hotels in Klaipeda
In Curonian spit breakfast is not included, there are shops and restaurants at the villages where you will stay.
Lunch: prepacked lunch should be prepared in advance as there are no shops between the villages.
Dinner: you will stay in the villages in the Curonian spit, in each there are a few restaurants and shops to buy your meals.
- More than 60 days before tour start date – 10% of tour price will be charged .10% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of booking and preparing your tour.
- 59-35 days before tour start date – 25% of tour price will be charged. 25% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of canceling any arrangements made for your tour.
- 34-22 days before tour start date – 75% of tour price will be charged. 75% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of canceling any arrangements made for your tour.
- 21-0 days before tour start day – 100% of tour price will be charged. 100% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of canceling any arrangements made for your tour.