Lithuania Grand Self-Drive Loop

A complete self-drive loop covering the capital, Kaunas, the Hill of Crosses, a Cold War missile base, the seaside, and the Curonian Spit.

A comprehensive itinerary for those who want to see all of Lithuania with plenty of time. Starting from Vilnius, head west via Kernavė and Trakai to Kaunas, drive north to the Hill of Crosses, cross Samogitia to see the underground missile base, and continue to the seaside at Palanga and the Curonian Spit. This counter-clockwise loop avoids backtracking, though the final day involves a long drive. Druskininkai is excluded but can be added as a 3-day southern extension.

The Curonian Spit and the coast are best visited from mid-May to mid-September. Rumšiškės has shorter opening hours in the low season.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival and Northern Old Town

Vilnius（Vilnius Cathedral & Cathedral Square、Gediminas' Tower、Vilnius University、St. Anne's Church、Užupis）

Transfer from the airport to the city (approx. 20 minutes). Spend the afternoon exploring the Old Town on foot. Pick up your rental car on Day 3; a car is not needed in the city.

Stay: Old Town

Day 2 · Historical Memory and Southern Old Town

Vilnius（Gate of Dawn、Church of St. Casimir、Vilnius Choral Synagogue & Jewish Quarter、Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum)、MO Museum）

Explore on foot. The KGB Museum is at the western end of Gediminas Avenue, about a 20-minute walk from the Old Town.

The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Stay: Old Town

Day 3 · Kernavė and Trakai to Kaunas

Vilnius（Kernavė Archaeological Site、Trakai Island Castle） → Kaunas

Pick up your car and drive via Kernavė and Trakai to Kaunas (approx. 190 km, 2.5 hours driving time).

Trakai gets crowded on summer afternoons; consider visiting Kernavė first and Trakai in the late afternoon.

Stay: Kaunas Old Town

Day 4 · Kaunas Old Town and Modernism

Kaunas（Ninth Fort、Kaunas Castle、Kaunas Old Town、Laisvės alėja、M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum、Žaliakalnis Funicular）

Drive or take a local bus to the Ninth Fort in the morning (approx. 20 minutes), and spend the rest of the day walking around the city.

Stay: Kaunas Old Town

Day 5 · Hill of Crosses and Šiauliai

Šiauliai（Hill of Crosses、Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul、Vilniaus Street、Bicycle Museum）

Drive north along the A1 and A12 to the Hill of Crosses (approx. 2 hours), then drive 20 minutes to Šiauliai city center.

The Hill of Crosses is open 24/7; arrive early to avoid crowds and enjoy the best light.

Stay: Vilnius Street Centre

Day 6 · Cold War Base to the Seaside

Palanga（Cold War Museum (Plokštinė Missile Base)、Orvidas Homestead、Palanga Pier）

Drive west on the A11 and local roads to Plokštinė (approx. 2 hours), then continue to Palanga (approx. 1.5 hours). Some sections are gravel roads.

The Cold War Museum can only be visited with a guided tour; book English tours in advance.

Stay: Basanavičiaus Street & Pier

Day 7 · Palanga Amber and Beaches

Palanga（J. Basanavičiaus Street、Palanga Botanical Park、Palanga Amber Museum、Birutė Hill、Palanga Beach）

Spend the day walking or cycling in Palanga. It is about a 20-minute walk from the main street along the beach to the Botanical Park.

The Amber Museum is closed on Mondays; try to avoid visiting on a Monday.

Stay: Basanavičiaus Street & Pier

Day 8 · Klaipėda and Ferry to the Spit

Curonian Spit (Nida)（Klaipėda Old Town、Juodkrantė、Hill of Witches、Grey Dunes / Dead Dunes (Nagliai Reserve)）

Drive south to Klaipėda (approx. 30 minutes), take the car ferry to Smiltynė, and drive along the spit road to Nida (approx. 1 hour).

Vehicles must use the New Ferry Terminal and pay a national park entry fee, which increases significantly from late June to August.

Stay: Nida

Day 9 · Full Day in Nida

Curonian Spit (Nida)（Parnidis Dune、Nida Lighthouse、Nida Village、Thomas Mann Cultural Centre、Nida Beach）

Leave your car at your accommodation and explore on foot or by bicycle. It is about a 30-minute walk from the village to the dunes.