Vilnius is one of the most underrated capitals in Europe. The old town is a UNESCO site with baroque churches, narrow cobblestone streets, and colorful buildings. Vilnius Cathedral and Gediminas Tower (climb it for views over the city) are the main landmarks. The Gate of Dawn is a chapel with a sacred painting that's been a pilgrimage site for centuries. Uzupis is a bohemian neighborhood that declared itself an independent republic (tongue-in-cheek). It has street art, galleries, cafés, and its own constitution posted on a wall in multiple languages.

Vilnius has a tragic history. The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (housed in the former KGB headquarters) tells the story of Soviet occupation. The basement was used as a prison and execution chamber. It's powerful and sobering.

Trakai Castle (about 30 minutes from Vilnius) is a fairytale castle on an island in a lake. It's one of the most photographed sites in Lithuania. You can tour the inside and walk around the island. It's touristy but beautiful.

The Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai (in northern Lithuania) is a pilgrimage site covered in thousands of crosses. People have been placing crosses here for centuries as acts of faith and resistance (especially during Soviet times when the crosses were repeatedly removed). It's eerie, moving, and unique.

Kaunas is Lithuania's second-largest city with a charming old town, museums, and a more local vibe than Vilnius. The Ninth Fort outside Kaunas is a former Soviet prison and execution site. It's now a museum about the Holocaust and Soviet occupation.

The Curonian Spit is a narrow sand dune peninsula on the Baltic Sea (shared with Russia). It has beaches, forests, and small fishing villages. It's remote, beautiful, and a UNESCO site.

Lithuanian food is hearty and potato-heavy. Cepelinai (potato dumplings stuffed with meat). Šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup). Kibinai (pastries filled with meat, popular in Trakai). Lithuanian food is filling, cheap, and not particularly exciting.

Lithuanian people are reserved, proud, and warm once you engage. They're not overly chatty, but they're friendly and helpful. English is widely spoken in Vilnius, less so in smaller towns.

Getting around is easy. Buses connect Vilnius to other cities and towns. Trains are limited. If you want to explore the countryside or Trakai, buses are cheap and frequent.
Lithuania is the cheapest of the Baltic states. Hostels run $10-18/night. A meal at a restaurant is $7-12. A beer is $2-3.

When to go: Summer (June-August) is the best time for weather. Days are long, temperatures are mild (18-22°C/65-72°F), and everything is open. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are cooler and quieter. Winter (November-March) is cold, dark, and snowy.

Lithuania is underrated, affordable, and full of history. If you're doing the Baltics, don't skip it.