Lithuania is one of my favorite countries in the world. I keep coming back, and every visit uncovers another charming town, fascinating story, or hidden gem - many of which I've shared on the GoTravel website. It's remarkably green, considerably more affordable than many of its Western European neighbors, and offers a welcome escape from the Israeli summer heat.
There's another reason to plan your visit carefully. On the last Sunday of every month, dozens of museums, castles, and national heritage sites across Lithuania offer free admission. It's an easy way to save dozens of euros while exploring some of the country's most impressive cultural landmarks.
1. Gediminas Tower, Vilnius
Visible from nearly every corner of the city, Gediminas Tower - together with a surviving section of the old defensive wall - is all that remains of the fortress that once protected medieval Vilnius. It makes an ideal first stop, whether you take the funicular from the northern side or take the short walking trail from the south. Inside, the tower presents engaging historical exhibits, while the hilltop rewards visitors with sweeping panoramic views of the Lithuanian capital.
Money saved: €8.
2. Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Vilnius
Just a short walk away lies Cathedral Square and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Just south of the palace lies Pilies Street - literally "Castle Street" - the Old Town's main pedestrian thoroughfare. The reconstructed palace traces the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania through grand ceremonial halls, archaeological discoveries, and thoughtfully curated exhibitions.
Money saved: €6–10.
3. Bastion of the Vilnius Defence Wall
After exploring Vilnius' atmospheric Old Town, the Gate of Dawn, and the nearby market, continue on to one of the city's best-preserved fortifications: The Bastion of the Vilnius Defence Wall. The site features underground tunnels and exhibitions that explore the city's military past.
Money saved: €6.
4. Energy and Technology Museum, Vilnius
Directly across the river from Gediminas Tower is an interactive museum housed in Vilnius' first municipal power plant, built in 1903. The museum combines the original industrial machinery and architecture with hands-on exhibits covering energy, engineering, transport, and technology, making it an engaging visit for both adults and children.
Money saved: €9.
5. National Gallery of Art, Vilnius
Art enthusiasts should also make time for the National Gallery of Art, located a short distance away. As Lithuania's leading museum of modern and contemporary art, it showcases paintings, sculptures, photography, prints, installations, and video works that trace the evolution of Lithuanian artistic expression.
Money saved: €8.
6. Trakai Castle
Around 30 minutes from Vilnius stands Trakai Castle, the iconic island fortress set amid the waters of Lake Galvė and one of Lithuania's most recognizable landmarks. While you're there, consider taking a boat trip among the lake's many small islands. On the last Sunday of every month, admission to the castle museum is free.
Money saved: €12.
7. Open-Air Museum of Lithuania
On the drive to Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city, it's worth stopping at the Open-Air Museum of Lithuania near the shores of the Kaunas Reservoir. The museum stands on the site connected to the former town of Rumšiškės, whose residents were relocated after the reservoir was created. Today, it is one of Europe's largest open-air museums, featuring dozens of traditional wooden homes, farmsteads, windmills, and churches relocated from every region of Lithuania.
Money saved: €12.
8. Ninth Fort, near Kaunas
The Ninth Fort is one of eight defensive forts constructed around Kaunas in the late 19th century. It is best known for its tragic role during the Holocaust, when tens of thousands of people - most of them Lithuanian Jews, along with deportees from other European countries - were imprisoned and murdered there.
Today, the site houses a museum with exhibitions covering the Soviet and Nazi occupations, as well as the Holocaust, alongside a monumental memorial considered one of Europe's most striking Holocaust monuments. On the last Sunday of every month, admission to the museum and its exhibitions is free, although guided tours of the underground sections require advance booking and an additional fee.
Money saved: €8.
The final stop may be a sobering one, but the journey back between Lithuania's two largest cities - just an hour and a half through forests, fields, and seemingly endless greenery - serves as a reminder of why this country leaves such a lasting impression. It is a landscape that refreshes the senses long after the trip has ended.
About the author:
Carmit Weiss is the director of the GoTravel travel website, one of the most comprehensive and trusted Hebrew-language resources for travelers exploring destinations around the world.