Here you will find study trips and round trips through the metropolises of Lithuania
Vilnius
Vilnius: Best of Europe!
Whether as a weekend trip or a city tour, whether as part of a study trip or as a stop on tours through the Baltic States: Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is still an insider tip. The question is, how much longer… There are still no innumerable groups of tourists pushing their way through the narrow streets of the city center, which may remind many of them of their last trip to Italy. You can still enjoy the view from the Gediminas Castle to the newly created, modern skyline on the Neris-Ufer, which evokes associations with Frankfurt am Main, relatively undisturbed. It is not for nothing that they say: Vilnius is a kind of “Europe in miniature” and offers the “best of” from many European cities.
Kaunas
Lithuania’s former capital
As the second largest city in Lithuania, Kaunas is one of the most important settlements within the Baltic state. Kaunas, home to around 300,000 residents, is an important economic and cultural center in the country. As early as the 14th century, a castle was built in what is now the city area, from which the later settlement emerged. Due to its favorable location on the Baltic Sea tributary Memel, which meets the Neris here, Kaunas has been known as a trade center in the region for centuries. The history of the city is closely linked to textile production. The settlement in the central Lithuanian region Kaunas is not only economically relevant, but also one of the most important science and university locations in the country.
The most beautiful sights of the old town Kaunas
The city, about 100 kilometers from Vilnius, has an idyllic historical center where Memel and Neris meet. The town hall with a 53 meter high town hall tower, the history of which goes back to the 16th century, is a landmark. The building looks back on a history of different architectural styles: once built in the Gothic style, a tower in the Renaissance style was soon added, but later the facade and the interior were renewed based on the Baroque and Classicism models. The sacred buildings also have appealing historical architecture – whether the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Michael the Archangel, the Jesuit Church on Town Hall Square or the Peter and Paul Cathedral. In addition to the historic town hall, Kaunas Castle is still one of the city’s landmarks today.
Museums and cultural institutions in Kaunas
Visitors interested in culture can also discover museums on their trip to Kaunas. Here is the National Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis Museum, the oldest art museum in the country, the Vytautas Magnus Military Museum offers an insight into the country’s military history, while the Maironis Museum is dedicated to Lithuanian literature. A curiosity among the museums is the Žmuidzinavičius Museum, an exhibition of all kinds of devil figures. Concerts and events in the region take place in the neoclassical Kaunas Philharmonic. The city’s 50,000 or so students contribute to the young and academic population, many of whom attend Kaunas University of Technology and Vytautas Magnus University.
Klaipeda
The Lithuanian coastal city of Klaipeda is one of the most important hubs in the Baltic States. The reason for this is the centrally located and large port, which has given the place importance and an economic boom. But the place with almost 163,000 inhabitants also has a lot to offer when traveling.
Location & arrival
Klaipeda is located on the Baltic Sea coast directly on the northern tip of the Curonian Spit. This means that it is a good 200 kilometers from Kaunas and around 300 kilometers from Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius. Due to its important position, the city is easily accessible in many ways, both by car, long-distance bus and train, as well as via the airport in the nearby city of Palanga. There are also ferry connections directly from Germany and from several other countries, for example Denmark and Sweden.
History
The port city has a very eventful history, as it was in the meantime occupied by the Duchy of Prussia, France, the Nazi regime and the Soviet Union. In German literature, the name “Memel” is often found for the city. However, the origins of the settlement go back to the Iron Age, at least 4500 years. The pretty half-timbered town of Klaipeda is the oldest town in Lithuania.
Sights & Activities
The eventful past is also reflected in the city’s sights, especially in the many different churches. These include, for example, the Klaipeda Baptist Church and the modern sacred building “Josef der Arbeiter”. The old town on the Danė River is very worth seeing for study trips. There are many restored half-timbered houses from the 17th-19th centuries. Century. The symbol of the city, the Simon-Dach-Brunnen, can be seen on the Theaterplatz. Also worth a look are the historic town hall, the brick university and two old post offices. Further information is available to those interested in the Historical Museum of Lithuania Minor. Also worth seeing is the former sailing training ship “Meridianas”, which is anchored on the Danė River.
Klaipeda offers excellent opportunities for those who do not just want to go on a city holiday: The Curonian Spit, famous for its beauty, and the Kliošiai nature reserve about 15 kilometers to the south open up dreamy white beaches, pine forests and a rich bird fauna. In addition, the well-known seaside resort of Palanga is not far away in the north.
