Cycling in Lithuania
Lithuania In A Nutshell
After the often fast traffic of Poland it's nice to hit Lithuania and feel things slow down. As well as the other attractions it shares with the other Baltic States, it has a lovely capital and even a die-hard atheist will marvel at the Hill of Crosses.
Where and When I Went

30th May - 7th June 2013
Lithuania's Scenery
Like the other Baltic States but not as many trees. Still a lot of trees.

Lithuania's Road Quality
As good as roads need to be and quiet (although not everyone agrees - see comments below). Roads around Vilnius are more hectic.

Lithuania's Accommodation & Costs
If money is hard to come by, Lithuania is a good destination. The two campsites I stayed at averaged €4 (ranging from €3 to €5). The three hotels outside of Vilnius averaged €21 (ranging from €17 to €28).
Out of Vilnius, restaurant food is very cheap. A meal of cold beetroot soup served with a bowl of fried potatoes followed by herring, mushroom and potato and then meat and potato pancakes with a couple of pints came to less than €8.
Language
Although most people connected with tourism spoke English, not all of them did. Older people's second language is Russian.
You might find it useful to know that although 'hotel' or something similar is used in almost all languages around Europe, in Lithuanian a hotel is a 'viesbutis'.
Neighbouring Countries
At first glance, Lithuania looks like the only Baltic state not neighbouring Russia and yet it does, via the tiny coastal exclave containing Kaliningrad. You can also travel to Latvia, Poland and Belarus.
Reasons To Go To Lithuania
Pleasant, quiet roads, cost, a chance to see a piece of the former USSR, the Hill of Crosses, weird 'beer snacks' like dried squid and pigs' ears, to try to discover why every bowl of cold soup is served with a dish of hot potatoes.
Where Have You Written About Cycling In Lithuania?
What Others Say
Comments may be edited for concision. If the comment was taken from elsewhere, click the author's name for the full comment.
"Wow, I can't believe you found the roads quiet. I have cycled around Europe and found Lithuania to be the most dangerous place I have ever cycled with numerous near misses." Anonymous
"Loved Lithuania. Great beer, beautiful women and it didn't get any better. Visited Vilnius, Siauliai and saw the magnificient Hill of Crosses." Len Demoss
See Also
In Search of the Long Legged Blondes of Eastern Europe
This link takes you to Len DeMoss's first day in Lithuania in 2013.
What Do You Think? Your Comments
No HTML please. Useful comments will be incorporated into the content of this page. If you want to be included as a site contributor (with optional links back to your own site/blog/book), please email me using the address below.
Or email your comments about this location to steven@primrose-smith.com.
Previous Comments
No comments yet.