Lithuania is known as the homeland of amber, Baltic gold, a beautiful gemstone made of resin. It’s found along the coast of the Baltic Sea, where heavy storms and winds help the amber reach the shore. Leaving aside the amber, the seaside is a popular summer destination for recreation. Among the maritime towns, the most favourite are Nida, located on the Curonian Spit, Klaipeda and Palanga. Though the Baltic waters are quite cold, even in summertime many people enjoy the therapeutic features of the climate, unspoilt wildlife, picturesque dunes and sandy beaches. Apart from the seaside, there are several other regions of exceptional beauty in the country. First of all is Aukstaitija National Park, a great rural territory attractive for its numerous plants, birds and animals. Dotted with a number of lakes, it forms a great destination for kayakers, cyclers or hikers. There are also ancient villages with wooden huts, watermills and churches, as well as archaeological sites in the park.

It’s not only the advantages of the Lithuanian landscape that draw tourists to this country. Since it has a complicated history and its culture was shaped by several neighbouring nations, the abundance and diversity of its historical and cultural sights will amaze you. There are stunning Medieval castles such as the one in Trakai, picturesquely located on an island. A fairy-tale red-brick construction was once one of the main centres of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which in the Middle Ages was a powerful state whose territory comprised today's Lithuania, Belarus, large parts of Ukraine and Russia. Another interesting castle can be found in Kaunas. Those who like newer curiosities and monuments should head to Grutas Park, an open-air museum of statues from the Soviet era. Located close to Druskininkai, the large garden holds figures of Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Karl Marx and Felix Dzerzhinsky. Another completely different attraction is the Hill of Crosses, a holy pilgrimage site near Siauliai. Crammed with crosses, this hill has a truly unusual appearance and is often visited by Catholics and tourists.