Best Time to Visit Lithuania

Vilnius is the one to plan around

Our site covers Vilnius for Lithuania, so that's where this advice comes from. The country is small and flat, and the weather doesn't change much from one region to the next. The Baltic coast, with Klaipėda and the Curonian Spit (a long, sandy strip of dunes and pine forest), is breezier and a bit cooler in summer. The timing below works for most of the country.

Summer and early autumn: the best stretch

June and August to September are the best months in Vilnius. In June the days are very long, and you can sit outside in the Old Town well into the evening. August and September are calmer. The air is warm but not heavy, and the trees along the Neris river start to turn.

July is the hottest month, at 23°C. That's pleasant, not scorching. It's also the wettest, at 108 mm, so expect short, heavy showers. They usually pass, and a café on Pilies Street is a good place to wait one out.

If you want beaches, summer is your window. The Curonian Spit and Palanga are at their best then. Cold water is normal even in July, though.

Holidays, events and crowds

High season runs from June to August. It's busiest around Joninės (St John's Day, or Midsummer) on 24 June, when many locals head to the countryside for bonfires and wreaths of flowers. Some city restaurants feel quieter then. Lithuania's Statehood Day on 6 July is another day off, and shops may close.

Vilnius is also popular for Christmas markets in December, and Kaziuko mugė, a big crafts fair around 4 March, is a local favourite. On 16 February (Independence Day) and 11 March (Restoration of Independence), you'll see flags and events across the city.

Low season

Late autumn and winter are the quiet months. Days are short, grey and cold, and snow is common. But hotels are cheaper and the Old Town feels cosy, with hot mulled wine and hearty potato dishes like cepelinai (meat-filled dumplings). If you don't mind the cold, it's a good time for a city break.