This tiny country is Europe’s best kept secret — but not for long

Sparkling lakes surrounded by lush pine forests. Cosmopolitan cities and medieval towns. A small population of 2.9 million people fiercely proud of their culture and language. This is Lithuania, a small country in Europe’s Baltic region that recently placed second in Lonely Planet’s esteemed list of the best countries to visit in 2025, hot on the heels of topping last year’s World Happiness Report for the under-30s.

From the sprawling green spaces covering one-third of the landscape to its growing reputation as a culinary destination, the buzz around Lithuania and its pocket-sized capital Vilnius is more than justified. And with visitor numbers on the rise, now is the time to explore all this lesser-known nation has to offer before everyone else does. Here’s everything you need to know before you visit.

Who doesn’t love a city break. But with major destinations like Amsterdam, Berlin, and Madrid becoming busier and more expensive, many travellers are starting to veer off the beaten track. Enter, Vilnius. Named Europe’s most affordable city break by Post Office Travel Money in 2024, Lithuania’s capital is truly delightful.

Metro‘s Alice Murphy spent 48 hours in Vilnius in November and found a charming town still reckoning with its complex past, where brutalist Soviet architecture meets high-end boutiques and a rapidly blossoming food scene. She wrote: ‘It’s been more than 30 years since Lithuania gained independence from the USSR, but the buzz of freedom is still in the air. And, drawn by vibey nightlife, dark history and reasonable prices, people are starting to take note.

But despite direct flights from major UK airports such as Stansted and Luton, Vilnius remains off the beaten path for British travellers. The tourism board is willing to laugh at its obscurity, declaring the country the ‘G-spot of Europe’ — ‘amazing, but nobody knows where it is’. Read more about her experience here.

From winding cobbled alleyways and a bohemian quarter with elegant Baroque architecture, this is a city that knows where it comes from. The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights is a good place to start. After centuries of invasion and repression from Germany, Poland, and the Soviet Union, the museum is a sobering reminder of how Lithuanians fought to keep their culture alive.

Guide and tour leader Lina Dusevičienė expands on the country’s fight for freedom: ‘The dramatic history of the three last centuries shows that no trouble, occupation, or oppression is strong enough to tame Lithuanians. The young and active people of Lithuania make everyone feel welcome and engaged in learning the history.’.

Melkuhn Andrea: “I loved the big open spaces, the cat café and the history of this place. I saw only one group of tourists in August. If you don’t like crowded places, please go to Vilnius. I can’t wait to go back, there are lot of coffee places which I want to try.”.

Robert Downing: “Great place. Quiet and friendly. Not expensive.”. Stuart Hunter: “I worked there some years ago. Nice place and very nice people. And yes it was as cheap as she says. Worth a visit.”. Vilnius is also central to Lithuania’s blossoming culinary scene, where tradition and innovation collide.

‘Lithuanians have always been deeply connected to their traditions, native ingredients, time-tested cooking methods, and the stories that come with them,’ explains Niels Peter Pretzmann, owner of Senatorių pasažas restaurants and shops. ‘The practice of using farm produce, cooking all parts of the animal, foraging and preserving vegetables for winter has been passed down through generations. Add a healthy dose of curiosity about global gastronomy trends, and you get what we all hope for — a seasonal, sustainable cuisine that reflects Lithuania’s well-defined seasons.’.

While farm-to-table restaurants such as highly-rated 14 Horses serve up lamb dumplings loved by generations of Lithuanians, more decadent establishments are also making their mark. Take Dziaugsmas, one of four local restaurants to receive a star in 2024’s first-ever Michelin guide to Lithuania. Offering a €67 (£55) tasting menu that includes black pudding doughnuts and moreish bone marrow, it’s clear Lithuanian chefs are respecting their cuisine while keeping an eye on the future.

Niels, who is also the owner of a sustainable farm called Farmers Circle on the outskirts of Vilnius, notes how Lithuania’s food scene holds immense potential for slow tourism. He believes reconnecting with the places where food is grown, and embracing unhurried, immersive experiences is the key to Lithuania’s uniqueness.

He says: ‘We encourage guests to slow down, stay overnight, and wake up to the peaceful serenity of farm life. These could be some of the most precious experiences of our generation.’. Go Vilnius, the city’s official tourism and business development agency, agrees that sustainability is a priority. And, since Vilnius holds the title of Green Capital of Europe this year, it’s also at the heart of the city’s plans.