Lithuania has a high concentration of attractions and relatively small cities, making a 4-day trip centered around Vilnius the most convenient option: spend the first two days in the Old Town, the third day in Trakai, and the fourth day at either the Hill of Crosses or Kaunas—no need to move luggage around constantly.
Cathedral Square → Vilnius Cathedral → Gediminas Tower → Gate of Dawn and Chapel of St. Mary → Pilies Street → Vilnius University Courtyard and Clock Tower. The Old Town has many cobblestone streets, so wear comfortable shoes.
In the morning, cross the bridge into Užupis (the Republic of Užupis), look for its self-declared constitution and the “angel” statue. This independent artsy neighborhood is one of the most intriguing parts of Vilnius. In the afternoon, visit St. Anne’s Church, Bernardine Church, and St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church. End the day with coffee by the small river.
Take a morning train to Trakai, tour the water castle and the Karaim ethnic district, enjoy lunch with kibinai (savory pastries), and rent a paddle boat or kayak on Lake Galvė in the afternoon. Return to Vilnius in the evening. On a clear day, the reflection of the castle on the lake makes for one of the most photogenic sights of the whole trip.
Option 1: Take a bus to the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai to witness the unique pilgrimage sight of hundreds of thousands of crosses. The round trip takes about half a day. Option 2: Take a train to Kaunas to explore the Old Town, the Ninth Fort, and modernist architecture, then return to Vilnius in the evening to prepare for departure.
Vilnius Old Town offers a wide range of boutique hotels and apartments. Staying just outside the most central areas lets you walk to main sights while avoiding the busiest streets. Trains run to both Trakai and Kaunas, and Vilnius Central Railway Station is close to the long-distance bus terminal, making transfers easy. If you choose the Hill of Crosses, you’ll need to take a bus to Šiauliai first, then a local bus, with the round trip taking about half a day—best scheduled for the last day to avoid disrupting other plans.
This 4-day itinerary is quite packed. Focus mainly on Vilnius and Trakai, and choose either the Hill of Crosses or Kaunas. Lithuanian cities are compact, so frequently changing hotels isn’t cost-effective. Staying based in Vilnius is the most hassle-free option.