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The publishing house "Terra Publica,” known for its long-standing efforts to promote local tourism in Lithuania, published its Top 30 Most Attractive Tourism Destinations in Lithuania last Tuesday. Download this article in PDF file (629.7 kb).

Since 2007, the publishing house collects and analyzes information about various attractive locations in Lithuania, including towns and villages, parks and museums, and other places worth to see. The first local tourism ratings were published in 2009, after having evaluated more than 300 sites. Within five years the evaluation list has expanded and now it includes more than 500 localities.

The list has been compiled on the basis of a unique methodology developed by the publishing house. Evaluation criteria have been grouped into three major categories:

- The historical and/or cultural importance of the subject,
- Its accessibility and local infrastructure,
- Attractiveness for tourism.

The main criteria were additionally measured against such factors as: thematic prominence of the area, relevance of the site for more than one social group, seasonality, interaction with the other touristic objects in the area, geographical location, access roads, sanitation, supplementary services, self-promotion, cooperation with the media, and availability of information by phone and on the spot.

The maximum number of points that an individual site can collect is 999. The sites which scored zero points in at least one category were not included in the list.

Since the rating targets primarily Lithuanian residents who are planning a one-day trip within Lithuania, such factors as foreign language skills of the local people and accommodation opportunities in a selected area were also ignored.

The study did not include major Lithuanian cities, as they would have overwhelmed smaller towns and less populated localities by most of the parameters used in the research.

Like in the 2012 list, the top five “golden” destinations in 2013 remain the same: Trakai, Druskininkai, Neringa, Aukštaitijos National Park and Anykščiai. Druskininkai has replaced Neringa as the second place winner, leaving the renowned Lithuanian sea resort in the third place. Aukštadvaris Regional Park and Vištytis Regional Parks failed to make it to the Top 30 this year.

The new arrivals in 2013 are Smiltynė (Lithuanian Sea Museum) and Zarasai.

Below is the abridged list of the top 10 most attractive local destinations in Lithuania. The full list of 30 most recommended destinations is available here (in Lithuanian).

TOP 10 MOST ATTRACTIVE TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN LITHUANIA

1. Trakai (www.trakai.lt)

Trakai remains the country's No.1 attraction, among which the Medieval Castle, the Neo-Classicistic Užutrakis Mansion, and the recently reconstructed 15th century St Mary Church, are the main attraction points. Trakai is located only 20 km away from the capital city of Vilnius and is easy to explore on foot as much as by bicycle, boat or even airplane. Good accommodation options and a distinctive Karaite cuisine, along with abundant cultural and sporting events, will make your stay truly unforgettable.

2. Druskininkai (www.druskininkai.lt)

By introducing the head tax in 2011, Druskininkai took the risk which eventually paid off. The town’s new outlook is a convincing reminder that every penny of the new tax money has been used to make the city look prettier. The city is drowning in flowers, and other Lithuanian municipalities are increasingly reconsidering their skepticism regarding additional taxation. The well-maintained urban landscape and well-developed service infrastructure helped Druskininkai climb one position up in the 2013 Most Attractive Tourist Destinations List. Small ship river cruises, which have excellent conditions to develop in Druskininkai, are perhaps the only missing thing.

3. Neringa (www.visitneringa.com)

Neringa is a unique area not only in Lithuania but also in the entire Europe. Located on a narrow sand strip separated from the mainland by water, Neringa is home to unique flora and fauna and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. However, two outstanding problems – seasonality and unresolved property issues – keep preventing Neringa from becoming the really best place to go. Five years of ongoing court litigation regarding the legality of constructions in the protected Preila area is indeed a lot. This unclear situation prevents other investment from coming into important infrastructure development projects in the area.

4. Aukštaitijos National Park (www.anp.lt)

Aukštaitijos National Park is considered Lithuania’s true gem – a wonderful piece of nature with one of the oldest wooden shrines, Palūšė Church; reconstructed boathouse with scores of small boats for rent; Ladakalnis Hill providing a breathtaking panorama of six lakes; Ginučiai Watermill; Lithuanian Museum of Ancient Beekeeping in Stripeikiai; and telecommunication tower with a bird’s eye view platform on the top. Aukštaitijos National Park provides a variety of activities for hikers, bikers, canoe paddlers, as well as for lazy car travelers. However, touristic activities during cold winter seasons are rather limited.

5. Anykščiai (www.anyksciai.lt)

Should Anykščiai possessed its own mineral water springs, it could already be as famous as Druskininkai. Nevertheless, the city has been performing pretty well and has become a very attractive tourist destination. The city center is well maintained and offers a variety of tourist activities, ranging from a train trip on a unique narrow-gauge railway to riding on a summer bobsleigh. Neat hotels and restaurants offer generous treatment to your body and stomach, and extensive bike trails through Anykščiai Pine Forest will keep your spirit up before the advance of long Lithuanian winters.

6. Palanga (www.palanga.lt)

Each year Palanga is discovering new ideas of how to surprise the holidaymakers arriving to the city. Traffic and parking rules are never the same, fines are imposed on misguided drivers and even cyclists, millions are spent on restoring sand beaches which go washed away with the next winter storm… Nevertheless, Palanga is definitely the summer capital of Lithuania and attracts young noisy crowds as well as older couples from Lithuania, Western Europe, and Russia. Increasingly, Palanga is also becoming a popular weekend destination, with only three-hour drive from Vilnius. Palanga is home to the only amber museum in the region, Palanga Amber Museum, and a sea-running pier which is considered by many a most romantic place in Lithuania.

7. Birštonas (www.birstonas.lt)

Over the past few years Birštonas has strengthened its position in the ranks of Top 10 most attractive tourist destinations. A small resort has found its place in the market and is expanding its spa businesses and local attractions as navigation on the Nemunas River. Birštonas is a very cyclist-friendly place: you can ride a bike around the city and the nearby Žvėrinčius Forest, and then take a dip in the pool – a really great alternative to those tired from the busy metropolitan streets. Birštonas is a preferred destination of older (and wealthier) foreign holidaymakers, which shows the high quality of the services provided by the local spas. It also hosts biannual jazz festivals. Yet, the resort still has to find its trademark feature that will distinguish it from other competitors.

8. Kretinga (www.kretinga.lt)

Peaceful atmosphere, complemented by the breeze from the nearby seaside just 12 km away; a unique winter garden, adjacent to impressive 19th century Tiškevičių Manor, and the 17th century Catholic church, are among Kretinga’s main distinctions. However, provision of entertainment and other leisure activities is yet to be discovered by Kretinga citizens.

9. Kėdainiai (www.kedainiai.lt)

Kėdainiai has lost its previously high position, but remains in the top ten. The wealth of historical heritage in the city is truly staggering, as the Old Town boasts one of the three surviving town halls nationwide, the Radvilos family tomb, and a minaret as a reminder of the centuries-old tradition of peaceful coexistence between religions and nations. However, tourist activities in the city are not well developed. Some popular coffee shops have been closed and the remaining ones work shorter hours. The city needs new ideas of how to restore its previous glory and become more attractive to local and foreign tourists.

10. Vilnius University ensemble (www.viv.lt/vilniaus_universitetas/8.html)

The inner courtyards of the Vilnius University provide a completely different type of attraction than spas and nature walks found in other touristic places. Located at the heart of Eastern Europe’s oldest university (est.1579), the area reveals the spirit of the Middle Ages to its best. The ongoing renovation of the complex constantly enriches the site with new colors and new historical dimensions. Since recently tourists are provided with the possibility take a modern lift to the top of the Old Town’s highest peak – the bell tower of St John’s Church – and enjoy breath-taking panoramas from there.