Lithuania lies on the south-eastern shore of the
Baltic Sea. It lies north of Latvia and
is home to a 99km coastline. 38 kilometers of this coastline lies on the Baltic Sea. The rest of the coast is sheltered by the
Curonian sand peninsula which is a long sand barrier that separates the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. 61km of the coast
line lies along the Curonian Lagoon which is home to various seaside resorts
and popular holiday destinations.
At
the north of the Curonian Lagoon, lying on the narrow mouth where the lagoon
meets the Baltic Sea is the warm water port of Klaipada.
Klaipada is the country’s only sea port, and in recent years its popularity
has been rivalled by nearby resort towns of Nida and Palanga. So much so that
Klaipada’s population shrank from 1992 to 2005, from 207100 to 187,442.
Klaipada has a
temperate climate which is moderated by the Baltic Sea.
Despite the fact that it lies on the coast, it does see temperature extremes in
winter and summer, with temperatures above 30°C or below -15°C not uncommon.
However, the bay is ice-free year round hence its suitability as a port.
The
average
temperature in winter is just below freezing, with December to February
seeing average minimums of -2°C to -3°C and daily
maximums rarely reaching about 1°C. During winter there are about 7 days of
snow on average per month and 7 to 9 days
of rainfall. In winter the city can be battered by severe snowstorms or
gale force winds. The extremity of the winters varies from year to year; some
years are hit by significant snowfall and others seeing only a sprinkling.
Summers
in Klaipeda are the warmest in July and August, when average
maximums are 21°C and minimums
are 13°C, the average
daily temperature in June and September is 14°C, while the average daily
temperature in the peak summer months is 17°C. June is one of the wettest
months with 11 days
of rainfall, while July and August only see 7 days of rainfall making them
the driest months. November is the wettest month, seeing 90mm of precipitation
on average.
Another
seaside resort is the town of Palanga which has
grown in popularity in recent years to become the busiest summer resort in Lithuania. It
has vast sand dunes, some of which are the highest in all of Europe,
and an unspoilt natural environment. There are long sandy beaches, perfect for
working on your tan during your summer holiday. Here August, September and
November have a tendency to be the wettest months. The westerly winds blow and
the warmth of the Baltic Sea meets the cooler
temperatures of the mainland, producing rain - so best to visit in June or July
for your summer break.
Lying
inland, in the southwest, you will find Lithuania’s
vibrant capital city of Vilnius. With just
over half a million inhabitants, Vilnius
is the country’s largest city. Here the climate is humid continental, with hot
summers and cold winters.
Summers
in Vilnius are
electric as the city is a cosmopolitan hub of activity with a young population.
Like Budapest’s locals, Vilnius’ residents have built a reputation of
being extremely inviting and friendly. The bars and cafes are full in the
summer months, parties spilling onto the streets, everyone enjoying the long
warm summers days. Temperatures
are frequently over 30°C in the height of summer; be sure to pack light cotton
clothes as the humidity and the heat can sometimes be uncomfortable.
Winters
are bitterly cold and the thermometer rarely sees temperatures
above freezing. The average
high in January is -3°C, while the average daily minimum is -8. The cold
winter lasts through until about early March, before reaching daily highs about
10°C in April.
The
winters get so cold that the lakes just outside the city often freeze over
completely. This makes perfect conditions for ice fishing - a popular
Lithuanian pastime. Due to its inland location temperatures are not moderated
by the ocean waters, so temperatures below -25°C are not unheard of during the
coldest months of January and February.
The
city is known for its beautiful ancient architecture. At 3.2 square km, the Old Town is
one of the largest in Europe, and the 1500
buildings were built over a number of centuries so the architecture is
representative of a variety of styles. While Vilnius is known as a Baroque city, as you
stroll around the streets you can find Gothic and Renaissance buildings as
well.
The
former temporary capital of Lithuania
is the city of Kaunas
which sits at the confluence of Lithuania’s
two largest rivers, the Nemunas and the Nevis.
Weather conditions here are pretty similar to Vilnius, though slightly cooler due to its
proximity to the rivers. Kaunas is home to the Pazaislis Monastery which is the
largest monastery complex in the country and for the 3 months in summer it
hosts the Pazaislis Music Festival- making it a great time of year to visit the
historic city.
The
Lithuanian terrain is split between flat lowlands and highlands. There are
numerous lakes and wetlands scattered across the country and forest covers 30%
of the land.
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