Activities in the City of the Sun

October 31, 2026

Šiauliai takes its nickname, the City of the Sun, from the Battle of Saule in 1236. Today it is the fourth-largest city in Lithuania, with about 112,000 residents, and a convenient stop between Vilnius and Riga. Its attractions are small and varied, and most of them lie close together. Prices below are in euros.

Reaching the city

The local airport belongs to the Lithuanian Air Force and hosts NATO air policing, so commercial travellers arrive another way. The nearest options are Riga (137 km), Kaunas (146 km), Palanga (160 km) and Vilnius (216 km). From any of them, trains and buses continue to Šiauliai, where the bus terminal is at Tilžės g. 109.

Morning: Hill of Crosses

Start early at Kryžių kalnas, about 12 km north of the city. Pilgrims have planted more than 100,000 crosses on this low mound, and it is one of the best-known sacred places in the country. The hill is free and never closes. The visitor centre and its souvenir shop keep weekday hours, and the shop closes on the last day of each month for stocktaking. Current hours are on the district tourism site .

No car? The local bus toward Joniškis leaves from stop 12 at the bus terminal. Ask for Domantai, the third stop, then walk the unlit lane for about 2 km. The ride takes 10 to 15 minutes and the fare is roughly 1 to 1.50 EUR. A taxi costs about 20 EUR each way. Return buses run less often, so note the time of the last one.

Midday: chocolate and craft

Rūta Chocolate Museum, Tilžės g. 133. A museum ticket is from about 5 to 6 EUR. The longer guided visit includes tastings, costs 20 EUR per person and needs advance booking on +370 610 41 050. Adults are the intended audience.
Leather workshops at Chaim Frenkel Villa, Vilniaus g. 74. Make a keychain for 4 EUR or a bracelet, pendant or tree toy for 5 EUR per person. Booking is on +370 41 524 389, and there are no discounts.

Afternoon: the boulevard

Vilniaus gatvė is a 1.28 km pedestrian street. Watch the Cockerel Clock at 12:00 or 18:00, when the bird greets the street in 14 languages. At Vilniaus g. 140, the Photography Museum rooftop has a camera obscura for 1 EUR between 1 March and 31 October.

Evening: Lake Talkša

Marionette Wakepark on Žvyro g. 34 runs cable wakeboarding with lessons, and rents water bikes, boats and inflatable paddleboards. It is open daily from 10:00 to 23:00. Swimming in the lake is not recommended, but a 1.8 km bike path follows the water.

Extras

Balloon flights over the city are possible only if arranged beforehand and if the weather allows. The Aušra Museum charges 8 EUR at each branch, except on the last Sunday of the month, when entry is free.

City routes are on Visit Šiauliai . Activities can be compared on Viator .