Museums in Lithuania

• For city breaks: Vilnius and Kaunas combine museums with historic old towns and other attractions.
• Art and music: The M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art in Kaunas is dedicated to the work of the Lithuanian artist and composer.
• A unique collection: The Devils’ Museum is a separate branch of the Čiurlionis Museum and displays A. Žmuidzinavičius’s collection.
• Amber: The Amber Museum in Palanga traces amber from its origins to historical and contemporary works.
• The sea and seafaring: The Lithuanian Sea Museum is housed in Nerija Fort in Smiltynė; some of its offerings are located elsewhere.
• Open-air museum: According to its official description, the museum in Rumšiškės presents five ethnographic regions across a large site.
• Before your visit: Always check opening hours, admission, exhibitions, and directions with the museum directly for the latest information.

If you’re planning a short stay, choose a museum near where you’re already staying. That way, you’ll have more time to explore the exhibition instead of spending a whole day travelling somewhere extra. An art or history museum is a good choice for a rainy day in the city, while an open-air museum offers more space for a longer visit and walks outdoors.

The major cities make good starting points for exploring a range of subjects. In the capital, you can combine a museum visit with a stroll around the old town; in Kaunas, you’ll find art collections and unusual specialist museums. On the coast, there’s amber, marine science, and seafaring. Before you go, compare locations, areas of focus, and the latest visitor information, as not all branches of a museum group are in the same place.

The National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania presents exhibitions on subjects including history, archaeology, and architecture, as well as reconstructed historic interiors, weapons, and everyday life. It’s a good choice if you’re interested in the country’s political and courtly history. Plan your museum visit alongside a walk through Vilnius and check which exhibitions are open on the day you plan to visit.

If you’d like to visit several cultural attractions, see our overview of things to do in Vilnius for more ideas. A museum visit and a walk through the old town often make for a full day; if you’re interested in special exhibitions or family activities, check the museum’s website. Older travel guides may describe exhibitions or admission rules that are no longer current.

The M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art is dedicated to the painter and composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis and also showcases Lithuanian art and cultural heritage. The museum has several branches in Kaunas, including the A. Žmuidzinavičius Museum, known as the Devils’ Museum. The artist’s collection features depictions, masks, and other objects relating to the devil motif.

If you’re planning to visit a particular specialist museum, check its own visitor information rather than assuming all the museums have the same opening hours. Combine the collection with a stroll through Kaunas or choose another stop from our guide to things to do in Kaunas. This makes it easy to tailor a museum day to the location and to your group’s interests.

The Amber Museum in Palanga is part of the Lithuanian National Museum of Art. Its permanent exhibition traces amber from its origins and natural forms with inclusions, through to archaeological finds and jewellery from different eras. This makes it an engaging visit for both nature lovers and anyone interested in crafts and local history. The official address is 17 Vytauto Street; check current opening hours and admission prices shortly before your visit.

In Palanga, you can combine a museum visit with a stay at the seaside resort. The Lithuanian Sea Museum, meanwhile, is located in the historic Nerija Fort in Smiltynė, on the Curonian Spit. Its aquarium and exhibitions explore marine life and maritime history. The museum notes that its offerings are spread across several sites: the museum ship M52 “Sūduvis”, for example, is moored on the Danė River in Klaipėda, not near the exhibitions in Smiltynė.

If you’re travelling to the Sea Museum from Klaipėda, be sure to check directions to the specific site you plan to visit. The ferry to Smiltynė is part of the journey to the exhibitions on the spit; terminal information and transport conditions may change. The museum publishes its own directions to the Lithuanian Sea Museum, which you can check against the latest updates before your visit.

The open-air museum in Rumšiškės is a great choice if you’re looking for more than a few exhibition rooms and want to spend time outdoors. Its official description mentions historic buildings and exhibitions from five Lithuanian ethnographic regions, spanning the late 18th century to the first half of the 20th century. The museum covers a large site on the Kaunas Lagoon, so paths, weather, and the time needed to explore play a greater role than they would at a compact city museum.

Before setting off, it’s worth planning your journey and how long you’ll spend there on the day. Our guide to the open-air museum in Rumšiškės can help you prepare. If you’re starting from Kaunas, allow extra time for the journey as well as for exploring the exhibitions and outdoor grounds. Check the museum’s latest visitor information and any possible restrictions directly with the museum.

Choose one main museum first, and add other stops only if the distances and visiting times work together. Larger museums may have specific time slots for exhibitions, tours, or events. Families should look for age-appropriate activities; if you have limited mobility, contact the museum directly to ask about paths, lifts, and accessible areas.

The day before your visit, check opening hours, ticket rules, current exhibitions, and any closure days on the official museum website. If you’re visiting a site on the Curonian Spit, remember to plan for the ferry. In Palanga and Kaunas, it’s easy to combine a museum visit with other stops around town; for Rumšiškės, allow plenty of time for the journey and outdoor grounds. Photography rules and bag restrictions may vary between museums and exhibitions.

Which museum should I visit if I’m short on time?

Choose a museum in the city where you’re staying and pick one that suits your interests: art and music in Kaunas, palace history in Vilnius, or amber in Palanga. Check what’s currently on and allow extra time for travel and entry. This will help keep your day manageable.

What can I see at the Devils’ Museum in Kaunas?

The Devils’ Museum is a branch of the M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art and is based on the collection of the artist A. Žmuidzinavičius. The museum’s official description mentions depictions, masks, crafts, and other objects relating to devils. Check with the museum for current exhibitions and opening hours.

Is the Lithuanian Sea Museum right in the centre of Klaipėda?

No. The aquarium and main exhibitions are in Nerija Fort in Smiltynė, on the Curonian Spit. The museum complex also includes attractions elsewhere, such as the museum ship M52 “Sūduvis” on the Danė River in Klaipėda. Check the address for the specific exhibition you plan to visit.

How does the Amber Museum differ from the Sea Museum?

The Amber Museum in Palanga focuses on natural history, inclusions, archaeological objects, and amber crafts. The Sea Museum in Smiltynė combines an aquarium with maritime history and exhibitions about marine life. Both are on the coast, but in different locations, with separate journeys to get there.

Should I check opening hours and prices before my trip?

Yes. Exhibitions, opening days, admission, tours, and access rules may change or vary between sites. Check the official visitor information for each museum shortly before you set off, and if you’re visiting outdoor sites, also check the weather and path conditions.