Anykščiai Travel Guide

City City in Utena, Lithuania

Anykščiai sits where pine forests meet the Šventoji River; visitors come for literary museums, wooden architecture, a treetop walking path through the canopy and riverside trails favored by Lithuanian weekenders.

Costs
About $35-$60 per day
Lithuanian regional prices; cheap food and budget stays common.
Safety
Safe and calm
Very safe; peaceful small-town environment.
Best Time
May to September
Warm weather and park activities are best in late spring and summer.
Time
Weather
Population
10,575
Infrastructure & Convenience
Compact town with regional bus links, tourism facilities for park visitors, limited English.
Popularity
Popular with Lithuanian tourists and nature lovers; modest international interest.
Known For
Anykščiai Regional Park, Puntukas boulder nearby, literary heritage, narrow-gauge railway museum, wooden churches, treetop trails, forests, outdoor recreation
Anykščiai inspired the famous Lithuanian poem 'Anykščių šilelis' and is a national literary landmark.

Why Visit Anykščiai? #

Set along the Šventoji River, Anykščiai is prized for its forested river valley, the massive Puntukas boulder, and inventive outdoor attractions such as a treetop walking path. The town pairs literary and folk traditions-reflected in small museums and cultural plaques-with easy access to hiking and cycling in the surrounding regional park. Quiet guesthouses, riverside cafés and craft shops make it an inviting spot for nature-minded travelers.

Top Things to Do in Anykščiai

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Anykščiai Treetop Walking Path - Elevated treetop path offering forest canopy views and short wooden towers to climb.
  • St. Matthew's Church - Historic pointed wooden church at the town centre with decorative altarpieces and organ.
  • Puntukas Stone monument - Large glacial boulder commemorated in folklore, set in a pleasant roadside park.
Hidden Gems
  • Horse Museum - Museum dedicated to the region's equestrian traditions, wagons, and rural tools.
  • Narrow-gauge railway 'Siaurukas' - Short heritage railway rides and a small museum for railway enthusiasts.
  • Šventoji river canoeing - Rental canoes and riverside trails on the Šventoji for gentle paddles and picnics.
Day Trips
  • Kernavė Archaeological Site - Kernavė hillforts and museum UNESCO site offering medieval mounds and river valley views.
  • Anykščiai Regional Park trails - Extensive park trails through pine forests, viewpoints, and traditional villages minutes away.

Best Time to Visit Anykščiai #

Anykščiai features a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Visit late spring through summer for forest trails, river activities, and folkloric events.

Winter
December - February · -8 to -3°C (18 to 27°F)
Long, snowy winters create fairytale forests and quiet trails-excellent for winter photography but require heavy clothing and careful footing outdoors.
Spring
March - May · 0 to 12°C (32 to 54°F)
Thawing landscapes quickly green up; damp trails and mud are common early on, but by late spring hikes are rewarding.
Summer
June - August · 14 to 23°C (57 to 73°F)
Warm, light-filled summers are perfect for canoeing, forest walks, and local festivals-expect mosquitoes near still water and pleasant evenings outings.

Best Time to Visit Anykščiai #

Climate

Anykščiai's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (622 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-39°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-8° -2°
97%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.6h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -8°C. The driest month with just 28 mm and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-8° -1°
97%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
14.0h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
18°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 21°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
17.1h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 74 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 23°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
16.6h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 22°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
12.6h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.1h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-5° -1°
97%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.9h daylight

How to Get to Anykščiai

Anykščiai is best accessed from Vilnius Airport with an onward regional bus from Vilnius city. There is no practical passenger rail to Anykščiai, so buses or driving are the standard options.

By Air

Vilnius Airport (VNO): The primary international airport for reaching Anykščiai. From VNO you’ll travel to Vilnius city by bus or taxi (≈20-30 minutes) and then take a regional bus to Anykščiai; total travel time from the airport is typically around 1.5-2 hours depending on connections.

Kaunas Airport (KUN): A possible alternative for some routes; travel times to Anykščiai are generally longer than from Vilnius and require a road transfer via Kaunas city.

By Train & Bus

Train: Anykščiai does not have a passenger railway station currently; rail is not a practical option for reaching the town.

Bus: Frequent regional buses operate from Vilnius Bus Station to Anykščiai with journey times of about 1.25-1.75 hours. Buses are the usual public transport choice and are inexpensive.

How to Get Around Anykščiai #

Anykščiai’s town centre is easy to cover on foot; many attractions are within walking distance. Regional buses connect to Vilnius, Panevėžys and other towns; taxis operate locally. Cycling and short drives are convenient for reaching nearby nature spots. Public transport is affordable but can be less frequent on weekends, so check schedules.

Where to Stay in Anykščiai #

Budget
Mid-Range
Luxury

Where to Eat in Anykščiai #

Lithuanian Country Food
Local restaurants serve potato-based dishes, wild mushroom specialties and smoked meats, often accompanied by farmhouse dairy and honey.
Cafés & Forest Treats
Cafés offer berry pies, honeyed pastries and strong coffee. Nearby forests supply mushrooms and berries featured on seasonal menus.

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Anykščiai's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza
Italian
Japanese

Nightlife in Anykščiai #

Anykščiai has a modest nightlife scene made up of cafés, bars and occasional live-music venues. Evenings are generally relaxed and family-friendly rather than late-night clubbing. Special cultural events and festivals increase evening activity during peak seasons, so check local listings before you go.

Shopping in Anykščiai #

Shopping in Anykščiai focuses on local crafts, bookstores and small boutiques selling regional products. Tourist-oriented shops near main attractions offer souvenirs and traditional goods. For larger shopping needs visit bigger nearby cities, but the town has adequate stores for everyday purchases.

Nearby Cities #