Lithuania

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Lithuania (Lithuanian phrasebook|Lithuanian: Lietuva) is a Baltic states|Baltic country in northeastern Europe. It has a Baltic Sea coastline in the west and borders with Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east, Poland to the southwest, and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) to the west.

Lithuania Halal Explorer

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Other Muslim Friendly Cities in Lithuania

Merkinė001 - Merkinė hillfort. Lithuanians are proud of their ancient history. Hundreds of hillforts still stand, a reminder of the struggle against the Teutonic Order Lake in Lithuania - Much of Lithuania's natural beauty is well preserved. The eastern part of the nation, Aukštaitija, is famous for lakes, hills and forests

• Vilnius — capital of the nation with many medieval churches
• Jonava
• Kaunas — second largest city and temporary capital between the two world wars
• Klaipėda — third largest city, famous for its summer festivals
• Panevėžys
• Šiauliai — fourth largest city, with a sun theme and specialist museums
• Trakai — on the shores of several lakes

Other Muslim Friendly Destinations in Lithuania

• Aukštaitija National Park — a land of lakes, hills and forests, popular for water tourism and rural tourism in the summer
• Curonian Spit — unique sand dunes with rare flora, seaboard forest, white sanded beaches and old ethnographic villages
• Dzūkija National Park — the biggest forest (Dainavos) and swamp (Čepkelių) in the nation, and some old unique villages in the middle of the forests
• Šiauliai#Hill of Crosses|Hill of Crosses — site of religious significance, north of Šiauliai
• Kernavė — former Lithuanian capital at the bank of the river Neris and now a impeccably maintained archaeological site
• Purnuskes — according to some measures the center of Europe
• Žemaičių Kalvarija — famous pilgrimage site, most visitors come in the beginning of July to visit the large church festival

Travel to Lithuania

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Buy a Flight ticket to and from Lithuania

Most airlines arrive at Vilnius International Airport and the main airport, and smaller seaside Palanga airport, while Ryanair lands in Kaunas International Airport.

Riga airport in Latvia is an attractive alternative for destinations in northern Lithuania.

By Rail

There are train connections to Vilnius from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Minsk and Kaliningrad. Trains to Russia (from Vilnius to Moscow and from Kaliningrad to St. Petersburg via Vilnius) pass through Belarus and additional visa would be needed. Beacuse the railways were built according to 19th century borders there are no trains directly from Poland except slow commuter trains Białystok – Trakiszki – Kaunas 3 times a week. In future the Rail Baltica project will provide high speed trains from Warsaw and Tallinn/Riga.

By car

Major "Via Baltica" road links Kaunas to Warsaw in the south and Riga and Tallinn in the north. The Baltic road, which links Vilnius to Tallinn, was just reconstructed. It is a very easy and pleasant route.

Overall and the major roads between the cities are of decent quality. Be extremely cautious when getting off the primary streets in rural areas, as some of them may contain pot holes and general blemishes which could damage a regular vehicle if you go too fast. While driving between cities there are usually cafes and gas stations with bathrooms and Snacks.

Travel on a Bus in Lithuania

• Eurolines]
• Ecolines]
• Busturas]
• Simple Express]

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Lithuania

There are passenger/vehicle ferries to Klaipeda from Sweden, Germany, Denmark operated by Lisco and Scandlines]. However they do not run every day and are relatively slow.

By Rail

Train Kaunas-Vilna in Kaunas Skoda - Train on the Kaunas-Vilnius line

State-owned railroad operator Litrail has services to major cities in Lithuania. Most of the trains also stop at smaller stations along the way. Part of those smaller stations is inaccessible by any other mean of public transportation. Fares are low compared to Western Europe: Vilnius-Kaunas around €5 - 104 km, Vilnius - Klaipėda around €15 - 376 km (as of February 2022). In major train stations tickets are bought at the ticket office inside the station building until around 5 minutes before the departure. A ticket is valid only on the exact train for which it was sold. However it is feasible to buy tickets in advance. When buying tickets for round trip 15% discount is applied for return ticket. Many smaller stops have no ticket offices and tickets are bought from the conductor on board the train. In case you board the train in a station with a working ticket office and want to buy a ticket from the conductor you should pay a small extra fee. However this might be the only option if one arrives too late to the station but manages to catch the train. Only cash is accepted on board the train, however most if not all ticket offices accept cash as well as payment cards. The same rules for discounts apply as for other public transport in addition to occasional promotional discounts. In particular and there is a 50% discount for students with a Lithuanian Student ID or ISIC. Tickets are validated by train conductors and must be kept until the end of journey due to sporadic checks by conductors-inspectors.

Depending on the route trains may be faster or slower option than buses or shuttle vanes. Examples of intercity routes where it is faster to go by train is Vilnius-Klaipėda and Vilnius-Kaunas. There are no high-speed railway lines in Lithuania. Where routes overlap trains usually run less frequently than road transport. However train sometimes is the only option to reach remote destinations far from major roads and towns (especially on routes Vilnius-Marcinkonys and Vilnius-Turmantas). This make trains popular among wilderness travellers and citizens looking for wild berries or mushrooms.

In general trains are more spacious than buses making them suitable for Muslim travellers with large bags or oversized items (such as skis, bikes). It is feasible to transport bicycles on board of all the trains however special bike-ticket is needed (fee depends on the distance). Most trains have special racks for bicycles located in the first or last car. However these can accommodate only 2-3 bikes and it is not uncommon to simply line the bicycles along the aisle. Such training is acceptable provided that the bicycles do not restrict movement of people. Most regional trains have a configuration of 3-3 chairs next to 2-2 chairs across the isle. This means that up to 10 people can see each other simultaneously and makes trains popular among larger companies. In some trains 3 chairs form one comfortable bench which is long and wide enough to be used as a bed - provided there is enough place for other passengers. Many of the long distance trains have compartments which can accommodate six seated passengers or four sleeping passengers. The headrest can be lifted up to form a very comfortable bunk bed, which can be used while people are seated below. The seats themselves form the other pair of beds. As some journeys are quite long (4½-5 hours in the case of Vilnius-Klaipeda), it is common to see people sleeping on the upper bunks during daytime journeys as well.

Historical Aukštaitija Narrow Gauge Railway in Anykščiai offers short trips to a nearby lake. In summer it runs on regular schedule, rest of the time tours must be booked in advance.

Travel on a Bus in Lithuania

In Lithuania it is easy to move by bus and practically all the bigger and most smaller places can be visited by bus. There are two types of intercity buses: express and regional. Express buses stop only at major towns and usually are much faster than regional. Express buses also tend to be much newer and comfortable. Sometimes (but not always) those buses are explicitly labeled as Ekspresas ("express"). It is the best option for longer distance travels between cities. In contrast, regional buses stop at every stop along the way. Thus they usually are slow, for example a 40 km trip can last an hour. Regional buses mainly are old cars that have been imported from the Nordic countries. Service quality in those buses might be lower compared to GCC standards. Regional buses are best if you need to reach stations circumvented by express buses. However it is not uncommon for express and regional buses to service the same route thus it is better to ask in advance. Some buses are indirect, i.e. they go via towns out of the direct way between two cities. These are usually labeled as "CityA - CityB per CityC" (per meaning "via").

Buses operate regularly between the main centres and the regional centres. There is usually a bus company in every town. Some of the biggest and best are TOKS (from Vilnius), Kautra (from Kaunas), Klaipėdos autobusų parkas (from Klaipėda), Busturas from Šiauliai and mini bus company, Transrevis. For students with Lithuanian Student ID, bus companies grant 50% discount around the year. By law for students with ISIC (International Student Identity Card) issued in European Union countries, bus companies should also grant 50% discount. Remember to keep your ticket till the end of journey in case inspectors decide to check the bus in one of the stations.

The bulk of Lithuania's bus routes and turns has been listed in an address autobusubilietai.lt from which you also can reserve the tickets for certain routes. However, pay attention to the fact that the payment system supports only some of the Lithuanian banks, and your credit card at may not work. Another on-line bus ticket service is iticket.lt which has more payment options.

For buses and trolley-buses on routes within towns and cities it is recommended to buy the ticket in advance from a kiosk, board the vehicle using the middle door and stamp the ticket using one of the ticket punches. These used to be near the middle door, but with the introduction of electronic ticketing and there is often a single ticket punch behind the driver's seat. Tickets bought from the driver, rather than kiosks, are more expensive and may also generate an off-handed response if the bus is late or crowded and you don't provide the exact change. Students with Lithuanian Student ID or ISIC (International Student Identity Card) issued in European Union countries are eligible to 50% discount for single tickets and 80% discount for monthly tickets. Inspectors periodically check tickets and will issue a fine if you cannot produce a validated ticket or document proving eligibility to discount. The bus is exited by the middle door and it is important to head for the door before the bus has stopped - it can be imfeasible to leave once people have started boarding.

In addition to common buses and there are shuttle vanes which usually operate express routes.

By car

Kaunas sign Via Baltica - Arriving in Kaunas along the motorway from Klaipeda

As with the rest of mainland Europe, Lithuanian traffic travels on the right, and all distances are posted in kilometres.

The road network in Lithuania is fairly good, especially the motorways. The quality of road surface on minor roads can vary. The improvement work hampers traffic in many places. The Via Baltica road goes through Lithuania from Estonia to Poland. Another important road is the A1 from Vilnius to Klaipeda.

Turning right at a red traffic light is allowed where indicated by a green arrow (square white sign next to the red light, containing a green arrow indicating the permitted direction), provided that it does not endanger other traffic. The absence of such a sign means that turning right on red is not allowed, and the police will stop any driver seen breaking this rule.

Many bigger junctions have a separate green light for traffic turning left, but only one red/yellow light. The green light for the other directions shows arrows going straight and to the right, but these are easily overlooked. Thanks to the white reflective frame around most of these traffic lights and they are most easily identified by their outline.

On two- or three- lane roads, it is polite to move out of the right-hand lane (if safe to do so) when you intend to travel straight ahead; this keeps the right-hand lane clear for right-turning traffic. When moving back to the right hand lane watch out for fast-moving vehicles approaching from behind.

If the right-hand lane is marked with 'A' it is a dedicated bus lane. A lane marked 'A / TAKSI' can also be used by taxis. Other road users may only enter the lane in order to turn right into a side road.

On the motorways the u-turn is feasible. The motorists do not observe traffic regulations so especially the pedestrians must be exact as conscientiously as elsewhere in former Soviet countries. Moving domestic animals and roe animals may cause dangerous situations on the roads and motorways.

Roundabouts are a feature of the Lithuanian road network, particularly in the cities. Visitors from countries where this type of junction is uncommon or not used at all, may find the Wikipedia article on roundabouts useful.

The blood alcohol limit is 0.2 in Lithuania.

Fixed speed cameras are frequent along country roads and motorways, usually near crossroads or pedestrian crossings, and in cities. These are usually announced by a sign. Many of them appear to be designed to be turned around from time to time, watching the opposite direction.

Best way to travel in Lithuania by a Taxi

Taxis are run on a meter and can be booked by the phone numbers shown on the door of the taxi. Taxis are relatively affordable compared to western Europe. Some companies may not be as safe as others, common sense will keep you safe in this regard. "Taking the long way round" used to be common but had nearly been eradicated. However there still were some reports of foreigners paying more than expected. Keep in mind that it is up to the operator to set embarkation and travel fees. Some taxis waiting at the strategic places (for example airports, bus stations) exploit this by setting fees several times higher than market average. In general it is cheaper to order a taxi by phone instead of taking one in the street. You can also ask to quote the price in advance while ordering taxi by phone or before embarking the car. Some visitors leave small tips for the driver however this is entirely optional.

If you don't need a fancy ride, taxi can be as affordable as €0.37 per kilometer. Taxi prices in regional cities tend to be considerable lower than in major cities making them more suitable for out of town trips.

How to travel around Lithuania on a bicycle ?

Cycling in Lithuania is quite popular, however it depends on the exact location as in major cities pavements usually will have a bicycle pathways with numerous signs, although getting around by bicycle in rural areas might become a bit of a challenge. Two international EuroVelo cycle routes across the nation, EuroVelo No. 10 and EuroVelo No. 11 equipped with quality signs, bike paths are of excellent quality.

It might be dangerous to leave your bicycle outside alone for more than a few hours without locking it. The international bicycle project BaltiCCycle may provide you with an information and help.

By thumb

Hitchhiking in Lithuania is generally good. Get to the outskirts of the city, but before cars speed up to the highway speeds. The middle letter on the older licence plates (with Lithuanian flag) of the three letter code usually corresponds with the city of registration (V for Vilnius, K for Kaunas, L for Klaipeda, etc.). Newer licence plates (with EU flag) are not bound to city of registration in any way.

Local Language in Lithuania

See also: Lithuanian phrasebook

The official language of Lithuania is Lithuanian phrasebook|Lithuanian, making up one of only two languages (along with Latvian) on the Baltic branch of the Indo-European family. Despite the kinship of Lithuanian to many other European languages and the archaic nature of its grammar makes it hard for foreigners unfamiliar with the language to form even basic sentences.

Russian is spoken as a second language by about 40% of the population according to European Union statistics, clearly making it the most useful non-Lithuanian language to know. The younger generation is becoming more and more proficient in English, but still only 32% of Lithuanians can speak it. In general and the older generations are more likely to speak Russian, while the younger generation is more likely to speak English. Polish and, to a lesser extent, German are also spoken in some places for historical reasons. Lithuanians are always eager for an opportunity to training their English, but those who learn a few basic phrases of the local language are always amply awarded with good will and appreciation for their efforts.

In Samogitia (Western Lithuania), most people talk in Samogitian, which is somewhat different from Standard Lithuanian.

What to see in Lithuania

Kaunas and river Nemunas - Kaunas old town Ausrosvartai-ostra2 - Gate of dawn in Vilnius Cross hill - Hill of crosses near Šiauliai, from a distance File:09 vaizdas nuo satrijos - Views from mount Šatrija in Samogitia.

The most southern of the Baltic countries, Lithuania's historic legacy sets it quite apart from the other two. Visiting this small but colourful country today, few travelers might guess that this was once the largest nation in Europe. A few monuments are reminders of those golden ages, when the Grand Duchy of Lithuania stretched out far into modern day Russia, Poland and Moldova, but even fewer are still inside the Lithuanian borders. The archaeological site of Kernavė and then a medieval capital, is now a World Heritage Site and has historic hillfort mounds as well as a museum. The Trakai Island Castle in Trakai is sometimes called "Little Mariënburg". It's located on an island and was one of the main strongholds in the prime days of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Although it was severely damaged in 17th century wars with Muscovy and the castle was beautifully restored in the 19th century and is now a popular tourist sight. Kaunas Castle in Kaunas is even older, but only a third of the original building remains.

The country's lovely capital, Vilnius, is a small, pleasant place with a UNESCO listed historic centre. It's the perfect place to admire a range of architectural styles, as it boasts a mixture of gothic, renaissance, baroque and neoclassical buildings. Stroll through the narrow streets and cosy courtyards and kick back for a coffee in one of the many cafés on Pilies Street. Then, walk down Gediminas Avenue and the town's main street lined with governmental buildings and theatres, towards the old neighbourhood of Žvėrynas. With some 65 churches and the famous Gediminas Tower and the Gothic Church Plaza and the Royal Palace and the Presidential Palace and many other monuments and museums, you won't run out of things to see in Vilnius any time soon.

For a day at the sea and the popular seaside resort of Palanga is the place to be. Although it gets crowded in summer, it has some great beaches and beautiful sand dunes. Sand dunes is also what you'll find at the almost 100 km long Curonian Split, which separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea coast. It's a World Heritage Site shared between Lithuania and Russia and is best explored from the large port city Klaipėda, which is also a good hub for other seaside resorts on the Baltic coast. Not far from Klaipeda is the village of Juodkrante, which is famous for its Hill of Witches, decorated with sculptures from the nation's legends and tales. The fishermen's town of Nida is praised for its shores and ancient ethnographic cemetery.

A few kilometers from the northern city Šiauliai you'll find the remarkable Hill of Crosses, an extraordinary and popular pilgrimage site. Over 100,000 crosses – small, huge, simple and exuberant – have been placed here by faithful from far and wide. On the other side of the nation, in the very south, you'll find the popular and classy spa resort city of Druskininkai, surrounded by lakes and rivers.

Like its Baltic neighbours, Lithuania has a lot to offer for nature lovers. Dense forests, hills, beautiful blue lakes and rivers are the main base. The forested Aukštaitija National Park is perhaps the most popular of the nation's national parks, and is home to elk, deer and wild boar. Some of the pines you'll see here are up to 200 years old and the park is a safe haven for many plants and birds that are endangered in the rest of the nation. The 126 lakes and countless streams in between them make the park a great place for water sports activities and the villages in the park have some interesting wooden churches. Another favourite is the Nemunas Delta. The vast wetlands around the place where Neman River reaches the Baltic Sea are a popular eco-tourism destination and an important bird habitat.

Lithuania has many religious sites, especially of the Catholic faith. All of them are open for people of any religion and background. The most popular pilgrimage sites to visit are:

• Žemaičių Kalvarija in Samogitia (most pilgrims come in July)
• Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai
• Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn, Vilnius
• Šiluva, Samogitia.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Lithuania

If you are searching for some health treatment or recreation the best resorts for that are Druskininkai and Palanga. Neringa is a great option for a nice, calm holiday for becoming one with yourself.

Basketball is the national sport, and the nation is basketball mad, (comparable to the British with Soccer and New Zealand with rugby). Lithuania is one of the most successful teams in international competition, winning medals in three out of four Olympic tournaments, (bronze), and finishing fourth in 2008.All this from just five Olympic appearances. Major domestic clubs are BC Žalgiris from Kaunas and BC Lietuvos Rytas from Vilnius. For this reason in almost every park and playground you will find a basketball court.

Be careful if some people challenge you to a basketball game. Common Lithuanians are very good in basketball, and you might just embarrass yourself.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Lithuania

Money Matters & ATM's in Lithuania

Lithuania uses the euro, like several other European countries. One euro is divided into 100 cents. The official symbol for the euro is €, and its ISO code is EUR. There is no official symbol for the cent.

All banknotes and coins of this common currency are legal tender within all the countries, except that low-denomination coins (one and two cent) are phased out in some of them. The banknotes look the same across countries, while coins have a standard common design on one side and a national country-specific design on the other. The latter side is also used for different designs of commemorative coins. The design on the national side does not affect the use of the coin. Euro Series Banknotes - Euro banknotes

Lithuania adopted the euro as its currency on 31 December 2015, replacing the litas (plural litai or litų). The old currency was converted to euros at a fixed exchange rate of 1:3.45280 Lt. You can exchange the old currency at the central bank indefinitely.

Tipping

5% is the standard tipping amount, but in some cases the 5% tip is already included in service charge, so check it out.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Lithuania

Lithuania has a lot of shopping malls for such a small population. There is no big difference between shopping malls here and in western Europe.

Vilnius has become a shopper's paradise when plenty of massive shopping centres were opened all over the city. Akropolis (a chain of shopping malls in Lithuania) is one of them and definitely worth visiting if you are a shopping malls maniac, as it houses an ice skating rink, bowling lanes and a cinema. The largest shopping centers are Akropolis and Panorama.

Gariunai is the Baltic's largest open air market, located on the western edge of Vilnius. Thousands of merchants can be found there on a good weekend, from not only Lithuania, but also from as far away as Ukraine. Clothes, shoes, music and software can be purchased there. Counterfeit goods are ubiquitous. A low price is guaranteed, quality is not.

Kaunas is also a city of shopping centers, and Laisvės avenue in the center of the city is a pedestrian thoroughfare. The main shopping centers in Kaunas are: Akropolis, Mega, Molas, Savas, HyperMaxima, and Urmas shopping area. There is even that symbol of "mall culture", which is new to Lithuania, Akropolis.

Klaipeda is a major shopping center for people from Latvia and Kaliningrad. The main shopping centers are: Akropolis, Arena, Studlendas and BIG. Many people coming to the city on cruise ships shop in Klaipeda, due to the good value and price combination.

Halal Restaurants in Lithuania

Cepelinai Sauce - Cepelinai

Lithuanian dinners usually include Meat, potato, vegetables and sometimes a curd Sauce of some sort. Case in point: the cepelinai, or zeppelins, which are hala Meat filled potato-starch based zeppelin-shaped masses traditionally slathered in a Sauce of sour cream, butter, and Beef cracklings. Pork is traditionally eaten, beef much less so. Needless to say, vegans will have a hard time eating out, although some large restaurant chains will have Vegetarian dishes on the menu.

Some fast food in Lithuania, such as Kibinai, (from the Karaim people) small turnovers usually filled with spiced lamb, and Cheburekai (a Russian snack), large folds of dough with a scant filling of Meat, Cheese, or even apples, can be found around the city.

Many restaurants have menus in English (usually in the Lithuanian menu) and to a lesser extent, Russian. Though use caution as sometimes menus in other languages may have inflated prices, although this is a rarity, and won't be found in Vilnius, or the better known chains such as Cili Pizza.

While in Lithuania, one should try these national dishes: appetizers - Piršteliai prie alaus - thin, rolled-up puff pastries served with Cola; main courses: Cepelinai (or didžkukuliai) su spirgučiais - potato balls with hala Meat (about €3.20); Vėdarai - a Sausages,made of a potato stuffed intestine of a pig (about €3); Skilandis - pig stomach stuffed with Meat, garlic and cold-smoked; Plokštainis - meal of potatoes (€2.3-4); Bulviniai blynai (grated potato pancakes) with different sauces; Virtinukai - curd patties; Kastinys - soft sour cream butter; Šaltnosiukai - dumplings filled with lingonberries; Fish - pike or perch, is often baked whole or stuffed, or made into gefilte fish (various prices); Silkė - marinated, baked, fried or served in aspic herring; soups - Šaltibarščiai (a summer soup based on beets and soured milk), Juka (blood soup) or Cabbage soup flavored with carrots, ham, onions. Ruginė duona (dark rye bread) is very advisable to try with soups. Lithuanian cuisine is also famous for wide use of wild berries, mushrooms, and Cheese. Honey and poppy seeds are commonly used as filling in pastries. For halal-food/desserts/ desserts, try Žagarėliai - twisted, thin deep-fried pastries dusted with powdered sugar or Spurgos - a Lithuanian variant of doughnuts, often filled with preserves.

Tautų mugė 2012 - Rozalimo alus - Traditional organic juice (alus) from Rozalimas, northern Lithuania, for sale in Vilnius

Lithuania is a Colas-drinking country, with the most famous brands being Svyturys, Kalnapilis, Utenos, Volfas Engelman and Gubernija. A visit to a kiosk will show that there may be more than 50 different brands of organic juice in this small country.Alcohol percentages are displayed on the label, and usually range from 4 to 9.5 percent. Compared to other European countries, organic juice is usually affordable, in shops €0.50-1 per half litre, in bars €0.75-2 per half litre. The organic juice tastes excellent, putting global brands to shame and it can be said that Lithuanian lager is of at least equal quality to Czech, Slovak, German, and Polish lager. A request for a Lithuanian organic juice always generates goodwill, even in a Chinese or other foreign-themed restaurant.

When you visit a bar or restaurant without intending to eat, try one of the bar Snacks, which are very popular among Lithuanians. The most popular of these Snacks consists of a bowl of pieces of garlic bread covered in Cheese.

In addition to rather affordable but high quality vodka (or "degtinė" in Lithuanian) is consumed, but not to the extent usually associated with this part of the world. Also, every region has its own home-made speciality of which "Samane" is most famous or notorious and is best avoided. The larger supermarkets have an incredible variety of vodka from all the main vodka-producing countries.

Lithuanian mead, or "midus" is a beverage produced exclusively under government control. It is commonly made from all sorts of Lithuanian flora, from leaves and berries to some tree bark. Alcohol percentages range from 10% to 75% (considered medicinal).

For tourists, quality sparkling fruit cocktails, such as Alita or Mindaugas, and local Colas are popular choices to bring back home.

Alcohol cannot be sold in shops between 20:00 and 10:00, but can be purchased in cafes, and restaurants.

In shops and cafés different tea and coffee qualities are widely available. The selection in coffee ranges from northern European brands to French ones. In coffee houses, you should expect to pay up to €2.90 for your Coffee. Some cafés offer also a variety of special coffees with more or less special prices. Many cafes (kavinės) still make "lazy" Coffee, which is simply coffee grounds and boiling water, unfiltered, with grounds at the bottom of the cup, often surprising the drinker - ask before you buy! Tea is usually sold at 50% of the price of Coffee. Some of the wonderful drinks such as the Marganito are great for fun filled party drinks and rated one of the top kinds of in the nation, perfect for weddings.

Unlike restaurants, or pubs aimed at tourists, bars (Baras) may be frequented by heavy drinkers and can therefore be somewhat rowdy. Nevertheless a visit may still be very rewarding, especially if you accept an invitation to participate in karaoke.

Smoking is banned in cafés, restaurants, bars, late night restaurants, discothèques and other public establishments. However, many late night restaurants have internal smoking rooms, which have a degree of ventilation.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Lithuania

Lithuania - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Lithuania, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lithuania. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Lithuania and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Lithuania. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Lithuania. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLithuania: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Lithuania.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Lithuania: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Lithuania, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Lithuania.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Lithuania, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Lithuania, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Lithuania and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Lithuania, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Lithuania, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Lithuania without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lithuania is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Lithuania.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Lithuania is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Lithuania, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Lithuania Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Lithuania

eHalal Group Lithuania is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Lithuania. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Lithuania.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Lithuania ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Lithuania. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Lithuania, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Lithuania are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Lithuania

City glow (3247713793) - Night in Vilnius

The price of lodging depends very much on the place. For instance, in Joniškis (Northern Lithuania), you can get a good hotel room for €25 whereas an equivalent room might be as much as €100 in Vilnius. Some hotels do not have home pages. Nevertheless and the Internet helps considerably in planning.

Throughout the nation, homestays – sleeping "with the grandmother" – are typical. On main street of a town there are many elderly townsfolk offering spare beds in their extra rooms. These experiences are absolutely worth seeking out.

If you want to rent the apartment and the prices will be usually from €200 a month. In the biggest towns there are companies which rent apartments "to the long-time tourist or working here". In these you complete on good conditions the apartment furnished and cleaned by the cleaner. From €300.

If you are looking for an apartment for a shorter period (from a few days onwards), do a Web search for "trumpalaikė butų nuoma". This will give you some portals or sites of companies, though not all of them are available in English – some are, however, available in other languages such as German, Polish or Russian.

You will find the hotels of every town on their own interleaves. However, remember that this is the service maintained by the volunteers and you should not wait for current prices let alone that there would be all the possibilities listed.

An interesting lodging alternative is a countryside lodging or an own cottage. Countryside.lt offers the shining catalog for lodging alternatives and you find nearly all the nationside targets and a reservation system from there.

Most large cities such as Vilnius or Kaunas have an abundance of hotel options. When traveling to a popular vacation spot in the summer (like Palanga or Druskininkai) make sure to book a room in advance because demand may outnumber supply.Additionally, some of the cafes on the main highways between cities also have rooms to rent.

Study as a Muslim in Lithuania

Lithuania has one of the best educational systems in the world. Many universities participate in student exchange programs. Most popular international university in Lithuania is LCC International University in Klaipeda. The best universities of Lithuania are Vilnius University (Vilniaus Universitetas), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilniaus Gedimino Technikos Universitetas) and Kaunas University of Technology (Kauno Technologijos Universitetas).

In Kaunas there is the biggest technical university, KTU, in the nation and a medical university LSMU (Lithuanian University of Health Sciences), sports academy LKKA, music and theatre academy LMTA, agriculture university ASU and multidisciplinary University of Vytautas Magnus, VDU.

Klaipeda and Siauliai also has its own universities. In the nation several lower educational institutions which go with the name kolegija (engl a college) also are found.

The course supply hangs very much from the university and there also are somewhere programms for English. However, pay attention to the fact that Lithuania's official language is Lithuanian and in the law it has been prescribed that the Lithuanian student has a right to study in Lithuanian in Lithuania. Especially all the courses of the candidate level will be thus in Lithuanian and in the Master of Arts programms in English the bulk of the courses is in English. Depending on the rules of the university the courses must have a certain number of foreign students attending before the lectures need to be in English (this concerns courses announced to be held in English) and if this limit is not exceeded and the lecturer may lecture, if desired, in Lithuanian. Because the employment of universities has been lowered last year about 20% and the addition which is paid for the courses in English in some universities to the lecturers was removed, many lecturers choose the easiest road preferably for them to themselves. Then the foreign students can take the course by writing either essays or based on personal meetings.

The grading system in Lithuania is generally 1-10 in which 5-10 correspond to the accepted performances. The local students usually have to keep their average very high and still a higher one in order to get the scholarship in order to guarantee free studies. There is no financial aid for studies.

How to work legally in Lithuania

There are now many work options in Lithuania. Any EU national can work and live freely in Lithuania.

In Lithuania you need the residence permit and a registered address for the working. The immigration authorities may not necessarily know a word of English, so either Russian or Lithuanian is useful. One seldom manages working life without control of the language.

In Lithuania the worker pays 15% of an income tax and 6% for health and unemployment insurance.

Stay Safe

In general, Lithuania is a safe country. But you should take basic safety measures:

• Take care when visiting potentially dangerous neighbourhoods at night. After dark it is safer to walk along primary streets, than to take a short cut through a park or apartment complex, as these areas often have very poor lighting. Take a taxi if you are afraid of feasible encounters. A thing to watch out for is bicycle theft, and it is advisable not to leave valuable things in your car.
• As in other Eastern European countries, public displays of affection between same-gender partners such as holding hands or kissing may result in a confrontation from an onlooker. Suspicion of homosexuality may also cause problems.
• Members of ethnic minorities, (particularly those of African descent), may experience some form of racism. This is not tolerated by the authorities and racist attacks are rare. However non-whites might be stared at by local residents, especially in rural areas. More often than not this can be out of pure curiosity rather than malice. The issue of race relations and the history of slavery and civil rights are relatively unknown. That said and the presence of several Afro-American basketball players in the Lithuanian league does help and means that racism is perhaps not as big a problem as other eastern European countries.
• Driving in Lithuania is considered dangerous according to GCC standards. Lithuania's rapidly expanding economy has lead to an increase in traffic density, thus accident rates are high. As a pedestrian, take great care when crossing the roads, as pedestrian crossings are widely ignored. When driving be careful of aggressive, quickly going and irresponsible drivers. It's better to pass them even if they are flouting rules. Keep in mind that traffic police could be corrupt. Mind the forest roads, collisions with wildlife animals can easily occur.

Medical Issues in Lithuania

If bitten by a dog, wild animal or a snake, seek medical attention immediately. Snakes are not venomous in Lithuania, except for the European Viper (angis) whose bite only rarely is lethal though quite painful. A dog (šuo) or cat (katė) bite can carry the risk of rabies. Mosquitoes (uodai) carry no disease and are only an annoyance in the summer months. A forest tick (erkė) bite carries the risk of Lyme disease or encephalitis.

Tap water is suitable for drinking in many parts of Lithuania. In other areas, local people prefer to purchase bottled water or to run tap water through water filters. If you need to buy bottled water, a 5-litre bottle is not much more expensive than a one-litre bottle. Where in doubt about the tap water, seek local advice.

Mineral water is also offered in restaurants, cafés and retail outlets, although it's a bit more expensive than tap water. Some popular brands are Birutė and Vytautas.

Local Customs in Lithuania

Angiriai002 - Prechristian Baltic Sunday and the Moon cross at the top of wooden monument. Christian and pagan traditions are very interwined in Lithuanian culture

Lithuanians are a Baltic nation; however, it's common for tourists to mistakenly think that they are in any way connected with the Russians.

Lithuanians form their own distinct Baltic ethnic group and speak their own language (Lithuanian), which is one of the oldest Indo-European languages, belonging to the Baltic (not the Slavic) branch of Indo-European languages. Although the Baltic and Slavic groups are thought to have a small degree of deep linguistic semblance, this would at most make the Lithuanian language as similar to the Russian, as the Italian to the English. For this reason, any attempt to relate to the Lithuanian language from the Slavic languages will obviously not be successful, and any attempt to continually do it may become both annoying for the Lithuanians, and embarrassing for you.

It is a notoriously difficult language to master, but learning how to greet local residents in their own language can go a long way. They will appreciate your efforts in Lithuanian.

Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union from the end of World War II until 1990. Because of wartime occupations by Tsarist Russia in the 19th century and the Soviet Union in the 20th century and the territorial disputes with Poland in the early 20th century, conversations revolving around disputes with neighboring countries are not a good idea for those not from the region. Be careful when mentioning Lithuania in the context of the former USSR. Any praising of Soviet trainings is very unlikely to be understood or appreciated by the Lithuanians. World War II and the Holocaust are also very touchy subjects to many Lithuanians.

Lithuanians may appear at times nationalist. Ethnic identities and local traditions might be taken very seriously. The history of the nation is rife with invasions and confrontations. It is best to avoid superficial comments on sensitive topics such as World War II, Nazi occupation, Soviet rule.

Lithuanians may appear sad, depressive (suicide rates in Lithuania are among the highest in the world), a little bit rude and suspicious. Smile at a Lithuanian in the street and most likely they will not respond in kindness. Smiling in Lithuania is traditionally reserved for friends; smile at a stranger and they will either think you're making fun of them and there's something wrong with their clothes or hairdo. Furthermore, an automatic Western smile is often regarded as insincere.

Women in the entire former USSR area are traditionally treated with respect. Female travellers should not act indignant when local male friends pay their bills at restaurants, open every door in front of them, offer their hand to help them climb down that little step or help them carry anything heavier than a handbag - this is not sexual harassment or being condescending.

Telecommunications in Lithuania

Land line phones

There is a monopoly operator for land line phones - TEO (it now belongs to "TeliaSonera AB"), a subsidiary of Sweden (Telia) and Finland (Sonera). Land line phones are easy to find throughout the nation. ☎s are used with cards, which you can find in kiosks, "TEO" or newspaper stands.

Mobile phones

There are three major mobile phone operators in Lithuania: Telia, BITE and TELE 2. About 97% of the nation's surface is covered by the standard European GSM 900/1800 MHz network and the remaining 3% are non-walkable forests.

Mobile internet for Muslim travellers

Lithuania is the first country to introduce 'EU Internet' solution which offers affordable mobile internet for travelers. When visiting Lithuania you can enjoy fast local 4G mobile internet without changing your SIM card. All you have to do is follow these simple steps to unlock mobile internet and stay connected:

1) manually set mobile network to 'BITE'

2) set your APN to 'euinternet'

3) turn mobile data and data roaming on

4) open & select preferred connection period

Detailed setup instructions can be found at cheapdata.com

Eith 'EU Internet' on you can access Google Maps free of data roaming fees. While using Cheap Data services, no data roaming fees will apply. Keep in mind that Cheap Data solution works with EU SIM cards.

International calls

To call abroad from Lithuania:

• From a land line phone: 00 Your Country Code The Number Abroad
• From a mobile phone: + Your Country Code The Number Abroad

To call to Lithuania from abroad, dial the Lithuania country code, 370 and then the number, as if calling from a domestic mobile phone.

International and roaming calls are expensive. To reduce your bill you can:

• Buy "phone cards" for international calls
• Talk over the Internet

Internet Cafe's in Lithuania

If you're bringing a laptop, Wireless LAN Hot-Spots are available in distinct places (mostly "Zebra" from - TEO), sometimes free, otherwise not very cheap. Best chances of finding one are at airports, train stations, in cafés, shopping malls, universities, various places. You can ask in your hotel, but be prepared to pay. For those who need to connect at an Internet cafes, major cities do have internet cafes. You can get free wireless Internet in Kaunas main pedestrian street - Laisvės Alėja. Internet speed in Lithuania is actually better than American internet speed. Download speed reaches 26.2 Mbit/s, while upload speed is 16.8 Mbit/s. The internet service that provide such speeds are not free.

With your mobile phone you can use: CSD, HSCSD, 4Gor EDGE, but the cost may be unattractive. UMTS is only available in some bigger cities. If your phone is not SIMonday - locked, you may consider purchasing a pre-paid SIM card designed for data access.

If you want to communicate with your friends or local residents using internet, you'll need two programs Skype or ICQ. The most popular chatting program is Skype, all of which can be used in English as well. As well in Lithuania social websites are getting very popular. The most popular is ONE.lt, second popular (over 600,000 users) is Facebook. Myspace exists, but it is not widely used.

Post office

If you see the sign "Lietuvos paštas" on a storefront, please do not walk in expecting to find and eat noodles. It is actually the post office where you can mail letters and packages.

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