Šiauliai Travel Guide 2026: Hill of Crosses, Sun City, Museums, Best Time to Visit, Costs & Tips

Šiauliai is Lithuania's fourth-largest city, located in the north of the country, about 215 km from Vilnius and 130 km from Riga. For most visitors, it's the gateway to one of the most extraordinary places in the Baltics: the Hill of Crosses (Kryžių kalnas), a small hill covered with more than 100,000 crosses, crucifixes, rosaries and statues left by pilgrims from around the world. Šiauliai itself is known as the "Sun City", a name linked to the historic Battle of Saulė (the Sun) in 1236, when Samogitian and Semigallian tribes defeated the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. The city's symbols include the golden Archer statue on the giant sundial of Sun Clock Square. Šiauliai is also famous for its quirky museums, including the Bicycle Museum, Cat Museum, Photography Museum and the Rūta chocolate factory museum, as well as the Renaissance Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and the Art Nouveau Chaim Frenkel Villa. It's an authentic, uncrowded Lithuanian city and an easy stop between Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda and Riga. This Šiauliai travel guide covers the best time to visit, top places, where to stay, how to get there and around, costs, entry rules and practical tips.

Best Time to Visit Šiauliai

Summer (June–August): The best time to visit, with temperatures of about 20–25°C, long days, outdoor cafés and swimming in Lake Talša and Rėkyva. The Hill of Crosses is beautiful in the warm evening light.

Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September): Pleasant weather and fewer visitors. September brings Šiauliai City Days, linked to the anniversary of the Battle of Saulė on 22 September, now marked as Baltic Unity Day.

Autumn (October–November): Cooler, with golden colours, but shorter days.

Winter (December–March): Cold and snowy, with temperatures often below 0°C. The snow-covered Hill of Crosses is hauntingly beautiful, and Christmas lights brighten the city centre.

Events:

• Šiauliai City Days (September): Concerts, fairs and celebrations.
• Baltic Unity Day (22 September).
• Midsummer (Joninės, 23–24 June).
• Christmas markets (December).

Top Places to Visit in Šiauliai

1. Hill of Crosses (Kryžių kalnas)

About 12 km north of the city centre, this hill is a unique place of pilgrimage and a symbol of Lithuanian faith and resistance. Crosses have been placed here since at least the 19th century, possibly earlier, often after uprisings against Russian rule. During the Soviet era, the authorities bulldozed the hill several times, but people kept returning at night to put up new crosses. Pope John Paul II visited in 1993, and a Franciscan monastery was later built nearby. Visitors can bring or buy a cross to leave on the hill. Entry is free.

2. Sun Clock Square and the Archer Statue

A modern square with a large sundial and a column topped by the golden Archer (Šaulys), the symbol of the city, commemorating the Battle of Saulė.

3. Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

A white Renaissance church from the early 17th century, with a 70-metre spire, one of the tallest in Lithuania. It's a rare example of Renaissance and Gothic elements combined, with a sundial on its wall.

4. Vilniaus Street

The city's main pedestrian street, lined with shops, cafés, sculptures and historic buildings, including several museums.

5. Chaim Frenkel Villa

An elegant Art Nouveau villa built for a Jewish leather industrialist, now part of the Aušra Museum, with exhibits on the city's history and Jewish heritage.

6. Bicycle Museum

Lithuania's only bicycle museum, showing the history of cycling, from early wooden bikes to Soviet-made models produced in Šiauliai's Vairas factory.

7. Cat Museum

A quirky museum dedicated to cats, with thousands of cat-themed objects, figurines and artworks from around the world.

Also worth visiting: the Photography Museum, the Radio and Television Museum, the Rūta Chocolate Factory Museum (Lithuania's oldest confectionery), the Aušra Museum Palace, the Venclauskiai House, and the Talša Lake promenade.

Beyond Šiauliai

• Kurtuvėnai Regional Park: Forests, lakes, horse stables and a historic manor about 20 km away.
• Bubiai Hillfort: An ancient hillfort with views over the Dubysa valley.
• Žagarė: A town near the Latvian border, known for its Cherry Festival and manor park.
• Rundāle Palace (Latvia): A magnificent baroque palace by the architect of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, about 1 hour away.
• Kaunas, Klaipėda and Palanga: All reachable in about 1.5–2.5 hours.

Suggested 2-Day Šiauliai Itinerary

Day 1: Visit the Hill of Crosses in the morning, then explore the Cathedral, Sun Clock Square, Vilniaus Street, the Bicycle Museum and Cat Museum.

Day 2: See the Chaim Frenkel Villa, the Photography Museum and Rūta Chocolate Museum, then relax by Lake Talša or visit Kurtuvėnai Regional Park.

Šiauliai Food Scene

Try Lithuanian classics such as cepelinai (potato dumplings with meat), šaltibarščiai (cold pink beetroot soup), kugelis (potato pudding), potato pancakes, kibinai and šakotis (tree cake). Šiauliai is home to the Rūta chocolate factory, so be sure to buy some local sweets. The city has cosy cafés, traditional restaurants and craft beer bars along Vilniaus Street.

Practical Planning Notes

Šiauliai is compact, and most sights are within walking distance of Vilniaus Street. The Hill of Crosses is about 12 km north of the city; you can reach it by car or taxi in about 15 minutes, or by bus towards Joniškis, getting off at the "Domantai" stop and walking about 2 km. Allow at least an hour at the hill. Many museums close on Mondays and some on Sundays, so check opening hours. Šiauliai works well as a stop on a road trip between Vilnius or Kaunas and Riga, or between Klaipėda and Riga, combining the Hill of Crosses with Rundāle Palace in Latvia.

The Meaning of the Hill of Crosses

The Hill of Crosses is not an official church site but a spontaneous folk tradition. People leave crosses to pray for loved ones, give thanks, remember the dead or mark important life events. During Soviet times, when religion was repressed, the hill became a powerful symbol of peaceful resistance and national identity. Today, crosses come from all over the world, in all sizes, from tiny pendants to huge wooden carvings. Please treat the site with respect: walk quietly, don't remove or damage crosses, and be mindful of people praying.

Lithuanian Culture in Brief

Lithuania was the last country in Europe to adopt Christianity, in 1387, yet Catholic faith later became central to national identity, as the Hill of Crosses shows. Traditional cross-crafting (kryždirbystė) is listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.

Where to Stay in Šiauliai

• City centre near Vilniaus Street: Hotels and apartments close to museums, cafés and the cathedral.
• Lake Talša area: Quieter hotels with lake views.
• Near the station: Convenient for train and bus connections.
• Countryside: Guesthouses and farm stays in Kurtuvėnai Regional Park.

Compare hotel prices and availability in Šiauliai here.

Getting There & Around

Flying to Šiauliai

Šiauliai has no regular passenger flights; its airport is mainly used by the military, including NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission. The nearest passenger airports are Riga (RIX), about 2 hours by car, Kaunas (KUN) and Vilnius (VNO), about 2–2.5 hours, and Palanga (PLQ), about 2 hours. Search and compare cheap flights to Riga, Kaunas or Vilnius for Šiauliai to find the best fares.

By Train

LTG Link trains connect Šiauliai with Vilnius (about 2–2.5 hours), Klaipėda and Kaunas (with connections). Check current schedules.

By Bus

Buses connect Šiauliai with Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Palanga and Riga.

Getting Around

• Walking: The centre is compact.
• City buses: Cheap and frequent.
• Taxis and ride-hailing apps: Useful for the Hill of Crosses.
• Car hire: Ideal for the Hill of Crosses and day trips to Latvia.
• Bikes: Available in summer.

Travel Costs in Šiauliai

Lithuania uses the euro (€). Šiauliai is one of the more affordable cities in Lithuania.

Visa & Entry Rules

• Schengen Area: Lithuania is part of the EU and Schengen. Many visitors, including citizens of the US, UK, Canada and Australia, can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• EES: Non-EU travellers have their fingerprints and facial images registered at the external Schengen border.
• ETIAS: Expected in the last quarter of 2026 at €20 for visa-exempt travellers, though the date could change. Check the official EU website.
• Latvia day trips: Latvia is also in Schengen, so there are no routine border checks, but carry your passport or ID.

Local Tips for Šiauliai

• Visit the Hill of Crosses early or late: It's quieter and the light is beautiful.
• Bring a cross if you wish: Small crosses are also sold at stalls near the hill.
• Check museum opening days.
• Staying connected: EU roaming applies for EU SIM cards; others can buy a local SIM or use a travel eSIM. Get your Lithuania eSIM here.

Tours & Experiences

• Hill of Crosses tours from Vilnius, Kaunas or Riga.
• Šiauliai city walking tours.
• Combined Hill of Crosses and Rundāle Palace tours.
• Chocolate tastings at Rūta.
• Cycling trips in Kurtuvėnai Regional Park.

Browse and book the best tours in Šiauliai here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Šiauliai

How far is the Hill of Crosses from Šiauliai?
About 12 km north of the city centre, roughly 15 minutes by car.

Is there an entrance fee for the Hill of Crosses?
No. Entry is free, though there may be a parking fee.

Why is Šiauliai called the Sun City?
Because of the Battle of Saulė (the Sun) in 1236, which gave the city its name and symbols.

How do I get from Vilnius to Šiauliai?
By train in about 2–2.5 hours, or by bus or car.

Can I visit the Hill of Crosses from Riga?
Yes. It's about 2 hours by car, and many tours combine it with Rundāle Palace.

Šiauliai's Hill of Crosses is one of the most moving sights in the Baltics — visit early or late for the best light, then let the city's quirky museums and Sun City symbols fill out an easy, uncrowded stop between Vilnius, Kaunas and Riga.