Lithuania – how to visit with a baby and toddler?

This post is dedicated to all current or prospective parents who would like to take their minor and major children to Lithuania.

If you are thinking of going abroad for the first time with your child, this
Lithuania
is a cool idea. It is relatively close, priced similarly to Poland, and at least there is no rush of tourists. In this post we will describe our observations, after a trip with a less than 3-month-old baby, so it is not a typical post with described attractions for children, because it is known that such a toddler’s head is only eating, sleeping, pampers and most important: the proximity of parents :)

Planning the expedition

One of the most important things to think about before you leave is documents for your child. This is the European Union, Schengen zone, but you must make your child an identity document (passport or ID card) and an EHIC card.

When planning your route, consider how long it will take, how many stops will be needed and where. Getting to Vilnius from the center of Poland is about 8 hours (!), so either spend the whole day on the road, or you can stop somewhere, such as right at the border.

Considering the fact, however, that a small child should not spend too much time in a car seat, and also we had no idea how Olive would endure such a long trip, we chose option number two – we stopped for one night near the border, and the next day we set off to Vilnius, stopping along the way at Troki.

As a result, we had a quieter trip, were able to get a good night’s sleep and start exploring Lithuania in full force.

Getting around the city with a stroller (Vilnius, Kaunas)

When it comes to just getting around town with a stroller, it varies.

If you end up in the historic part of the city (and as a rule, this is the main destination), you have to reckon with the fact that the streets are cobblestones and the sidewalks are narrow, so passage with a stroller will be difficult (this was the case in Kaunas and Vilnius).

It is possible to drive, but definitely slower. In addition to being narrow, high and lacking ramps, the sidewalks are often impassable for a stroller for other reasons: tables and chairs on display, a lamppost in the middle or trash cans. We also often found ourselves on stairs, underpasses with a makeshift, non-functional exit.

In both Vilnius and Kaunas we saved ourselves with a sling, as it was the only way to move quickly.

Restaurants, museums and other attractions

The venues, museums and attractions weren’t always accommodating either. As a matter of fact, it was often difficult for us to go inside and maneuver the cart in restaurants. While we were still able to take the stairs, the noise inside also played a significant role for us.

We wanted to have lunch or coffee in peace, so we wanted to avoid excess stimuli for Olive. Vege restaurants have proven to be an interesting option, where you can count on calmer and quieter music, there are fewer people and often more space.

We are not yet at the stage of children’s corners, but none of the restaurants we have been to had such a place (available instead were children’s chairs almost everywhere).

The places we have been to that are completely unsuitable for travelers with a stroller are the Rumshchyski Open Air Museum, Trakai Castle and the cemetery on Rosa. The sling also went in motion on Gediminas Hill, but by design we did not want to use the railroad that operates here (although we have doubts that a stroller could use this facility).

Scrolls and other wonders ;)

As for the issue of toilets, and more specifically, the available changing tables, here is a bida. In the center of Vilnius, we were unable to find a restaurant with a changing table. Ba, we did not find a restroom with enough space to drive a stroller in.

Fortunately, there are hotels in the center that have public toilets with changing tables, so you can take advantage :)

And while we’re on the subject of hotels – we ended up super in Vilnius. At the Novotel (where we slept), we had a large, spacious room, a crib for the baby, and the facility is fully accessible to strollers and people with disabilities. The second night, more local was no longer so grazing – for starters, stairs to half a floor, cramped lobby, but at least we got a bigger room to make the stroller fit :)

Breastfeeding in Lithuania?

It was about sleeping, it was about toileting, now it’s time to eat! We have not met anywhere with any objection to feeding naturally. We were constantly on the road, so feeding was mostly done in the car, but it also happened in parks, restaurants and cafes. Not once did anyone pay us any attention, nor did we encounter any strange looks.

To sum up…

Despite a few inconveniences, I think it is a good destination for a trip with an infant. It’s close, it’s safe, there’s something to do…, and we’re sure we’ll encounter the aforementioned impediments in many more places around the world, so it’s really about moving your head and finding the best solutions.

We recommend you our other posts about Lithuania.

If you have any questions or comments, please write boldly in the comments :)