Main › Jewish Heritage Tours › 3-Days in Lithuania, A Journey Through Jewish Heritage in Vilnius and Kaunas

3-Days in Lithuania, A Journey Through Jewish Heritage in Vilnius and Kaunas

Suitable for Family, Group, Senior

OVERVIEW

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Lithuania, exploring the rich tapestry of Jewish heritage that once made this country a vibrant center of Jewish life. Our Jewish heritage tours to Lithuania offer an immersive experience into the heart of Jewish history and culture, connecting travelers to their ancestral roots.

Vilnius, celebrated as the “Jerusalem of the North,” was a global hub of Torah scholarship, home to the famed Vilna Gaon, printing presses, and cultural institutions. Kaunas, with its dynamic Jewish community, contributed to Lithuania’s flourishing Jewish cultural, intellectual, and economic life. Tragically, the Holocaust decimated these communities, with 95% of Lithuania’s 250,000 Jews murdered during the Nazi occupation.

This thoughtfully curated Jewish roots tour of Lithuania delves into the treasures of Jewish Lithuania, from historic synagogues to the haunting remnants of the Vilna Ghetto and the Kaunas Ninth Fort. Through these sites, our Jewish Lithuania tours honor the resilience and enduring legacy of a community that once thrived and was almost entirely lost, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the Jewish people.

Highlights*

Exploring the Great Synagogue and Choral Synagogue in Vilnius.
Learning about the Soviet persecution of Jewish communities at the KGB Museum.
Exploring Trakai Island Castle and enjoying a boat ride on Lake Galvė.
Savor a dinner featuring traditional Lithuanian Jewish dishes.
Exploring the Kaunas Choral Synagogue and Pylimo gatvė (old Jewish Street).
Discovering Kaunas Castle and Town Hall Square.

*Some experiences are subject to minimum group size

Day by Day Suggested Program

Day 1: Immersed in Vilniu's Jewish Legacy

Lorem ipsum

Arrive in Vilnius, the heart of Lithuanian Jewish history, and begin your journey on
one of our Jewish heritage tours to Lithuania. Check into your hotel and embark on a walking tour of the Old Town, where you’ll visit the historic Great Synagogue and the Choral Synagogue, vital landmarks of Jewish Lithuania.

Delve into the darker chapters of history at the KGB Museum, uncovering the Soviet regime’s persecution of Jewish communities.

End your day with a traditional Lithuanian dinner and a captivating folklore performance, setting the stage for a meaningful Jewish roots tour of Lithuania.

Day 2: Trakai's Serenity and Ponar's Remembrance

Lorem ipsum

Begin your day with a poignant visit to the Vilnius Jewish Ghetto and Ponar Forest, a
mass execution site where countless Jewish lives were tragically lost during the
Holocaust. These sites serve as a powerful testament to the resilience of Jewish
communities in Lithuania.

Continue to the picturesque town of Trakai, renowned for its stunning Trakai Island Castle and tranquil Lake Galvė.

Enjoy a boat ride and savor a dinner featuring traditional Lithuanian Jewish dishes, an integral part of Jewish Lithuania tours that connect past and present.

Day 3: Kauna's Jewish Roots and Historical Sites

Lorem ipsum

Begin the day with visits to the Ninth Fort and the Garage Massacre site, somber
reminders of World War II’s atrocities.

Travel to Kaunas, once a vibrant center of
Jewish life in Lithuania, and explore its rich history on our Jewish Lithuania tours.

Visit the Kaunas Choral Synagogue, a breathtaking example of Moorish Revival
architecture, and wander along Pylimo gatvė, the old Jewish Street.

Discover Kauna’s historical landmarks, including Kaunas Castle and Town Hall Square, and conclude the day at the Sugihara House. Learn about Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese diplomat who courageously saved thousands of Jewish lives during the Holocaust.

This thoughtfully curated itinerary offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich
Jewish heritage of Vilnius and Kaunas. Whether you join one of our Jewish heritage
tours to Lithuania or seek a personalized Jewish roots tour of Lithuania, this journey blends vibrant culture, historical exploration, and somber reflection, leaving an indelible impression on all who experience it.

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Vilnius, Curio Collection by Hilton, Lithuania

Across from Cathedral Square, find us between the city center and Old Town, surrounded by shopping and entertainment. The Vilnius Cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania are a short walk from the hotel.

*Star rating standards vary from country to country.

This experience is fully customizable. We will create your personal dream experience!

Start your adventure here

Discover more

3-Days in Lithuania, A Journey Through Jewish Heritage in Vilnius and Kaunas

Day by Day Suggested Program

Grand Hotel Vilnius, Curio Collection by Hilton, Lithuania

Sign up for our travel newsletter!