Free Šiauliai Travel Guide & Mobile App

Plan your Šiauliai trip with Evendo. Get free guides to top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Web access or download the mobile app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Šiauliai
Šiauliai photo 2
Šiauliai photo 3
All photos

Šiauliai, Lithuania’s Sun City, pairs the Hill of Crosses with museums, modern art, leafy boulevards and welcoming regional cuisine for curious travellers.

A Northern Lithuanian Character

Šiauliai stands in northern Lithuania as a practical, open-hearted city shaped by regional trade, twentieth-century upheaval and a strong sense of local identity. Known as the “Sun City” because of its name and heraldic symbolism, it is less monumental than Vilnius or Kaunas, yet its broad streets, green spaces and accessible cultural institutions reward unhurried exploration. The pedestrianised Vilniaus Street forms the urban centre, lined with cafés, shops, public art and buildings reflecting the city’s changing fortunes.
Read more about Šiauliai

Museums and Modern City Life

The city’s cultural story is particularly well represented by the Šiauliai “Aušra” Museum, whose collections cover regional archaeology, history and ethnography, and by the Photography Museum, housed in a former interwar postal building. The nearby Chaim Frenkel Villa recalls the industrial prosperity associated with the Frenkel family’s leather factory, while the Iron Fox sculpture beside Lake Talkša has become a contemporary emblem of Šiauliai. The lake and surrounding paths provide an easy change of pace from the central streets.

The Hill of Crosses

Šiauliai is also the principal urban base for visiting the Hill of Crosses, a deeply significant Catholic pilgrimage site outside the city near the village of Jurgaičiai. Thousands of crosses placed there over generations create a landscape of memory, faith and quiet resistance. The site is not a city-centre attraction, but its proximity gives Šiauliai a distinctive relationship with one of Lithuania’s most recognisable cultural places. Together, the city’s museums, public spaces and surrounding countryside offer a clear view of northern Lithuania’s history and contemporary life.

When is the best time to visit Šiauliai?

Best: June–August · 20–21°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January124
February121
March319
April1014
May1610
June (best)207
July (best)215
August (best)204
September165
October107
November411
December118

Getting to and around Šiauliai

How to get there

Šiauliai is connected to Lithuania’s main cities by trains and long-distance buses, with Šiauliai railway station and the central bus station serving as the principal arrival points. Rail and coach services link it with Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda and other Lithuanian towns, though schedules vary. Šiauliai International Airport exists south of the city but is chiefly associated with military, cargo and special aviation activity rather than regular scheduled passenger flights. Most international visitors therefore arrive through Vilnius Airport or Kaunas Airport and continue by train, coach or hire car. Road access is straightforward via Lithuania’s main north–south routes, making the city a practical base for exploring the surrounding region.

Transportation

The central area of Šiauliai is manageable on foot, particularly around Vilniaus Street, the Cathedral area, the Šiauliai “Aušra” Museum and Lake Talkša. Local buses serve districts beyond the centre, while taxis and app-based rides can be useful for early departures or journeys to the railway and bus stations. Cycling is practical on quieter streets and paths around the lake, although visitors should follow marked routes and normal Lithuanian road rules. A car is convenient for reaching the Hill of Crosses and other rural sites outside the city, where public transport connections may be less direct. Confirm local bus routes and tickets through current municipal information.

Best attractions in Šiauliai

Šiauliai’s attractions range from regional museums to lakeside public art and an extraordinary pilgrimage landscape beyond the city. The Šiauliai “Aušra” Museum introduces northern Lithuania through archaeology, history and ethnography, while the Photography Museum explores the medium in a former interwar post-office building and often offers views across the central streets. The Chaim Frenkel Villa presents the city’s industrial past through an elegant historic residence and museum setting. Around Lake Talkša, walking paths lead to the large Iron Fox sculpture, a playful contemporary landmark overlooking the water. Central Vilniaus Street provides an easy route between cafés, shops, churches and public spaces, revealing the city’s everyday atmosphere rather than a single monumental district. The Hill of Crosses, near Jurgaičiai outside Šiauliai, is the region’s most powerful excursion: a dense field of crosses associated with Catholic devotion, remembrance and Lithuanian national identity.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Šiauliai

The most distinctive landmark associated with Šiauliai is the Hill of Crosses, a pilgrimage site outside the city whose thousands of crosses express Catholic devotion, remembrance and resistance through changing political eras. Within Šiauliai, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is a prominent white church with a tall tower that anchors the historic centre and represents the city’s Catholic heritage. The Chaim Frenkel Villa preserves the material legacy of the Frenkel industrial family and the city’s pre-war manufacturing prosperity. The former interwar post-office building now containing the Photography Museum is significant for its architecture and cultural reuse, while the Iron Fox beside Lake Talkša represents a newer civic identity. Together these sites show how religious memory, industry, interwar modernisation and contemporary public art coexist in the city’s built landscape.

Show more landmarks

Explore Šiauliai on the map

Plan your Šiauliai trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Šiauliai

Šiauliai’s dining scene reflects the hearty, seasonal cooking of northern Lithuania, with potatoes, rye bread, dairy products, mushrooms, berries and pork appearing in traditional dishes. Visitors may encounter cepelinai, potato dumplings filled with meat or curd, as well as kugelis, a baked potato dish, cold beetroot soup in warmer months and žemaičių blynai, stuffed potato pancakes associated with Samogitian cuisine. Central cafés and restaurants around Vilniaus Street provide the broadest choice, from pastries and coffee to contemporary interpretations of Lithuanian food, while markets and bakeries offer a more informal taste of regional produce. Craft beer and locally produced spirits may accompany meals, although Lithuania’s drinking laws and responsible-service standards apply. Menus can change seasonally, and smaller establishments may have limited English, making a translation app or a little food vocabulary useful.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Šiauliai

Evenings in Šiauliai are generally relaxed rather than club-intensive, with activity concentrated in the central streets around Vilniaus Street and the main pedestrian areas. Cafés and bars provide space for beer, cocktails, coffee and conversation, while restaurants often form part of the evening social scene. Cultural alternatives include performances and programmes at the Šiauliai Drama Theatre, concerts and events at local arts institutions, and occasional seasonal activities in public spaces. The city has a student population and some late-night entertainment, but its nightlife is modest compared with Vilnius or Kaunas and can vary considerably by day and season. Visitors should check current performance listings and venue arrangements, and use recognised taxis or app-based transport when returning from quieter areas after dark.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Šiauliai

Evenings in Šiauliai are generally relaxed rather than club-intensive, with activity concentrated in the central streets around Vilniaus Street and the main pedestrian areas. Cafés and bars provide space for beer, cocktails, coffee and conversation, while restaurants often form part of the evening social scene. Cultural alternatives include performances and programmes at the Šiauliai Drama Theatre, concerts and events at local arts institutions, and occasional seasonal activities in public spaces. The city has a student population and some late-night entertainment, but its nightlife is modest compared with Vilnius or Kaunas and can vary considerably by day and season. Visitors should check current performance listings and venue arrangements, and use recognised taxis or app-based transport when returning from quieter areas after dark.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Šiauliai

Shopping in Šiauliai is centred on pedestrianised Vilniaus Street and the surrounding central blocks, where independent shops, cafés, service businesses and national retailers occupy a practical urban setting. For everyday food and household goods, supermarkets and the city’s markets provide Lithuanian produce, rye bread, dairy products, smoked foods and seasonal berries. Visitors looking for souvenirs can seek out amber jewellery, linen textiles, traditional ceramics, wooden objects and packaged regional foods, although quality and provenance vary between sellers. The city’s museums and cultural institutions are useful places to find locally themed books, postcards and small design-led gifts. Modern shopping centres add familiar retail brands, but the more revealing purchases are often modest: regional food, craft goods or publications that reflect Šiauliai’s history and northern Lithuanian identity.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Šiauliai, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Šiauliai essentials

Currency and Payment
Lithuania uses the euro (EUR). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, museums, restaurants and larger shops, particularly in the city centre. Smaller cafés, market stalls and independent businesses may have different arrangements, so keeping a modest amount of cash is sensible. ATMs are available in central Šiauliai and around major commercial areas; visitors should use machines connected to established banks and review any exchange-rate options before confirming a withdrawal. Travellers exchanging non-euro currency should compare the displayed rate and fees, while card users should consider whether their bank applies foreign-transaction charges.
Safety
Šiauliai is generally straightforward for visitors, but ordinary urban precautions remain appropriate. Keep phones, wallets and travel documents secure in crowded areas, on buses and around transport stations, and avoid leaving valuables visible in a parked car. Central streets are usually easiest to navigate after dark, while quieter parks, lake paths and peripheral districts call for greater awareness at night. Take care on winter pavements, where ice and snow can make walking hazardous, and use marked crossings on wider roads. When visiting the Hill of Crosses, remain on established paths and treat the religious site respectfully rather than climbing or moving the crosses.
Emergency Situations
For police, fire or medical emergencies anywhere in Lithuania, call 112, the European emergency number; operators can assist in English, although availability may vary at busy times. State the location clearly, describe the problem and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. For urgent medical treatment, use emergency departments or ask accommodation staff, a pharmacy or the tourist information service for guidance on nearby healthcare. European Health Insurance Card holders should carry the card and international visitors should retain travel insurance details. For non-urgent police or medical matters, contact the relevant local service rather than tying up the emergency line.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress neatly and quietly when entering churches or other religious spaces, and ask before photographing worshippers or intimate memorials. At the Hill of Crosses, do not remove, rearrange or treat crosses as props, since the site remains an active place of pilgrimage and remembrance. Queue patiently in shops and on public transport, validate or purchase bus tickets according to the current local system, and allow passengers to leave before boarding. Tipping is not compulsory, though rounding up or leaving a modest amount for good service is appreciated. Lithuanian is the official language; a polite greeting and a few Lithuanian words are welcomed, while English is common in tourism-related settings.
Local Tips
The compact centre is best combined with a slow walk along Vilniaus Street and a visit to the Photography Museum or Šiauliai “Aušra” Museum. Lake Talkša offers a pleasant route when the weather is good, with public art and open views close to the centre. For a more complete understanding of local history, look beyond the city’s Soviet-era avenues to surviving interwar buildings and the Chaim Frenkel Villa. If visiting the Hill of Crosses, check the return transport carefully or arrange a car, since it is outside the city and rural connections are less frequent. Seasonal events and museum programmes can add context to a short stay.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloLabas[lah-bahs]
GoodbyeViso gero[vee-soh geh-roh]
YesTaip[taip]
NoNe[neh]
Please/You're welcomePrašau[prah-shau]
Thank youAčiū[ah-choo]
Excuse me/SorryAtsiprašau[aht-see-prah-shau]
How are you?Kaip gyveni?[kaip gee-veh-nee]
Fine. And you?Gerai. O tu?[geh-ry. oh too]
Do you speak English?Ar kalbate angliškai?[ahr kahl-bah-teh ahng-leesh-kai]
I don't understandAš nesuprantu[ahsh neh-soo-prahn-too]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseNorėčiau pamatyti meniu, prašau[noh-reh-chiau pah-mah-tee-tee meh-nee-oo, prah-shau]
I don't eat meatAš nevalgau mėsos[ahsh neh-vahl-gau meh-sohs]
Cheers!Į sveikatą![ee svee-kah-tah]
I would like to pay, pleaseNorėčiau sumokėti, prašau[noh-reh-chiau soo-moh-keh-tee, prah-shau]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Pagalba![pah-gahl-bah]
Go away!Išeik![ee-sheik]
Call the Police!Paskambinkite policijai![pah-skahm-been-kee-teh poh-lee-tsee-yai]
Call a doctor!Paskambinkite gydytojui![pah-skahm-been-kee-teh gee-dih-toh-yoo-ee]
I'm lostAš pasiklydau[ahsh pah-see-kloo-dah-oo]
I'm illAš sergu[ahsh sehr-goo]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Norėčiau pirkti...[noh-reh-chiau peerk-tee]
I'm just lookingAš tik žiūriu[ahsh teek zhee-oo-ree-oo]
How much is it?Kiek tai kainuoja?[kyek tahy kai-noo-yah]
That's too expensiveTai per brangu[tai pehr brahn-goo]
Can you lower the price?Ar galite sumažinti kainą?[ahr gah-lee-teh soo-mah-zin-tee kai-nah]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Kiek valandų?[kyek vah-lahn-doo]
It's one o'clockViena valanda[vyeh-nah vah-lahn-dah]
Half past (10)Pusė (10)[poo-seh]
MorningRytas[ree-tahs]
AfternoonPopietė[poh-pee-eh-teh]
EveningVakaras[vah-kah-rahs]
YesterdayVakar[vah-kahr]
TodayŠiandien[shahn-dyehn]
TomorrowRytoj[ree-toy]
1Vienas[vyeh-nahs]
2Du[doo]
3Trys[treese]
4Keturi[keh-too-ree]
5Penki[pehn-kee]
6Šeši[sheh-shee]
7Septyni[sehp-tee-nee]
8Aštuoni[ahs-too-oh-nee]
9Devyni[deh-vee-nee]
10Dešimt[deh-shimt]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Kur yra...?[koor yra]
What's the address?Koks adresas?[kohks ah-dreh-sahs]
Can you show me (on the map)?Ar galite man parodyti (žemėlapyje)?[ahr gah-lee-teh mahn pah-roh-dih-tee zheh-meh-lah-pyi-ye]
When's the next (bus)?Kada bus kitas (autobusas)?[kah-dah boos kee-tahs ow-toh-boo-sahs]
A ticket (to ....)Bilietas (į ....)[bee-lee-eh-tahs ee]

History of Šiauliai

Early Settlements and Regional Trade

The area around present-day Šiauliai was settled long before the modern city emerged, with archaeological evidence pointing to communities living in the wider northern Lithuanian landscape during the prehistoric and medieval periods. Šiauliai’s position between routes linking Samogitia, Aukštaitija and lands to the north helped it develop as a regional meeting point. Its name is recorded in the Livonian Rhymed Chronicle in connection with the Battle of Saule in 1236, although the precise location of that battle remains debated and is generally placed somewhere in the wider region rather than within the modern city. The settlement grew gradually through agriculture, craft production and trade, establishing the regional importance that later urban development would reinforce.

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania

During the medieval and early modern periods, Šiauliai belonged to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and developed as a local administrative and commercial centre. Its history was affected by the political structures of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, when estates, religious institutions and market activity shaped the surrounding countryside. Wars and military campaigns repeatedly disrupted northern Lithuania, including conflicts involving Sweden and Russia during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The town remained smaller than Lithuania’s principal political centres, but its location supported regional exchange. The distinctive urban form visible today is largely later than this period, since fires, wars and modern redevelopment transformed much of the earlier settlement.

Imperial Rule and Urban Growth

After the partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in the late eighteenth century, Šiauliai became part of the Russian Empire. The nineteenth century brought administrative reorganisation, expanding commerce and the gradual development of a more urban society. The construction of transport links, particularly the railway connecting Šiauliai with wider imperial networks in the second half of the century, strengthened its role as a trading and manufacturing centre. Jewish residents formed an important part of the town’s commercial and cultural life, while Lithuanian national consciousness grew during the period of the Lithuanian National Revival. Industrial activity, including the leather works associated with the Frenkel family, helped shape the city’s modern economic identity.

Independence and Interwar Modernisation

Lithuania declared independence in 1918, and Šiauliai became one of the country’s leading regional cities during the interwar republic. New public buildings, schools, businesses and cultural institutions reflected the ambitions of the young state, while the city’s position on major transport routes encouraged industry and trade. The Frenkel leather factory remained a major employer, and the urban population became more socially and culturally diverse. Interwar architecture and civic planning survive in fragments among later construction. The period also saw the consolidation of Lithuanian cultural institutions that would influence the city’s museums, education and public life long after the independence era ended.

War, Occupation and Loss

The Second World War brought successive Soviet and German occupations, profound political repression and the destruction of much of Šiauliai’s Jewish community. Before the war, Jewish residents had played a significant role in the city’s commercial, religious and cultural life; the Holocaust devastated that community. Fighting and military destruction also damaged the urban fabric, and post-war Šiauliai required extensive rebuilding. Under renewed Soviet rule, the city was industrialised and expanded with apartment districts, factories and state institutions. This period altered both its population and architectural appearance, although museums, memorial sites and surviving buildings preserve evidence of the communities and conflicts that shaped the city.

Soviet Reconstruction and Contemporary Identity

Post-war reconstruction gave Šiauliai a modern industrial profile, with large housing estates and broad transport corridors surrounding the older centre. Soviet urban planning transformed the scale of the city while cultural institutions continued to collect and interpret regional history. Lithuania restored its independence in 1990–91, prompting economic and civic change as Šiauliai adapted from a centrally planned industrial system to a market economy. Since then, the city has developed a more contemporary cultural identity through museums, public art, renovated pedestrian areas and events. Its relationship with the Hill of Crosses, strengthened by the site’s international recognition as a place of pilgrimage and remembrance, remains central to how Šiauliai is understood beyond northern Lithuania.

Šiauliai in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Cities near Šiauliai

The closest cities to Šiauliai, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

Lithuania
More of the region

Explore more of Lithuania

Discover Lithuania, a captivating blend of medieval charm, natural beauty, and vibrant culture, offering a unique and enriching travel experience in the heart of the Baltics.

Explore Lithuania
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Šiauliai, Lithuania

Discover Šiauliai with Evendo - a 100% free app-based travel guide offering insights on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and more. Plan your perfect trip seamlessly!

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking of hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences within the app
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Download Evendo, the free app-based travel guide to Šiauliai, Lithuania. Discover attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and book tours with ease. Optimize your travel experience!

  • History of Šiauliai and travel essentials
  • Tons of good, local advice
  • Easy navigation through the app and the city
  • “Near Me” feature to discover what's around you
  • Curated local tips to experience the city like a local
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs

Welcome to Šiauliai, Lithuania – a city brimming with history, culture, and unforgettable experiences. With Evendo, the ultimate travel guide in your pocket, your journey through Šiauliai becomes effortlessly enriching. Discover iconic landmarks like the Hill of Crosses, the awe-inspiring Šiauliai Cathedral, and the fascinating Bicycle Museum. Stroll through the vibrant Boulevard of Šiauliai and soak up the local atmosphere at charming cafes and shops.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in culinary delights at renowned restaurants such as Cili Pica or Trys Barai – places where local flavors come alive. With detailed information on each location, including images, descriptions, and local tips, Evendo ensures you don’t miss out on anything special. Planning and organizing your trip has never been easier, as the app provides maps, contact details, and the option to book hotels, tours, and experiences directly within the app.

Whether you’re interested in exploring the nightlife at popular bars and nightclubs or immersing yourself in local activities and experiences, Evendo has got you covered. The app’s “Near Me” feature helps you discover exciting spots around you, no matter where you are in Šiauliai. Plus, with curated local tips, you can experience the city like a true local. Evendo is 100% free, with no hidden costs – just pure travel bliss.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.