Day Trips from Siauliai

October 31, 2026

Šiauliai sits in the north of Lithuania, close to the Latvian border, so a wide ring of sights is reachable in a day. Most of the trips below are easiest by car, since regional buses are infrequent. Distances are by road and approximate. Prices are in euros.

Hill of Crosses, 12 km north

The Hill of Crosses (Kryžių kalnas) is the closest and most visited. It is a Catholic pilgrimage site with over 100,000 crosses, and a national cultural monument since 1998. Pope John Paul II visited on 7 September 1993. Entry is free and the site is open at any time.

By public transport, take the bus toward Joniškis from Šiauliai Bus Terminal (Tilžės g. 109, stop 12) and buy a ticket to Domantai, the third stop, then walk about 2 km. Return buses are infrequent, so check the timetable before you leave. A taxi from the city costs about 20 EUR one way. The visitor centre is open on weekdays only. From Vilnius the hill is about 220 km, or 2.5 to 3 hours by road.

Kurtuvėnai Regional Park, 20 to 25 km west

The park’s visitor centre is in the restored manor coach house at Parko g. 2. The sacred hill Girnikai gives views toward Mount Šatrija on a clear day. This is a quiet outing of woodland walks.

Tytuvėnai and Šiluva, 45 to 55 km south

The Bernardine church and monastery at Tytuvėnai lie about 45 to 50 km south of the city. The courtyard and the Chapel of the Holy Stairs are open at all times, and the Pilgrims’ Centre is open Monday to Thursday from 08:00 to 17:00, with shorter hours on Fridays and weekend visits by arrangement. Šiluva, a Marian shrine and pilgrimage place, is a further 8 to 9 km south, about 53 km from Šiauliai. Both are active religious sites, so dress modestly and keep voices low.

Pakruojis Manor, 50 to 60 km north-east

This neoclassical manor stands about 2 km from Pakruojis town and has a hotel and a restaurant.

Rundāle Palace, Latvia

Rundāle is roughly 75 to 90 km from Šiauliai, about 1 to 1.25 hours by car. There are no border checks within the Schengen area, but carry ID. The 2025 price list shows the main exhibition at 12 EUR for adults, the French garden at 6 EUR, and a combined ticket at 17 EUR. Students pay 8.50 EUR for the exhibition, pupils 3.50 EUR, and under-sevens go free. Prices for the current season should be checked on the palace site.

Telšiai, about 70 km west

Telšiai is a Samogitian town on Lake Mastis, known locally for its seven hills. The Samogitian Museum “Alka” at Muziejaus g. 31 reopened after reconstruction in 2024, so check opening times before you go.

Planning notes

A car gives the most freedom, as return buses to smaller places are infrequent.
Winter paths at pilgrimage sites can be icy, so wear grips from December to March.
Šiauliai is a good base because rail and bus links run to Vilnius, Riga and Klaipėda.

Palace prices are on the Rundāle price list , and the Tytuvėnai details are on Lithuania Travel . Organised trips can be compared on Viator .