Family Days Out in Siauliai

October 31, 2026

Šiauliai is an easy city for a family stay. Distances are short, the main street is pedestrian, and most attractions are small enough to suit children’s attention spans. Most museum visits take one to two hours, which leaves room for playgrounds and the lakeside in the same day. Prices are in euros.

Bicycle Museum

The Bicycle Museum at Vilniaus g. 139 is the most hands-on stop. Visitors can try modern and antique bicycles, ride a velomobile and rest in a recreation area. The exhibition “Bicycle and Lithuania”, opened in 2004, shows bikes made by the local Vairas factory. Tickets are 8 EUR for adults and 4 EUR reduced. One or two adults travelling with children under 18 get a 50 percent family discount. Opening hours are 10:00 to 18:00 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10:00 to 19:00 on Wednesday, and 11:00 to 17:00 at weekends.

Cats Museum and the exotic-animal garden

Vanda Kavaliauskienė’s Cats Museum at Žuvininkų g. 18 holds cat-themed objects from many countries, and three live cats greet visitors. Next door is a small garden with exotic animals: snakes including pythons, lizards, crocodiles and a monkey. The city has no conventional zoo, so expect a compact visit rather than a day out. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 and on Saturday from 09:00 to 16:00.

Sun Terrace playground

The Sun Terrace is the city’s largest children’s playground, with flower walls and cafés close by. It is part of the tourist office’s route Šiauliai From Above, and the same route stops at the Photography Museum terrace.

Photography Museum terrace

The rooftop terrace at Vilniaus g. 140 has a camera obscura, which projects the view outside onto a screen. Entry to the terrace is 1 EUR, or 0.50 EUR reduced, and it is open from 1 March to 31 October.

Rūta chocolate museum

The museum at Tilžės g. 133 has interactive exhibits and a chocolate workshop. Entry is from about 5 to 6 EUR. The tourist office’s two-hour guided tasting, priced at 20 EUR per person, is recommended for adults, so ask about age limits when you book by phone on +370 610 41 050.

Craft and lake

Leather workshops at Chaim Frenkel Villa cost 4 to 5 EUR and are open to children from school grade 2. Book on +370 41 524 389.
Lake Talkša has playgrounds, a seven-ring labyrinth, a 1.8 km bike path and water-bike rides from Marionette Wakepark. Swimming in the lake is not recommended.
The Iron Fox on the lakeshore is about 15 m long and weighs about 7 tonnes, a good photo stop for children.

A short visit to the Hill of Crosses

The Hill of Crosses, 12 km north, is a Catholic pilgrimage site. Families who visit should keep children close, speak quietly and leave the crosses in place. The lane from the Domantai bus stop is unlit, so go in daylight.

Tips

Museum admission is free on the last Sunday of the month. In winter, wear shoes with grip around Talkša and on the paths.

Hours and routes are on Visit Šiauliai and the Bicycle Museum page . Family-friendly tours can be compared on GetYourGuide .