Hill of Crosses: Day Trips and Tours from Vilnius

The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania, an impressive pilgrimage site, is a popular day trip destination for many tourists visiting Vilnius. There are countless crosses of various sizes scattered across the hill, signifying faithfulness and trust in the Christian faith.

Not only Lithuanians come here to place a cross. People from all over the world make the journey to the Hill of Crosses as a sign of their faith.

More than 200,000 crosses have been laid on the small mountain so far with many more being added daily.

How to get to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius?

The Hill of Crosses is located in the north of Lithuania, not far from the border to Latvia. It is just over 200 kilometers from Vilnius, making it a perfect day trip destination.

From Vilnius to the Hill of Crosses by car

It is possible to drive to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius by car. First, follow the A2 with the direction Panevėžys. Then take the A9 to Smilgiai, where you need to turn right on the 149. Follow route 149 to Kuosiškiai, where you need to change to the 150.

Follow the 150 until Žeimiai, where you need to turn right again and follow the road until you get on the A12. From the A12, you only need to follow the signs to the famous hill.

The journey from Vilnius to the Hill of the Crosses by car will take around 2.5 hours. Visitors can park their vehicles at the parking lot nearby.

From Vilnius to the Hill of Crosses by public transport

Unfortunately, there are no direct bus or train routes to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius. However, a few trains leave Vilnius for Siauliai, a city 12 kilometers from the Hill of Crosses. The ride with Lithuanian Railways will take around 2.5 hours.

At Siauliai station, take bus Number 12 in the direction of Joniškis. Just tell the bus driver that you want to get off at the Domantai stop, from where it is just a short walk to the Hill of Crosses. This is an affordable way to get to the Hill of Crosses if you do not have your own car.

There are also buses departing from Vilnius to the Siauliai station. However, they tend to take at least one hour longer than the train. The relevant bus lines from Vilnius are called TOKS Neo and Bus Turas.

Guided tour to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius

The best option for visitors headed to the Hill of Crosses is to book a guided day trip. Transportation will be taken care of and an experienced tour guide will be ready to answer any questions along the way.

Furthermore, pickup and drop-off services are included in most guided day trips to the Hill of Crosses. In addition, the tour guide will be able to share interesting facts and anecdotes with participants and educate them about the history of the Hill of Crosses.

The duration of a guided day trip to the Hill of Crosses is around eight to nine hours.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius?

Usually, an excursion to the Hill of Crosses will start with the pickup of all participants from their hotels. After about an hour on a comfortable minibus, you’ll reach the memorial in Ukmergė dedicated to the fighters against the Soviet regime.

Then the day tour continues towards the Hill of Crosses. Here you can either walk around and explore the hill on your own, or dive deeper into the history and background of the Hill of Crosses together with your guide.

After exploring the area, you will head to a local restaurant for lunch. Choose between different traditional Lithuanian dishes and try some delicious local specialties.

After lunch, you will return to Vilnius, where you will be dropped off at your accommodation at around 5 PM.

What kinds of tours are available to go to the Hill of Crosses?

There are several day trips from Vilnius to the Hill of Crosses available, suitable for every budget. Besides group tours, private tours or shuttle service to the hill, there are also many one or two-day trips that include an excursion to the Hill of Crosses.

Guided tours to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius

A full-day trip from Vilnius to the Hill of Crosses takes about eight to nine hours. Early in the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel in Vilnius and then driven to the Hill of Crosses with a group of other travelers. The tour might also include another attraction on the way.

The tour guide will tell you everything about the history of the mountain, the symbolism behind the crosses and the art of cross making. Do not hesitate to ask your guide any questions you might have.

Shuttle transfer without guide to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius

The shuttle service picks you up from your hotel in Vilnius and takes you directly to the hill. You can then explore the area on your own and learn more about the history and background with an audio guide.

The shuttle bus will wait for the group at the parking lot next to the Hill of Crosses and return to Vilnius once the excursion is completed.

Private tour to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius

Private day tours to the hill take about eight hours. Enjoy the journey and the exploration of the Hill of Crosses in privacy. This is a great choice for those looking for a detailed tour with a lot of information.

2-Day tour to Riga from Vilnius

A 2-day tour from Vilnius to Riga is a fantastic option for those wanting to see as much as possible in a short time frame without having to worry about planning.

On a two-day excursion, you will see all the famous sights of the region, including the Hill of Crosses, Klaipeda Old City, several museums and much more.

Unfortunately, the price usually doesn't include food, beverages and accommodation.

Day trip to the Hill of Crosses plus Tytuvenai and the Shrine of our Lady of Siluva from Vilnius

This full-day tour follows the route of Pope John Paul II's pilgrimage to Latvia in 1993, including a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Siluva, Tytuvenai monastery and the Hill of Crosses.

Thanks to the pickup and drop-off service included in the tour, you can put your feet up and enjoy the scenery during the ride.

Day tour to the Hill of Crosses and IX Fort from Vilnius

This private day trip will take you to the IX Fort and the Hill of Crosses. The fort dates back to the 19th century and once served as a prison. Your guide will be able to tell you everything you need to know about the history and purpose of the site.

This tour lasts between eight and 10 hours.

How much does a tour to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius cost?

There are several day trips available from Vilnius to the Hill of Crosses. A roundtrip tour with an audio guide starts at €54 per person.

Group tours include a guide who explains all the details and is of course happy to answer any questions. Guided tours start at €70 per person, including the round trip to Vilnius.

Private day trips to the Hill of Crosses are also available at a rate of €289 for a group of a maximum of three people. Additional charges apply when more people participate.

What will you see and do on the Hill of Crosses?

The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania is a prestigious sight and an important pilgrimage location for devout Christians. Here visitors can admire more than 200,000 crosses of various sizes. Besides the crosses, there are also many different rosaries on display and statues of the Virgin Mary.

Visitors to the Hill of Crosses usually take the time to walk around the hill and admire the countless crosses. Furthermore, some visitors bring their own crosses or other symbols to place there and spend a moment of silence at this religious location.

When is the best time to visit the Hill of Crosses?

Since the Hill of Crosses is open all year round, there is no specific best time to visit. During the summer months from June to September, the weather is quite nice, but the area will also be relatively crowded with large numbers of visitors.

In spring and winter, there will be fewer people, which makes an excursion to the Hill of Crosses even more pleasant. In winter, the hill and the crosses are covered with snow, which creates a unique and mystic atmosphere.

Travel tips

• If you want to place a cross at the hill, it is best to bring it from home. Buying crosses at one of the many local souvenir stores can be expensive.
• Book your guided day tour in advance. There are only a limited number of seats available and spots sell out quickly.
• Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. The hill and its paths are not paved. Depending on the weather, it is also advisable to bring a warm jacket, as it can be a bit windy.
• Since the Hill of Crosses is a religious pilgrimage site, make sure to be respectful at all times. Families should make sure that children aren’t too noisy and do not disturb the crosses or run around.
• Bring a camera. The hill and its crosses are a great photography location.
• Most tours do not include food and beverages. Bring a water bottle, some snacks and cash for a restaurant visit.
• Save some time and combine the Hill of Crosses with other attractions in the area in a one or two-day trip. There is a lot to see and do close to Vilnius
• You can make this excursion a fun jaunt to the Hill of Crosses by driving yourself. Stop along the way at other attractions and enjoy yourself.