Discover Utena County

Culture among the cosmos, history and manor estate

The Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology (Lietuvos etnokosmologijos muziejus) brings together astronomy, ethnic culture and the relationship between humans and the cosmos. The focus is therefore not only on celestial bodies, but also on how people understand their place in the cosmos. If you are interested in this connection, it offers a different perspective from a traditional historical collection.

The Utena Regional Museum (Utenos kraštotyros muziejus) focuses on Utena’s past and present. Its extensive collection is explored using smart technologies, allowing visitors to discover both. Two halls are dedicated to temporary exhibitions, with something new to see every month. The museum also organises educational programmes and cultural events. The variety of exhibition formats makes a visit appealing if you would like to include historical topics and changing perspectives in your trip.

Utena Manor (Utenos dvaras) also preserves traces of another chapter in the area’s history: the estate includes red-brick buildings, outbuildings and gardens. The buildings and outdoor areas offer a focus of their own alongside museum visits. In Visaginas, meanwhile, the exhibition at the Visaginas City Museum (Visagino miesto muziejus) tells the story of a city shaped by nuclear energy. Visitors can also try operating a scale simulator of the control room at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. This brings together a historical perspective on the city and an interactive experience.

Park trails, water and views

Dauniškis Park in Utena has numerous walking trails and benches. It also features a pontoon bridge, several playgrounds, beaches and free Wi-Fi. The fountain operates from late spring to early autumn and has both daytime and evening programmes. These park attractions are quite different from a museum visit: you can combine a stroll with your time there, or plan around the fountain as a seasonal experience.

At Lake Zarasas, the observation wheel offers panoramic views from a height of 17 metres. Its ring-shaped design has a diameter of 34 metres. Nearby, there is a lakeside walking trail and opportunities to explore the area by boat or bicycle. If you enjoy experiencing different perspectives, the view can be an attraction in its own right; the trail, boat and bicycle offer other ways to take in the surroundings.

For those who would like to include a longer route in their trip, there is the 10 km Šventoji Springs Educational Trail. It ends with a self-service pontoon crossing at the narrowest point of the Antalieptė Reservoir. This is a specific detail to consider when planning your day: in addition to the distance, the crossing is part of the route described. The treetop walkway in Anykščiai Regional Park offers a different kind of nature experience. It is the first walkway of its kind in the Baltic States and runs 20 metres above the ground. These are two distinctly different options: a route with a stated distance and a walkway high above the ground.

Regional cuisine and getting around

At the Gaideliai farmstead, an educational demonstration on preparing traditional Aukštaitian fish soup is offered. It adds a culinary tradition to the museum and nature experiences. In the ethnographic village of Vaišnoriškės, visitors can see two houses rebuilt in the old style, a barn, two stables and saunas. These specifically named buildings give visitors a glimpse of traditional architecture and complement the urban cultural attractions with a different focus.

Visaginas municipal bus route 8 is listed in the municipal timetable. The timetable is valid from 14 December 2025. If you would like to take bus connections into account when planning your trip, this date is important for reference. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can also decide whether to focus your stay more on cultural attractions, park and nature experiences, or a mix of different interests.

More places and areas to explore: Visaginas, Ignalina, Utena, Anykščiai, Zarasai, Sudeikiai, Salakas, Molėtai, Dubingiai, Balninkai, Kirdeikiai, Alanta, Giedraičiai, Dubingių Seniūnija, Girsteitiškis, Serapiniškė, Šilinė, Antazavės Seniūnija, Užpaliai, Videniškiai, Antalgė, Leliūnai, Bičionys, Anykščiai District Municipality, Utena District Municipality, Zarasai District Municipality, Anykščiai District Municipality, Rimšė, Ignalina District Municipality and Molėtai District Municipality.

For the broader travel overview: Lithuania.