For gastronomic tours around Lithuania – the map "The Tastiest Cities of Lithuania"

Panevėžys is famous not only for Čičinskas steak, Raseiniai – not just for Viduklė dumplings, Trakai – not only for kibinai, and in Telšiai, you can taste more than just Žemaičiai pancakes. The national tourism promotion agency "Lithuania Travel" together with tourism information centers, presents a map of dishes that have become symbolic of different cities, called "The Tastiest Cities of Lithuania." It is designed for all tourists who cannot imagine traveling around Lithuania without tasting and discovering regional cuisine.

You can find the thematic map "The Tastiest Cities of Lithuania" here.

"The international Michelin guide ratings have revealed the potential of gastronomic tourism in Lithuania, but this is just the beginning. It is important to us that gastronomic initiatives and experiences await tourists not only in Vilnius but also in the country's regions. Lithuania stands out for its authentic culinary heritage and long-standing traditions. We are one of the few European countries where farm-to-table is a short journey, allowing us to enjoy local products and, of course, the creativity, hospitality, and enthusiasm of our communities. I believe this new gastronomy map will encourage travelers to explore Lithuania’s regions and travel more," says Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation Agila Barzdienė.

"The gastronomic tourism boom in Lithuania has been supported by thematic maps such as 'Cold Beetroot Soup Flood,' 'Ice Cream Map: Flavors That Will Melt You,' and, of course, the 2019 'GASTRO Guide,' which became very popular. Many tourists followed this guide to taste nettle ice cream, orange soup, or milk champagne. According to the latest research, gastronomic tourism remains one of the most popular tourism sectors worldwide, making the upcoming travel season a perfect opportunity to rediscover flavor stops in various regions of our country," says Neringa Sutkaitytė, a local tourism expert from the national tourism promotion agency " Lithuania Travel."

According to a local tourism study conducted by "Lithuania Travel” last year, 39% of respondents consider visiting restaurants and cafes a primary activity during their travels in Lithuania. 13% of travelers are most interested in trying new flavors and dishes, while one in eight wants to taste traditional local cuisine. On average, Lithuanians spend 24% of their domestic travel budget on food and drinks, which amounts to about 39 euros per trip. A lack of information about dining options, particularly about regional cuisine in areas like Aukštaitija, Dzūkija, and Suvalkija, was cited as a frustration by 13% of local tourists. This insight led to the creation of the second edition of the "GASTRO Guide" – "The Tastiest Cities of Lithuania."

Grobas, kakorai, kleckai, black cheese, edible paintings, kosher ice cream, atomic pizza... These are just a few of the flavors from 51 Lithuanian municipalities that have introduced their most unique dishes, drinks or edible souvenirs. The thematic map includes not only historical cuisine examples with deep traditions and culinary heritage but also creative and playful offerings for gourmets who always ask, "Where can I eat here?" From now on, local cafes, restaurants, homesteads, and gastronomic education experiences will help define the places you visit.

For example, you can only taste executioner’s soup, linked to a gruesome city legend, in Skuodas and nowhere else. An ice cream shake enriched with mineral water or cold beetroot soup is served exclusively in the mineral-rich Birštonas resort. In the beer capital of Biržai, you will find not only beer soup but also the world's first chocolate made not from cocoa beans but from acorns. Pasvalys is known for dishes made from colostrum, Radviliškis for elderflower lemonade, and Rokiškis for the revived "karvutė" candy.

You can find the "The Tastiest Cities of Lithuania" map and other travel ideas for Lithuania at www.lithuania.travel