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Biržai
ℹ️Practical info — Biržai
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit Biržai Castle in the morning for a quieter experience before larger group tours arrive.
- Take a walk across the pedestrian bridge over Lake Širvėna-it is the longest wooden bridge in Lithuania and leads directly to Astravas Manor.
- Biržai is the capital of Lithuanian beer; when visiting a local brewery tavern, be sure to try 'gyvas alus' (unpasteurized live beer).
- Drive slightly out of town to the Kirkilai observation tower. It is free to climb and features striking views over unique karst sinkhole lakes.
🍽 Food
Order these classic beer snacks at traditional brewery taverns near the castle.
Look for traditional Lithuanian restaurants along Vytauto street for hearty potato dishes.
Find a local bakery near the central square for a quick morning treat.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Buy directly from the historic brewery shops in the city center for authentic souvenirs.
Small souvenir shops inside or near the Biržai Castle complex offer local artisan goods.
Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the lakeside path, especially near the classical Astravas Manor.
Walk the wooden pathways among the water-filled sinkholes just outside the city for a uniquely calm experience.
Water temperature…
Biržai is a historically significant city in northern Lithuania, renowned for its aristocratic legacy and unique geological phenomena. For centuries, it served as the principal seat of the Protestant branch of the Radziwiłł (Radvila) family, who constructed an imposing Dutch-style bastion fortress here in the 16th century. Biržai Castle, now home to a regional museum, was rebuilt several times following the Swedish wars and stands as an outstanding example of Renaissance military architecture. Geologically, the Biržai region is globally unique due to its thousands of karst sinkholes formed by the collapse of underground gypsum layers, with the 'Cow's Cave' being the most famous. The city is also celebrated as the 'Capital of Lithuanian Beer,' boasting a centuries-old brewing tradition that remains spirited in local breweries today. Biržai sits on the shores of Lake Širvėna, Lithuania's oldest man-made lake, created in 1575 to bolster the fortress's defenses.
- Location: Lithuania
- Top sights: Biržai Radziwiłł Castle · Rinkuškiai beer museum · Astravo dvaras
- Nearby: Pabiržė (11 km)
- Population: ~14.911
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -6 | -6 | -1 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 6 | 1 | -3 |
| Rain mm | 56 | 47 | 47 | 49 | 65 | 82 | 95 | 87 | 61 | 71 | 65 | 58 |
Geography
Facts
- Biržai Castle was originally constructed between 1586 and 1589 by Kristupas Radvila 'Perkūnas'.
- Lake Širvėna is the oldest artificial lake in Lithuania, covering approximately 325 hectares.
- There are more than 9,000 karst sinkholes documented in the Biržai district.
- The pedestrian bridge across Lake Širvėna is the longest in Lithuania, stretching 525 meters.
- Biržai was granted Magdeburg rights for self-governance in 1589.
- The Astravas Manor, built in the 19th century by the Tiškevičius family, features neoclassical architecture.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Biržai (10)
Senovinių arbatinukų galerija - muziejus🏛 museum
A unique gallery and museum in Biržai displaying a collection of antique teapots.
Frequently asked questions
What is the landmark of Biržai?
What natural phenomenon can be seen here?
Is there a lake in the city?
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Biržai: where is it located?
Biržai: what is there to see?
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