Looking for a peaceful road trip in Lithuania with a generous dose of nature and charm? Biržai might just surprise you. While it’s not home to the Seven Wonders of the World, it is full of hidden gems—like a moon-shaped observation tower, mysterious legends about karst sinkholes, and the longest wooden bridge in the country. And the best part – you can easily explore all of this in just one relaxed day.
So let’s go find out what to see in Biržai, Lithuania!
Location: Biržai, Lithuania
Cost: Free
How to get there: By car
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What to See Near Biržai, Lithuania
We’ll start our itinerary just outside Biržai.
Moon Shaped Kirkilai Observation Tower near Biržai
The moon-shaped observation tower in Biržai is truly iconic—but the real question is: will the view from it be as impressive as the view of it?
You can spot one end of the “moon” peeking through the trees right from the parking lot. But as you get closer, you’ll notice a small observation platform on the lower arc of Kirkilai Tower as well. It’s perfect for those who are a little nervous about heights—just enough of a climb to get a taste of the view.
Once we reach the top, it becomes clear: you can actually feel the tower gently swaying in the wind. A little unnerving? Maybe. But the view more than makes up for it. Spread out before you is a winding lake, curving and twisting like a ribbon, dotted with tiny reed-covered islands.
It’s a tough competition—Biržai’s observation tower versus the view from it. And honestly? I don’t think we’ve given Kirkilai Tower a fair shot to show off its unique shape. These kinds of structures are best appreciated from a distance. So let’s take a short stroll across the wooden walkway that crosses the lake and take another look.
The walk is short—just a gentle bend through nature—but all around is pure summer tranquility. The dark, still water mirrors the sky, creating a peaceful, dreamlike scene. And yes, from here, the Kirkilai Tower looks absolutely stunning—perfectly framed by the surrounding landscape.
Now, let’s jump back in the car and head towards the next attraction in Biržai – a large pit. What?
Biržai Karst Sinkholes
It may sound a bit unusual, but one of the most popular answers to what to see in Biržai is… large pits. But these aren’t just ordinary pits—they have a backstory! They are karst sinkholes!
So, what exactly is a karst sinkhole? It forms when water slowly dissolves the soft layers of minerals beneath the ground, creating hidden underground voids. Over time, the surface above collapses into these empty spaces, forming dramatic, crater-like sinkholes. You can see many of them near Biržai—it’s estimated that the region is home to over 9,000 of them!
You spot the first pits—I mean, sinkholes—right as you enter the area, marked by large rocks. The ground here is… well, a bit wavy and uneven.
As you walk further in, you’ll come across some larger sinkholes, like Ieva’s Pit (Ievos Dobe). One of them even has tall trees growing at the bottom, which tells you just how long these sinkholes have been part of the Biržai landscape.
I think the pits are pitting. But our main goal today is to check out the largest sinkhole you can see near Biržai—the legendary Cow’s Cave.
Biržai Covs Cave
Imagine you’re herding cows one day, and suddenly the ground opens up and swallows one of them whole! Sounds like something out of an apocalyptic movie, right? But that’s actually the legend behind Cow’s Cave near Biržai.
This famous Biržai sinkhole is around 12.6 meters deep, and you can climb down into it. A set of stairs leads into the pit, giving you a chance to see it from the inside. The walls are lined with creeping plants, and you’ll spot small rock outcrops along the way.
Just behind the sinkhole, you’ll find a stone sculpture of a cow—an homage to the tale that gave the cave its name.
But now… my stomach’s starting to grumble. Time to head back to Biržai city and track down a good spot for lunch.
Where to Eat Lunch in Biržai, Lithuania?
Today, I’m craving an oven-baked Italian pizza. Paupio Pizzeria has just the right vibe—cozy fairy lights twinkle inside, and if you’re sitting on the small terrace, you can bundle up in warm blankets. But the best part is the staff’s kind and attentive service, which makes the whole experience feel extra welcoming.
After enjoying a delicious pizza and a refreshing glass of Lithuanian kvass, it is time to check out some more tourist attractions in Birzai.
What to See in Biržai, Lithuania?
Walk By the Lake – From a Caste to a Manor
We park in the lot by Biržai Castle and are greeted by two dancing fountains, inviting us to take a peaceful walk by the lake before exploring Biržai castle’s exterior. The trail looks truly serene—let’s go!
As we stroll along the lakeside in Biržai, time after time a water bird glides by, but they’re the only busy creatures around. The rest of the scene is perfectly calm. After a while, a brick church comes into view, followed by a charming bridge.
Crossing the bridge, it might seem like the trail ends, as you suddenly find yourself in a quiet suburban neighborhood. But having done our research before putting together our Biržai trip itinerary, I know there’s another Biržai attraction just ahead, waiting to be discovered.
Footbridge Over Lake Širven
Can you believe that the enormous lake we’ve been walking alongside in Biržai is actually artificial? It’s the oldest artificial lake in Lithuania, shaping the landscape since the 16th century.
Stretching across the lake is a perfectly straight, very long wooden bridge—the longest wooden bridge in Lithuania! Another record. It’s so long that benches have been placed in the middle, inviting you to sit, rest, and soak in the beautiful surroundings.
At the other end, a ghostly silhouette of a manor with a small tower peeks through the trees. When we reach Astravas Manor, it’s clear the building is longing for renovation. But did you know that after serving as a residence, this property was repurposed to house factories? At one time, it operated as a milk factory, and at another, it became a linen factory.
Guarding the doors of Astravas Manor are two playful lion statues. They’re clearly beloved by photographers. But here’s a fun fact—they aren’t the originals. These lions are stunt doubles; the original bronze statues now live safely in a museum.
If we wanted to walk all the way around the lake to return to Biržai, it would take us the entire day. So this time, I think the best call is to turn around and head back the way we came. But before heading home there is one more tourist attraction to see in Birzai.
Biržai Castle
The facade of Biržai Castle is simple—no lacework or towering spires. Yet in history books, it holds a prominent place as an important fortress that’s been destroyed and rebuilt a couple times. To me, the most memorable feature of the Biržai Castle exterior is the colonnade, which reminds me of Italy a bit.
Inside the castle, there’s also a museum you can visit. However, at this hour, it’s already closed. So if you want to see it, you might need to do your Biržai itinerary in reverse!
Before we leave, take a moment to admire the intriguing entrance gate and the cannons pointing out from the the fortress walls. And with that, our Biržai day trip comes to an end.
Thoughts? This Biržai trip itinerary takes advantage of the simple pleasures of hiking in nature. You won’t find anything groundbreaking here, but it is perfect for a leisurely Saturday walk with friends. And it is very close to the Latvian border, so Biržai is a very easy day trip for Latvians like me.
