Plungė

A town centred on the grand Oginskis Manor, a Neo-Renaissance palace set in a vast landscaped park with old trees and ponds. The palace houses the Samogitian Art Museum and celebrates the region's musical heritage.

Things to do

• Oginskis Manor & Samogitian Art Museum — Tour the grand Neo-Renaissance palace housing regional art collections and exhibits on the Oginskis family's musical legacy.
• Stroll the Manor Park — Wander the vast landscaped park with centuries-old trees, ponds, and winding paths surrounding the palace.
• See the Perkūnas Oak — Visit the ancient sacred oak in the manor park, a revered natural monument tied to old Baltic pagan beliefs.
• Visit St. John the Baptist Church — Admire the red-brick Neo-Gothic Catholic church that anchors the town centre.
• Explore the Old Watermill Complex — See the historic manor watermill and outbuildings near the estate entrance, part of the Oginskis ensemble.
• Day trip to Plateliai Lake — Drive northwest to the scenic lake at the heart of Žemaitija National Park for boating and forest walks.
• Cold War Museum at Plokštinė — Explore a decommissioned underground Soviet nuclear missile base in Žemaitija National Park near Plungė.

Food to try

• Kastinys — A traditional Samogitian sour-cream and butter dish, whipped smooth and eaten warm with boiled potatoes.
• Cepelinai — Hearty potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat, served with sour cream and crispy pork cracklings.
• Žemaičių blynai — Samogitian potato pancakes shaped like half-moons and filled with meat, pan-fried until golden.
• Kūčiukai — Small sweet poppy-seed biscuits traditionally served with poppy milk, especially around Christmas.
• Šaltibarščiai — Bright pink cold beetroot soup with kefir, dill, and cucumber, a summertime favourite.

Local customs & good to know

• Samogitian identity runs deep — Locals are proud Žemaitians with their own dialect and traditions, distinct from the rest of Lithuania.
• Time your visit for a concert — The manor honours composer Mykolas Oginskis, so check for classical music events held on the estate.
• Respect the sacred oaks — Old trees like the Perkūnas Oak carry pagan significance, so treat them and the park with care.
• Pair the town with the national park — Plungė is the gateway to Žemaitija National Park, so plan extra time for nature and the Cold War museum.

Nearby

• Plokštinė Cold War Museum — 11 km
• Žemaitija National Park — 14 km
• Plateliai — 15 km
• Žemaičių Kalvarija — 23 km