Facts about the city
- Location: Šiauliai is located in Northern Lithuania on the picturesque hillsides of the Žemaičių (Samogitian) Hills.
- 214 km from Vilnius.
- 128 km southwest of the Latvian capital Riga.
- Population: approx. 119,000 (January 2024).
Šiauliai is the fourth largest city in Lithuania. It is considered to be the economic, cultural, and educational center of Northern Lithuania. Šiauliai has an international airport, free economic zone, industrial park, and NATO airport base. It is not only a great place to do business but also a perfect spot to live and visit: rich history, plenty of museums (we even have one dedicated to cats!), and an easy-to-travel city awaits you!
The most impressive architectural monument is the slender Renaissance Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. Its tower, visible from afar, is the most prominent feature of the Šiauliai panorama. Close to the town is the Hill of Crosses, which is a national symbol of Lithuania and also is a unique place to visit.
Held every year in April, the Runway Run event — the only one of its kind in Lithuania — takes place on a real runway where Lithuanian Air Force aircraft together with NATO partner aircraft take off and land during everyday missions. Additionally, city-wide celebrations are organized for special days, including the city's birthday, "Šiauliai Nights" during the summer, and "Šiauliai Days" in September. The International Folk Contest Festival "Flower of the Sun" is one of the largest, most colourful, and best-known ethnic cultural events in the country and is on the list of events of the International Folk Arts Organization.
Šiauliai is known as the “City of the Sun“. Wonder why? Come and visit us!