Things to do in Šiauliai for self travelers

This self-guided audio walking tour explores Jewish heritage in Šiauliai through villas, synagogues, cemeteries, schools, and community landmarks. It is ideal for travelers interested in local history, memory, architecture, and the lives of the people who helped shape the city. The route begins at Chaim Frenkel's Villa, one of Šiauliai’s most striking historic residences, linked to the famous leather industrialist and philanthropist. From there, the walk follows traces of Jewish life across the city: past the old Jewish cemetery, the Frenkel Factory Synagogue, the area around Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy, and sites in and around the Old Town. Along the way, stops such as the Venclauskis House-Museum, Polifonija, and the Šiauliai County Jewish Community help place personal stories within the wider urban landscape. The tour ends at Šiauliai Julius Janonis Gymnasium. By the final stop, you will have followed a route of remembrance and resilience, from grand architecture to quieter corners of the city. The most memorable moments include standing before Chaim Frenkel's Villa, tracing the layered history of the old cemetery, and sensing how Jewish culture, education, and community life remain woven into Šiauliai’s streets.