Telšiai District Municipality
Samogitia
free museum of teddy bears and bear figures
Turgaus a. 21, Telšiai
55.98170, 22.24700
30-45 minutes
year-round
Telšiai Bear Museum
Bear Museum: thousands of bears in Telšiai
The Bear Museum is one of the most cheerful and unexpected places to visit in Telšiai. It is housed in the Samogitia Tourism Information Centre in the city centre and holds a remarkable collection: almost six thousand teddy bears and bear figures. It is a space that appeals to both children and adults.
The bears vary widely: plush, wooden, ceramic, glass, even made from moss; bear images decorate mugs, pictures, and souvenirs. The size and variety of the collection make the museum distinctive and easy to remember.
The bear as a Samogitian symbol
The museum idea is not random: the bear is a symbol of Telšiai and Samogitia and appears in the city's coat of arms. It represents strength and endurance, so Telšiai is often called a city of thousands of bears. The museum turns that symbolism into a lively, playful experience.
The collection grew through donations. Children and adults brought childhood teddy bears, schools, kindergartens, and communities contributed, and some bears arrived from abroad, including Norway, England, and Czechia. In that sense the museum became a shared creation of the city and its guests.
Games and educational activities
The Bear Museum invites visitors not only to look but also to take part. Visitors can make a teddy bear themselves: one to take home and another to leave for the museum, adding to the growing collection. This activity is especially popular with families.
A city game is also connected with the museum: about fifty bears are hidden around Telšiai streets, and finding them turns a walk through the city into a game. A museum visit can therefore continue outdoors across Telšiai.
How to visit
The Bear Museum operates inside the tourism information centre, so it is easy to find in the city centre, and admission is free. A regular visit usually takes 30-45 minutes, or a little longer with an educational activity.
Opening hours can change, so check the Telšiai Tourism Information Centre page before travelling. The visit is easy to combine with Telšiai old town, the Lake Mastis waterfront, and other city sights.
