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Is Vilnius value visiting? Heck Sure! We personally assume it is without doubt one of the greatest capital cities in Europe! There’s a variety of issues to do in Vilnius for all guests, and it’s a spotlight of any journey to the Baltics. Town is essentially the most populist is the capital of Lithuania. It’s a quaint city with a small inhabitants of half 1,000,000 and terribly welcoming. It’s the right place to get misplaced for a number of days and a preferred cease on the Baltic tour route.
Streets are cobblestoned, and the town heart is the biggest preserved instance of baroque structure in Europe. It’s plagued by Catholic and Orthodox church buildings, and regardless of the place you might be within the metropolis, you may see the ever-present Gediminas’ Tower.
The biggest metropolis in Lithuania is filled with small cafes, charming retailers, eating places, artwork, and historical past. We had a unbelievable time exploring and might’t wait to return someday. It’s stuffed with thrilling actions and sights. Observe our footsteps and a few of these nice issues to do in Vilnius.
VILNIUS AT A GLANCE
- When to Go to Vilnius: The perfect time to go to Vilnius is in the summertime months from Might to September, with the warmest months being June, July and August.
- The place to Keep: Lodge Vilnia is the nicest lodge within the space and effectively value a keep!
- The best way to Get Round: Vilnius Outdated City is without doubt one of the largest in Europe, and you’ll simply get round on foot. You’ll be able to clso get round with public transit. See Susisiekimo paslaugos.
- High Three Issues to Do: Stroll Round Outdated City, Hike Up Gediminas’ Tower, day journey to Trakai Citadel.
- Issues to Know: The identify Vilnius originates from the Vilnia River.
Finest Issues to do in Vilnius
Discover the Outdated City
A European metropolis with an outdated city is nothing new, however they’re nearly all the time effectively value exploring. If you happen to solely have someday in Vilnius, I might extremely advocate staying at a lodge within the precise outdated city and wander round day and evening from there.
Vilnius’s outdated city is kind of giant however straightforward to navigate. The baroque structure is considerable, and there are many cafes to dip into and luxuriate in a espresso.
The streets are bustling in any respect hours, and there’s a cafe each ten steps. The cobbled streets are spotless and boast many touristy websites like St. Anne’s Church and the Presidential Palace. This was certainly one of our favourite issues to do in Vilnius and any city in Europe, for that matter.
Gate of Daybreak
One other great point to do in Vilnius, Lithuania, is go to the Gate of Daybreak. Also referred to as the Sharp Gate, the Gate of Daybreak is a staple sight when you see the nation’s capital. It’s significantly notable as it’s the final remaining gate of 5, from the wall that after surrounded the town limits.
As a result of gate’s age (development on the wall started in 1503), in addition to the famed portray of the Blessed Virgin Mary within the close by gate chapel, the location attracts pilgrims and vacationers from everywhere in the world. These days, it’s one thing of a shrine. For the reason that Virgin Mary is commonly related to dawn, the gate grew to become regionally generally known as the Gate of Daybreak.
Head into Uzupis
One other among the best issues to do in Vilnius is stroll round Uzupis. With out even realizing it, we had crossed the bridge over the Vilnia River and had been within the Republic of Uzupis. A self-governing “free city,” just like that of Freetown Christiania.
Uzupis has its personal president, foreign money, and structure and may be very charming to stroll round in. There’s a bohemian and creative really feel to the small space, and you will discover your self exploring the artwork installations whereas lazing concerning the Vilnia River.
Wander Round Bernardine Cemetary
I’ve by no means been a cemetery expeditionist, however this explicit Lithuanian cemetery is a beautiful place to go to in Vilnius. Simply to the east of the Uzupis district, you will discover the peaceable graveyard overlooking the town. Enterprise in and pay your respects, you received’t remorse it. It is without doubt one of the many free issues to do in Vilnius as effectively.
KGB Museum // Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights
If you happen to’re up for it, the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (often known as the Genocide Museum) is value a go to to pay respects and homage to a darkish interval within the nation’s historical past. The constructing’s historical past is certainly one of invasion and bloodshed; it first served because the Gestapo headquarters in the course of the Nazi occupation in 1941. When the Soviets retook the nation in 1944, the KGB used the constructing to detain, imprison, torture, and execute all those that resisted Soviet rule.
The constructing is now a museum, the place guests can tour three flooring; the highest two define the day-to-day life within the nation and Lithuanian resistance in opposition to the Soviet Union, whereas the basement homes the jail the place torture and execution would happen. This museum is a chilling reminder of occupation and energy and the results of combating again.
Eat at Snekutis
There are three places across the metropolis to strive low cost native Lithuanian meals. They’ve many draft beer choices starting from €1.30-€3. Come hungry and go away 10 lbs heavier from the hearty meat and potato pancakes. Now could be time to stroll across the outdated city. Keep in mind that it’s frequent to tip 10% on meals payments in lots of elements of Europe; learn extra about tipping in Europe.
Hike As much as Gediminas’ Tower
For the perfect views of all of Vilnius, it’s greatest to move as much as Gediminas’ Tower, the remnants of the higher fortress. There’s additionally a museum inside for €2.
Three Crosses Hill
As soon as executed with the tower, stroll down and head over to the steps resulting in The Three Crosses. On the high, you will discover superb 360 views of Vilnius. The monument is a dedication to Lithuania’s darkish previous with the Soviet Union. In my view, this is without doubt one of the most extraordinary issues to see in Vilnius.
Take a Day Journey to Trakai Citadel
We advocate Trakai Citadel as one of many high issues to do in Vilnius despite the fact that it’s not within the metropolis. It makes for an ideal day journey and solely takes a 30-minute bus trip to get to Trakai.
The most well-liked factor to do in Trakai is go to Trakai Citadel, a 14th-century fortress surrounded by Lake Galve. It’s actually beautiful to see, and I might extremely advocate paying the €6 to go inside (€3 for college kids). Not less than a half-day is advisable for this present day journey; buses go away recurrently and are €1.77 a technique.
Catch a Play!
The Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre has quite a few performances each week. Tickets are extremely reasonably priced, beginning at simply €3 apiece. Catching a present is ideal for {couples}, particularly these in search of a romantic evening out in Vilnius.
Sts. Peter and Paul Church
A number of publications have regularly referred to the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul as one of the vital lovely in Europe, alongside church buildings in cities resembling Venice, Madrid, and Krakow. When you arrive, it’s not exhausting to see why.
The inside is a vibrant show of baroque structure, and over 2000 stucco figures beautify the within of the church corridor. Although the church was initially a easy wood construction, it was destroyed throughout a time of conflict with Russia. Its reconstruction resulted within the constructing that stands in the present day, a wealthy and visually astounding tapestry of kinds.
The within has a central nave, but additionally aspect altars and a number of other chapels. Although its inside is an enchanting mix of kinds and decor, there are not any surviving information to elucidate who might have designed the beautiful interiors.
Church of St Johns
If you happen to’re passing by the town’s Outdated City, then likelihood is you received’t be very distant from the Church of St Johns. Annexed as a part of the Vilnius College, the church’s inside is Gothic, per its authentic development, whereas its exterior now displays the late Baroque type after it was redesigned. It has all the time been (and continues to be) a web site for vital neighborhood occasions within the metropolis, from protests and performances to royal welcomes.
If you happen to’re trying to take your go to to the subsequent degree (pardon the pun), then you’ll want to go to the church’s campanile. At solely €2,50, it’s the very best level within the metropolis, that means that another construction can’t match the views you’ll get from the highest just about on the town.
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Church of St Theresa
Constructed by an Italian architect within the Baroque type, it’s no marvel that the Church of St Theresa turned out to be such a visually enticing construction. Its exterior is intricate (principally sandstone and granite) however not significantly embellished; the true jaw-dropping magnificence was saved for the inside. Its altar is without doubt one of the highest and most lovely within the nation.
The excessive vaulted ceilings, shiny frescoes, and extremely detailed carvings and sculptures make the within of the church actually a marvel to see.
It’s extremely near the Gates of Daybreak, so bundling the 2 can assist you handle your time to take advantage of your day.
Stebuklas, the “Miracle Tile”
It’s not fairly a wishing effectively, however in keeping with legend, this magical tile tucked away in Cathedral Sq. has the power to grant needs and make your desires come true. Whether or not or not that’s true is up for debate, however the stone has a a lot richer historical past than merely granting needs: it was as soon as a strong show of quiet protest in the course of the dying days of the nation as a republic below Soviet Rule.
Round two million individuals banded collectively to make a human chain by holding arms all the best way from Estonia, by Latvia, and eventually ending on the tile in Vilnius—a strong assertion in opposition to the rule of the USSR and highlighting the energy of human spirit and togetherness. It’s supposedly handiest as a fortunate attraction when you occur to come upon the tile with out looking for it out, however you’ll by no means know till you strive!
Vilnius Cathedral
If you happen to’re in search of an inventory of staple issues to do in Vilnius, you may’t miss the Cathedral and its basilica. Its exterior is austere however inviting – an excellent show of shiny white façade and huge stone pillars. There are a number of statuettes of evangelists and saints adorning the outside. Within the sq. simply outdoors stands the freestanding bell tower, which exhibits the place the river initially flowed by the town.
Whereas the naked and undecorated insides of the cathedral bear witness to the repercussions of Soviet rule, guests can nonetheless respect the dimensions of the inside corridor and even take a guided journey right down to the cathedral catacombs, the place many dukes and kings are buried.
Nationwide Museum of Lithuania
Nonetheless questioning what to do in Vilnius? Many individuals don’t consider Lithuania as a premier vacation vacation spot, so likelihood is when you’re right here, you’ve acquired some curiosity in tradition and historical past. If that’s the case, there’s no higher technique to immerse your self in its wealthy historical past than to go to the Nationwide Museum. The shows showcase the historical past of Lithuania as much as fashionable occasions. There’s a monument close by devoted to the nation’s final king. A funicular close by will take you up Gediminas Hill.
The museum’s reveals are particular and detailed, with shows starting from numismatics (historic cash) to archeology and iconography. It’s closed on public holidays, however at solely three euros, it makes for an excellent, cheap daytime exercise, the place what you’ll see far outweighs the admission payment.
The Artillery Bastion
What to go to in Vilnius? It is best to head right here for positive! We’re fairly into outdated issues however will give bonus factors if they’re outdated partitions. To see historic buildings like this – significantly historic defensive buildings – holds a degree of fascination typically not current in your typical church or museum. The Artillery Bastion was first constructed within the seventeenth century and have become broken throughout wars with Moscow.
As we speak, a lot of the bastion stays; the tower, underground gun ports, and tunneling are nonetheless principally intact. There’s a connecting museum showcasing some extra military-specific historical past of the town because it pertains to the wall. After you’ve taken your fill, step onto the Bastion Terrace for some critically spectacular views of the town.
St Casimir’s Church
If you happen to handed a pink-ish church and puzzled what it was, it’s St Casimir’s Church. Constructed by Jesuits to honor St Casimir in 1604, the unique construction was burnt down a number of occasions over the course of some many years.
Fortunately, it was lastly restored to the façade that stands in the present day—therefore why its decor is a patchwork of Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic. Its enticing exterior is only a preview of the within element; wealthy and complicated baroque altars adorn the inside corridor.
Throughout the Second World Warfare, the museum was closed, mimicking the destiny of many church buildings within the nation. It grew to become a museum of atheism till 1988, when it was re-consecrated and reincarnated as a Catholic church as soon as once more.
Uptown Bazaar
You would name this a meals courtroom when you needed to, however you wouldn’t be doing it justice. The Uptown Bazaar is a vibrant mixture of scents and sights, with a near-endless array of eating choices – from worldwide delicacies like ramen, tapas, or Thai, to nationwide dishes and even burger joints and taco stands.
Carry your urge for food; you undoubtedly received’t go away right here hungry because it’s among the best locations to eat in Vilnius. This spot is for every part – from an off-the-cuff brunch or an enormous banquet to laidback drinks at nightfall.
Boasting a complete of 27 eating places and bars, there’s even a contemporary grocer the place you should purchase produce and different items—simply in case you’re extra of a DIY sort of particular person.
Benefit from the Road Artwork
One other factor to do when questioning what to do in Vilnius is a avenue artwork tour. It’s not your typical factor to do in a European metropolis, however a avenue artwork tour continues to be fairly glorious technique to solid new mild on historic environment. Like many different cities everywhere in the world, Vilnius has its justifiable share of avenue and graffiti artwork. Taking slightly tour of the notable factors round city might be a good way to see the town whereas getting slightly train and venturing off the crushed vacationer path.
Arguably the best-known piece is the wall that includes Trump and Putin – the latter having cigarette smoke being blown into his mouth (the unique wall featured a passionate kiss, however after some controversy, the mural was adjusted). The big selection of creative kinds, colours, mediums, and mural sizes point out that there’s some critical expertise rampant in Vilnius, so despite the fact that this can be a extra time-consuming outing, it’s value it to see the artwork.
St Anne’s Church
This explicit church is a bit more ornate than many others within the metropolis. It’s typically seen as a Gothic masterpiece that has retained all of its authentic glory and grandeur, having fortuitously come to no hurt or destruction in her 500 years of standing. That stated, its authentic construction was a wood church constructed for Anna, the Grand Duchess of Lithuania.
A fantastic bell tower – additionally constructed within the Gothic type – stands close by. Not surprisingly, Napoleon himself fell in love with it—a lot so, in truth, that he needed to take it again to Paris within the palm of his hand. Sadly, this was not potential, so he might have wanted to return again for a go to or two. The church is a straightforward stroll from the close by cathedral, so this may be tacked on to your cathedral go to.
Christopher Summer season Music Pageant
That is restricted to these touring to Vilnius in the summertime months, however its standing as a cultural metropolis icon earns it a point out on this checklist. One of many nation’s longest-running music festivals, it takes place over a interval of two months, with numerous musical acts throughout dozens of venues all through the town. The final theme behind the pageant is variety; this comes throughout within the musical acts, the artists of which journey from everywhere in the world to carry out.
Every thing from sacred choir music and clean jazz to a bunch identified solely because the Loopy Saxophones play for this pageant. It’s slightly quirky and undoubtedly on the experimental aspect of inventive, however effectively value taking in a present or two when you’re in Vilnius over the summer season!
Vilnil Museum of Illusions
Most museums are usually historic, and whereas Vilnius does have its justifiable share of museums depicting the town and nation’s wealthy historical past, this explicit museum is a bit more on the enjoyable aspect of issues. It’s pretty new—solely open since 2016—and options over 70 reveals that includes mind-bending optical illusions, digital actuality, and installations designed to have you ever questioning your eyes!
There are additionally dance performances, most of that are mixed with an LED mild present for one thing actually visually spectacular. Whereas this isn’t going to complement your view of Lithuania or provide help to perceive its historical past, it’s a wonderful technique to unwind after a day of exploring church buildings and human historical past museums.
Finest Vilnius Eating places
- Pirmas Blynas: Ingenious recipes and menu gadgets like candy & savory pancakes, plus vegan choices.
- Telegrafas: Situated within the Kempinski this can be a nice upscale restaurant in Vilnius to strive.
- Egocentric Bistro Vilnius: Nice seafood choices like oysters, mussels, and tuna tartar.
The place to Keep in Vilnius
Lodge Vilnia
A fantastic Nineteenth-century constructing in Vilnius, Lodge Vilnia is only a 3-minute stroll from Gediminas’ Tower and has an on web site restaurant serving native delicacies.
The Joseph
Proper within the coronary heart of the Outdated City district of Vilnius, The Joseph Signature Lodge Vilnius is just 300 m from Lithuanian Nationwide Opera and Ballet Theatre and an 8-minute stroll from Gediminas’ Tower. It’s centrally positioned and completely lovely inside.
Plan For Your Journey to Vilnius
E-book a Tour!
Generally it’s good to let another person do the journey planning.
Journey Footwear
If you happen to’re questioning what journey requirements to deliver to around the globe then good strolling sneakers needs to be your high concern.
Kindle Paperwhite
I like actual books, however for touring it may be simpler to hold a lighter and extra compact merchandise like a Kindle. Plus, then you may obtain new books on the go!
Have you ever been to Lithuania? What issues did you do in Vilnius?
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