What’s better than escaping from everyday life in a European, beautiful, quiet and very affordable destination? The city of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is the destination worth visiting for a 3 day relaxation. With only one backpack, we arrived in May 2022 from Athens to Vilnius, in only 3 hours.
You will be surprised by the fact that while Vilnius is a capital city, the rhythm of life reminds you of a province! Shops open after 10:00, everyone walks around talking in whispers, few cars move around the city, they never honk and in general, you feel that everything flows calmly and so beautifully in this European capital.
There are many reasons to visit Vilnius and below we will give you some:
Vilnius old town:
The historic center of Vilnius is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the best-preserved historical centers in Europe, with architecture dating from the 15th to the 17th century. The streets are so picturesque as they are paved with flagstones, keeping their old stone look. Here you will find all the attractions of the city, cafes, beer bars, shops and restaurants.
Sights
Vilnius Cathedral:
An impressive cathedral dating back to the 13th century. It is worth visiting the church and the square of the cathedral. Behind the temple you can also find the historic Gediminas tower.
Gediminas Castle Tower:
A three-storey, medieval tower offering stunning view of the city. Gediminas hill is free to visit during the day. To get to the top of the hill, follow a path from the side of the Vilnia river on Trispalvė street (not suitable for bicycles, wheelchairs or buggies) or use the lift (from the inner courtyard of the old arsenal, Arsenalo street 3). To visit the tower, you will need to pay an entrance fee, which costs 6€. You will find more information here.
Of course, we ourselves went up the hill from the path, saw the tower from the outside and enjoyed the wonderful view from above!
The Palace of the Grand Duke of Lithuania:
The Grand Duke’s Palace is also located in the center of the old town of Vilnius. It is a reconstruction of a palace that was originally built in the 15th century and represents the history and cultural heritage of Lithuania. The palace houses an impressive museum that presents the history and culture of Lithuania. The prices for entering the palace start from 4€ and go up to 13€ depending on what routes you want to follow. You will find detailed information here.
Amber museum:
The main source of amber are the shores of the Baltic Sea. So, this museum is dedicated to the history and culture of amber, which is a semi-precious stone formed through natural process. The museum houses an extensive amber collection with exhibits showcasing the various forms, colors and uses of the stone. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the history of amber and enjoy the beauty of the jewelry and artefacts on display.
Because up until that time I was dealing with jewelry, i convinced Manos to visit it! In general, the museum is worth your visit, whether you deal with semi-precious stones or not.
Important tip: In the shops of the city center, you will find amber bracelets at very good prices. Don’t forget to buy this semi-precious stone with strong energy & healing properties.
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights:
The museum is located in the former KGB building, where for fifty years the crimes of the Soviet regime were planned and executed. There you can visit: The former KGB prison, the place where the death sentences were carried out, the contemporary exhibitions contributed to the loss of independence in the mid-20th century, the repressions by the Soviet authorities and the persistent struggle for independence.
It is a museum that is really worth visiting, with general admission only €6. Find more information about the days & hours of operation, here.
Chapel of Gates of Dawn:
This gate is one of the entrances to the old town and houses the Theotocos Gate of the Dawn, an important pilgrimage site. It is an important symbolic sight of the city.
Town Hall Square:
This square forms the center of the old town and houses the Vilnius Town Hall, a well-preserved building from the 18th century. Here you can also find cafes and restaurants to enjoy local flavors.
St. Anne’s Church:
The temple is one of the most important and impressive architectural sights of the city. Imposing, Gothic church worth a stroll to admire from the outside, ending up in one of the most beautiful gardens in Vilnius, “Bernadine Garden”.
Bernadine Garden:
Bernadine Garden is a green oasis located in the center of Vilnius, Lithuania. It is one of the oldest gardens in the city and is a popular place for residents who wish to enjoy nature and tranquility. Next to the entrance, look for the strange love cafe. You will enjoy great coffee and delicious sweets, while enjoying the sun in its beautiful courtyard.
Other green oases in Vilnius are Vingis Park, a large park located near the Neris River, Kalnų Park, and Gediminas Park which you will cross on your way to Gediminas Tower.
Uzupis neighborhood:
The Uzupis neighborhood is known for its artistic character and gathers many artists, art workshops, galleries, boutiques and cafes. It is a lively area, with many picturesque streets, colorful buildings and the Vilnia River that runs through the neighborhood. In Uzupis you will come across a small bridge, the “Bridge of Friendship”, which is one of the symbols of the area. We would suggest that you start your walk in this area by enjoying a coffee by the river, at the wonderful Uzupio Kavine.
Bernardine Cemetery:
I don’t know about you, but when we came across the cemetery, we visited it. It was impressive. So, we rented electric skates as we had to head further from the center across the Vilnia River to find the Bernardine Cemetery. This historic cemetery was established in the 18th century and is an important cultural and historical part of Vilnius. There, you will find impressive art monuments and tombs, including monuments of notable personalities of Vilnius.
Where will I drink the best beers/cocktails?
Lithuania has a wide variety of local beers worth trying, with Švyturys being very popular. We tasted very nice beers at the Snekutis and Alaus biblioteka breweries, in the center of Vilnius. Also, you can try worth-tasting cocktails at 2 popular bars, Apoteka and Who hit John. We visited both and we highly recommend them. After all, what’s better than a nice beer or a cocktail at the end of a walking day?
What should I try from the local cuisine?
Lithuania has a rich culinary tradition, with several local foods’ worth trying. The dominant dish is the potatoes, with the traditional “zeppelin” dish being the most popular and among the must-try dishes. “Zeppelin” is essentially whole boiled potatoes with different stuffings: cheese, pork, mushrooms and other flavors. Since we wanted to discover something very local and traditional and try authentic Lithuanian cuisine, we found a kitchen in the city center where most locals eat. There, the area is nothing special, but you will taste wonderful, quality dishes for a maximum of 4 €/dish. The menu is different every day and you can get a taste from their facebook accοunt.
How to get around Vilnius?
The most economical way to travel is on foot! Distances are short and if you visit Vilnius in the spring, walking is all you need in order to see the whole city. If you’re not in the mood for so much walking or you want to move a little outside the center, there is an economical solution too! You rent, through an application on your mobile phone, an electric skate and you are charged for as long as you use it. You will be incredibly comfortable, as there are rental points all over the city, and above all, you will have fun!
Furthermore, the airport from the city center is only 20 minutes by bus and the ticket costs around 3€.
What season should I visit Vilnius?
The closer to summer season, the better. We chose to go at the beginning of May and as you will notice in our photos, we were wearing jackets! In general, the better the temperature, the more pleasantly you will walk and enjoy every day of your vacation. Winter in Vilnius is cold and snowy. If you like skiing, then you can visit the nearby mountains to enjoy this activity.
Where to stay in Vilnius?
Accommodation, in general, in the capital of Lithuania, ranges in very good prices. And it goes without saying that you will choose to stay as close as possible to the city center. This way you will be able to walk short distances and enjoy the sights of the city and you will not depend on buses and taxis.
If you have more days at your disposal, you can plan an excursion to Trakai Castle or better yet rent a car and head north to Riga, Latvia and beautiful Tallinn, Estonia.
Need more reasons to visit the wonderful Vilnius, Lithuania?
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