Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is not a very popular destination in Europe, although it has a long and important history.
The Lithuanian capital is crossed by two rivers, the Neris and Vilnia, is full of lush green parks and of course there is the Old Town, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and will pleasantly surprise you.
Vilnius is the ideal destination for a short city break, and you can combine it with trips to nearby destinations such as Kaunas or Riga, the beautiful capital of Latvia.
Tickets from Vilnius to Riga start from just €6 by bus, so it’s definitely something worth doing.
Transportation in Vilnius
Vilnius is easy to get around on foot, but if you want, you can use the buses.
You can buy tickets online through the Trafi app (download it from the App Store or Google Play). There is a 30-minute ticket for €0.65 and a 60-minute ticket for €0.90.
Of course you can also buy the 24-hour ticket (5€), and the three-day ticket (8€). You can also buy a ticket from the bus driver for 0,90€.
Sightseeing in Vilnius
St. Anne’s Church
This beautiful church has been surrounded by legends and myths for many years. One of them says that Napoleon was enchanted by the beauty of the church and wanted “to take it to Paris”, but nevertheless did not treat it well, as his soldiers used it as a stable for their horses.
The architect of the church is unknown to this day, and only two signed bricks by two craftsmen remain on the walls, which no one has ever been able to decipher!
Next to the church is a tiny Gothic church, St. Bernard’s, which you can also visit.
St. Casimir Church
St. Casimir Church is definitely one of the most impressive baroque monuments in Vilnius.
In the square where the church is located you will also find the Vilnius City Hall, as well as many shops for shopping and restaurants.
Constitution of the Republic of Užupis
In Vilnius there is an artistic district called Užupis. The Republic of Užupis has its own president, prime minister, secretaries, ambassadors, army and holidays. And even its own constitution!
On one of the main streets of Paupis, the main points of the Constitution are hung on a wall in various languages, including Greek.
I would say it reminds me a bit of the Christiania district in Copenhagen.
The focal point of the Užupis region is the Angel of Užupis. The sculpture is inextricably linked to the history of the district, as the area now known as the artists’ republic was previously a bleak place.
However, once the first artists moved in, it began to change. This angel blows a trumpet, heralding the area’s renaissance and artistic freedom.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The cathedral looks like a palace, and the best place to admire it is from the riverbank on the Užupis side of the district.
Pilies street
One of Vilnius’ most central streets to explore, full of souvenir shops and restaurants.
Literatų Street Project
Literatų street has become a famous landmark, as there are 225 artistic tributes to writers of different time periods on the walls of the buildings.
Initially, this space was dedicated to Lithuanian poets, but later, it was expanded in scale and the wall became a reflection of all kinds of writers around the world.
Vilnius University Campus
A walk around the Vilnius University Campus is a must. Today’s Vilnius University Campus consists of 13 courtyards bearing the names of famous students and professors of the past.
In one of them you will find the St. John’s Bell Tower, which is the tallest building in the Old Town.
Vilnius cathedral
In the cathedral square you will of course find the impressive cathedral. The cathedral has impressive huge statues inside and out and is mostly white. Entrance is free.
The cathedral’s bell tower also dominates the cathedral square, and it’s worth climbing to the top to see the bells up close and of course enjoy the view. The ticket costs 6€.
You can combine it with a walk to the Palace of the Grand Duke of Lithuania, which is right next door. The ticket costs €12.50.
Gediminas Tower
One of my favourite sights in Vilnius is the Gediminas Tower, a three-storey historic brick tower. It was built in the 15th century and was originally part of a castle. Tickets cost €8 and admission is free on the last Sunday of every month.
But it is not necessary to go inside. You can climb the hill it is located on, admire the tower and the magnificent view of the city from above. If you don’t want to walk up the hill you can take the cable car for 3€ round trip or 2€ one way.
It’s one of the best places to see the magnificent panoramas of Vilnius. The red roofs of Vilnius, the church towers, and the narrow streets of the Medieval Old Town are a stunning sight.
Kalnai Park
Another park to take a walk in is Kalnai Park, where you’ll find the 17th century monument with the Three Crosses. In addition to panoramic views, the park also has a stage where concerts and events are held.
Food in Vilnius
Pilies Katpėdėlė
On the famous Pilies street you will find Pilies Katpėdėlė, where you can try local dishes.
I had hot soup with chicken, smoked sausage and vegetables and it was delicious. I also tried fried potatoes “marmots”, which were balls of fried potatoes topped with sour cream, bacon and another sauce.
In general in Lithuania you will find a huge variety of potato dishes, and soups.
Smash By Mama sakė paeis
For perfect smashed burger you will go to Smash By Mama sakė paeis (Pilies g. 23). It opens at 11:00 and closes at 21:00 (or unless their burgers sell out earlier).
My favorites were the OG Smash burger with double beef burger, cheddar, sauce, caramelized onions and pickles, and the OG Chicken with chicken paneer, camembert cheese, black currant jam and tamarind sauce.
What you need to know before your trip to Vilnius
- Mobile data is available for roaming from Greece to Lithuania.
- You can travel from Greece to Lithuania with an ID card, no passport is required.
- Two days are enough to explore Vilnius.
- The best months to visit Vilnius are April, May and September. In September the weather is still as warm as summer, but less crowded and cheaper.
You can see more of my trip to Vilnius on my Instagram profile.
