Vilnius was the beginning of a 9-day roadtrip through the Baltic countries – one of the roadtrips that surprised me the most so far. Vilnius may not be the first European city that comes to your mind, but believe me when I say it was a pleasant surprise! For that reason, continue reading to get to know what visit in Vilnius 😊

Although this was the starting point for the roadtrip in the Baltics, on the first day I did not have a car and, therefore, I walked around all day. The city is quite small and it is relatively flat so we easily walked from one place to another.

When it comes to the weather, Vilnius is one of those all-or-nothing cities. If on one hand it is known for its harsh winters, in summer temperatures can be quite high. This way, I consider that the best time to visit the city is really in late spring/early summer (May/June). In my case, I chose to visit in mid-June and it was absolutely perfect: much higher temperatures than I expected and fewer tourists than in summer.

However, for those who like a nice Christmas market, and don’t mind fewer hours of sunshine and cold weather, Vilnius is also an excellent option.

Given the size of Vilnius, I suggest just one day in the city. It’s good for a 1st impression of the city without rushing your visit 😊Also, all the main points of interest are close to each other. This way, it is very easy to visit Vilnius on foot, without the need for any additional transport. 

Here are some of the European cities with direct flights to Vilnius:

• United Kingdom (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, …)
• Netherlands (Eindhoven, Amsterdam)
• Germany (Berlin, Nuremberg, …)
• Austria (Vienna)
• Italy (Milan, Turin, Venice, …)
• Spain (Barcelona)

Vilnius airport is very small and there is no way to get lost. At the exit of the airport, we easily find the bus station that takes us to the city centre. The trip takes between 20 and 30 minutes (depending on where you get off) and costs 1€ (prices in 2019). In my case, this was an unusual trip since the driver did not speak English and did not accept the money when I asked for the ticket… we ended up travelling for free, but I seriously doubt that this is the “normal” procedure 😊

I stayed at Lvovo Apartments.  Although located across the Neris River, this accommodation is close to one of the bridges that connects the two banks of the river. This way, we can easily reach the historic centre on foot. The accommodation is simple but has everything you need to rest after a day of walking.

But without further ado, here is my complete guide to visiting the city of Vilnius in 1 day.

As you might expect, the name of this square comes from Vilnius Cathedral – the most important monument there. Located in the historic center of the city, the Cathedral is also known as the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus. The Cathedral is one of the most important symbols of the Catholic Church in Lithuania and was built on a site where a pagan temple previously stood. Despite its Classical style, the Cathedral also reflects other styles such as Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance.

Right next to Vilnius Cathedral is the Bell Tower. At 57 meters high, if you climb to its top you will certainly be presented with unbeatable views of the historic center. This tower is also home to the city’s oldest clock, which chimes every 15 minutes.

It is possible to visit the inside of the Cathedral as well as the Bell Tower. Click here to get the latest prices and opening hours information. 

In this square, you can also stop by the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania or the statue of the Grand Duke Gediminas. This statue faces the Bell Tower and is intended to honor Gediminas – one of the most important rulers in the country, responsible for doubling the size of the country.

With Gediminas’ Tower as a backdrop, the National Museum of Lithuania aims to tell us the story of Lithuania. The museum is divided into two parts: in one (New Arsenal) we can learn about the country’s most recent history and in the other (Old Arsenal) we can learn more about the formation of the Lithuanian state in the 13th century.

I chose not to visit this museum, but you can find all the information you need to plan your visit here.

The itinerary continues through one of the best-known, oldest and busiest streets in the city of Vilnius. In the past, this street was the way to get from Vilnius Castle to Poland and Russia. With purely pedestrian access, my suggestion is to walk this street calmly, looking at the details of the facades of the various buildings. 

The style of the facades really varies…from Gothic to Renaissance style.

While you’re here, why not also get lost in the other streets and alleys that appear along the way? I promise you won’t regret it!

In Vilnius there are some street art places worth visiting 😊 Near the Hall Market (Halės Turgus), you can enjoy one of the most interesting murals in the city on one of the buildings’ facades. Take also the opportunity to visit the Hall Market which is one of the oldest markets in the city!

Following along Pylimo Street, when you reach number 60 you will find one of the most unique street artworks in Vilnius. Here you will find the famous painting of Putin and Trump almost kissing and also a work by the Brazilian artists Os Gémeos.

However, there are many more murals to explore in the city if you are interested and have more time available. Click here to find out more.

Gate of Dawn is one of the gates of the ancient wall that surrounded the city and a must-visit in Vilnius. Although the city had more gates, only this one remains to this day. Nowadays, this gate is also known as a place of religious worship.

At the top of the gate, a small chapel has been built. There you’ll find a painting of Our Lady of Vilnius. Despite the rather small size of this chapel, the site attracts thousands of Lithuanian pilgrims every year.

Separated from the historic center by the Vilnia River, the Užupis neighborhood is clearly a must-see on a visit to Vilnius. Known for being a problematic part of the city during the 90s, today it is a very pleasant space more dedicated to the arts.

But the curious thing about this neighborhood is that in 1997 some of its residents declared it an independent republic, and the neighborhood even has its own constitution.

The neighborhood has many interesting areas to explore. During summer/spring, most likely you’ll feel like sitting in one of the many cafes along the riverbank or even on the riverbank itself while you take in all the details of this “enchanted” place. 

While strolling here, be sure to notice the statue of the angel of Užupis in one of the main streets or the mermaid of Užupis.

Visible from many places in the historic center of Vilnius, the Gediminas’ Tower is one of the symbols of the city and it’s all that’s left of what used to be the High Castle. Due to its privileged location, you can get some of the best views of the city and the Neris River from here. This is truly a must-visit in Vilnius!

The interior of the Gediminas’ Tower can be visited from 10h to 21h and the ticket costs 5€. Inside, you will find a museum with an exhibition of archaeological finds on the hill and surrounding areas. For the most up-to-date information about this visit click here.

Although there is a funicular that takes you up to the top of the hill where Gediminas’ Tower is located, I recommend that you walk all the way up. The distance is relatively short and the path is not that steep. Besides, you can save some money if you choose to walk up 😊

The Three Crosses Hill is known, as you might expect, for the monument there that has exactly the same name. Visible from many points in the city, the Three Crosses are a symbol of Lithuania’s identity over the years.

Built during the 17th century and made of wood, these crosses evolved over time. Wood easily deteriorated and so the crosses were replaced by concrete crosses in 1916. However, the monument was ordered removed during the Soviet occupation and it was not until 1989 that they were placed on the hill again.

The climb to the top of this hill is a bit steep, but with a little patience, you’ll get there. Besides, the views you’ll get at the top will certainly pay off 😊

In the historic center, there are several churches that can be visited. Start by visiting the Church of St. Anne and Bernardine Complex. The church of St. Anne has remained almost unaltered for the past 5 centuries and it is another of the city’s symbols. Legend even has it that Napoleon wanted to take this church back to Paris in the palm of his hand.

Not far away you can also visit the Church of St. Johns – originally Gothic, but with Baroque features from the 18th century on. Unfortunately, during the Soviet occupation, the church was used as a warehouse, but has since returned to its main function.

Slightly further away, next to the Hall Market, you will also find the Church of St. Catherine. Visible from various points in Vilnius, this was the first church to be renovated after the country recovered its independence.

This is another unique street in the city that is also worth visiting. This street is the result of a project by a group of artists who, in 2019, decided to place over 200 plaques in honor of various writers, mostly Lithuanian.

💡 EXTRA TIP: If you have some extra time in the city, take the opportunity to visit Europa Park (Europos Parkas). Located 20 km from the Vilnius city center, this park is an open-air museum of contemporary art and was created in 1991. Here you will find more than 100 sculptures by sculptors of various nationalities. One of the best-known works has even entered the Guinness Book of Records – LNK Infomedi, where we can observe a set of more than 3000 televisions. The visit costs 12€ for adults and the park is open every day from 10h until sunset. Find all the necessary information here.

• Open Kitchen Vilnius (€): street food festival that takes place in Tymo Turgus (near Užupis) every Friday and Saturday during spring and summer. There are several food trucks where you can try different foods. Then you just sit down at one of the many tables and enjoy. It was a beautiful spring day when I visited this market so it was just perfect 😊
• Kitchen (€€): a modern and very nice restaurant to get away from Lithuanian traditional cuisine. If you arrive early or book a table, you may even be lucky enough to get a table on the small balcony overlooking Church of Saint Nicholas.

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