There was absolutely no way we were visiting Vilnius without taking a nosey around the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Denis is obsessed with European royalty so this was high up on our list of things to do. We knew it was going to be an impressive building from the pictures online but it completely blew away all our expectations.
It sits right in the middle of the city near the Cathedral and looks like it has been there forever but the building actually holds a pretty wild secret which we’ll get to in a bit. We spent hours wandering the halls, learning about the history of Lithuania and soaking up the regal atmosphere. It’s a massive contrast to the heavy history of the KGB Museum but equally fascinating in its own way.
If you’re wondering if it’s worth the entry fee or if you should just admire it from Cathedral Square, here’s our honest take and all the practical bits you need to know before you visit.
A Quick History of the Grand Dukes Palace
The story of this place is fascinating. There was a palace standing on this exact spot for centuries. It was the political and cultural centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. For hundreds of years it hosted kings, grand dukes and visiting royalty from all over Europe, becoming one of the most powerful and wealthy residences in the region.
But fast forward to 1801 and the Russian Empire completely demolished the entire thing. They tore it down to wipe out any physical memory of the Lithuanian state. That means the building you’re looking at today is actually a total reconstruction! Even though it looks like it’s been sitting in Cathedral Square for hundreds of years, they only started rebuilding it in 2002 and didn’t completely finish the project until 2018.
The really clever bit is that they built the new structure right over the original excavated ruins. So when you visit, you get an interesting mix of those ancient foundations in the basement alongside the brand new Renaissance glory of the state rooms above. It really is a fascinating blend of old and new.
Top Things To See & Do
Because Denis loves a good palace, we had to explore every single corner. We were actually surprised at how big it is once you get inside. The whole complex is split across multiple floors and wings. Here are the bits that really stood out to us:
The Ancient Ruins
Before you get to the new rooms, you walk through the basement to see the original excavated walls. It’s a bit dark and moody but it sets the scene brilliantly. You can actually see the brickwork from the 13th century and figure out how the original castle expanded over the years. It’s fascinating to see the foundations of the city right under your feet. Literally under your feet where they have glass walkways.
The Renaissance Rooms
This is where the palace really shows off. You walk through a series of stunning state rooms, audience halls and private apartments. The tapestries hanging on the walls are incredible and the carved wooden ceilings are amazing. It gives you a great sense of just how lavish the Lithuanian royals lived back in the day. We were genuinely surprised by the sheer amount of detail in every single room.
The Throne Room
Obviously, Denis was in his absolute element here. It’s a massive, grand space complete with a heavy canopy, a beautiful throne and all the regal touches you’d expect. We spent a good chunk of time just admiring the oppulance of it. It feels historic even though it’s a modern reconstruction. You can almost imagine the grand dukes holding court in there.
The Armoury
Denis was absolutely thrilled with this bit, especially since the armoury was closed when we visited the Royal Palace in Madrid! It’s packed with historical weaponry and old suits of armour. Seeing the heavy swords and crossbows up close is brilliant and it gives you a real appreciation for the weight of the uniform the soldiers had to haul around back then. Chain mail looks very uncomfortable and we definitely would not have wanted to wear it.
The Observation Tower
Don’t skip this! You take a lift up to the top of the tower and you get some of the best panoramic views over Vilnius Old Town and Gediminas’ Tower. It’s brilliant for photos and a great way to finish off your visit before heading back down to Cathedral Square.
Curious Facts About the Palace
- During the archaeological digs before the rebuild, excavators uncovered over half a million unique historical artefacts!
- Because the Russian Empire destroyed the original plans, architects had to rely on old watercolour paintings, written descriptions and surviving sketches to accurately recreate the exterior.
- In the 1630s, the palace was one of the very first places in Europe to stage Italian opera outside of Italy itself. It actually hosted these musical performances before major cities like London or Paris!
- The reconstruction project was highly controversial at the time due to the cost but it has since become one of the most visited heritage sites in the Baltics.
How To Get to the Palace of the Grand Dukes
The palace is impossible to miss. It sits right in Cathedral Square directly behind the iconic Vilnius Cathedral and the Bell Tower.
If you’re staying in the Old Town, you’re only ever a short walk away. We stayed at the Amberton Cathedral Square Hotel and it was literally on our doorstep. It’s a fantastic place to base yourself if you want to be right in the middle of the action.
If you’re coming from further out, any local bus that stops near Cathedral Square will drop you right where you need to be.
If you’re looking for more tips on where to stay and what to eat, check out our ultimate Vilnius city break guide!
Tickets & Prices
Getting in is decently priced but it depends on what you actually want to see. They split the palace into four different routes which can be a little confusing at the ticket desk.
A combined ticket to see all four routes is usually around €13 for adults. This is the one we went for because we wanted to see absolutely everything. They do cheaper concession tickets for students, seniors and kids.
If you’re planning on seeing a lot of the city, you should look into the Vilnius Pass. It gives you free entry to the palace alongside loads of other top sights. It can save you a fair bit of money if you have a busy itinerary planned. You can get a Vilnius Pass here.
Opening Times & Best Time to Visit
Make sure you check the times before you go because they change depending on the season. During the summer they’re open every day of the week but in the winter they usually close on Mondays. They generally open from 10:00 until 18:00 but stay open a bit later on Thursdays apparently. Just keep an eye out if you’re going on a Sunday in the winter as they shut up shop early. You can check the opening hours here. It’s worth noting that they label the days in Roman numerals so Monday is I, Tuesday is II and so on. That confused us a bit until we realised what was going on!
The best time to go is definitely first thing in the morning. It gets quite busy with large tour groups by midday so arriving early means you get the grand halls mostly to yourself. It makes a massive difference when you’re trying to get a proper look at the rooms and it’s much easier to snap a few photos without people constantly walking into your shot.
Facilities & Amenities
The palace is well equipped for visitors. They have a free cloakroom and dedicated lockers downstairs. It gets very warm inside the museum so you’ll definitely want to ditch your heavy winter coats and large bags before you start walking around. There are modern, clean toilets and a lovely little café in the visitor centre if you need a coffee halfway through your tour.
Practical Tips for Visiting
- Allocate enough time: The museum is absolutely massive across its four routes. You’ll definitely need at least two to three hours to take it all in at a relaxed pace without feeling rushed.
- Pick the right ticket: If you’re short on time or just want to see the fancy stuff, just pay for Route 2. That’s where all the grand rooms and the throne are located.
- Wear comfortable shoes: The palace is huge and there’s a lot of walking involved if you decide to tackle all four routes.
- Check your route order: If you want the history to make sense chronologically, do Route 1 first to see the ancient ruins before moving upstairs to the reconstructed state rooms.
What Else is Nearby?
Since you’re right in Cathedral Square, you’re perfectly placed to see some of the best sights in Vilnius without having to travel very far:
- Vilnius Cathedral & Bell Tower: Make sure you pop into the cathedral when you finish. It’s completely free and very impressive. We’d highly recommend paying the small fee to go up the detached Bell Tower too!
- Gediminas’ Tower: Just a short walk up the hill behind the palace. This historic brick tower offers another incredible vantage point over the entire city.
- Bernardine Garden: A beautiful public park situated just a few minutes walk away. It’s the perfect spot to relax after a heavy morning of sightseeing.
Our Final Verdict
We absolutely loved it. Even though it’s a modern reconstruction, they’ve done an unbelievable job of bringing the history back to life. Walking through the halls gives you a real sense of just how wealthy and powerful the Grand Duchy of Lithuania used to be before the Russian Empire destroyed it all. You completely forget that the walls around you are relatively new because of how well it’s been recreated. It actually reminded us a bit of our visit to Hampton Court Palace.
If you appreciate grand architecture, rich European history or just love looking at incredibly fancy rooms, this is a must-do in Vilnius. It’s a brilliant way to spend a few hours and it offers a really great contrast to the heavier, darker history sites you’ll likely be visiting around the city.
