Vilnius in Lithuania is one of those cities that we’ve always wanted to visit but usually skipped over in favour of the more obvious European capitals. We actually booked this trip for one main reason: it was the last country in the European Union that Kolyn had to tick off the list!
That being said, we were completely surprised by how much we fell in love with the city itself. It’s quaint, it’s lively and compared to other European capitals it felt really relaxed. We spent a few days exploring the Old Town, learning about the history and enjoying the very chilled vibe! It’s a bit of a hidden gem that we’ve started recommending to all our friends.
If you’re thinking of booking a trip to the Lithuanian capital, here’s our ultimate Vilnius travel guide to Europe’s best hidden gem!
A Little Bit About Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and it’s located in the southeast of the country near the border with Belarus. It’s a lovely place with a really rich and often very dark history.
One thing that really surprised us is just how green it is. There’re massive parks everywhere and the air feels really fresh. The city centre is a mix of beautiful old architecture, winding cobbled streets and imposing Soviet-era buildings. There’re also a few modern high-rise buildings on the skyline giving an interesting contrast.
The currency is the Euro so there was no messing around with exchange rates for us. The main language is obviously Lithuanian but most people we encountered spoke great English.
Getting to Vilnius
Vilnius is served by Vilnius International Airport (VNO) which is actually very close to the city.
Getting into the centre is really easy. The train is the fastest option. It runs from the airport directly to the central railway station, takes about seven minutes and costs less than a Euro. There’s also an express bus (the 3G) that gets you into town in about 15 minutes. We actually got a taxi straight from the airport to our hotel which was really handy.
If you’re travelling around the Baltics or coming from a neighbouring country like Poland or Latvia, the train is a brilliant option. We usually use Omio to compare train times and prices for all our train journeys.
Once we were settled in, we just walked everywhere. We didn’t need to use taxis or public transport for the rest of the trip because the Old Town is very compact and pedestrian-friendly.
Where to Stay in Vilnius
Accommodation in Vilnius is generally quite reasonably priced compared to places like Paris or Madrid. Because we wanted to be right in the middle of the action, we decided to stay right by Cathedral Square.
We stayed at the Amberton Cathedral Square Hotel and it was a really lovely hotel. Best of all, it was very cheap for a place right in the centre of a capital city! It turned out to be an excellent strategic move because the main sights were literally on our doorstep. The hotel is right next to everything so we could easily pop back to the room to drop off our coats, drop off shopping or take a quick break during the day.
Being near the square is essential if you plan to do a lot of walking. It just makes the whole trip so much more relaxing when you aren’t relying on long walks or buses to get back to your bed at night. We always use Booking.com to check for the best rates before we book anything.
What to Do In Vilnius
We were lucky with the weather. It was pleasant and not too hot at all which was perfect for rambling around. There’s a huge amount to see but here’s the highlights from our trip.
If you plan on packing a lot into your weekend, it’s really worth looking into the Vilnius Pass. It gives you free entry to loads of museums and includes free public transport. You can easily pick up a Vilnius Pass from GetYourGuide.
Vilnius Old Town
The best way to get your bearings is just to walk around the Old Town. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s very beautiful. You’ll wander past famous spots like the Gates of Dawn and St. Anne’s Church. We’d recommend booking a Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour for your first morning to get the full history of the winding cobbled streets.
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
You can’t visit Vilnius without taking a nosey around the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. It’s right in Cathedral Square and looks like it’s been there forever. Denis loves a good palace so he was in his element. We only got to see the outside of the Grand Ducal Palace during our Luxembourg city break so he was absolutely thrilled that we could actually go inside and explore this one properly. It’s actually a modern reconstruction built over the original ancient ruins! We explored the Renaissance Rooms, the massive Throne Room and the Armoury.
You can read our full guide on the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania here.
Vilnius Cathedral & Bell Tower
Right outside the palace is Vilnius Cathedral. It’s completely free to go inside and the architecture is stunning. We highly recommend paying the few Euros to go up the standalone Bell Tower right outside. The stairs are a bit steep but the panoramic views over the square and the Old Town are brilliant for photos! We actually had a great laugh doing the Bell Tower and it turned out to be one of our highlights of the trip. The video inside hosted by a pigeon is hilarious too!
Gediminas Hill & Tower
If you want even better views of the city you need to head up Gediminas Hill. You can walk up the steep path or take the funicular railway. There’s a lot of steps so take the funicular! At the top sits Gediminas Tower which is the last remaining part of the Upper Castle. It’s a great spot to look out over the red roofs of the Old Town and spot the famous Hill of Three Crosses in the distance.
The KGB Museum (Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights)
This was one of the things we really wanted to see in Vilnius. Housed in the actual former KGB headquarters, this museum is a raw and heavy look at Lithuania’s fifty-year struggle under Soviet rule. You get to walk through the original basement prison cells, the interrogation rooms and the execution chamber. It’s a very powerful experience and definitely stays with you.
Check out our full review of the KGB Museum to see if it’s for you.
Uลพupis
Just across the river from the Old Town is the Republic of Uลพupis. It’s a bohemian neighbourhood that actually declared itself an independent republic back in 1997! It has its own flag, currency and a very quirky constitution displayed on a wall in multiple languages. It’s a really fun area full of street art, galleries and little cafes. Kolyn loves a good micronation so this was right up his street!
Cat Cafรฉ Kaฤiลณ Kavinฤ
If you need a break from the walking and want something a bit different, head to the Cat Cafรฉ Kaฤiลณ Kavinฤ. It’s exactly what it sounds like. You get to sit down for a coffee and a slice of cake while surrounded by rescue cats. This was the highlight of the trip for Denis!
Where to Eat & Drink in Vilnius
We found the food in Lithuania to be absolutely lovely and it’s generally much cheaper than Western Europe. It’s proper comfort food that really hits the spot after a day of rambling around the cobbled streets.
Our Restaurant Recommendations
We actually found two brilliant spots that we ended up going back to. If you’re craving a proper meal, head over to Talutti. They do huge portions of American and Tex-Mex style food like burgers and massive milkshakes. It’s very popular and the vibe is brilliant.
If you’re in the mood for Italian, you have to try Bonocosi. It’s a really authentic spot right in the centre that does unbelievable pizzas and pasta. It’s exactly what you need after a long day of walking. They wheeled the pizza out on a trolley!
Our Cafe Recommendations
If you want to grab a coffee or a bit of lunch during the day, head to Rotonda. It’s a beautifully restored circular cafe right by Gediminas Hill and the park. It’s a really relaxing spot to just sit and look out at the trees.
We also have to give another mention to the Cat Cafรฉ Kaฤiลณ Kavinฤ. It’s the perfect place to stop for a slice of cake and a hot drink while surrounded by friendly rescue cats.
Vilnius Travel Guide FAQs
Is Vilnius expensive?
Not at all! Compared to Dublin, accommodation and eating out are very reasonably priced. You can easily find brilliant food and cheap pints, especially if you step slightly off the main tourist squares.
How many days do you need in Vilnius?
Because the city is quite compact, a two-night stay is usually plenty to see the main sights, explore the Old Town and visit the major museums. If you’re planning to take a bus out to see Trakai Castle, you’ll probably want to stretch your trip to three days. We considered doing an extra day to see it and regretted not doing it.
What currency do they use in Lithuania?
Lithuania uses the Euro. It makes things incredibly easy for a weekend getaway since there’s no messing around with exchange rates or confusing conversion apps! Unless you’re from somewhere that doesn’t use the Euro.
Do they speak English in Vilnius?
Yes, brilliantly. The official language is Lithuanian but almost everyone we interacted with in the centre spoke perfect English. You won’t have any trouble getting around or ordering food in the restaurants.
Is Vilnius easy to walk around?
The Old Town is very pedestrian-friendly and easy to stroll around. The city centre is mostly flat, though you’ll encounter a few cobbled streets so make sure you pack a comfortable pair of shoes! Don’t walk up Gediminas Hill. Get the funicular.
Why Vilnius is Europe’s Best Hidden Gem
To be honest, Vilnius really caught us off guard. We went in expecting a slightly grey and serious Soviet-style city but instead we found a place that is very bright, relaxed and full of character.
If you’re looking for a weekend away that has a bit of everything, Vilnius is a brilliant option. You don’t have to choose between learning about the history and actually having a proper relaxing holiday. One minute you can be exploring the ruins of a royal palace and the next you can be sitting in a cosy Old Town pub with a cheeky pint.
It’s just a genuinely nice city to spend time in. The flights are usually cheap, the food is great and the whole place feels properly safe. We walked back to our hotel late at night and we never felt that edge or tension you sometimes get in other big European capitals. Everything is within walking distance too so you aren’t rushing around trying to figure out confusing transport networks.
We originally booked the flights purely for the dark tourism but we’ll definitely be going back for the rest of it. Between the brilliant architecture, the massive parks and the great pubs, it’s a lovely city and well worth the trip. If you’re considering a Baltic adventure, Vilnius is the perfect place to start!
