Part of the Baltics, this northern European Capital of Culture, is under the radar. The city is vibrant, hipster and rebellious in parts with a bohemian area called UΕΎupis. Possessing a colourful history, range of architectural style and UNESCO World Heritage old town, read our guide to the best of Vilnius in a weekend.
Travel Essentials
Getting there
Airline: Wizz Air from London Luton (LTN) to Vilnius (VNO). From Β£45, return.
To the city: Uber is the best option.
Cost: β¬6.00 (Β£5.00).
Journey time to centre: 15 minutes.
Distance and direction from airport to centre: 6km (3.7 mile) south of the centre.
Need to know
Visa: From 1st January 2021, UK residents can visit Vilnius for 90 days maximum in any 180 day period.
Travel: See the FCDO website.
Currency: Euro (Β£1 = β¬1.11 approximately).
Language: Lithuanian and some Latvian. English is spoken and understood.
Best time to visit: June to August.
Time: GMT +2.
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Quick facts about Vilnius
- Lithuanian is one of the oldest language in the world today.
- Every year the river Vilnia is dyed bright emerald green for St. Patrickβs Day.
- An anonynous group of people go around the city installing swings.
- The UNESCO historical centre in Vilnius is one of the largest in Europe.
- The city has four universities.
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Day 1 – the best of Vilnius in a weekend
- The Town Hall – Free.
- The Old Jewish Quarter – Free.
- Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation – Free (restrictions during worship hours).
- UΕΎupis neighbourhood – Free.
- St Anne’s and Bernadine Churches – Free (restrictions during worship hours).
- Vilnius University and St John’s Tower – β¬2.5 (Adult – Tower entry).
- Palace of the Grand Dukes – β¬6 (Adult).
- Gediminas Castle Tower – β¬5 (Adult).
- LiteratΕ³ Street (LiteratΕ³ gatvΔ) – Free.
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The Town Hall
This neoclassical building is the focal point of the square. The tourist information office is inside. There is a plaque commemorating a George W Bush speech from 2002 who said ‘anyone who would choose Lithuania as an enemy has also made an enemy of the United States of America‘. He used the same in other countries during his Baltic tour.
Looking across the Town Hall square, Vilnius, Lithuania
The Old Jewish Quarter
Walking along VokieΔiΕ³ Street leads to the old Jewish quarter, once called the ‘Jerusalem of Lithuania’. One side of the street is German, the affluent side, and the other side is Russian, less prosperous. Vilnius had a huge Jewish population during World War II.
Old houses in the Jewish quarter, Vilnius, Lithuania
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation
A Baroque-style single towered church modelled on Dresden Cathedral. This became a multi-purpose building after the addition of several concrete floors. Antennae at the top of the tower sit alongside the Holy Cross.
UΕΎupis neighbourhood
The sign ‘UΕΎupio Res Publika‘ marks the border entrance of the neighbourhood. To access this self-declared UNESCO World Heritage site, cross one of the five bridges of the Vilnia river. The bohemian area is an artisans dream, having lots of unusual things to see. These include a statue of Jesus with a rucksack and a decaying piano. This neighbourhood is the most interesting area of Vilnius in a weekend.
A decaying piano in UzΜupis, Vilnius, Lithuania
An UΕΎupis novelty passport stamp costs β¬3.Β The ‘Constitution of UΕΎupis‘ contains 38 points, translated into several languages. They line a wall in Paupio Street. The Constitution promotes free thinking and liberalism, officially blessed by Pope Francesco in 2018. Many are philosophical, such as number 38;
Everyone has the right to understand nothing.
The row of Constitution plaques, UzΜupis, Vilnius, Lithuania
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St Anne’s and Bernadine Churches
Built around 1500, these Gothic-style churches are popular with wedding ceremonies. Following Lithuanian tradition, couples release a pair of doves as a sign of their love. Vilnius has approximately 70 churches, most of them in Old Town.
St Anne’s and Bernadine Churches, Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius University and St John’s Tower
The Church of St Johns from the 1400s is part of the University of Vilnius. The top of the tower provides the best views across the old town. Take the glass-sided elevator, or the steps, to reach the top.
Palace of the Grand Dukes
Constructed in the 15th century, it sits on the ruins of a site from the 4th century. There are also Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque art collections. The basement up to the third floor covers mainly Lithuanian history.
Palace of the Grand Dukes, Vilnius, Lithuania
Gediminas Castle Tower
The entrance ticket reads city history and a unique panorama. Gediminas Castle originates from 1409, with the tower rebuilt in 1933. Reach the top of the hill by steps or taking the funicular., which is above the Neris and Vilnia rivers. The Tower remains the most visited tourist attraction in Vilnius. At the top, there is also a small museum with medieval weaponry and warfare history.Β Entry is β¬5 (Adult single).
Gediminas Castle Tower, Vilnius, Lithuania
LiteratΕ³ Street (LiteratΕ³ gatvΔ)
A street in Old Town lined with over 200 artistic plaques dedicated to writers who have lived or worked in Vilnius. Thomas Harris, the author of Silence of the Lambs, has a plaque here as his main character, Hannibal Lecter, is Lithuanian.
Local legend is that Fyodor Dostoevsky, the author of Crime and Punishment, stayed at the Hana hotel in 1867. Whilst here, he freaked out, convinced that the hotel owner was trying to kill him, so he locked himself in his room.
Approaching Literatų Street, Vilnius, Lithuania
Day 2 – Vilnius in a weekend – FabijoniΕ‘kΓ©s and Trakai
FabijoniΕ‘kΓ©s
FabijoniΕ‘kΓ©s is now on the map because of the HBO show Chernobyl. The residential buildings resemble those in Pripyat, the Soviet Ukrainian town where Chernobyl workers’ families lived back in 1986. The show’s filming used residents.
FabijonisΜkeΜs residential block, Vilnius, Lithuania
Getting there: Number 10 bus from UΕΎupis to FabijoniΕ‘kΓ©s.
Cost: β¬1.00 (Adult single)
Journey time: 25 minutes to reach StambiaplokΕ‘Δiai namai, located at S. StaneviΔiaus 47.
Trakai
Located 28 kilometres west of Vilnius, many communities, including the Karaims, lived here. These were are an ethnic group derived from the Crimeans. Whilst their origins are unknown, some settled in Trakai, speaking a dialect with only 100 speakers in the world. The lakeside location and island castle is one the highlight of Vilnius in a weekend.
Upon arrival, exit Trakai bus station, turn right and follow the main road for 20 minutes to reach Trakai island castle, overlooking Lake GalvΔ.
Getting there: Bus from Vilnius Bus station marked Trakai.
Cost: β¬8 (Adult single Trakai Castle).
Journey time: 40 minutes.
Overlooking the lake towards Trakai castle, near Vilnius, Lithuania
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Food and drink
Pilies Kepyklele is perfect for coffee and delicious cake.
Coffee and cherry cafe at Pilies Kepyklele, Vilnius, Lithuania
Etno Dvaras serves original Lithuanian dishes in the heart of Vilnius. Try the potato pancakes with bacon and mushroom sauce. The food is wholesome and tasty, served by staff in traditional Lithuanian costume.
Aline Leiciai is a Lithuanian restaurant serving good Lithuanian food at a reasonable price. The Cepelinai, a traditionalΒ Lithuanian dish of dumplings made from grated potatoes and stuffed with meat, is tasty and very filling. One Cepelinai is more than enough.
Coffee 1 is a funky coffee house in UΕΎupis, next to the Angel monument with an industrial New York-style feel. Coffee served here is roasted in Latvia and Lithuania. They offer a range of Lithuanian cakes, with vegan options too, and the service is good. It is a popular spot.
Coffee 1 in UzΜupis, Vilnius, Lithuania
Snekutis is a local bar serving good food and a range of local beers. The bar staff are helpful with recommendations.
Near the bus station is Hales Turgus (Hall Market), a former transportation building. There is a wide selection of local foods and delicacies on offer. It is popular with locals and is the place to come for cheap, tasty food. Opposite the market is a building-sized street art painting by an Italian artist.
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The verdict
Discovering Vilnius in a weekend is easily achievable. It is a small, compact, and walkable city offering excellent value for money with friendly people. With Europe’s largest baroque old town, cobbled streets and the artistic community of UΕΎupis, it makes for a fun weekend. The crowd is young and buoyant, with trendy bars and cafΓ©s.
Trakai is a must-see, where it is possible to sleep in on the lakeshore during the summer months. Venture further afield to Druskininkai or Palanga.
Combine a visit to Vilnius as part of a longer Baltic trip, incorporating Riga and Tallinn to explore this region of northwestern Europe with its natural forest and lakes.
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More information – Vilnius in a weekend
The ghost city of Pripyat affected by the Chernobyl nuclear explosion.
Read about our other European weekend breaks.