🇱🇹 Lithuania

10 best places in Vilnius

Vilnius is the most Baroque of the Baltic capitals, where the narrow lanes of its old university town spill into the bohemian 'breakaway republic' of Užupis, and the market hall by the station hums from early morning.

District

Vilnius Old Town

One of Eastern Europe's largest surviving Baroque centres, protected by UNESCO.

Sight

Gediminas' Tower

The remains of a hilltop castle with sweeping views over the city and its river confluence.

Sight

Vilnius Cathedral

A neoclassical landmark on the main square, once the coronation site of Lithuanian rulers.

Sight

Gate of Dawn

The city's only surviving gate, home to a revered miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary.

District

Užupis

A bohemian riverside quarter that jokingly declared itself an independent republic, complete with its own constitution.

Museum

MO Museum

A contemporary Lithuanian art museum housed in a striking building by Daniel Libeskind.

Museum

National Museum of Lithuania

The country's story from the Stone Age to renewed independence, right in the Old Town.

Market

Halės Market

A century-old covered market by the train station, full of farm produce and street food.

Café

Keulė Ruke

A local favourite for coffee and homemade pastries just steps from Town Hall Square.

Restaurant

Restaurant Nineteen18

Modern Lithuanian cooking served in an atmospheric Old Town cellar.

FAQ

Best time to visit Vilnius?

May to September, when the days are long, terraces are open and the hills around the city are green. Winter is cold and dark with very short daylight, though the Christmas market on Cathedral Square is charming. April and October tend to be wet and unpredictable.

How many days do you need in Vilnius?

Two or three days cover the Old Town, one of the largest in Europe, plus Gediminas Tower, the cathedral, the Gates of Dawn and Uzupis. Add half a day for Trakai and its lake castle, half an hour away. The centre is compact enough to walk almost everywhere.

Is Vilnius cheap?

Cheaper than Western Europe, but Lithuania stopped being one of the EU's bargain countries a while ago, and groceries and rent have risen sharply. Transport and eating out still feel good value by European standards. The currency is the euro.

Can you move to Lithuania?

Lithuania is in the EU and Schengen, and status comes through work, the EU Blue Card, study, the startup visa or running a business, with Vilnius's tech sector hiring steadily. Extra restrictions on entry, residence permits and property deals have been introduced for Russian and Belarusian citizens in recent years. These rules have changed more than once, so check the current version before applying.