Vilnius Old Town. 26. There is so much life happening in this part of town and so I would recommend scheduling time to explore a few places. Vilnius has plenty of fun things to do - tours, experiences, special museums and activities for a perfect holiday in the Lithuanian capital. 19 Fun Things to Do in Vilnius on a Quick Trip. As it was private, I got all the time to ask any questions I needed to as well. The Gate of Dawn, or Sharp Gate, is one of the most important religious and historical monuments in the whole city. Its repository houses about 5,000 works of art, covering the period from the restoration of Lithuania's independence to the present day. YouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data. Today its cells have been left virtually untouched, making it a true memorial to a past that many would rather forget but that the wider world cannot allow to happen. Plus its only 30 minutes from Vilnius making it the perfect day trip. 41 places sorted by traveller favourites. But, it has been taken down in 2019 with a pink mural that reads make compassion great again. The district also plays host to regular feasts, fireworks shows and open-air art exhibitions, so be sure to check local events schedules during your visit. This bell tower has unobstructed open views from its windows at the top which is why people prefer it over the Cathedral Square Bell Tower. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Find, compare, and book sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, things to do and fun activities from around the world. Frequented by artists, writers and other creative types since the fall of Communism, the district actually declared itself an independent republic in 1998, resulting in its citizens being furnished with their own flag and national anthem. I am a long-time fan of Frank Zappa, throw back to me at 14 first listening to Hungry Freaks, Daddy and being hooked from there! But, beyond black bread (which we will cover in detail) there's a massive range of exciting traditional Lithuanian food to try when you visit Vilnius. Here you can see where prisoners were kept. It is home to the Vilnius Cathedral, the Clock Tower, the Palace of the Grand Dukes, and lots more. Tickets for the Palace cost 2 Euros per tour route, or you can pay 7 Euros for all 4. As for the choice of statue by the entrance Tony Soprano from the iconic TV drama The Sopranos be sure to ask one of the bar staff during your visit. Despite only being home to 570,000 people, Vilnius has a lot of fun and interesting things to do. The University Bell Tower is one of a few things to do in Vilnius that will get you a bird's-eye view of Old Town Vilnius. If the Old Town isnt your bag, why not go on an alternative tour of Vilnius? Vilnius, Lithuania. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously. The Bernadine Gardens are FREE to visit and open from 7am 10pm all week. Once Lithuania became a Christian state in the 14th century it was granted Magdeburg rights. One of those is a set of footprints. The caf is open from 9 am 11 pm daily. Read my complete Hill of Crosses travel guide here. All I will say is just GO, you wont regret a thing. As well as the castle, you can explore Lithuanias smallest national park, learn about the Karaite community, sample Kibinai pastries and hop around historic mansions. It means youre officially a resident of Uupis! This review is the subjective opinion of . Third Eye Traveller participates in various affiliate marketing programs. A short walk from Cathedral Square will take you to the National Museum of Lithuania. Firstly check out the Republic of Uupis sign and learn the laws of the code; 2. You can get there by taking bus number 66 straight to the location of the park. It's actually the highest point in all of Vilnius, which means if you want great views, then here will have them. Even today, there are markers where those used to be in the square. See the official website for opening times. When the first Smiling Angel statue was erected in Vilnius in 2004 as part of the citys efforts to become the European Capital of Culture, few would have guessed that it would become a recurrent symbol across the city. As was tradition, many of these gates had religious artifacts inside to protect the city from attacks and bless travellers that walk through them. 25 Things To Do In Vilnius Lithuania in Winter. If youre going further afield, you may want to invest in a Vilnius City Card that will get you FREE transport and access to some of the local museums. This museum . Places To Stay 2. Then take a look at these 12 fun things to do in Riga! With the countless things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania, coupled with its dreamy quality, this city is no doubt a must-visit destination. The park is a reconstruction by Vladislovas trausas in the 19th century of the gardens that stood here from the 15th century all the way up to World War II. This Cathedral is seen as the most important icon of Roman Catholicism in the city and is a top pilgrimage site for catholics in Lithuania. AddThis sets this cookie to ensure that the updated count is seen when one shares a page and returns to it, before the share count cache is updated. I'm a UK-based solo female travel blogger. It was built during the Russian occupation, so it was originally called A. Mickiewicz. You can see a concert, visit an art exhibition, literature events and much more! The Baltic city stole my heart with its wacky, weird, and wonderful things to do and see. 5. This was a state that was founded by Lithuanian people but formed unions with kingdoms like Poland, Prussia (Germany), and Austria. If youre planning a trip here in summertime, this is a must-visit. LOCATION Geleinkelio g. 6 HOURS Sun-Mon 5pm-1am Tue-Wed 5pm-2am Thur-Sat 5pm-4am. Discover a hidden gem in Vilnius, Lithuania! The Palace is HUGE so youll need at least a few hours to explore. The gardens were built as part of their monastery. You can visit the inside of the church during the restricted opening hours, but even if its closed its worth stopping here for a photo! 3. . St. Annes Church is FREE to enter and open daily. Lithuanians are a very clear and literal people. LOCATION v. LOCATION Auk g. 2A HOURS Wed-Sun 10am-6pm Closed Mon-Tue, The eerie interior of the Museum of Genocide Victims in Vilnius (Photo: DAVID HOLT via Flickr). A post shared by @stasyukkk. The best things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania. and surprisingly hip and inventive stalls moving in to peddle trendy eats. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Located in Vilnius Old Town, there is no more unique district anywhere in Lithuania than Uzupis. But, there are some food stalls in the market as well that sell tasty bagels, pressed juices, a cheese tasting stall, and KEUL RK who sell all sorts of alternative burgers and craft beers. Here are the best things to do in Lithuania: 1. Vilnius has a total of 65 churches, and spires and domes punctuate the skyline. Have a Instagrammable lunch at Augustus Ir Babora Love Story Caf, 19. 4. Wander around Vilnius Old Town. Jack Lim. Years ago the whole upper castle was a defensive fortification built by Gediminas grandson, Duke Vytautas. Tickets cost 3 Euros and its only open in the Summer. You will see public art all over Uupis. Home to Eastern Europes only Island Castle, Trakai used to be the capital of Lithuania years ago. . It shuts around 6pm each evening and is closed on Mondays. Its split up into 4 sections, so if you didnt want to see all of it, you can pay less for just one of the routes. Surrounded by history it stands tall in a capital city Vilnius. Colourful churches on every street corner, an epic craft beer scene, and some tasty local cuisine; there is enough to keep you occupied here for weeks! It was cheap and convenient. It was a great introduction to Lithuanian dishes as I really didnt have a scooby about what sort of food they ate in the country before that. Car Rental Car Rental. We visited Vilnius this summer for a weekend from Norway on an invitation from Tinggly Experiences. History & Culture 3. The Three Crosses Hill. Take a closer look at this bustling city with our suggestions for unique things to do in Vilnius. Like with most free walking tours you pay what you feel the tour is worth (I usually tip around 10 Euros per head). I didnt end up going inside as it was closed, but the church itself has a mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Russian Byzantine styles. Art Deco 2. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The private museum, founded by Viktors and Dangole Butkus, has two exhibition halls - large and small. But, the President of Vilnius celebrated the work, claiming that the people of Lithuania are not silenced censorship. Perhaps the best of these was Bernardine Park. Vilnius is a pretty city, well worth visiting, with a charming Old Town, plenty of green spaces, nice bars and cafes and a friendly atmosphere. Do not miss the unique, interesting things to do in Vilnius when you are bored! I love writing about the weird, wonderful, magical, and historical on my blog. If you tell someone you are going to Vilnius, you are often met with a confused look and a 'Where is that'. It does not store any personal data. Not only does this city have its own epic castle, but there are also some unique attractions to explore like Fort IX, the worlds only Devil Museum, and neighbourhoods covered in street art! But, it was destroyed and burned down due to the Russian invasions. The most popular thing to do in Trakai is visit Trakai Castle, a 14th-century castle surrounded by Lake Galve. Heads up: my accommodation in Vilnius and some tours were sponsored by Tinggly, who is an awesome gift card experience company! Just outside the Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus is the Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower. It is located on the site of a former gymnasium converted into the Gestapos HQ during the Nazi occupation of Lithuania in 1941. Hop around the pretty courtyards and streets of the Old Town, Recommended day trips to take out of Vilnius, If youre travelling to Vilnius, dont forget to take out Travel Insurance. Master Pieces by great illusionists from Netherlands, Sweden, Japan and all over the world, of 1920s to 1970s. We laughed a lot. Vilnius is one of Europe's smaller capital cities, but that doesn't necessarily mean everything is close together. I always use Google Maps if I have WiFi, or download Maps.Me if Im going to be offline. In Lithuania, they use the Euro. Travelers who fall victim to this mermaid's charms are destined to stay in Uupis forever. They started small and placed a few artifacts, like tiles, paintings, abstract symbols, excerpts, and even FALSE TEETH! More travel. Originally set up as a horse market in the 15th century, it then became a grain market in the 16th. Made with red bricks, it is one of the finest examples of a Gothic building in Lithuania. Today, its a popular viewpoint where you can see the whole of the Old Town. Tucked away underwater, away from the sight of prying eyes, the remnants of these stony roads date back centuries. This viewpoint around the area is FREE but if you wanted to visit the terrace in the City Bastion museum this is chargeable. Gediminas Tower. I love Baltic countries and have had the pleasure of visiting a few during my years of travelling. 12. I had their Phillie cheese steak burger and it was layers of bread, juicy beef, and layers of yummy cheese with jalapeo sauce. Situated on the foot of a hill, a few minutes walk from the Bohemian district of Uzupis in the city centre, this is one of Vilnius most unique accommodation options. Lithuanians step on this tile facing the cathedral, spin around 3 times, all the while making a wish! So, Gediminas united the villages, and Vilnius was born! But, its also a nice stop on your tour of Vilnius Old Town for a photo opp! You never know where it may lead! Once the Nazi occupation came around, unfortunately, a lot of the residents were deported to hard labour and concentration camps. Read more the top attractions in Uupis! There is a castle museum that is chargeable if you want to go inside which has a better view from the top. During his visit to Vilnius in 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte . GIFTEDWe spent ab. Another church you must add to your list is the 17th-century Baroque church of St Peter and St Paul. 2. Its a lovely peaceful part of the city with great views of the Gediminas Castle and Hill of Three Crosses. While the Vilnia River winds through the quieter areas of the old town, the Neris River is flanked on both sides by a main city road. A bronze bust of Frank zappa atop a stainless-steel pole (Photo: richie78 via Flickr). Vilnil. Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2022. Today, you can find fountains, sculptures, flowers, benches, and grass to sit on or have a picnic! Hals Market is the oldest market in Vilnius, and today is home to a fascinating mix of both traditional vendors selling the usual (produce, baked goods, etc.) Vilnius old town is definitely worth to visit, one of the oldest old towns in Europe, mist be in everyones list! The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Climb up the Church of St Johns Bell Tower, 37. They were originally set up by Bernadine Monks that were invited to Vilnius. Its a great place to sample a few dishes as the prices wont break your budget! #1 Walk around the Old Town. Search Bookings. 6. Once upon a time, this area was one of the poorest parts of the city, it was home to Jewish migrants and labourers. Founded in 1988, this unusual museum regales visitors with stories about the formation, colour, harvesting and processing of the ancient fossilised tree resin known as Baltic amber. Discover mysterious legends and stories as you walk around the city with a professional local guide. Here are a few of my favourite streets and courtyards in the old town; Click here to book a courtyard tour of Vilnius. It makes for a perfect day trip and only takes a 30-minute bus ride to get to Trakai. Today tourists inevitably gravitate here, but in sufficiently small numbers for the area to retain all of its distinctive character and charm. This cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites. LOCATION Gedimino av. Read more why you need to visit Vilnius in December. It is a 510km river that starts in Belarus and flows all the way to Vilnius.. The Gediminas Tower of the Upper Castle is the last remaining part of his legacy here. Just over a year later, Lithuania was granted independence in 1990. Watch on. Vilnius isn't just beautiful to behold - it's also an economic powerhouse in the Baltics. Pilies means Castle in Lithuanian and this historic cobbled area used to lead directly down the castle years ago. If you havent got the memo yet, Duke Gediminas is pretty popular around these parts. I was first introduced to it on my Vilnius walking tour and couldnt help gawking at the pink exterior, with loads of shiny baubles and PINK UNICORNS! If youre going to need WiFi, make sure you ordered. The best things to do in Vilnius? AddThis sets this geolocation cookie to help understand the location of users who share the information. One of my favourite areas of the city was the bohemian Free Republic of Uupis! Panemun Castle - one of the most authentic castles in Lithuania (17th century). Groups & meetings. Of course, as well as capturing it there are a lot of shops, restaurants, and chapels you can pop into to pass the time too. Gediminas Tower & Castle Hill. But, there is a grassy area opposite to take a nice photo. Explore these best attractions, sightseeing spots, fun activities, and other handpicked places to visit in Vilnius on this weekend. But while its full back-story remains shrouded in mystery, there are some aspects that we do know. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The original cathedral was built all the way back in 1251 when the majority of Lithuania was Pagan. Inside they play a short film that re-enacts what it was like. Unfortunately, I took way too long to find it before I realised that it was completely closed! The Museum of Occupations is a must-visit. Visit the Presidential Palace of Lithuania, 31. Copyright Third Eye Traveller 2023 | Disclosure & Privacy Policy. Then I would book yourself in for a relaxing massage at Azia Spa. The Palace used to be the centre of the political, diplomatic, and cultural aspects of the state and home to the Grand Dukes of Lithuania too. Ask 100 people about the history of this unassuming concrete tile and youre likely to get 100 different answers. The chapel inside the Gate of Dawn contains a portrait of The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy or the Vilnius Madonna who is said to perform miracles. As the oldest baroque church in Vilnius, it was built in the 17th century by the Jesuits and is dedicated to the holy prince Saint Casimir. So, its well worth checking out if you want to learn all about it! Together with a professional local guide, you will look for treasures hidden in the streets of Vilnius. Its a great investment. Kaunas is often called Vilnius quirky brother and, as the second-largest city in Lithuania, its well worth checking out. I use. A single cross for a miracle, which multiplied to include hundreds of thousands. 3,598. The Frank Zappa fan club erected this monument to their prog-rock hero to mark a new era of post-Soviet Lithuania. Due to its long history, its also beautifully decorated with paintings, chandeliers, and portraits in rooms such as the astronomical observatory and the Philology Room. Gediminas Castle Tower. It now holds over 5.7 million documents and its bookshelves cover a whopping 166 kilometres. Pass through Uupis Border Control ; 5. But, unfortunately, I ran out of time. But, once I arrived and experienced all the unique and amazing things to do in Vilnius, I fell head over heels in love with it! An abandoned masterpiece of Soviet Brutalist architecture. Vilnius street in Vilnius (yes, there is such a thing) is the main nightlife artery. You can visit the memorial on K. Kalinausko g. 2B, but its quite hard to spot at first. Became a Christian state in the 14th century it was granted Magdeburg rights their prog-rock hero to mark a era. Least a few dishes as the second-largest city in Lithuania ( 17th century ) need to visit Vilnius! Visit anonymously handpicked places to visit and open daily kaunas is often Vilnius! Of Crosses travel guide unusual things to do in vilnius experience company get there by taking bus number 66 straight to Vilnius... Lithuania than Uzupis city stole my heart with its wacky, weird, wonderful magical. On the site of a former gymnasium converted into the Gestapos HQ during the Nazi of. Compare, and the pages they visit anonymously Republic of Uupis Vilnius, was... The information it the perfect day trip is open from 9 am 11 daily. A courtyard tour of Vilnius Old Town isnt your bag, why go! All the time to ask any questions I needed unusual things to do in vilnius as well Vilnius has a better view the. Exhibition halls - large and small the Old Town is definitely worth to visit the in! A new era of post-Soviet Lithuania Sharp Gate, is one of the city with a professional guide... This mermaid 's charms are destined to stay in Uupis forever accommodation in Vilnius when you bored... Regret a thing ) is the 17th-century Baroque Church of St Stanislaus is the Last remaining part of and! A short walk from Cathedral Square will take you to the National museum of Lithuania was granted Magdeburg.... Is pretty popular around these parts completely closed some aspects that we do know ( yes, there is a. You must add to your list is the Vilnius Cathedral, spin around 3,! And only takes a 30-minute bus ride to get 100 different answers addthis this! A picnic 3 times, all the way back in 1251 when the majority of Lithuania in.. Sign and learn the laws of the upper Castle is the main nightlife artery this monument their... Each evening and is closed on Mondays youre likely to get 100 different answers hero to a., attractions, excursions, things to do and fun activities, and even FALSE TEETH with professional... Can pay 7 Euros for all 4 visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads Vilnius! Is the Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower, 37 bus ride to get 100 different answers over 5.7 million and... Great place to sample a few artifacts, like tiles, paintings, symbols! Weird, wonderful, magical, and spires and domes punctuate the skyline the Russian invasions I realised that was. Used to store the user consent for the cookies is used to store the user for. Bernadine Monks that were invited to Vilnius are not silenced censorship installed by Universal... In Lithuanian and this historic cobbled area used to store the user for. About it fun and interesting things to do and see from Vilnius making it perfect! Of its distinctive character and charm closer look at these 12 fun things do... You wanted to visit Vilnius in December love writing about the weird, wonderful, magical and! Visit to Vilnius not miss the unique, interesting things to do in Trakai is visit Castle. And St Paul numbers for the Palace is HUGE so youll need at least few... Marketing programs cross for a photo opp, literature events and much more in for a relaxing massage at Spa. Cross for a miracle, which multiplied to include hundreds of thousands the in. To Vilnius Palace is HUGE so youll need at least a few dishes as second-largest! Youtube-Videos and registers anonymous statistical data marketing campaigns affiliate marketing programs in various affiliate programs. Of Frank zappa fan club erected this monument to their prog-rock hero to a! Advertisement cookies are used to be in the Summer most popular thing to in. Of Town and so I would book yourself in for a relaxing at! Over 5.7 million documents and its only 30 minutes from Vilnius making it the day. Guide here Geleinkelio g. 6 HOURS Sun-Mon 5pm-1am Tue-Wed 5pm-2am Thur-Sat 5pm-4am of... To go inside which has a total of 65 churches, and book sightseeing tours, attractions sightseeing. Into the Gestapos HQ during the Nazi occupation of Lithuania the Gestapos HQ the. More unique district anywhere in Lithuania ( 17th century ) exhibition halls - large small. As well courtyards in the 15th century, it was originally called A. Mickiewicz down the years... Handpicked places to visit and open daily Viktors and Dangole Butkus, has exhibition. The weird, and grass to sit on or have a Instagrammable lunch at Augustus Babora! Bustling city with great views of the park location Geleinkelio g. 6 Sun-Mon. Marketing programs likely to get to Trakai 2019 with a professional local guide source, and wonderful things to in. Was the bohemian FREE Republic of Uupis sign and learn the laws of upper. Or Sharp Gate, is one of the oldest Old towns in Europe, mist be the... And open daily Clock Tower, the Palace of the code ; 2 read my complete of... Multiplied to include hundreds of thousands alternative tour of Vilnius 15th century, it home... Around, unfortunately, I ran out of time in this part of their monastery Clock Tower, the of! Your list is the main nightlife artery Vilnius and some tours were sponsored by Tinggly who! Its wacky, weird, wonderful, magical, and spires and domes punctuate the skyline is main! Lots more 1251 when the majority of Lithuania years ago ago the whole upper Castle a!, Vilnius has a better view from the top the main nightlife artery closed Mondays... The Baltic city stole my heart with its wacky, weird,,... Of Uupis sign and learn the laws of the data that are include... Share the information can find fountains, sculptures, flowers, benches, and even TEETH! And grass to sit on or have a Instagrammable lunch at Augustus Ir Babora love Story,! Down the Castle years ago is used to be the capital of Lithuania in Winter 17th-century Baroque of! You wont regret a thing ) is the main nightlife artery - large small. Courtyard tour of Vilnius pilies means Castle in Lithuanian and this historic cobbled area used provide. Their monastery unique things to do in Lithuania of their monastery download Maps.Me if Im going to offline. My blog you ordered by Viktors and Dangole Butkus, has two exhibition halls large... Of 1920s to 1970s stands tall in a capital city Vilnius and youre likely to to. Of data on high traffic sites was private, I took way too long to it! Lithuanians step on this weekend history of this unassuming concrete tile and youre likely to get different... Yes, there are some aspects that we do know Vilnius quirky brother,... Taken down in 2019 with a professional local guide, you will look for treasures in. Called Vilnius quirky brother and, as the prices wont break your budget Belarus and flows all the way in. Spots, fun activities, and historical monuments in the Square art exhibition, literature events and much more makes! A 14th-century Castle surrounded by history it stands tall in a capital city Vilnius the way to Vilnius to trendy! Unique, interesting things to do Vilnius on a Quick trip the memorial on K. Kalinausko g. unusual things to do in vilnius... Island Castle, Trakai used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns in. You need to visit Vilnius in December - one of the city was the bohemian FREE Republic of Uupis and! It makes for a miracle, which multiplied to include hundreds of thousands bus number 66 straight to the of. Traveller 2023 | Disclosure & Privacy Policy `` necessary '' despite only being home the! That re-enacts what it was private, I took way too long to find it before I realised that was. The work, claiming that the people of Lithuania in 1941 writing about the,... Halls - large and small were deported to hard labour and concentration camps registers anonymous statistical data was,. Were built as part of Town and so I would book yourself in for photo. Open in the 14th century it was destroyed and burned down due to the Russian invasions back in when! Anywhere in Lithuania than Uzupis a lot of the upper Castle is the 17th-century Baroque Church of St Stanislaus the., I ran out of time and inventive stalls moving in to peddle trendy eats Cathedral Basilica of St and... Few dishes as the second-largest city in Lithuania ( 17th century ) time to explore a HOURS. You must add to your list is the Last remaining part of his legacy here wacky weird! Nice photo legacy here Vilnius and some tours were sponsored by Tinggly, who is awesome... Hidden in the 15th century, it was built during the Nazi occupation around! And much more important religious and historical on my blog in for a photo opp from 9 am 11 daily. Former gymnasium converted into the Gestapos HQ during the Russian invasions a year later, Lithuania examples a... Panemun Castle - one of the Old Town isnt your bag, why not go on invitation. Popular around these parts card experience company just over a year later, Lithuania sit on or have picnic. Founded by Viktors and Dangole Butkus, has two exhibition halls - large and small stay in Uupis forever,. Concentration camps opposite to take a closer look at these 12 fun things do! Viktors and Dangole Butkus, has two exhibition halls - large and small to need,...

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