13 Best things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania

VISIT | The Cathedral and the Bell Tower

The Cathedral Square is the very heart of Vilnius. It's a vast, open space and pretty much all the major attractions are there or in near proximity.

The bell tower stands separate from the main cathedral. This is the most memorable landmark in Vilnius, and has become a symbol of the Lithuanian capital. The entrance fee is €6, which includes an exhibition as well as panoramic views of the old town from the top. The entrance to the cathedral is free, though the interior is somewhat underwhelming.

VISIT | St Anne's Church

As you make your way from the Cathedral Square towards Užupis Republic, you'll walk past St. Anne's Church, a fine example of Gothic architecture, and probably the most beautiful church in Vilnius. The exterior is most impressive, but it's worth having a quick look inside too, and admission is free.

VISIT | The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

This is the large building right behind the cathedral. Think grand palace, state rooms, tapestries - if that's of interest to you, then this place is worth a visit. It is probably the best ticketed indoor attraction you can visit in Vilnius. Several routes are available for visiting and the price of admission varies, with the most comprehensive ticket costing €9.5.

VISIT | The National Museum of Lithuania (or not)

If you have time and wish to dig deeper into Lithuanian history and culture, then a short visit to the National Museum of Lithuania in Vilnius may be something to consider. This is located very centrally, close to the Cathedral Square and Gediminas Tower - which you can see just behind the building. You’ll likely walk past it as you make your way through the old town. The entrance fee is low, around €4.

That said, I would probably keep this one low in the list. None of our Lithuanian friends thought that it's particularly worth visiting.

VISIT | Lukiskiu Kalejimas 2.0 (former prison)

This former prison has recently been given a new life (hence the 2.0), after being converted into an event venue and cultural hub for artists. Recently, this prison was also used as a shooting location for Season 4 of popular Netflix series Stranger Things.

Guided tours of the prison are available for €20 per person, but you can also just walk-in to have a drink in the courtyard. When we visited, the Basketball World Cup was on, and the US vs. Lithuania game was being shown on big screens. Lithuanians LOVE basketball, and are really good at it too, so the place was absolutely packed.

VISIT | Uzupis Republic

This part of Vilnius is something really unique and exploring the streets of this neighbourhood is one of the best things to do in the capital for sure.

Uzupis is a quirky district of Vilnius, home to many artists, and a self-proclaimed republic with its own constitution. Here you will find lots of artworks, unusual statues, interesting cafes and exhibitions. It's fun to walk around, and stumble upon curious works of art. Angels, mermaids, cats or any combination of those are common sights. Most things are found close to Vilna river, but venture a little further and you'll come across the Uzupis Cat (our favourite). The constitution of Uzupis (with its 41 "laws") is displayed in several languages along one of the streets. 

Don't miss the souvenir shop at the entrance, they have lots of cool memorabilia, and you can get things stamped for free. This is meant for your passport, but it might be wiser to stamp something else (like a postcard).

VIEW | Altana Hill

This is a bit of a hidden gem. While wandering through Uzupis, walk along the main road past the small park where the Uzupis Cat is, and at some point you will see some stairs to your left. It's a short walk from there to a nice little viewpoint area that opens up towards the old town. You won't find many people here, and probably only locals. You can then continue on towards the Three Crosses Monument, where an even better view awaits.

VIEW | The Three Crosses Monument

This is the highest point around old town Vilnius, and yet it's a relatively short walk up to the top. I'd say this is the best viewpoint in Vilnius, and there is a viewing platform next to the monument from where you can see just about everything in the old town.

On a sunny day, the sunset views from here are quite spectacular.

VIEW | Gediminas Tower

This is another great viewpoint and many people gather here at sunset to enjoy the beautiful views. The Gediminas Hill is within very easy reach, right in the centre of the old town.

If you wish to visit the tower itself, which houses a small exhibition, this is open until late, but in the summer days it will be closed before sunset. While there is a viewing platform at the top, you don't need to go inside to see the view, because the large open space around the tower is free for all and you can see everything from there.

EAT | Try traditional Lithuanian dishes @ Senoji Trobele / Etno Dvaras

Of the three Baltic coutries, Lithuanian cuisine is probably the most interesting. There are quite a few local dishes that are worth trying out: beetroot soup, cepelinai (potato dumplings), kibinai (savoury pastry), potato pancakes, gira (drink). Some traditional restaurants that come highly recommended are Senoji Trobele (we had dinner here) and Etno Dvaras. 

You better like potatoes if you are going traditional, because you will soon find out they are an unmissable part of most Lithuanian dishes.

EAT | Experience Lithuanian fine dining with a twist @ Ertlio Namas

If you want to experience a different side of Lithuanian cuisine, and swap the potatoes for something a little more sophisticated, then Ertlio Namas is the place.

This restaurant is located in a historic building, and, especially to someone coming from Eastern Europe, it feels like you are dining in someone's living room, but in a very elegant way. The 5/6 course tasting menu includes reinterpretations of old Lithuanian recipes dating back to medieval times. It's all presented as a journey through the centuries, and each dish is accompanied by a live story from the waiters. The cost is €50/60 (without drinks), which is perhaps expensive for Lithuania, but otherwise quite reasonable for a fine dining experience. Reservations are probably recommended.

EAT | Have pancakes in an abandoned church @ Pirmas Blynas

This is unique venue in the centre of Vilnius and a great stop for a quick lunch. The menu is simple, and the place specialises in pancakes - sweet or savoury. The setting is unusual - an abandoned church that was taken over by the Soviets (hence the abundance of concrete inside), and then abandoned. Today, the ground floor has been converted into a restaurant.

There is also a social element to this venue, as all food is prepared and served by people with a disability that might otherwise be overlooked in this industry.

DAY TRIP | Trakai

One of the very best things to see in all of Lithuania is found 30min outside of Vilnius, in the charming town of Trakai. Here you'll find an impressive medieval castle, located on a small island in the middle of a lake. The area surrounding Trakai consists of a complex of lakes, with lots of greenery all around. On a sunny day, this place is just magical and provides the perfect escape from the capital.

Back in the day, Trakai actually used to have two castles, one on the island, and another one nearby on the peninsula. Trakai Island Castle has undergone significant reconstruction work in the 20th century, and is now in very good condition, while the other castle lies in complete ruin. Today, it is a major tourist attraction of Lithuania. There are several exhibitions inside the castle, and the entrance fee is €12.

Frequent buses/trains departing from Vilnius train station to Trakai, and the cost is around €3 one-way. From there, it's a 20-30min scenic walk to the castle, through the village or along the lake.

While you're there, don't forget to try the traditional pastry kibinai which originates from this area. Probably the best place to try this is Senoji Kibinine, a very popular local restaurant - they have a couple locations around Trakai.

 For more ideas of places to visit, check out my map of Lithuania.