What To See In Vilnius, Lithuania

I’ve always wanted to visit Latvia and Lithuania. Maybe it’s because I’ve been fortunate enough to see many of the other European capital cities / Western Europe, but there was always something about these Baltic capitals that intrigued me. If you’re reading this blog post on my little corner of the internet, clearly you’re interested in visiting as well! And if you just want to learn more — maybe you’re a little curious, let this guide to why to see in Vilnius be a source of inspiration for you. The Christmas markets in the Baltics are some of the best Christmas markets I’ve experienced in Europe. This guide will cover the markets in Vilnius too… let’s dive in!

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Don’t have time to read the full guide? This top-rated Old Town walking tour will cover all the sights I listed below in just 2-3 hours and also includes some traditional Lithuanian snacks! Check it out here.

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When Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Lithuania?

The best time to visit Lithuania is generally late May through September, when the summer offers the most comfortable weather for sightseeing and outdoor dining and the country celebrates its festival season. Temperatures in the summer average 68–77°F with long daylight hours.

If you visit during the off-season in December, however, you can enjoy the Christmas markets, which typically take place from late November through early January.

Bus Riga To Vilnius

Vilnius is easily accessible from the other Baltic capital cities, Tallinn, Estonia and Riga, Latvia. Each city is about 4-4.5 hours from one another via bus. We visited Tallinn first on my recent Christmas market crawl around Europe, then worked our way south to Riga, and ended in Vilnius. If you’re interested in visiting these other cities as well, I highly recommend using Lux Express! This was the best coach bus ride experience I’ve had — cheap tickets (about 20 Euro each way), free WiFi, TVs at every seat, a coffee machine, bathrooms on board, and more.

Buses travel between Riga to Vilnius almost every hour, so check it out!

Other popular ways to reach Vilnius are via the Vilnius International Airport (VNO), which is just 15 minutes from the city center and has direct flights from many European hubs. Or, you can also arrive by train.

Once you arrive, the city center is very compact, making it easily walkable. You can probably get around faster on foot than you would from the public buses in the Baltic capital cities — the old towns really aren’t that large and can easily be explored in just 1-2 days.

Pro-tip: If you’re looking for a ride around Vilnius or the other two capital cities, you can use Uber or Bolt. Note that Bolt is more commonly used and therefore has more frequent drivers.

Where To Stay In Vilnius, Lithuania

During your stay in Vilnius, Lithuania, I recommend staying in the Old Town or right outside of it. This is where all the major attractions in Vilnius are located. I was only in Vilnius for one night, but really enjoyed my stay at ibis Vilnius Center — a great pick for convenience and value. Located just north of the Neris River, the river that separates the Old Town from the modern-day capital city.

The ibis is located just a short walk across the river from Vilnius’s beautiful Old Town, only about 15 minutes to the main Cathedral Square. The hotel’s amenities include a restaurant and bar (that serves a yummy breakfast in the morning!), free WiFi, 24/7 front desk reception, and close proximity to public transport and cafes. I recommend it!

Attractions In Vilnius, Lithuania

Here is a synthesized list of what to see in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Cathedral Square

Start your day in Cathedral Square, the central hub of the Old Town. Here, you can admire the dramatic, and very unique, neoclassical exterior of the Vilnius Cathedral. This building is one of the most unique that I’ve seen outside of southern Europe (Italy / Greece) — it really looks more like a classical temple than it does a traditional church.

You can also go inside as long as there isn’t a mass taking place. The most famous space inside the church is the Chapel of St. Casimir, which is dedicated to Lithuania’s patron saint and is richly decorated with marble and artwork.

While in Cathedral Square, I also recommend climbing the bell tower! It costs only 6 Euro per person and has some of the best views of Old Town and the cathedral below. I especially recommend this if you’re visiting Vilnius during the winter months so you can see the Christmas market and tree lit from above. The aerial photos I took from here are some of my favorites from the trip, and climbing up here for the view was definitely one of the top things to see in Vilnius.

Pro-tip: Vilnius’s main Christmas market is always held in Cathedral Square. You can read about it, along with the other best Christmas markets around Europe, in detail here!

Stroll Down Pilies Street (Pilies Gatvė)

Pilies Street is the oldest street in the Old Town and is one of the main places for shopping and sightseeing in Vilnius.

Wander along this charming cobbled main street connecting Cathedral Square to Town Hall Square. It’s lined with shops, cafés, street musicians, and colorful façades — a great way to soak up the vibe of Vilnius.

The walk from Cathedral Square to the Town Hall is around 15 minutes!

Pro-tip: This top-rated Old Town walking tour will cover all the sights I listed above and below in just 2-3 hours and also includes some traditional snacks! Check it out here.

Town Hall Square

At the end of Pilies Street, you’ll hit Town Hall Square — an open & beautiful square surrounded by historic buildings. There are some restaurants here that may be good for lunch.

If you’re visiting Vilnius during the winter months, the city sets up a major ice skating rink here that is so magical! You can rent skates, get hot chocolate, and skate under the lights and falling snow. It really looked like a snow globe here when we walked by at night.

Gate Of Dawn (Aušros Vartai)

Just another 10-15 minutes on foot past Town Hall Square is the Gate of Dawn — a quick photo stop that is worth seeing in the Old Town. The Gate of Dawn is one of the few surviving city gates from old Vilnius walls and home to a religious icon that draws pilgrims and visitors alike.

Visit The Church Of St. Anne & Bernardine Gardens

The Church of St. Anne is one of Vilnius’s most iconic landmarks and a true highlight of the Old Town. Built in the late 15th century, it’s a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, made from more than 30 different types of brick.

Located near the Bernardine Church and Gardens, and close to the river and Užupis, St Anne’s Church is both the perfect place to take photos, and also a powerful symbol of Vilnius’s medieval heritage.

Pro-tip: We didn’t have enough time to prioritize this on our list of what to see in Vilnius in just one day, but if you have more time, Bernardine Gardens is right next to the river and is a lovely green space for a walk / picnic, especially in the warm months.

Wander The Užupis District

Spend a few hours wandering around Užupis — an independent, self-proclaimed micro nation in the Lithuanian capital. Established by artists on April 1, 1997, it has its own constitution, currency, flag, and president.

Located just a short walk from the Old Town, this artsy, bohemian neighborhood is known for its street art and cafes.I would spend about two hours here. See the angel statue in the center of the area, read the (weird and funky) constitution mural, roam the streets, visit a cafe, and walk across the Užupis Bridge, admiring the welcome sign and swing over the river as you enter.

Pro-tip: Do NOT get a passport stamp as a souvenir here… although it is cool, you will most likely run into issues with TSA!

Bonus: Gediminas’s Tower

If you have more time in Vilnius, I recommend walking up to Gediminas’s Tower from Cathedral Square. Located on top of a hill overlooking the city, this historic castle tower has a small museum inside and offers fantastic views over the Old Town and beyond (especially at sunset!). There’s a funicular you can take here too.

Best Restaurants In Vilnius, Lithuania

Etno Dvaras

My number one recommendation for a restaurant in Vilnius, Lithuania is Etno Dvaras. This casual, cozy restaurant is a local chain with a few locations around the city, offering award winning dumplings made with meat, potatoes, and cheese, dipped in sour cream. You will probably have to wait in a line, but it’s worth it! The one on Pilies Street is especially busy since it’s so close to Cathedral Square.

Senatorių Pasažas

Senatorių pasažas is one of Vilnius’s coolest modern food and culture spots, located within Old Town. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century complex that once belonged to a noble family, it blends historic architecture with a contemporary local vibe.

Inside, you’ll find a curated mix of restaurants, bakeries, wine bars, and specialty food shops. This is the PERFECT place to hangout year-round (they even have heat lamps in the winter) for an evening glass of wine or brunch. During the warmer months, the courtyard is filled with tables and events.

Huracán Coffee

Vilnius is known for its cafe culture, and is weirdly known for its cat cafes. Visiting a cat cafe was not high on my list of things to see in Vilnius, but I did love Huracán coffee! I went to the location near Town Hall Square and really enjoyed the coffee. It’s strong and the cafe is sleek and modern, I recommend it!

That brings us to the end of this guide all about Vilnius, Lithuania! Whether you’re visiting during the summer or braving the winter temperatures for the Christmas markets, I hope this guide covering what to see in Vilnius gives you all the information you need for a fabulous trip!

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