Over 150 ideas of things to do and places to go when visiting Vilnius.
Vilnius is a capital city which is often forgotten. Despite being the main city of the largest Baltic country, Lithuania, research has shown that few can locate it on a map. It is a city full of history, art, and culture.
Vilnius Overview:
Country: Lithuania (capital city)
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: Lithuanian
Population: 587,000
Time zone: East European Time (GMT/UTC+2hr)
www.govilnius.lt
For further information about each attraction and details about opening times, prices and events, click on the attraction title for the external link to visit their website ...
History & Architecture
Town Hall Building – one of the oldest buildings in Vilnius, guided tours available
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania – palace of the Lithuanian’s rulers
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fighters – museum situated in the former KGB headquarters
Gediminas Castle Tower – hill fortress, reconstruction models of Vilnius castles and military history exhibition (National Museum of Lithuania)
Presidential Palace – Office of the President, guided tours available. Flag replacement ceremony Sundays 12 noon. [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Liubavas Manor-Museum – one of Lithuania's oldest estates
The Bastion of the Vilnius Defensive Wall – exhibition about the history of the defenses of Vilnius Castle (National Museum of Lithuania)
The New Arsenal – history of Vilnius up to the end of the 19th Century (National Museum of Lithuania)
The Old Arsenal – exhibition of Lithuania archaeology (National Museum of Lithuania)
Museum of Struggle for Freedom – commemorating Lithuanian Freedom fighters who died trying to defend the TV broadcasting tower
Europa Tower – the Baltic’s tallest skyscraper
The Former Detention House – exhibition within the former detention house for political visitors (National Museum of Lithuania)
Artillery Bastion – 17th Century fortification museum
House of Signatories – the history of national revival and the restoration of the independent state of Lithuania
Vilnius University Museum – cultural, artistic, historical and scientific treasures relating to the development of the University
National Museum of Lithuania Archaeology exhibition – over 4000 archaeological exhibits
Palace of Concerts and Sport – an abandoned example of Soviet Brutalist architecture
Trakų Vokė Manor – take a guided tour around this manor and grounds
[/expander_maker]
Arts & Culture
Museum of Illusions – where art and science meet, child-friendly exhibits
National Gallery of Art – late 20th & 21st Century Lithuanian art
Amber Museum-Gallery – Baltic amber which is 50 million years old, includes an amber modern art exhibitions
Theatre, Music & Cinema Museum – history of Lithuanian theatre, music and cinema and Lithuanian artists
Contemporary Art Centre – one of the largest contemporary art venues in the Baltic region [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Museum of Applied Arts and Design – decorative arts including fashion and jewellery
Vilnius Picture Gallery – Lithuanian art from 16th to 19th Century
National Library of Lithuania – exhibits, free 1hr guided tours
The Radvila Palace Museum of Art – branch of the Lithuanian National Art Museum containing Old Master paintings
Vytautas Kasiulis Museum of Art – a collection of works by world renowned artist Vytautas Kasiulis
Frank Zappa Memorial – rock ‘n’ roll legend statue
Mickiewicz Memorial Apartment & Museum – memorial flat of the Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz
Adam Mickiewicz Museum (Vilnius University Library) – the works of the Polish poet
Alexander Pushkin Literary Museum – collection of over 8000 objects of the Russian poet, playwright and novelist
Kazys Varnelis House and Museum – the house-museum of artist and collector Kazys Varnelis
M.K. Čiurlionis House – Lithuanian painter, composer and writer
Art Centre of Baltic Amber – observe one of the oldest crafts, workshops available
Užupis Republic – a “republic” of artists, includes Užupis Art Incubator and Galera, Vilnius Potter’s Workshop, Užupis Museum – Gallery of Blacksmith’s Craft
Vilnius University Library – tour of the University Library, founded in 1570
The Mermaid of Užupis – a mermaid sculpture on the banks of the River Vilnia
Literature Street – over 200 wall plaques line Literaty Ġatve celebrating Lithuanian writers
Vincas Kudirka monument - author of the Lithuanian anthem, 4-metre bronze sculpture
The Old Crafts Workshop – workshops and training in traditional crafts, shop selling crafts
Stained Glass Manufactory – stained glass and glass design gallery
Radvilos Palace museum – foreign works of fine art, branch of Lithuanian National Art Museum
[/expander_maker]
Science, Technology & Transport
Gediminas Hill Funicular Railway – views across the city from the top of Gediminas Hill
Energy & Technology Museum – housed in an old power plant, child friendly exhibits
TV tower – observation deck and rotating restaurant in the tallest building in Lithuania, audio guides available
Lithuanian Railway Museum – located in the former passenger hall of Vilnius train station
Zoological Museum – large collection of local and exotic species (Vilnius University) [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Herbarium – collections of plants and fungi (Vilnius University)
Museum of Geology – regional geology collections (free, visits by prior appointment) (Vilnius University)
Museum of Physics – history of Physics (free, visits by prior appointment) (Vilnius University)
Museum of Lithuanian Mathematics – the work and research of Lithuanian Mathematicians (free, visits by prior appointment)
Museum of Medicine History – surgical and medical equipment, guided tours available (free)
[/expander_maker]
Religion & Faith
Vilnius Cathedral – the main Roman Catholic Cathedral of Lithuania, situated in Vilnius Old Town
Church Heritage Museum – treasury, crypts and bell tower, within the Church of St. Michael the Archangel
Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum - museum of Jewish history
Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower – a heritage symbol of Vilnius, panoramic views from the top of the tower
Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit - pink domed, Lithuania’s chief Russian Orthodox Church [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Rasų Cemetery – one of the oldest and most important cemeteries in Lithuania
Basilian Gates & monastery – gate and Catholic prayer house, designed and built by a protestant Christian
Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum – includes: Holocaust Exhibition, Center for Tolerance, Choral Synagogue, Samuel Bak Museum, Museum of Culture and Identity of Lithuanian Jews, Memorial Museum of Holocaust in Lithuania and Vilna Ghetto, Jacques Lipchitz Memorial Museum
Sts Johns’ Church – named after two St Johns, bell tower
Chapel of the Blessed Mary – Catholic shrine and pilgrimage site, Lady Gate of Dawn sanctuary
St. Anne’s Church - beautiful example of Gothic architecture, unchanged for 500 years
Church of St. Peter and Paul – exceptional interior with around 2,000 stucco figures
[/expander_maker]
Shopping areas
Akropolis shopping centre – the largest shopping centre in Vilnius
Belmontas Entertainment Centre – a former mill containing, restaurants, shops, and children’s play area
Lithuanian design and boutiques - shopping in the capital for local crafts and designs
Tourist Information Centre – in the Town Hall Building, located on Town Hall Square in the Old Town
Vilnius Flower Market - large variety of flowers on sale at Basanaviciaus gatve, open 24 hours a day! [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Europa Business & Shopping Centre – shops, restaurants and recreation
Ausros Vartu Gatve - souvenir shopping on Vilnius’ oldest street
G9 - department store located in the very centre of Vilnius
Outdoor Markets – food, clothes and flea markets
Ozas – shopping and entertainment complex
Panorama Shopping & Leisure Centre – modern shopping complex with nearly 200 shops and services
Nordika – shops and restaurants
CUP – 5-storey shopping centre on the right bank of the River Nerris
Tymo Market – organic outdoor market, open every Thursday
[/expander_maker]
Unusual Attractions
Vilnius University Campus - explore the 13 linked courtyards and a campanile lookout
Money Museum of the Bank of Lithuania – world’s largest coin pyramid, history of money and banking
Historical Antennae Park – see close up a collection of radio and telecommunications antennae
Police Museum – policing history from around the world (visit by prior appointment)
Restaurant-Museum of Culinary Heritage – cutlery, kitchen utensils and cook books from around the world [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Parliament House government buildings – guided tours and exhibitions available
Energy & Technology Museum – escape room experience, in a former power plant
Puppet Museum – puppets, theatre props and designs from the Puppet Theatre Lèlè
Centre for Civil Education – modern exhibition on how Lithuania’s democratic state and its institutions function
[/expander_maker]
Outdoor Activities, Sports and Walking Routes
Gediminas Hill – climb the hill, steps behind the cathedral or take the funicular railway
Antakalnis Cemetery – the burial place of artists, musicians and writers in a picturesque forest setting
Pilies Street – the oldest and most colourful street in the Old Town
Kalnai Park – park area linking four of the city’s hills
Bernardine Gardens – park created in 1469, home to the Old Town’s oldest oak tree and a musical fountain [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] The Hill of Three Crosses – climb the hill to the base of the monument for panoramic views across the city
Liepkalnis – skiing and summer activities at this winter and summer amusement park at the highest location in Vilnius
Gates of Dawn (Aušros Vartai) – old town gates and tower
Vingis Park and open-air amphitheatre – largest park in Vilnius with an amphitheatre used for the Lithuanian Song and Dance Festival (July)
Female Pedestrian Lights – 14 traffic lights along Konstitucijos Street, celebrating women’s suffragette movement in Lithuania
Neris River boat tour – by Viking ship, catamaran or boat
Cathedral Square – the main square of Vilnius Old Town
Altana Hill – one of the highest hills in Vilnius, spectacular views
Walkable Vilnius – walking routes around the city
Viewpoint at Subačiaus Street – panoramic views from the corner of Subačiaus Street and Maironio Street
Vilnius Compass – 3-metre granite symbol in the heart of the Old Town, popular meeting spot
Old Town Pilies Gatvé - UNESCO World Heritage List site, for a different view, hover over the Old Town rooftops in a hot air balloon
The Love Arch – a small arched tunnel along Vokiečiy Street
Square on the Roof – public outdoor space on the roof of the Live Square Complex
[/expander_maker]
Activities for Children
Zoopark – over 80 different species from all over the world, guided tours available
Energy & Technology Museum – science for kids with interactive exhibits and children’s technology themed museum tour
Puppet Theatre Lèlè – children’s performances and puppet museum
Toy Museum – unique and interesting toy collection, visitors can try out the toys
Liepkalnis – winter and summer amusement park and children’s playground [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Bernardine Gardens – includes a children’s playground, carousel, giant chessboard and chess tables
Adventure Park Belmontas – adventure park area and zip line
Vichy Aquapark – waterpark with a Polynesian theme
Children’s Activity Centre (National Library of Lithuania) – reading rooms, crafts and child care (3-7yr olds)
Akropolis shopping centre - soft play, ice rink and cinema
Playgrounds walking route – child friendly walk with playgrounds along the route
Church Heritage Museum – treasury, crypt and bell tower (children’s activities and events)
Belmontas Entertainment Centre – a former mill containing, restaurants, shops, and a children’s play area
[/expander_maker]
Festivals & Events
Lithuanian Song and Dance Festival (July) - annual music event held on a huge stage in Vignis Park
Christmas lights and Fair (November/December) - festive events and decorations around the city
Days of Ancient Craft (August) 14th to 16th Century handicrafts at Trakai Island Castle
New Baltic Dance festival (July/August; November/December) – international contemporary dance festival
Open House Vilnius (July) – architectural tours (guided and self-guided) around some of Vilnius' unique buildings [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Vilnius Music Festival (June) – annual music festival
Trakai Festival (July) – music and medieval re-enactments
For more Vilnius events visit- www.Vilnius-events.lt
[/expander_maker]
Nearby Day Trips
Europos Parkas – sculpture park and open air museum of the centre of Europe
Geographical Centre of Europe - at Girijos Village, 26km from Vilnius
Botanical Gardens in Kairėnai – largest botanical garden in Lithuania, with impressive collections of rhododendrons, lilacs and dahlias (Vilnius University)
Trakai – an historic city and lake resort around 30km west of Vilnius
Paneriai Memorial and Museum – memorial to those killed here during WWII, 16km from Vilnius (National Vilnius Gaon State Jewish Museum) [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Trakai region explore the enchanting red-brick Trakai Island Castle, the beautiful lake and countryside of the Trakai Historical National Park, wander quaint streets, wooden houses and Trakai History Museum provides an overview of the castle’s history, ruins of Peninsula Castle, small Sacral Art Exhibition in a former Dominican chapel, Karaites Ethnographic Museum provides information about Lithuania’s smallest ethnic minority. Varnikai botanical-zoological preserve. Boat and bike hire available in the summer; horse-drawn sled rides and ice-fishing in the winter months.
Pavilniai Regional Park – walking paths networks, waterfalls and site of former water mill
[/expander_maker]