Things to do in Vilnius: the Old Town, Užupis and Trakai
Vilnius is Lithuania's capital, with one of the largest surviving old towns in northern Europe, a river, forested hills and a lot of churches. Two days cover the main sights, three if you add Trakai. The one thing to know is that the Old Town is cobbled and steep in places, and the best of it is in the courtyards and side streets, not on the main square.
The short answer
- First trip
- Walk the Old Town from the Gate of Dawn to Cathedral Square, climb Gediminas Hill, then cross into Užupis.
- Where to stay
- The Old Town for sights, Gediminas Avenue for a calmer base with shops, or near the station for the lowest prices.
- How many days
- Two days for the city. Add a third for Trakai castle, or a fourth for Kaunas.
- Best time to go
- May to September for terraces and long light, December for the Christmas market, with real cold and snow possible in January.
- Book ahead
- Dinner on a Friday or Saturday, and the best restaurants a few weeks ahead.
- From the airport
- A short train or bus ride to the station, about 15 to 25 minutes, then a ten minute walk to the Old Town.
Where to stay in Vilnius, in brief
Old Town (Senamiestis)
sights and first-timers
Everything is on foot, from the Gate of Dawn to the cathedral. Streets are cobbled, and Pilies and Vokiečių streets are loud late at weekends.
Gediminas Avenue and Lukiškės
a calmer base with shops
The wide avenue running west from the cathedral, with shops, cafes and the Parliament. Smoother pavements and quieter nights, with the Old Town ten minutes away.
Station and Naujamiestis
trains, buses and lower prices
The district around the railway and bus stations, with Halės market nearby. Plainer streets, but a short walk to the Gate of Dawn and cheaper rooms.
Užupis
a village feel and cafes
The small hillside district across the Vilnia river, with galleries and cafes. Charming and quiet, with steep lanes and few hotels.
Things to do in Vilnius
The Old Town and the Gate of Dawn
The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with baroque churches on almost every street. Start at the Gate of Dawn, where locals stop to pray at the chapel above, and walk north along Aušros Vartų and Didžioji streets.
Cathedral Square and the Bell Tower
The neoclassical cathedral stands at the foot of Gediminas Hill, with a freestanding bell tower beside it. It is the usual meeting point in the city, and the square is open and free.
Gediminas Tower and the hill
A short climb, or a funicular, takes you to the remains of the upper castle and a view over the red roofs. Go in the late afternoon for the light.
Vilnius University and its courtyards
One of the oldest universities in northern Europe, with a run of quiet courtyards and a baroque church. Visit in the morning, and look at the opening hours of the library and astronomical observatory before you go.
Užupis
A district across the Vilnia river that declared itself a republic in 1997, with its own constitution on a wall in Paupio street. Galleries, cafes and a calm riverside, best on a weekday afternoon.
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
A reconstructed palace below Gediminas Hill, with exhibitions on the grand dukes and the history of the state. Check the current exhibition hours, and allow an hour or two.
Jewish heritage and the former ghetto
Vilnius was a major center of Jewish life, known as the Jerusalem of Lithuania, and most of it was destroyed in the Second World War. Walk Vokiečių, Žydų and Gaono streets and visit the Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum, and check its days before you go.
Museum of Occupations and Freedoms
The former KGB headquarters on Gedimino Avenue, with prison cells in the basement and a clear account of the Soviet and Nazi occupations. It is serious and worth the time, so leave a couple of hours.
Hill of Three Crosses and Kalnai Park
A 15 to 20 minute walk up from the Old Town to three white crosses and a view over the city, across a park with paths. A good short walk when the weather is dry.
A hot air balloon over the city
Flights drift over the Old Town and the river, and depend on wind and cloud, so they are often rescheduled. Allow a spare day in your plan.
a few days ahead in summer
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Vilnius can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Vilnius, and which to pick- Dinner at the best restaurants2 to 4 weeks ahead for the starred tables
The Michelin-listed places in the Old Town are small, and Friday and Saturday fill first.
- A hot air balloon flighta few days ahead in summer
Flights depend on the weather, so a flexible booking and a spare day help.
- A Trakai castle trip with a guidea few days ahead in summer
Buses and trains are simple, but guided tours and boat hire fill up on summer weekends.
What to skip in Vilnius
- Eating on Pilies Street at peak hours
The street is full of tourists at midday and the menus are aimed at them. Walk a block off Pilies for a better meal.
- Amber stalls selling bargains
Plenty of amber on sale is pressed or plastic. Buy from a gallery or a shop that tells you plainly what it is.
- Rushing the Old Town in an hour
The streets repay slow walking, and courtyards are open to anyone who goes in. Give it half a day, then go on to Užupis.
Best time to visit Vilnius
May to September has the best weather, with long evenings and terraces open. Midsummer in late June stays light until nearly 10pm. July and August are the busiest and can be hot.
December brings the Christmas market and fairy lights on Cathedral Square, with short days and cold, often below freezing. January and February can be very cold and snowy. Dress warmly and enjoy the cafes.
- From Vilnius AirportA train runs from the airport to Vilnius railway station in about 7 minutes, about 16 times a day, and the last departure is early evening. Buses 1 and 2 take about 15 to 25 minutes to the station and run later. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the late night option.
- On footThe Old Town, Gediminas Avenue and Užupis are all within a twenty minute walk of each other. Cobbles and hills make flat, grippy shoes sensible.
- Buses and trolleybusesPublic transport covers the whole city, and you can pay with a contactless card on board or in an app. Tickets are inexpensive, and a day pass is cheaper if you ride a lot.
- Taxis and ride-hailing appsBolt and similar apps are widely used and cheap by Western European standards. They are useful from the station and late at night.
Vilnius in two days
- Day 1
The Gate of Dawn and the Old Town in the morning, lunch in a side street, then Cathedral Square, Gediminas Hill and the Palace of the Grand Dukes. Dinner near Vokiečių or Stiklių streets.
- Day 2
Vilnius University and its courtyards, then Užupis and the Vilnia riverside. Spend the afternoon at the Museum of Occupations and Freedoms or the Hill of Three Crosses, and finish with dinner.
Day trips from Vilnius
- TrakaiA medieval red brick castle on an island in a lake, about 30 kilometers west. Trains and buses from Vilnius take about 30 to 40 minutes, and the castle is a 20 to 30 minute walk from the stops. It is a museum, and it is busiest in summer, so go in the morning.
- KernavėAn archaeological site and UNESCO World Heritage Site with hillforts in a river valley, about 35 kilometers north-west. A car or a tour is easiest, and it is best in dry weather.
- KaunasThe interwar capital of Lithuania, with modernist buildings and a long pedestrian avenue, about 100 kilometers west. Fast trains and buses run from Vilnius, so a long day is possible.
Vilnius: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Vilnius?
Two days cover the Old Town, Gediminas Hill, Užupis and the main museums. Add a third day for Trakai castle, and a fourth if you want Kaunas or Kernavė.
Is Vilnius worth visiting?
Yes, for a short break. The Old Town is large, well preserved and free of the crowds you meet in Prague, and the food and cafes are good. It is quiet in winter, and prices are lower than in Western Europe.
Is Vilnius expensive?
Less than most Western European capitals. Restaurants, drinks and taxis cost less, though Old Town prices are higher than elsewhere in the city.
What is the best time to visit Vilnius?
May to September for the weather, and December for the Christmas market. Midsummer evenings stay light very late.
Is Vilnius safe for tourists?
Generally yes. Use the same care as in any city: watch your bag in crowded spots and at night, and take a licensed taxi or a ride-hailing app late.
Is Vilnius easy to get around?
Yes. The center is walkable, buses and trolleybuses cover the rest, and the airport is a short train or bus ride from the station.
Does Vilnius charge a tourist tax?
Yes. The city charges €2 per person per night, with exemptions for children under 18 and long stays. Some booking sites collect it, so check your booking terms.
What currency does Lithuania use?
The euro. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, including on public transport.