Vilnius tours and tickets
Vilnius is simple to book. Sights sell tickets at the door, the old town is free, and the Gate of Dawn and Užupis need nothing. Plan ahead for hot air balloon flights in summer, a starred dinner, and guided tours of Jewish Vilnius and the former ghetto. Trakai is an easy trip by bus or train, and Kaunas is an hour away.
Book these first
- Dinner at the best restaurants
- 2 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 flight
- a 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 guide
- a few days ahead in summer. Buses and trains are simple, but guided tours and boat hire fill up on summer weekends.
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Monuments and landmarks
Gediminas Tower and the hill
The remaining tower of the upper castle on a hill above the cathedral, with a museum and the best view of the old town. A funicular or a path leads up. Tickets are sold at the entrance.
Which to pick. Walk up for the view in the afternoon. Buy at the door, and bring a jacket for the wind.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorVilnius University and its courtyards
One of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe, with arcaded courtyards, a baroque church and a library. Entry to the courtyards is free, and the astronomical observatory and the bell tower have tickets.
Which to pick. Climb the bell tower for the view. Buy a ticket at the university office, and walk through the courtyards.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorGate of Dawn
The last remaining city gate, with a chapel above containing a sacred icon of the Virgin Mary. Entry to the chapel is free, and Catholics and visitors queue to pray.
Which to pick. Visit during the day, and be respectful. A short stop is enough, and no guide is needed.
Not needed, entry is freeOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
A rebuilt royal palace with exhibitions on the history of the Grand Duchy, rooms and a cellar. Tickets are sold at the door, and audio guides are available.
Which to pick. Buy at the door. Choose the route through the cellars and the state rooms, and allow two hours.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMuseum of Occupations and Freedoms
A museum in the former KGB headquarters, with cells, an execution chamber and exhibitions on Soviet occupation and resistance. It is intense, and tours are in English.
Which to pick. Allow ninety minutes, and be prepared for heavy content, which suits older teenagers and adults. Buy at the door.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Guided walks and tours
Old town walking tour
A guided walk through the cathedral square, the town hall, the university and Užupis, with stories of the city's mix of cultures. Tours last two to three hours.
Which to pick. Take one on your first morning. Many tours are free or pay-what-you-want, which is fine.
A day ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorJewish Vilnius tour
A guided walk through the former Jewish quarter and the ghetto, once known as the Jerusalem of the North, covering synagogues, streets and memorials. Tours last about three hours.
Which to pick. Book a guide with local knowledge, and choose a small group. It is a sober and very worthwhile half day.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Outdoors
Hot air balloon flight
Flights lift off at sunrise or before sunset over the city and the countryside, with a landing in a field. The flight lasts about an hour, and the whole outing three hours. Weather often delays them.
Which to pick. Book several days of flexibility and be ready for a rebook. Pick a sunset flight in summer.
A few days ahead in summerVisitor guideTours and tickets on ViatorHill of Three Crosses and Kalnai Park
A hilltop monument with a view of the old town, reached through a park of paths and ponds. It is free and open at all hours, and a walk takes about 40 minutes.
Which to pick. Go in the late afternoon for the view. No booking is needed, and a guide adds little.
Not needed, entry is freeOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Trakai
A red-brick castle on an island in a lake, about 30 minutes by train or bus, with Karaite food and boat hire. Tickets cover the museum in the castle.
Which to pick. Go on a weekday morning by bus. Buy at the castle, and have a lunch of kibinai.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorKaunas
The interwar capital, about an hour by train, with Art Deco buildings, an old town and a funicular. Tours cover the modernist architecture.
Which to pick. Go alone by train. Pick the old town and a modernist walk, and check the train times.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on Viator
Booking tours and tickets in Vilnius
Do I need to book anything in Vilnius?
Very little. Sights sell at the door. Book a balloon flight, a starred dinner and guided tours of the Jewish quarter ahead, especially in summer.
Is the Museum of Occupations and Freedoms suitable for children?
It is heavy and best for teenagers and adults. The cells and the execution room are intense, so check the guidance on the official site.
Are free walking tours good?
Often, yes, if you tip the guide. Choose a small group and one with good reviews. For specific topics, such as Jewish Vilnius, book a specialist guide.
Is a balloon flight worth it?
If the weather allows, yes, for a sunrise or sunset over the old town. Flights are often delayed, so keep a spare day.
Can I visit Trakai without a tour?
Yes, by train or bus in 30 minutes. Buy the castle ticket at the gate and take a boat on the lake in summer.
What can wait until I arrive?
The old town, the university, the hill, Užupis and Trakai can be done on the day. Book the balloon, a Jewish Vilnius tour and a starred dinner a few days ahead.