Things to Do in Vilnius: Lithuania's Underrated Capital

When I told friends I was heading to Vilnius, a few of them asked which country it was in. That tells you how underrated the city is. After my trips there, I can say the list of things to do in Vilnius is much longer than you would expect from a capital that rarely makes the news. This Vilnius travel guide covers what I loved, what surprised me and what I would plan again.

Is Vilnius worth visiting?

Yes. Vilnius is a compact capital where you can walk almost everywhere, eat well on a modest budget and still stumble on places you will not find anywhere else. Lithuania uses the euro, which makes life easier for most European travelers.

What I like most is the mix. One minute you are standing in a baroque church that looks like a wedding cake, the next you are on a street with Soviet-era history and a graffiti wall. The city does not try hard to impress you, and that is why it works.

Wander through the Vilnius old town

The Vilnius old town is the best place to start. It is listed by UNESCO and is one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Europe. You notice quickly: you can wander for hours without running out of lanes, courtyards and churches.

I suggest putting the map away for a while. Walk in from the Gates of Dawn, follow Pilies Street and get lost in the side streets. Look into the courtyards, because many of them hide small cafes, galleries and quiet corners that most visitors walk straight past. The inner yards of Vilnius University are beautiful too, and a good place to rest on a hot day.

Climb Gediminas Tower and see Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square is the center of the city, with the white cathedral and its separate bell tower right in the middle. It is a handy meeting point and an easy place to pick up the rhythm of Vilnius.

From there a short climb takes you up to Gediminas Tower on the hill. The walk is not hard, and the view over the red rooftops of the old town is the postcard shot of the city. I went up in the late afternoon when the light turns warm, and I would do it the same way again. Expect some waiting for the other photographers, but it is worth it.

Cross into Uzupis, the republic next door

Uzupis is a small neighborhood across the Vilnia river that calls itself a republic. It declared its independence on April Fools’ Day, which sets the tone: playful, artistic and a little rebellious. The constitution is displayed on a wall along one street, in many languages, and some of the lines are famously funny, like the one saying every dog has the right to be a dog.

Take your time here. There are small galleries, cozy cafes and a creative crowd that clearly takes the whole thing with a wink. It is a short walk from the old town and the part of Vilnius I remember best. If you only have time for one side trip within the city, make it this one.

Visit the former Lukiskes Prison

This is the stop from the video at the top of this page. The Lukiskes Prison was a real prison and now works as a cultural venue. It was also a set for Stranger Things, which adds some extra curiosity if you watch the show.

Walking through those corridors feels strange and a bit heavy. It is no ordinary sightseeing stop, and I recommend it if you like places with a story. Check current opening times and tour options before you go, because what is on changes with the events and exhibitions at the venue.

Take a day trip from Vilnius to Trakai

If you have an extra day, Trakai is the best of the day trips from Vilnius. The island castle sits on a lake, with a wooden bridge leading to its red brick walls, and it looks like something from a fairy tale. You can get there from the capital by train, bus or car, and it fits into half a day.

I walked along the lake shore first, then crossed to the castle and went through the museum inside. If the weather is good, you can rent a boat and see the castle from the water. After days on cobblestones it is a calm change from the city.

Practical tips for Vilnius

Vilnius is easy to do on foot, and the old town streets are cobbled, so bring comfortable shoes. Two or three days covers the main sights, and a fourth day gives you room for Trakai or a slow morning in a cafe. Prices, opening times and train schedules change, so check them close to your travel dates.

Vilnius also fits into a longer Baltic route. For the next country on the list, have a look at my Latvia guides, or head south and see what Poland has to offer.

Vilnius surprised me. It has the historic charm of a big European city, the odd character of a place like Uzupis and enough variety to keep even a short trip interesting. If you want a city break that does not follow the usual tourist script, it is a very good pick.

Browse all my Lithuania guides for tips, routes and stories from the road, and let me know which part of Vilnius you want to see first.