Best Things To Do in Vilnius

Lithuania 's capital , Vilnius, is an ancient city with a strong medieval past that is reflected in the buildings that line its streets. It is a popular destination for travellers and offers a wide range of tourist attractions with historical and cultural sights to discover and enjoy.

There are many things to see and do during your stay in the city . For example, you can hop on a bicycle and take a tour through the streets of Vilnius, visit the Jewish Quarter, see the sacred art on display at the Church Heritage Museum, view the city from the bell tower of the Cathedral, and much more. In addition, if the timing of your itinerary allows, you can take a trip to the nearby city of Kaunas.

One of the first things you can do in Vilnius is to explore the streets, and one popular and fun way to do this is on two wheels. A good idea during your stay is to book a bike tour of Vilnius, where you'll get a glimpse of the Lithuanian capital's essential destinations.

Some of the places you'll see include the following:

• Vilnius Cathedral, inaugurated in 1387. This building is notable for its Gothic, Baroque and neoclassical architecture.
• The Republic of Uzupis, known as the city's bohemian quarter.
• The old town, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Here you will find a series of historic buildings, shops, bars and restaurants.
• The Bernardine Garden, a natural space dating back to the 15th century, which stands out for its great scenic beauty.

With this bike tour of Vilnius you will be able to cover as many destinations as possible in the shortest possible time. In addition, you will enjoy a different perspective of the city streets and the surroundings while cycling with a guide.

Useful information about Vilnius

• Price: this cycling experience costs approximately €32 per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts a maximum of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Benefit: you will explore the city in a different way and see the must-see destinations.

A must-see destination in Vilnius is the Jewish Quarter. There, you will have the opportunity to see a number of historical sites that have witnessed the development of the Lithuanian Jewish community. Without a doubt, a unique experience that will immerse you in history and culture.

During the guided tour of the Jewish Quarter of Vilnius you will see the old Jewish ghetto, where you will learn about the difficulties faced by this community during the Second World War. You will also see the Great Synagogue, which stands out as a true symbol of this neighbourhood, and the monument dedicated to the famous 18th century Jewish scholar Vilna Gaon.

You can do this tour on your own, but it is best to book a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter You will explore the narrow streets of this ancient district of Vilnius in the company of an expert, who will tell you about the past and present of this important Jewish community.

Useful information

• Price: the self-guided tour is free of charge. The guided tour starts at around €20 per person.
• Duration: on your own, there is no time limit. The guided tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Advantage: A visit to the Jewish Quarter will give you an insight into the history and culture of an important community in Vilnius.

If you are interested in discovering Vilnius' Soviet past, then during your stay you should explore the city in search of places that were the scene of important events during the communist era. This will give you an insight into the interesting history of the city.

For this experience you can book a guided tour of Soviet Vilnius and discover places such as:

• The Green Bridge over the Neris River, known for its two statues of Soviet soldiers.
• The Gediminas Monument: a statue dedicated to the founder of the city, Grand Duke Gediminas.
• Lukiskiu Square: which over the years has witnessed many protests and demonstrations.
• The KGB headquarters, a former Nazi prison and today a museum of the victims of the genocide.

The guided tour of Soviet Vilnius is an enriching experience that you will not regret incorporating into your itinerary. In the company of an expert, you will reflect on the impact of the Soviet regime on culture.

Useful information

• Price: around €20 per person.
• Duration: about 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Advantage: you will have the opportunity to discover the Soviet history of this important Lithuanian city.

Take a cycling adventure in the Pavilniai Regional Park is another great thing to do in Vilnius. On board a bicycle you will ride along long and labyrinthine trails, immersing yourself in a magical natural environment, which is fascinating at any time of the year.

This is a mountain bike tour in the Pavilniai Regional Park that will allow you to have fun, test your endurance and get to know an important natural lung of the city. Accompanied by a guide, you will cycle through challenging terrain: marked trails, steep hills and unexplored paths.

This experience usually starts from the city centre. There, you can connect with the mountain bike tour through the Pavilniai regional park and, together with an expert guide, start an exciting route.

Useful information

• Price: approximately €39 per person. Includes bike, safety equipment and guide.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Advantage: you will enjoy a cycling adventure in one of the main natural lungs of the city.

Another of the things to see and do in Vilnius is to enjoy the sacred art on display at the Church Heritage Museum. You'll see impressive religious collections, as well as interactive exhibits through which you'll learn about the historical importance of the church in Lithuania.

When you arrive at the museum, you'll have the opportunity to wander through its rooms at your own pace, taking in a range of paintings, sculptures, textiles and religious relics as you go. In addition, thanks to the audio guide, which is usually included when you purchase tickets to the Church Heritage Museum in Vilnius, you can learn about the history of each of the collections.

Throughout your tour you will find interactive areas, where you will learn about the history of the church, from its foundation to the fires, looting and reconstructions. Also, with tickets to the Church Heritage Museum in Vilnius you will learn how the church influenced local culture and the daily life of Lithuanians.

Useful information

• Price: average ticket price is €8 per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00. Closed on Mondays.
• Advantage: You will see the priceless sacred art preserved in Vilnius over the centuries and learn about the history of the church in the city.

The Vilnius Cathedral Crypts are another must-see during your visit to the capital of Lithuania. Take a guided tour of these underground corridors and be amazed by all that they hide: history, legends, traditions, sacred works of art, among other interesting things.

The first thing you will notice on this guided tour of the Cathedral Crypts is the impressive architecture of the place, in which Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles converge. As you make your way through the corridors, your guide will tell you about the bishops and leaders of Lithuanian history whose remains rest in this sacred place.

When you book a guided tour of the Cathedral Crypts you will also see some of the sacred art such as frescoes, carvings and sculptures. You will also have the opportunity to learn about some of the burial rituals performed in the crypts and enjoy a projection showing the reconstruction of the Cathedral.

Useful information

• Price: the guided tour usually costs approximately €10 per person.
• Duration: the tour of the crypts takes about 2 hours.
• Benefit: you will discover a mysterious destination that is home to history and valuable sacred art.

The Cathedral's bell tower is one of Vilnius' architectural gems and therefore a must-see destination on your itinerary. Climb this important tower built during the 13th century and, from its vantage point, enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the Lithuanian capital and its surroundings.

Although the tower is located right next to the Cathedral, each structure is completely independent. Therefore, you will need to purchase tickets for the Cathedral's bell tower, which also includes an audio guide with some interesting facts about the church and the tower, which was originally built as a defensive wall.

As you ascend the tower, you will have the opportunity to see the internal architecture of this ancient structure. Once at the lookout point, you will enjoy the scenic beauty of the town, the historic buildings that dot the old town, the rooftops of the houses, the river Neris. Don't forget to make the most of those tickets to the Cathedral's bell tower and take some pictures.

Some useful information

• Admission: 6€ is the average price per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00. Closed on Sundays.
• Advantage: you will enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the city from the top of one of its most emblematic buildings.

If you are interested in discovering Lithuanian history and culture, and enjoy an important collection of contemporary art, then the Liubavas Manor Museum and the Europos Parkas Museum are two destinations that should not be overlooked among the things to see and do in Vilnius. You will have a unique experience.

The museums are located about 40 minutes from the city centre and approximately 17 minutes by car from each other, so it is best to buy combined tickets for the Liubavas Manor and Europos Parkas museums This way, you can visit both sites on your own in one day.

Liubavas Manor Museum

In the rooms of the Liubavas Manor Museum you will have the opportunity to learn about aristocratic life in the 18th century, see interesting art exhibits and collections of artefacts. There is also an old wheat mill.

Europos Parkas Museum

This museum fuses art with nature. Upon arrival, you'll find beautiful gardens that house a stunning exhibition of over 100 works of contemporary art by international artists such as Polish sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz and American artist Sol LeWitt.

Useful information

• Admission: Tickets for the Liubavas Manor and Europos Parkas museums cost €15 per person.
• Opening hours: The Liubavas Manor Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, while the Europos Parkas Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Advantage: You will visit two important museums in Vilnius where you will learn what life was like in Lithuania in the 18th century and see important works of contemporary art.

About 30 minutes' drive from the centre of Vilnius is Trakai Castle, a must-see if you're visiting Lithuania's capital. Take an audio-guided tour of this historic medieval destination, which was an important strategic point during the 15th century.

You can book an excursion to Trakai and travel in comfort (return trip) by air-conditioned car to this small island on the outskirts of Vilnius. Upon arrival, you will tour the interior of the castle on your own, discovering its fascinating architecture, as well as some of the art, armour, furniture and relics preserved throughout its halls and corridors.

From the towers you will be able to admire the breathtaking panorama of forests and lakes. In addition, thanks to the audio guide you will learn interesting details about the history of the castle and get a deeper insight into Lithuanian culture. During this excursionto Trakai from Vilnius, you will also have some free time to stroll around the castle and enjoy the serene and cosy atmosphere.

Useful information about Trakai

• Price: the excursion to Trakai costs approximately €45 per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours. Includes transfer time to and from the castle.
• Advantage: you will get to know one of Lithuania's architectural gems and the art it houses.

If you have a day to spare in your itinerary, you can take a day trip to the city of Kaunas, Lithuania's second largest city after Vilnius. There, you'll have the chance to explore the city and discover its hidden gems: historic buildings, museums and more.

With a guide, you'll walk through Kaunas' cobblestone streets, home to an impressive display of Gothic and Baroque architecture. You will see the façade of the Town Hall, the Pazaislis Monastery, the Vytautas Church and more. You will also take a look at the exhibits of the open-air Ethnographic Museum in Rumsiskes, which will enlighten you about rural life in Lithuania.

In addition to this excursion to Kaunas from Vilnius, you can book a trip to the Hill of Crosses. There are several places of great historical and cultural importance that are worth visiting if you are in Vilnius and your itinerary time permits.

Some useful information

• Price: 207 per person is the average cost to book a tour to Kaunas.
• Duration: Approximately 8 hours (including transfer time to and from the city).
• Advantage: you'll get a glimpse of the architectural treasures that Lithuania's second largest city has to offer.