Best Things To Do in Vilnius

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

During your stay in the city you will find many things to see and do. For example, you can hop on a bicycle and take a tour through the streets of Vilnius, visit the Jewish Quarter, contemplate the sacred art exhibited in the Church Heritage Museum, see the city from the bell tower of the Cathedral, among others. In addition, if the time of your itinerary allows it, you can make a trip to the city of Kaunas, in the vicinity of the city.

One of the first things you can do in Vilnius is to explore its streets, and one popular and fun way to do this is on two wheels. In this sense, a good idea during your stay is to book a bike tour of Vilnius, in which you will take a look at the essential destinations of the Lithuanian capital.

Some of the places you will visit include the following:

• Vilnius Cathedral, inaugurated in 1387. This building stands out for its gothic, baroque and neoclassical architecture.
• The Republic of Uzupis, known as the bohemian quarter of the city.
• The old town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Here you will find a number of historic buildings, stores, bars and restaurants.
• The Bernardine Garden, a natural space of the 15th century, noted for its great scenic beauty.

With this Vilnius bike tour 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 pedaling with a guide.

Useful information about Vilnius

• Price: this bike experience costs approximately 32€ per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts a maximum of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Advantage: 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 series of historical sites that have witnessed the development of the Lithuanian Jewish community. Undoubtedly, a unique experience that will immerse you in history and culture.

Throughout 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. Also, the Great Synagogue, which stands out as a true symbol of this neighborhood; the monument dedicated to the famous Jewish scholar of the eighteenth century, Vilna Gaon.

This tour can be done 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 document 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 about 20€ per person.
• Duration: on your own there is no time limit. On the other hand, the guided tour usually lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Advantage: visiting the Jewish quarter will allow you to get closer to 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. Thus, you will delve into the interesting history of the city.

To carry out this experience you can hire a guided tour of Soviet Vilnius and, thus, 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: about 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.

Embark on a cycling adventure in the Pavilniai regional park is another of the things 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 pedal through challenging terrain: marked trails, steep hills and unexplored paths.

This experience usually starts from the city center. 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 will see impressive religious collections, as well as interactive exhibits through which you will learn about the historical importance of the church in Lithuania.

When you arrive at the museum you will have the opportunity to walk through its halls at your own pace, observing a series of paintings, sculptures, textiles and religious relics as you go. In addition, thanks to the audio guide, which is usually included with the purchase of tickets to 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 delve into the history of the church, ranging from its founding to 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: the average ticket price is €8 per person.
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. 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 Crypts of the Vilnius Cathedral are another must-see during your visit to the capital of Lithuania. Take a guided tour of these subway corridors and be amazed by everything they hide: history, legends, traditions, sacred artwork, 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, the 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 about €10 per person.
• Duration: the tour of the crypts takes about 2 hours.
• Advantage: you will discover a mysterious destination that houses 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, contemplate 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, to access you must purchase tickets for the bell tower of the Cathedral, which also incorporates an audio guide with some interesting facts about the church and the tower, which was originally erected 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 city, the historic buildings that dot the old town, the rooftops of the houses, the Neris River. Don't forget to make the most of those tickets to the bell tower of the Cathedral and take some pictures.

Some useful information

• Admission: 6€ is the average price per person.
• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. 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 the history and culture of Lithuania, 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 live a unique experience.

The museums are located about 40 minutes from the city center and approximately 17 minutes drive from each other, so it is best to purchase combined tickets for the Liubavas Manor and Europos Parkas museums. This way, you will visit both places on your own in one day.

Liubavas Manor Museum

In the rooms of the Liubavas Manor Museum you will have the opportunity to learn what aristocratic life was like in the 18th century, you will see interesting art exhibits and collections of artifacts. In addition, an old wheat mill stands out.

Europos Parkas Museum

This museum fuses art with nature. Upon arrival, you will find beautiful gardens that house an amazing exhibition with more than 100 works of contemporary art by international artists such as Polish sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz and American artist Sol LeWitt.

Useful information

• Admission: 15€ per person is the cost of tickets for the Liubavas Manor and Europos Parkas museums.
• Hours: the Liubavas Manor museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, while the Europos Parkas museum is available daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• 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 contemporary works of art.

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

You can book an excursion to Trakai and travel in comfort (round trip) by air-conditioned car to this small island in 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, armor, 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 you will learn more about Lithuanian culture. During this excursionto Trakai from Vilnius, you will also have free time to stroll around the castle and enjoy the serene and cozy atmosphere.

Useful information about Trakai

• Price: the excursion to Trakai costs about 45€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours. Includes transfer time to and from the castle.
• Advantage: you will get to know one of the architectural jewels of Lithuania 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, the second most important city in Lithuania after Vilnius. There, you will have the opportunity to explore the city and discover its hidden gems: historic buildings, museums and more.

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

In addition to this excursion to Kaunas from Vilnius you can book an excursion 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 the timing of your itinerary allows.

Some useful information

• Price: 207€ per person is the average cost to book an excursion to Kaunas.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours (including transfer time there and back).
• Advantage: you will get a glimpse of the architectural treasures of Lithuania's second largest city.