Vilnius

Understand

Vilnius has been central to the country's life for as long as there has been Lithuania, but that has often been a tragic tale. Its Neolithic people traded in Baltic amber. In the early Middle Ages five petty kingdoms combined into two then one, when Mindaugas in 1253 became Lithuania's first king and noble Christian convert. The country splintered after his assassination but was re-united under Gediminas, who established Vilnius castle — in legend on the site where a wolf in a dream told him to build. But the real wolves were his neighbouring countries, and finding a powerful ally meant adopting their religion. Poland was the best bet and a dynastic marriage in 1486 united the crowns, later the nations, and Lithuania became Roman Catholic. Vilnius Old Town was largely built in the following 150 years. This united Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth grew almost to the Black Sea, but all the power and money shifted to Poland. Like Hungary in the Austro-Hungarian Empire or Ireland within Britain, Lithuania was the poor country cousin. And then Poland fell, with its territory carved up between Prussia, Austria and Russia, and others snatching what they could. Lithuania became a territory of the Russian Empire. Poland and Lithuania only regained independence after the First World War, and almost at once were at war with each other and with Russia. Vilnius was captured and from 1920 was a Polish exclave, and the Lithuanian capital moved to Kaunas. In the run-up to the Second World War Russia (as the Soviet Union) again seized the territory. This history meant that when Nazi Germany invaded in 1941, they found many local supporters, and the Jewish population of Vilnius was slaughtered. Postwar the Soviet iron fist clutched Lithuania, until 1991 when civil unrest and the collapse of the USSR enabled the country to seize independence. It looked west for allies, adopting capitalism, joining NATO and the European Union, and — crucially for travellers — welcoming the budget airlines. All this has made Vilnius a friendly, tourist-oriented city, with a wealth of sights reflecting its layers of history. Tourist information: Go Vilnius have a kiosk at the airport and another in Cathedral Square, both open daily 10:00-19:00. They speak good English and are helpful with maps, brochures, tours and suggestions, but they don't book accommodation

Climate

Far from moderating Atlantic, Vilnius winter is extremely cold and temperatures often stay below freezing day after day. Temperatures often reach -25ºC (-13 °F) in the months of January and February, freezing all the rivers

Getting there

By plane 1 Vilnius Airport (VNO IATA), Rodunios kelias 10a (6 km south of city centre), ☏ +370 612 44442. The principal airport in Lithuania, with flights from most major airports in north Europe and the Med; destinations further out include Keflavik, Istanbul, Tel Aviv and Red Sea resorts. There are no flights within Lithuania, it's too small, but you can fly here from Riga and Tallinn. Most flights are by budget airlines. The airport has the standard facilities including car hire. (updated Feb 2023) To and from the airport: Buses leave from outside Arrivals every 15-30 min and take 15 min to go downtown. Simplest is to buy a €1 single ticket by card, and you might pay extra for bulky luggage. "Get around" below describes other ticket deals, such as the smart card Vilniečio kortelė — buy it from the Narvesen kiosk next to Arrivals.

Bus 1 runs from the airport (Oro uostas) to the central bus and railway stations (Stotis). Bus 2 runs via LFF football stadium to the stations. Coming back on these, wait at Stop H between the stations, which has a real-time display. Bus 88 runs via the football stadium, Gate of Dawn (200 m from stations) and MO Museum to Konstitucijos Prospekt and Europa Square in the business district north of the river. Night Bus 88N runs every 30 min 23:30–05:30 by the same route. This is the only night service at the airport. Bus 3G runs via Lukiškės Square (west of Old Town) and Konstitucijos Prospekt in the business district to the northern suburb of Fabijoniškės. The G indicates express, Greitasis. Other cities: Ollex is a not-very-direct bus from the airport to Kaunas, where the pick-up and drop off is at the filling station on Savanoriu prospekt, northeast edge of the city. The bus continues to Klaipėda. Ecolines bus to Minsk and Toks bus to Kaunas, Klaipėda and Palanga also run via the airport. By train — From the airport to the main railway station every two hours, taking 8 minutes. Buy on board from the conductor for €0.80, and you might have to pay a few cents extra if you have bulky luggage. By taxi — In the rank outside Arrivals, they have capped rates. To the stations in 2023 is €13 daytime, €15 night; to Old Town is €18 daytime, €21 night. On foot — With light luggage, decent weather and an hour to spare, it's 4 km to walk to the railway and bus stations and another 1 km into Old Town. From the terminal, follow the broad Felikso Vaitkaus gatve for 200 m. Turn right, heading north on Dariaus ir Gireno gatve — it's busy but has a sidewalk. This comes into downtown across a railway bridge, turn right (east) for stations a

Getting around

On foot Walking is your only choice in Old Town. The old streets are pedestrianised, and even taxis avoid it.

By bus

JUDU is the portal for city buses and trolleybuses, with timetables, route maps and travel planners in English. There are no trams or metro / suburban railways, but see above for the airport train. For an overview of the routes, see the Vilnius City Public Transport Map. There are some 90 standard bus routes (marked in blue; numbers mostly between 1 and 100), six express buses (in green; from 1G to 6G) and 14 trolleybuses (in red; between 1 and 20). The numbers overlap, but e.g. bus 3, express bus 3G and trolleybus 3 run entirely different routes. They run 05:30-23:00. There are separate night buses including the route 88N cross-town from the airport via Railway station to Europa Square. A single ticket for bus or trolleybus costs €1.25 in 2025, purchased by contactless payment only and no discounts. It is valid for 60 minutes. There are two mobile apps available for the purchase of public transportation tickets: m.Ticket (requires a local phone number) and Trafi. Single tickets cost €1 for 30 minutes or €1.25 for 60 minutes of validity. Trafi is available in English and you can register a foreign debit/credit card (as long as the SMS confirmation code comes through). Minimum purchase in Trafi is €5. You can load up on several single tickets in Trafi (e.g., 10 x 30-min single tickets for a total of €8.50) and you can also activate several tickets at the same time (for a group). You can also buy a 24-hour ticket for €7.50, a 72-hour ticket for €13.50, 30-day ticket for €38 etc. All tickets can also be loaded on a smart card called the JUDU card or Vilniečio kortelė (old name), for an upfront payment of €1.50 (plus any tickets you want to top up the card with). For instance, a full-fare 24-hour ticket costs €5 and a 72-hour one is €8. Validate the ticket by swiping the smart card over the yellow electronic reader on the bus, which starts the clock running. Seniors over 70 years get 50% discount, and European Union students get 80% discount. Show your ISIC or ID card or passport when buying the smart card and in case of ticket control during the trip. Buy or top-up the JUDU card at Lietuvos spauda and Narvesen kiosks (for instance at the airport), at Maxima and RIMI grocery stores, or at JUDU's own Customer Service Centers (located at Railway Station, Vincas Kudirka Square and Vilnius City Municipality Building). Vilnius Pass is a tourist card which may include public transport on its 72-hour pass, but not on the 24 or 48-hour passes. Y

See

Vilnius Pass is a tourist discount card which in 2023 costs €37 for 24 hours, €47 for 48 hours and €56 for 72 hours. This excludes public transport and is frankly poor value, you'll struggle to break even.

Old town north This starts from the castle and cathedral, and stretches south along Pilies gatve. Halfway down the main street becomes Didžioji, and this area is described below as Old Town south. In 1994 the entire Old Town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. 1 Gediminas Castle, Arsenelo 5 (Lane from south or funicular from north side), ☏ +370 5 261 7453. Daily 10:00-20:00. This is the Upper Castle of a complex of three built from the 13th century, much bashed about, and abandoned from the 16th. (The Lower Castle became the site of the Arsenal, Palace and Cathedral, and the "Crooked Castle" was destroyed in 1394.) You can ascend the cobbled lane and enter the courtyard free for views of the city, and the Three Crosses on the hill east. The ducal palace east side of the courtyard is just a shell, converted into a performance space. West side is the three storey red brick tower, now a museum. Tower adult €8, conc or child €4. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Old Arsenal, Arsenalo 3. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. This arsenal in the Lower Castle was built in the 15th century and stored heavy artillery. It's now part of the National Museum, displaying the country's pre-history and early history until the arrival of Christianity in the 11th century. Adult €5, child €2.50. (updated Feb 2023)

3 Museum of Applied Arts & Design (Taikomosios dailės ir dizaino muziejus), Arsenalo g 3a, ☏ +370 5 262 8080. Tu We & F 10:00-18:00, Th 10:00-20:00, Su 11:00-16:00. This arsenal in the Lower Castle was built in the 15th century and stored heavy artillery. It's now part of the National Museum, displaying the country's pre-history and early history until the arrival of Christianity in the 11th century. (updated Apr 2025) 4 New Arsenal, Arsenalo 1, ☏ +370 5 262 9426. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. The New Arsenal was established in the 18th century and mostly served as a barracks. It's now part of the National Museum displaying Lithuania's history and cultural heritage. As of October 2025, it is closed for major restructuring work. Adult €5, child €2.50. (updated Oct 2025) 5 Vilnius Cathedral (Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius), Cathedral Square, ☏ +370 526 11127. Daily 07:00-19:30. The first cathedral was built here in 1251, reverting to pagan worship in 1263. Fire destroyed a second in 1419, a third in 1530 and a fourth in 1610. Many parts of the fifth survive, notably th

Do

1 Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre, A. Vienuolio 1, ☏ +370 5 262 0727. Grand ornate opera house with three or four weekly performances. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Oskaras Koršunovas Theatre (OKT), Ašmenos 8, ☏ +370 5 212 2099. Avant garde theatre southwest edge of Old Town,. (updated Feb 2023) 3 Old Theatre of Vilnius, Jono Basanavičiaus 13, ☏ +370 5 262 7133. Creaky but atmospheric old theatre with performances mostly in Russian. (updated Feb 2023) Football: 4 LFF Stadium (capacity 5000) is 500 m east of the railway and bus stations, and hosts the men's national soccer team. It also hosts FK Žalgiris, who play in A Lyga, the country's top tier; the playing season is March-Nov. "Žalgiris" means green field and commemorates the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, when Poland-Lithuania smashed the Teutonic Knights. Also playing here in A Lyga is FK Riteriai, who relocated from Trakai in 2019. The stadium is too small for European fixtures and is being rebuilt to hold 8000. 5 Avia Solutions Group Arena was Siemens Arena until rebranded in 2020. It's multi-purpose, and capacity varies with event. For basketball (capacity 10,000) it hosts Rytas Vilnius, the country's leading team. Other regular events are ice hockey games and rock concerts. 6 Lindyhop Klubas, Geležinkelio 6 (by railway station), ☏ +370 647 71111, [email protected]. M-F 18:00-21:00, Su 20:00-23:00. Lindy Hop is a US swing / jazz dance style that evolved from the 1930s and is now enjoying a revival, with clubs and lessons, retro gear optional. (updated Feb 2023) Go Karts: 7 Kartlandas Elektrokart is on Dariaus ir Girėno 500 m west of the railway station. It's a battery-powered kiddy affair. 8 Plytinės is a full-scale outdoor track 5 km northeast of city centre. Hot air balloons take to the sky above Vilnius and elsewhere in Lithuania. Operators include Oreiviai and Smile. In 2023 you might pay €140 per person.

Buy

Money: ATMs are very common in Vilnius and most shops accept credit cards. Amber was created some 50 million years ago when Baltic conifer forests were flooded, and the tree resin became fossilised into a hard semi-precious stone. Every souvenir shop sells it. Supermarket chains are Maxima, Rimi, Barbora, Iki, Aibė and Norfa. 1 Halės turgus. Tu-Sa 07:00-18:00, Su 07:00-16:00. The main market hall of Vilnius, built in 1906 and looking like a railway terminus. Inside, its east side has food stalls and a couple of eateries. Adjacent is the modern wing for clothing and household wares. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Akropolis, Ozo 25 (Šeškinė district), ☏ +370 659 23632. Daily 08:00-23:00. Large mall with multiplex cinema and ice rink. (updated Feb 2023) 3 Centro pasažas, Gedimino pr 16 (By Novotel Vilnius Centre on Kudirka sq.). M-Sa 10:00-22:00. Small mall west edge of Old Town. (updated Feb 2023) 4 Europa, Konstitucijos pr 7A (Business district), [email protected]. Daily 08:00-21:00. Opened in 2004, when Lithuania joined EU. (updated Feb 2023) 5 GO9, Gedimino 9 (opposite Novotel and Money Museum), ☏ +370 655 92550. M-Sa 10:00-20:00, Su 11:00-18:00. Central mall with a large branch of H&M. (updated Feb 2023) 6 Helios City, Savanorių pr 1. Daily 08:00-23:00. With a branch of Iki. (updated Feb 2023) 7 Ozas, Ozo 18 (Šeškinė district by sports arena), ☏ +370 640 15055, [email protected]. Daily 10:00-21:00. One of the biggest shopping malls in Vilnius, many stores and services plus Multikino cinema. (updated Feb 2023) 8 Panorama, Saltoniškių 9 (Saltoniškės district), ☏ +370 686 39060, [email protected]. Daily 10:00-21:00. Multi-level centre west of business district. (updated Feb 2023) 9 Outlet Park, Verkiai 31 (Žirmūnai district), ☏ +370 800 29292, [email protected]. Daily 10:00-20:00. Shopping mall for discount stores. (updated Feb 2023) 10 CUP, Konstitucijos pr 16 (Business district), ☏ +370 650 38853. Daily 08:00-22:00. Trading since 1974. (updated Feb 2023) Gariunai is a huge market 5 km west of the city by the intersection of A1 and A19. It's open Tu-F 06:30-14:00, Sa Su 05:30-16:00. It scores high on quantity, sucks for quality, and traffic is a major problem: you could easily be queuing an hour to enter the site and an hour to exit.

Eat

Budget 1 Vyno Rūselis, Labdarių 2, ☏ +370 604 94536. M-F 10:00-17:00. Traditional from-home Lithuanian lunches. Menu is in Lithuanian only; use your phone to translate. €5.80 mains. (updated Sep 2025) 2 Vegafè, Augustijonų 2-3. Vegan cafe. (updated Sep 2025) 3 Pilies kepyklėlė, Pilies St 19, ☏ +370 673 18248, [email protected]. Daily 09:00-21:00. Café-bakery in the university building near Saints John. (updated Feb 2023) 4 Kamikadzė Japonų virtuvė, Klaipėdos 1, ☏ +370 675 56242. Japanese restaurant with the usual offerings. (updated May 2022) 5 Plus Plus Plus Gastrobaras, Vilniaus 39 (opposite St Catherine's Church), ☏ +370 645 17764. Su-W 17:00-00:00, Th 17:00-02:00, F 17:00-04:00, Sa 16:00-04:00. This is the most central of a fast-food chain. (updated Feb 2023) 6 Dėvėti, Sodų 3, ☏ +370 607 75964. Su-W 16:00-00:00, Th-Sa 16:00-01:00. Calls itself a gastropub, more like a bar with pizza and pita bread sandwiches. (updated Feb 2023) 7 RadhaRane, Gedimino pr 32, ☏ +370 614 23332. M-Sa 11:00-20:00, Su 12:00-18:00. Vegetarian Indian restaurant with a good menu choice. (updated Feb 2023) 8 Wok to Walk, Vilniaus 19 (by Da Antonio, near Novotel), ☏ +370 655 91919. M-Th 11:00-22:00, F Sa 12:00-15:00, Su 12:00-21:00. This is the main outlet of an Asian cuisine franchise. (updated Feb 2023) 9 Fėjų kepyklėlė (Little Bakery Of The Fairies), Basanavičius 37 (corner with Švitrigaila), ☏ +370 685 25157, [email protected]. M-Th 07:30-19:00, F 07:30-18:00. Bakery-cafe with pastries, snacks, pizza and ice cream. It's infested with Lithuanian fairies, which you'll either adore or upchuck over. (updated Feb 2023) 10 Buga Sotu, Asanavičiūtė 17 (by TV tower), ☏ +370 5 240 2400, [email protected]. M-Th 08:00-23:00, F 08:00-01:00, Sa 09:00-01:00, Su 12:00-22:00. Trad food: chicken, dumplings, kibinai, pizzas and carp. Live music on Friday and sometimes on Saturday. You'd most likely eat here if you visited the TV Tower and baulked at their restaurant prices. (updated Feb 2023)

Mid-range 11 Amatininkų užeiga, Didžioji 19/2 (Town Hall square), ☏ +370 687 22366. Daily 11:00–03:00. Lithuanian and international food. (updated Feb 2023) 12 Cozy, Dominikonų 10, ☏ +370 5 261 1137. Daily 10:00-01:00. Well-named place, with laid-back restaurant upstairs, DJ-bar downstairs, serves hearty modern food with a few vegetarian options. (updated Feb 2023) 13 Mint Vinetu, Šv Ignoto 16/10 (behind Cozy), ☏ +370 618 20347. Daily 12:00-20:00. Independent bookstore and coffee shop. (updated Feb 2023) 14 Fortas, Algirdo 17, ☏ +370 65 201138. M-F 09:00-23:00, Sa Su 11:00-23:00. This

Drink & nightlife

Coffee/Tea 1 Kiras, Totorių 7, ☏ +370 673 22563, [email protected]. M-F 10:00-21:00, Sa Su 11:00-20:00. Café in 1970s style, with happy memories of Soviet days: "chaika" a tea-house is a pun on "cheka" the secret police. They have another café at Pylimo 21b. (updated Aug 2024)

Alcohol

Beer: the most popular local brand is Švyturys, meaning lighthouse; "Ekstra" is their lager. Other major brands include Kalnapilis, Tauras and Utenos. Vodka in Lithuanian is degtinė. Popular brands include Auksinė and Gera. The town distillery doesn't offer tours. Liqueurs include Midus (honey) and Trejos Devynerios (Three Nines, written as 999). 2 Alaus Namai, Goštauto 8, ☏ +370 5 260 9637. M-Th 12:00-23:00, F 12:00-00:00, Su 15:00-00:00. Big saloon offering beer from less-known Lithuanian brands. (updated Feb 2023) 3 Artistai, Šv Kazimiero 3 (behind Imperial Hotel), ☏ +370 5 212 1268, [email protected]. M 11:00-00:00, Tu W 11:00-01:00, Th F 11:00-16:00, Sa 12:00-17:00, Su 12:00-00:00. The large courtyard is a great place to relax and watch the sunset. Friendly service, live music. (updated Feb 2023) 4 Šnekutis, Šv Mikalojaus 15 (behind Museum of Illusions), ☏ +370 656 99459. Daily 11:00-23:00. Long-table like a beer hall, with trad beer and food. (updated Feb 2023) 5 BIX, Etmonų 6, ☏ +370 5 212 1269. Su-Tu 11:30-23:00, W Th 11:30-02:00, F Sa 11:30-04:00. Bar founded by BIX rock band. Live rock / metal bands on Friday nights, karaoke on Thursdays, and rock music any time on the dance floor. Surprisingly good food. (updated Feb 2023) 6 Soho Club, Švitrigailos 7, ☏ +370 699 39567. F, Sa 22:00-07:00. LGBT club, gets very crowded. (updated Feb 2023)

Sleep

Budget

Hostels 1 Filaretai Hostel, Filaretų 17, Užupis (Bus 34 to Filaretai), ☏ +370 686 555 89, [email protected]. Chilled out place in "Republic of Užupis". Self-service kitchen, washing machine, WiFi sitting-room with free computers and TV. Dorm €33 ppn. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Jimmy Jumps House, Savičiaus 12, ☏ +370 5 231 3847, [email protected]. Friendly, well-run hostel with 4, 6 and 8-bedded dorms, as well as "twin rooms" with single bunk beds for two people. Dorm beds from ~€18, privates from ~€40. (updated Jan 2025) 3 Pogo Hostel, B. Radvilaitė 3 (by cathedral), ☏ +370 684 67060, [email protected]. Good value hostel in a great location, helpful staff. Four dorms of 6 beds and two private rooms. Dorm €20 ppn. (updated Feb 2023)

Hotels 4 City Hotel Algirdas, Algirdo 24, ☏ +370 5 232 6650, [email protected]. Simple Scandinavian style hotel in the centre. B&B double €50. (updated Feb 2023) 5 Domus Maria, Aušros vartų 12, ☏ +370 5 264 4880, [email protected]. Secluded 48-room hotel within a former Carmelite convent, you sleep in the nuns' cells. B&B double €60. (updated Feb 2023) 6 Ibis Vilnius Centre, Rinktinės 18, ☏ +370 5 265 8100. Standard boxy Ibis 500 m north of Cathedral Square, clean and good value. B&B double €60. (updated Feb 2023) 7 Holiday Inn, Šeimyniškių 1, ☏ +370 5 210 3000. Clean modern chain hotel in Business District. Double (room only) €60. (updated Feb 2023)

Mid-range 8 Congress, Vilniaus 2, ☏ +370 5 269 1919. Older hotel by riverside, friendly and comfy, some street noise. B&B double €90. (updated Feb 2023) 9 Courtyard by Marriott, Rinktinės 3 (50 m south of Ibis), ☏ +370 5 207 0707. Reliable mid-price chain hotel. 12-room hotel. B&B double €100. (updated Feb 2023) 10 Vilnius City Hotel (formerly Europolis), Švitrigailos 11D, ☏ +370 689 87777, fax: +370 5 2150410. Simple 26-room hotel with free parking, some fittings in need of repair. B&B double €50. (updated Feb 2023) 11 Ratonda Centrum Hotels, Gedimino pr 52/1, ☏ +370 5 212 0670, [email protected]. 43-room hotel with sauna, fitness centre and meeting rooms, close to parliament. Double (room only) €65. (updated Feb 2023) 12 Hilton Garden Inn, Gedimino pr 44 (east side of Ratondo Centrum), ☏ +370 5 229 9400. Modern glassy place, clean and comfy. B&B double €110. (updated Feb 2023) 13 Best Western, Konstitucijos pr 14 (east side of Radisson Blu Lietuva), ☏ +370 5 273 9595. Great value mid-price hotel near Parliament. B&B double €85. (updated Feb 2023)

Splurge

14 Grand Hotel Kempinski, Universiteto 14 (opposite cathedral), ☏ +370 5 220 1100. N

Go next

Transport routes radiate from Vilnius. Within an hour's travel: Trakai 30 km west has two castles amid scenic lakes. Purnuškės 25 km north is one of the claimants to be the geographical centre of Europe. Kernavė 35 km northwest was medieval capital of Lithuania, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ancient mounds. Kaunas 100 km west is the second largest city, and mostly modern but with a small Old Town.