Things to Do in Vilnius
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Vilnius, Lithuania, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Vilnius. Baroque old town, surprisingly underrated, one of the largest and best-preserved baroque old towns in Europe, home to a small neighbourhood that briefly declared itself an independent artistic republic, and capital of the southernmost of the three Baltic states. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Vilnius: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the wander. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Vilnius's Baroque Old Town
Vilnius's old town, one of the largest in Europe, is particularly known for its examples of baroque architecture, a properly stunning concentration of baroque churches, one of the best-preserved old towns of this style anywhere in Europe, worth a proper unhurried wander, St Anne's Church, a striking piece of late Gothic architecture (technically predating the wider baroque period but sitting right within the same old town), is worth prioritising alongside the numerous baroque churches.
Gediminas' Tower, on a hill overlooking the old town, offers sweeping views over the whole city, worth the climb for a proper sense of the old town's scale and layout from above.
Hours Tower daily, roughly 10am–9pm, shorter in winter
Address Old Town, Vilnius
The Republic of Uzupis
Vilnius briefly declared itself, or rather a specific neighbourhood did, an independent artistic republic in a district called Uzupis, has its own tongue-in-cheek constitution, including the right for a dog to be a dog, worth a visit for this properly charming bit of local eccentricity, the constitution, displayed on plaques in multiple languages along a wall in the district, is worth reading through properly, a mix of properly thoughtful and deliberately absurd articles.
The district itself, a bohemian, artsy neighbourhood across the river from the main old town, is worth a proper wander beyond just reading the constitution, galleries and cafes reflecting this self-declared creative republic's real character.
Best time Any time; April 1st for the district's mock 'independence day' celebrations
Address Uzupis, Vilnius
Vilnius as Capital of Lithuania
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, the southernmost of the three Baltic states, worth knowing this context alongside Riga and Tallinn, the other two Baltic capitals covered elsewhere on this site, each holds its own distinct character despite the shared regional identity, worth appreciating Vilnius's particular baroque character as distinct from Riga's Art Nouveau or Tallinn's Hanseatic old town.
The National Museum of Lithuania covers the country's history in depth, worth a visit for context on Lithuania's properly turbulent 20th-century history, including its periods under Soviet occupation and eventual independence.
Hours Wed–Sun, roughly 10am–6pm
Address National Museum of Lithuania, Vilnius
Best time to visit Vilnius
May through September gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, mild without winter's cold.
Vilnius's old town and Uzupis work well year-round, worth visiting even outside the warmer months if the weather isn't your priority.
Getting around Vilnius
Vilnius's old town, including Uzupis, is walkable. Trolleybuses cover destinations further out.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Vilnius worth visiting?
- Yes, notably underrated, one of the largest and best-preserved baroque old towns in Europe, and Uzupis's self-declared republic adds real, distinctive character found nowhere else.
- How many days do you need in Vilnius?
- Two to three days covers the old town, Uzupis, and the National Museum comfortably.
- Is Vilnius expensive?
- No, generally affordable, among the cheaper capitals in Europe for food, drinks, and accommodation.
- What is Vilnius famous for?
- Its baroque old town, one of the largest and best-preserved in Europe, Uzupis, a neighbourhood that declared itself an independent artistic republic, and being the capital of Lithuania.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
