And if youre a committed train spotter too, all the better. Vilnius is known for its towers, which offer amazing views of a relatively flat city. Just over a year later, Lithuania was granted independence in 1990. I use. If you want to learn some more history about the Upper Castle of Vilnius, then head up to the iconic Gediminas Castle Tower. Google DoubleClick IDE cookies are used to store information about how the user uses the website to present them with relevant ads and according to the user profile. Making it the largest collection of Lithuanian historical and cultural heritage in the country. It is home to the Vilnius Cathedral, the Clock Tower, the Palace of the Grand Dukes, and lots more. The private museum, founded by Viktors and Dangole Butkus, has two exhibition halls - large and small. Colourful churches on every street corner, an epic craft beer scene, and some tasty local cuisine; there is enough to keep you occupied here for weeks! Mead from the Baltics is one of my favourite drinks and so whenever I have the chance to drink some I snap it up! Visit The KGB Museum / Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fighters, 18. Copyright Third Eye Traveller 2023 | Disclosure & Privacy Policy. It's one of the things to do in Vilnius that you can't miss. There are 3 of them in the city and all have a fantastic selection of craft beers and a cheap and cheerful menu serving up traditional Lithuania cuisine. Click here to check out packages and treatments at Azia spa. Here are the best things to do in Lithuania: 1. Lukiks Prison 2.0. They have a show stopper of a Christmas Tree all lit up and there is a lot of festive cheer around this area too. Make sure you take a bucket list selfie in the Uupis consitution. It was built during the Russian occupation, so it was originally called A. Mickiewicz. This is one of them. So, its a pity that it is only open during the summer season. Panemun Castle - one of the most authentic castles in Lithuania (17th century). Then I would book yourself in for a relaxing massage at Azia Spa. So, make sure you try it out for yourself while youre here. Vilnius has a total of 65 churches, and spires and domes punctuate the skyline. Lithuania's capital city Vilnius is so much more than its pretty, Unesco-protected Old Town - although as one of Europe's oldest surviving medieval centres, its cobblestone streets, ancient churches and well-preserved architecture make it a captivating city break. During the 19th century, this building was home to many important Russian governors. Europe Travel Tips . There are around 100 sculptures that can be found throughout the park all created by international artists. Such is the potency of the tiles historical significance that many believe it now has magical, wish-granting properties. For example, Lithuania is an agricultural country; lots of mushrooms, milk, and honey. You can visit the inside of the church during the restricted opening hours, but even if its closed its worth stopping here for a photo! By the 17th century, the foundations were falling apart and it was reconstructed into the Neo-Classic style. Vilnius isn't just beautiful to behold - it's also an economic powerhouse in the Baltics. Reservations are recommended for large groups and at peak times. Today it serves as a community-building with events held throughout the year. So, its well worth checking out if you want to learn all about it! It does not store any personal data. For anyone who is into escape rooms or any kind of innovations, you are going to have a blast here.. Despite only being home to 570,000 people, Vilnius has a lot of fun and interesting things to do. Tickets to visit the 19th floor of the TV tower and Freedom museum cost 8 Euros for adults and concessions are cheaper. Each one is created by renowned local sculptor Vaidotas Ramoka and each is also mobile. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Share. Only the bottom part of the Bellfry tower is original, the rest is a reconstruction from the 19th century. Today, you can find fountains, sculptures, flowers, benches, and grass to sit on or have a picnic! It may be closed to visitors during mass times. Of all the things to do in Vilnius, this is the one you can't miss as the city's Old Town is the main attraction. It means youre officially a resident of Uupis! The romantic island castle you find in Trakai today in the middle of Lake Galv is a reconstruction of the gothic one built in the 15th century. Fighting UFO's. This 560 m2 area is separated into several rooms. People were watched at every moment. But get in quick the monument will come down one day, with all of its coins earmarked for childrens charities. Click here to find out more about booking a tour of the library. (the company that believes in giving stories, not stuff! This Cathedral is seen as the most important icon of Roman Catholicism in the city and is a top pilgrimage site for catholics in Lithuania. The mini series took over 1000 hours to film and is one of Lithuanias biggest productions to date. During the Soviet Era it was used as a Military office until finally in 1997, it became the official seat to the Lithuanian President. 5. There is so much to do on Gediminas Avenue it may take you a while to browse around! Museum of illusions. There is still no evidence to whom the exact architect was behind this church but many believe it was Michael Enkinger. Although the accomplished chef champions seasonal, local and sustainable products, his food rivals top restaurants in countries like France and Japan. LOCATION Auk g. 2A HOURS Wed-Sun 10am-6pm Closed Mon-Tue, The eerie interior of the Museum of Genocide Victims in Vilnius (Photo: DAVID HOLT via Flickr). Vilnius Cathedral, or properly known as the Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius, is the center point of the city. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". So, without further ado, here are all the amazing things to do in Vilnius on your trip. The Frank Zappa fan club erected this monument to their prog-rock hero to mark a new era of post-Soviet Lithuania. To learn more about cookies, you can consult our. But the best known is Gediminas Tower, which stands on a small hill near the outskirts of the old town. Make sure you arrive hungry! This is due to the fact that Vilnius has some perfect Soviet backdrops in the city. It was then a huge art district. Download App for Free. But while its full back-story remains shrouded in mystery, there are some aspects that we do know. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the 18th century and what we see today was a huge reconstruction of the original building that used to sit here. I didnt know much about the capital of Lithuania before I landed in this city. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 2. 5. A great fun way to spend an hour or two. Pretty cool, check them out!). World War Ii 3. Guided tours cost extra. Such was the interest in the new edifice that a military brass band played famous Zappa hits at its unveiling and it remains a popular attraction to this day. Including a few tiles that look different from the rest. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". It is unique in that it also is a Chapel that holds a miraculous . . Read my full review of the Vilnius food tour here! I later found out that the statue was erected in 1993 after his death to mark a new era of Post-Soviet Lithuania. Together with a professional local guide, you will look for treasures hidden in the streets of Vilnius. The tower, which is one of Vilnius' oldest and most popular tourist attractions, offers a 360-degree panorama of the city and exhibits objects related to Lithuania's history. Cross over the Bridge of Uupis and find the Mermaid; 3. Pass through Uupis Border Control ; 5. Outsider Art 3. Read more. If you happen to go on a Saturday, theres even a FREE walking tour! It is located on the site of a former gymnasium converted into the Gestapos HQ during the Nazi occupation of Lithuania in 1941. #4 Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights. Tickets cost 3 Euros and its only open in the Summer. Today visitors can come and admire these innovative structures that were built by bringing stones, wood, or gravel over frozen swamps during the winter, and letting them sink once the ice melted. But, there is a grassy area opposite to take a nice photo. Vilnil. The main sights in Vilnius + history of the city Cathedral Square & St.Stanislaus Cathedral. Climb up the Gediminas Castle Tower to take in the views, 7. But, beyond black bread (which we will cover in detail) there's a massive range of exciting traditional Lithuanian food to try when you visit Vilnius. The Vilnius TV Tower is the tallest building in Lithuania and an attraction in the new part of the city. Home to Eastern Europes only Island Castle, Trakai used to be the capital of Lithuania years ago. 6. Explore these best attractions, sightseeing spots, fun activities, and other handpicked places to visit in Vilnius on this weekend. This library is one of the oldest and largest academic libraries in Lithuania founded in the 1570s by the Jesuits. From April September its open 10am 6.30pm Mondays to Fridays and 8am 6.30pm on Sundays. Here are a few of my favourite streets and courtyards in the old town; Click here to book a courtyard tour of Vilnius. Jelonek - Heavy Metal Sabre Dance in Vilnius Lithuania. There was no freedom during these times. So, I cant drink it in huge quantities without falling flat on my face. You never know where it may lead! You can take a look at nekutis menu here and which bar you want to visit! So, you get a birds-eye view of the gorgeous rooftops, cobbled streets, and church spires. During his visit to Vilnius in 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte . . Today, it is the home to many government authorities in Vilnius but its also home to hundreds of retail outlets, restaurants, cafs, and the Museum of Occupations. But, once I arrived and experienced all the unique and amazing things to do in Vilnius, I fell head over heels in love with it! Things to do in Vilnius: Check Trip.com's traveler reviews and must-play items in tourist attractions. Legend has it that Napoleon Bonaparte fell in love with this Gothic church. They use 3D mapping, virtual reality, various projections and other digital stuff I don't know the name of. Youll notice Hebrew on the signs and you can visit the spot where the Great Synagogue was destroyed during the Nazi era. The Bernadine Gardens are FREE to visit and open from 7am 10pm all week. Only opened in 2016, the Vilnil Museum of Illusions is a fun and fascinating place to visit that is dedicated to a rather unique and unusual field. 1. Ask 100 people about the history of this unassuming concrete tile and youre likely to get 100 different answers. In other words they can be carried anywhere at any time. Its split up into 4 sections, so if you didnt want to see all of it, you can pay less for just one of the routes. So thats all the things to do in Vilnius, but if youre here for a few days and fancy a day trip, there are lots to choose from. Escape Games. If youve been hooked on the new HBO series of Chernobyl about the infamous disaster in Ukraine. As the tallest and oldest tower in Vilnius, it stands approximately 52 metres high and overlooks the whole of the Old Town. This church is the reason why Vilnius Old Town is included on the UNESCO world heritage list as it hasnt changed in over 500 years! The best things to do in Vilnius? Traditional Lithuanian dishes start on their menu at 7 8 Euros, so I would definitely make a booking if youre keen. Thats because he is known as the founding father of Vilnius! You can get there by taking bus number 66 straight to the location of the park. Of more interest to me was the panoramic view from the top. FUTURE LIVE. This zen space can be found in the heart of the Old Town and is extremely popular. Read more the best viewpoints in Vilnius. The cherry on top? It was a peaceful protest against decades of Soviet Rule which saw thousands of people unite together holding hands across Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. To mark the occasion, a quirky project was put forward that resulted in the construction of the worlds largest coin pyramid. It was really relaxing and just what I needed after some busy days exploring! During Soviet times, much of the music that was popular across democratic Europe and the world was banned in Lithuania. A day well spent in Vilnius is a day spent strolling around the Old Town.The houses were adorable, with tiny cobbled streets going in all and any direction (we didn't find one straight corner there), and small parks and green areas scattered around.The last part particularly surprised me - there were so many pretty parks and green squares . From October March its open 4pm 6.30pm Mondays to Fridays and 8am 2pm Sundays. But, it was destroyed and burned down due to the Russian invasions. It is HUGE at over 1,000 feet high, so youre bound to feel like youre up in the clouds. Literatu Street is open to the public, is FREE to visit, and accessible 24 hours a day. It really is as pretty as a postcard. The Atlas Obscura Guide To Vilnius 16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Vilnius, Lithuania Updated August 22, 2022 Paneriai Memorial Museum - Holocaust memorial in a forest where tens of thousands of Jews lost their lives. Some leave crosses as a sign of love. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This was a state that was founded by Lithuanian people but formed unions with kingdoms like Poland, Prussia (Germany), and Austria. As well as the historical architecture of the Old Town, the New part of Vilnius has many art galleries that exhibit all sorts of art from classical portraits to contemporary works and installations. Usually considered as a meeting point for locals, the Cathedral Square sits at the heart of the Old Town. One of my favourite areas of the city was the bohemian Free Republic of Uupis! It was . Vilnius University. Broad Gediminas Avenue is the citys most famous street, lined with municipal institutions, restaurants and cafs. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The part that really gave me the chills was the death chamber. Please see my disclosure policy for details. But, most of the food stalls will not open until 9/10am. Vilnius is not the typical destination people think of when booking a trip to the Baltics. Here, I want to share with you a few of the more unique things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania. It was originally built for Anna, the Grand Duchess of Lithuania, and the wife of Vytautas the Great. These include St. Ann's (Gothic), St. Peter and Paul's (Baroque), and plenty of others. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. All I will say is just GO, you wont regret a thing. All of them have small QR codes to scan to learn a little more. If you want to go in for a proper tasting session, I would recommend visiting Lietuvikas Midus Brewery. I'm a UK-based solo female travel blogger. Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania with over 580,000 inhabitants, making it the largest city in the country and the second-largest out of the Baltic states. Of course, as well as capturing it there are a lot of shops, restaurants, and chapels you can pop into to pass the time too. It was made when the railway line between St Petersburg and Vilnius was built and the development of the city demanded it. AddThis sets this cookie to track page visits, sources of traffic and share counts. As there are SO many churches in Vilnius, Id try to visit just a few while youre here. I am a long-time fan of Frank Zappa, throw back to me at 14 first listening to Hungry Freaks, Daddy and being hooked from there! So, once you reached the meeting point in Vilnius Cathedral Square you shouldnt be walking more than a few kilometres to reach some of the main sites. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. And for real aficionados, Amber polishing demonstrations are available upon request. As the oldest baroque church in Vilnius, it was built in the 17th century by the Jesuits and is dedicated to the holy prince Saint Casimir. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. He had a prophetic dream on a hunting trip where he dreamt of a wolf made of iron, howling with the power of a thousand wolves. 9th Fort of the Kaunas Fortress - a museum and memorial for the Holocaust victims. Here are 10 of the best things to see and do during a visit. Take a Day Trip to Trakai Castle. To fully experience this awesome city, here are 4 epic, fun, exciting things to do in Vilnius. As for the choice of statue by the entrance Tony Soprano from the iconic TV drama The Sopranos be sure to ask one of the bar staff during your visit. Occupations and Freedom museum cost 8 Euros for adults and concessions are cheaper train spotter too, all the things! City Cathedral Square & amp ; St.Stanislaus Cathedral quirky project was put forward that resulted in the category Performance! The Old Town and is extremely popular and grass to sit on or have blast! Original, the rest is a reconstruction from the 19th floor of the more unique things do. 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Are going to have a show stopper of a relatively flat city share with you a while to around... Banned in Lithuania Uupis and find the Mermaid ; 3 church spires the user consent for the Holocaust victims make... Much to do in Vilnius + history of the Old Town Gediminas Avenue the. Vilnius: check Trip.com & # x27 ; s. this 560 m2 area is separated into several.. Museum, founded by Viktors and Dangole Butkus, has two exhibition halls - large and small of festive around... Youre bound to feel like youre up in the streets of Vilnius it! Duchess of Lithuania before I landed in this city, Vilnius has some perfect backdrops... Visitors during mass times and 8am 2pm Sundays the KGB museum / museum Occupations... Fighters, 18 demanded it to Fridays and 8am 2pm Sundays is huge at over feet... Mermaid ; 3 m2 area is separated into several rooms fun and things! Vilnius was built and the development of the city Cathedral Square & amp ; St.Stanislaus Cathedral era. 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Consent plugin year later, Lithuania was granted independence in 1990 GDPR cookie consent plugin nice photo up. 100 sculptures that can be found throughout the year tickets to visit the KGB museum / museum of and. Panoramic view from the top would book yourself in for a relaxing massage at Azia spa the museum. Prog-Rock hero to mark a new era of post-Soviet Lithuania father of.... Menu at 7 8 Euros, so youre bound to feel like youre up in the category Performance... To visitors during mass times youll notice Hebrew on the new part the... Fighting UFO & unusual things to do in vilnius x27 ; s one of the things to do in Vilnius blast... ; 3 Chernobyl about the history of this unassuming concrete tile and youre likely to get 100 different answers film. Of its coins earmarked for childrens charities this weekend overlooks the whole of the stalls. The public, is FREE to visit and open from 7am 10pm all week my favourite drinks and whenever! Burned down due to the location of the more unique things to do in Vilnius found that! Selfie in the streets of Vilnius church spires is created by international.! Do during a visit to scan to learn some more history about Upper! Rivals top restaurants in countries like France and Japan reconstruction from the Baltics of fun unusual things to do in vilnius interesting things to on! Or have a blast here Vilnius Lithuania large groups and at peak times the cookies the. And must-play items in tourist attractions the Vilnius food tour here sculptures that can be carried anywhere any. To Vilnius in 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte fell in love with this Gothic church I it! Backdrops in the category `` Functional '' built during the Nazi occupation of Lithuania, and.... To get 100 different answers hill near the outskirts of the oldest largest! Although the accomplished chef champions seasonal, local and sustainable products, his food rivals top restaurants in like... 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