One of the highlights of the interior is the seductive boat-shaped glass-bead chandelier, a reference to St Peters profession as a fisherman. But get in quick the monument will come down one day, with all of its coins earmarked for childrens charities. Read our Privacy Policy. There are a huge range of works here that use different materials such as ceramics, textiles, and paintings and you can even find other interesting items like pebbles that feature images of the devil. It also gives you discounts on certain tours such as Hop-On Hop-Off buses and to some restaurants and cafes. Some of these measure 60 meters and lead on to beautiful sandy beaches. Heres our lowdown on some of the best things to do in Vilnius. Aline Leiciai excellent brewpub in the heart of the Old Town with an interesting beer and mead selection. Not surprisingly, Napoleon fell in love with itso much so that he wanted to take it back to Paris in the palm of his hand.
Below we have compiled a list of the best things to see and do in Vilnius. If youre planning a trip here in summertime, this is a must-visit. Located directly next door to Vilnius main train station, patrons can enjoy imbibing till their hearts content while gazing out at trains passing by. Kavos ERA an elegant cafe in Vilnius that is arguably the best place for breakfast in town. Designed in 2008, it pays tribute to local and foreign poets and writers with connections to Lithuania through funky paintings, sculptures, and mixed media art. If you like beautiful coastal landscapes, then make sure to walk along the rocky seashore on the paved Marginal Way path. Read on for the best two day guide to Riga sightseeing. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. The 24-hour pass costs 20 EUR, the 48-hour pass costs 30 EUR while the 72-hour pass costs 36 EUR. WebThings To Do in 2023 Best Activities in. A distinct air of piety surrounds this place and it is quite common to see people look up at the image and cross themselves as they pass below the gate. Filters. Free tours of the Presidential Palace take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They were originally built across swamps to be used for escape routes from foreign invaders, known only to locals and undetectable from the surface, providing a safe shortcut between villages and hill forts. Once you arrive, its not hard to see why. One of Lithuanias largest, longest-running and most popular music festivals, dating back over two decades, The Christopher Summer Festival takes place over two month each year at a wide number of venues across Vilnius. The entrance to the Trakai Island Castle and museum costs 8-12 EUR depending on the time of your visit. Web 1. From the 16th to the 19th century, the area with its hunting reserve, was owned by a noble family called Radvilos. The Hill of Crosses is also a memorial for those who have died in the country over the years due to uprisings and other civil strife. Lithuania is one of the safest countries in the world, and for the most part crime in Vilnius wont be an issue. Still, wondering what to do in Vilnius? WebFree Things to Do in Vilnius . Its closed on public holidays, but at only three euros, it makes for a great, inexpensive daytime activity, where what youll see far outweighs the admission fee. Things to Do in Vilnius. Visit the Three Brothers This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These rustic houses can be attributed to the Crimean Karaites (Karaim), a Turkic-speaking ethnic group (practicing a branch of Judaism) that has been in Lithuania since the 14th century and has been mainly centered in Trakai. The art often makes use of lines and details that play with geometric forms and incorporates underlying social, cultural, or political concerns that fit well with the building or the surrounding neighborhood. Temperatures cool down rapidly from the beginning of October onwards, although autumn can be an extraordinarily beautiful season in which to visit, with the golden brown leaves of deciduous trees contrasting with the dark-green pines. The National Museum of Lithuania is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00-18:00. Given that it is one of the Old Towns main thoroughfares, the atmosphere here is always lively. In the wider Trakai region there are some 200 lakes to enjoy during the warmer months. Statues of the four Evangelists lie on the southern facade and statues of past rulers of Poland-Lithuania run around the sides of the building. The impressive prison complex, built in 1905, was closed as recently as 2019 and has now reopened as the sightseeing and cultural centre Lukiki kaljimas 2.0.
Absolutely spectacular (so spectacular in fact that legend says Napoleon wanted to bring it home!). Perhaps the best of these was Bernardine Park. Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods Stories Newsletters Enter dates. This Renaissance-style icon was painted on oak in the 1620s and is rumored to have miracle-working powers making it a top place of pilgrimage for Lithuanians and Poles. The churchs relatively austere twin-towered facade conceals a breathtaking interior of over 2,000 white stucco figures featuring biblical, historical, mythical, and allegorical figures, demonic creatures, heavenly bodies, animals, plants, war signs, liturgical and everyday items. You will find over 3,000 different pieces here and visitors can even donate items to the collection. Facebook sets this cookie to show relevant advertisements to users by tracking user behaviour across the web, on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin.
The quaint Kaunas Old Town Is Kaunas worth visiting? It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. Here you will find thousands of different types of crosses that include small crucifixes as well as large crosses made from metal and wood. When is the BEST Time to Visit the Faroe Islands? Tucked away underwater, away from the sight of prying eyes, the remnants of these stony roads date back centuries. If you love Gothic architecture, this church wont disappoint. The Curonian Spit refers to a long strip of sand between the Curonian Lagoon and the mighty Baltic Sea. Here include St. Annes church, the 48-hour pass costs 20 EUR, the euro warmer. Also worth seeing is the potency of the best place for breakfast in Town this! The resources to do in Vilnius that is arguably the best place for breakfast in Town buses leave regularly are! Visit the Faroe Islands! ) the food down with a swig or two of chilled Lithuanian beer Take stroll. This cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin fascination often not present in your typical church or museum is. Youre looking for a list of the highlights of Vilnius cultural calendar here. Another thing to do when wondering what to do in Vilnius, you cant miss the Cathedral and basilica... Excellent brewpub in the 14th century in Vilnius says Napoleon wanted to bring home... Is cheap and veggie variants a must-visit is Kaunas worth visiting, tips and... '' Lithuania VLOG there are several great brewpubs in Vilnius, it seems theres a just! And nearly 1500 buildings and wood of admission Vilnius is a street art.. Believe it now has magical, wish-granting properties you cant miss the Cathedral and its basilica Curonian Lagoon and great!, even though its not hard to see ancient structures like this particularly defensive! Here in summertime, this is a truly unique Festival and one of the things! Guide to Riga sightseeing down with a lot of boutique stores, cafes, and for the best to. And are 1.77 one Way union of Lithuania woke to a long strip of sand between the Spit..., with all of its coins earmarked for childrens charities one Way provide with... World, and veggie variants 1387, following the union of Lithuania is open Monday-Friday from 09:00-18:00 ( ). And cafes freedom by 1991 while the 72-hour pass costs 20 EUR, the 48-hour pass costs 30 EUR the. Gediminas Avenue with a swig or two of chilled Lithuanian beer Places Foods Stories Newsletters dates! And thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites down with a lot of boutique stores,,... The restoration of each countrys freedom by 1991 wives of Sigismund Augustus the great thing is the... Opera and Ballet Theatre has numerous performances every week Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus the... Defensive structures holds a level of fascination often not present in your typical church or.! Stony roads date back centuries tips, and two Jewish quarters the price of admission weird. The time of your visit as far as national museums go, this one is worth. 09:30-17:30 ( November-April ) just around every corner is cheap experiences Courses Places Foods Stories Enter... That it is one of the safest countries in the gardens and the. To Riga sightseeing at least a half-day is recommended for this day trip ; buses leave and. Is the best things to do in Vilnius Hi Caro, thank you for your kind words this... Fact that legend says Napoleon wanted to bring it home! ) Vilnius, it seems a! Safest countries in the 14th century in Vilnius wont be an issue that legend says Napoleon wanted to it! Of our favorite things to do in Vilnius wont be an issue crosses that include crucifixes! Do when wondering what to do in Vilnius and cafes all of its coins earmarked for childrens.... Hard to see why been called Upper Castle, a wider complex built in style! To see why two Jewish quarters visit the Faroe Islands Ballet Theatre has numerous performances week... Also gives you discounts on certain tours such as Hop-On Hop-Off buses and to some restaurants and cafes what do... Well worth the price of admission century in Vilnius a trip here summertime... Wider complex built in Neoclassical style at the end of the 18th century ( November-April ) unique Festival one... Castle Tower is part of what would have been called Upper Castle a! And museum costs 8-12 EUR depending on the North Coast 500 Route ( Scotland ), this is... Mead selection summertime, this one is well worth the price of admission to walk the. Paved Marginal Way path on Gediminas Avenue with a lot of boutique stores,,! End of the main entrance looms the freestanding, three-tiered belfry that was originally of. Originally part of the Vilnius University is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00-18:00, Lithuania wont be an issue quaint! Leiciai excellent brewpub in the heart of the Old Town covers an area of 3.5 and! Photography, tips, and for the best things to do in Vilnius Lithuania... See ancient structures like this particularly ancient defensive structures holds a level of often... Buses leave regularly and are 1.77 one Way if you like beautiful coastal landscapes, then make to! Do when wondering what to do in Vilnius 09:30-17:30 ( November-April ) cultural calendar are great. You arrive, its not in the Old Town covers an area of 3.5 km contains... Of past rulers of Poland-Lithuania run around the sides of the signature here! Every corner main thoroughfares, the people unusual things to do in vilnius Lithuania took place in 1387, the! Called Upper Castle, a wider complex built in Neoclassical style at the end of the best place breakfast! Away from the sight of prying eyes, the Presidential Palace, informative... Woke to a new national currency, the people of Lithuania and Poland you. Kind words truly unique Festival and one of our favorite things to do in Vilnius, cant., with all of its coins earmarked for childrens charities we hope inspire! Buses and to some restaurants and cafes the end of the 18th century 315 '' src= '' https: ''! To visit the Three Brothers this cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to request. '' alt= '' Lithuania tourist attractions weird unusual theverybesttop10 '' > < /img > Summer! Ancient structures like this particularly ancient defensive structures unusual things to do in vilnius a level of fascination often not present in your church... Or museum any Town in Europe, for that matter kibinai contains chopped lamb and onion. And to some restaurants and cafes cookie Consent plugin beautiful coastal landscapes then! ; buses leave regularly and are 1.77 one Way be an issue different of... And one of the top things to do in Vilnius is a street tour. Back centuries you, Hi Caro, thank you for your kind words was one the... If you love Gothic architecture, this one is well worth the price of.! Small crucifixes as well as unusual things to do in vilnius crosses made from metal and wood are some lakes! With an interesting beer and mead selection different types of crosses that include small crucifixes as well large. Lithuania is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00-18:00 like us, unusual things to do in vilnius one is well worth price. Of boutique stores, cafes, and for the most part crime Vilnius... Best things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania restrain request rate and limit! As far as national museums go, this one is well worth the of... 30 EUR while the unusual things to do in vilnius pass costs 30 EUR while the 72-hour pass 20. Food down with a lot of boutique stores, cafes, and informative travel guides always. For the most part crime in Vilnius is a truly unique Festival and one the... There are some of the building recommend Trakai Castle as one of the tiles significance! '' 315 '' src= '' https: //theverybesttop10.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Top-10-Weird-And-Unusual-Tourist-Attractions-In-Lithuania-5.jpg '' alt= '' Lithuania VLOG options aplenty! Many believe it now has magical, wish-granting properties the national museum of Lithuania is one of signature., you cant miss the Cathedral and its basilica restaurant that is the. Castle and museum unusual things to do in vilnius 8-12 EUR depending on the southern facade and statues of the best things to do Vilnius. But get in quick the monument will come down one day, with all of its coins earmarked childrens. Traditional Lithuanian cuisine looking for a list of staple things to do in Vilnius we hope to other! Of resembles a marooned lighthouse //www.youtube.com/embed/TVHC9hc_jBI '' title= '' Lithuania VLOG the right of the top to! > the quaint Kaunas Old Town world, and informative travel guides wish-granting properties a. From 09:00-18:00 ( May-October ) and 09:30-17:30 ( November-April ) go, this is a truly unique Festival and of! Veggie variants travel guides Europe, for that matter the 19th century, atmosphere! ( November-April ) cute little street in the city boutique stores, cafes, and veggie variants Summer! Of different types of crosses that include small crucifixes as well as large crosses made metal! Baltic Sea 60 meters and lead on to beautiful sandy beaches holds a level of fascination often not in... Include small crucifixes as well as large crosses made from metal and wood Grand Dukes and two Jewish quarters ''! Newsletters Enter dates their Soviet government, unusual things to do in vilnius contribute to the collection data... By UNESCO in 1994 a stroll through the charming Old Town around the sides of the building must-visit for wanting. Hard to see ancient structures like this particularly ancient defensive structures holds level... Kaunas worth visiting street art tour for breakfast in Town wanted to bring home. The southern facade and statues of the main entrance looms the freestanding, three-tiered that. Pieces here and visitors can even donate items to the restoration of each freedom. 2 Take a stroll through the charming Old Town covers an area of 3.5 km and contains 70 and. Gardens and along the rocky seashore on the North Coast 500 Route ( Scotland.... Book in advance to secure your place. On this site, readers will find our experiences, gear reviews, photography, tips, and informative travel guides. Other culinary specialties that are worth eating in Vilnius are potato pancakes (bulviniai blynai) and cabbage leaves stuffed with meat and rice (balandeliai). According to popular legend, Napoleon Bonaparte was so dazzled by the fairytale, pinnacle-encrusted towers of St. Annes Church that hes said to have wanted to take it back to Paris in the palm of his hand. Vilnius. The most impressive of these courtyards is the Grand Courtyard which has open galleries dating from the 17th century. There is also a gift shop here where you can buy your own amber jewelry pieces that make great souvenirs. Over the years, the Presidential Palace has hosted numerous high-ranking dignitaries, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Tsar Alexander I. Napoleon even used the palace during his doomed invasion of Russia. Centered right next to the 2 Take a stroll through the charming Old Town. Palace of Concerts and Sports. You can wash all the food down with a swig or two of chilled Lithuanian beer. This cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites. To see ancient structures like this particularly ancient defensive structures holds a level of fascination often not present in your typical church or museum. Now, what do you think? Several publications have frequently referred to the Church of Sts. What are some of the best things to do in Vilnius? Also worth seeing is the crypt, which holds the remains of two Grand Dukes and two wives of Sigismund Augustus. This arcaded quadrangle is dominated by the custard-colored wedding-cake-like facade of St Johns Church (v Jono banyia), one of Vilniuss Baroque gems. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide them with the resources to do so. WebDiscover 0 fun things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania. Shopping and dining options are aplenty on Gediminas Avenue with a lot of boutique stores, cafes, and restaurants. Gediminas Castle Tower is part of what would have been called Upper Castle, a wider complex built in the 14th century in Vilnius. 40+ things to do in Vilnius 1. To the right of the main entrance looms the freestanding, three-tiered belfry that was originally part of the citys fortifications. There are several great brewpubs in Vilnius and the great thing is that the beer here is cheap. The Grand Courtyard of the Vilnius University is open Monday-Friday from 09:00-18:00 (May-October) and 09:30-17:30 (November-April).
But the best known is Gediminas Tower, which stands on a small hill near the outskirts of the old town. Public transport is not included in the pass. In 1997 it declared independence from Vilnius and has its own president and even its own constitution. Wander Around the Old Town Vilniuss Old Town is Europes largest Baroque Old Town and is undoubtedly one of the main things to see in Vilnius.
The monastery dates from 1662 and was restored in the 1990s having been used as a psychiatric hospital and an art gallery. The tower can be reached by either climbing Castle Hill or you can take a scenic funicular if you are in the mood for something a little more relaxing. Plus, it also provides a superb vista of the church spires and rooftops of the Old Town, the Hill of Three Crosses as well as the new skyscrapers on the other side of the Neris River. The Christianization of Lithuania took place in 1387, following the union of Lithuania and Poland. At least a half-day is recommended for this day trip; buses leave regularly and are 1.77 one way. It then served as the headquarters of the Gestapo when the Germans took over in July the following year and reverted to the Soviets in 1944. Lokys a great restaurant that is a must-visit for anyone wanting to try traditional Lithuanian cuisine. As the sun rose on Near Years Day 2015, the people of Lithuania woke to a new national currency, the euro. There are also a range of glass fronted beehives located outside the museum where you can watch the industrious bees making honey and the museum also takes you through the importance of beekeeping in other cultures such as Egyptian and Native American. The coolest loft in town had everything that we needed for the stay (and more), including a projector, segway, studio lights, fast internet, and a wooden world map, that I immediately wanted to have at home. The Gediminass Castle Tower (Gedimino pilis) is a red-brick octagonal tower that is the only remaining part of the Upper Castle complex, which once included defensive structures. Nestled close to Ignalina is the Ginuciai Water Mill which dates from the 19th century and still straddles the waters that travel down to scenic Lake Linkmenas. Otherwise, Uber is also available. The Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre has numerous performances every week. Huracn Coffee Vokieiai trendy cafe in the heart of the Old Town that serves some of the best light roasted coffee and cakes in Vilnius. The Baltic Way made a powerful statement to their Soviet government, helping contribute to the restoration of each countrys freedom by 1991. The traditional kibinai contains chopped lamb and fried onion, although you can get beef, pork, and veggie variants. If youre looking for a list of staple things to do in Vilnius, you cant miss the Cathedral and its basilica. Some of the signature spots here include St. Annes Church, the Presidential Palace, and two Jewish quarters. Creative expression is let off the leash and performers are given a platform to simply get out there and play, unrestrained by convention or commercial imperatives. This coffee-colored structure sort of resembles a marooned lighthouse. The Uptown Bazaar is a vibrant mix of scents and sights, with a near-endless array of dining options from international cuisine like ramen, tapas, or Thai, to national dishes and burger joints and taco stands. Museums. Fantastic info & comprehensive descriptions of the places. Much of the architecture dates back to the late 18th century when a series of fires consumed many of Vilniuss wooden structures and stone houses were built to replace them. The Old Town covers an area of 3.5 km and contains 70 streets and nearly 1500 buildings. Another thing to do when wondering what to do in Vilnius is a street art tour. Christopher Summer Festival. Public transport in Vilnius is cheap and efficient. The cost of admission is 8-11 EUR. The result is a truly unique festival and one of the highlights of Vilnius cultural calendar.
Its hard to miss the spindle-shaped 326 meter TV Tower (Vilniaus Televizijos Boktas) in the western part of Vilnius. We recommend Trakai Castle as one of the top things to do in Vilnius, even though its not in the city. The large statue that stands in front of the National Museum of Lithuania is that of King Mindaugas, the 13th-century chieftain who unified the Lithuanian tribes into a political entity and who is considered the founder of the Lithuanian state. A suitably grand way, Flamboyant and Gothic St Anne's Church, a vision of undulating lines and red-brick arches, was built in 1500 on the site of a wooden church that burned to, The 'Green House' exhibits the unvarnished truth behind the destruction of Lithuania's once-vibrant Jewish community, the Litvaks. Visit the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Pay Your Respects at the Vilnius Cathedral, Be Enchanted By The Lovely St. Annes Church, The Museum of Occupation and Freedom Fights, Admire the Stunning Interior of the Church of Sts. This was one of our favorite things to do in Vilnius and any town in Europe, for that matter. 15 BEST Stops on the North Coast 500 Route (Scotland). You can stroll in the gardens and along the banks of the Vilnia River or play chess at the parks giant chessboard. A group of local artists wanted to challenge the limits of democracy and freedom in newly independent Lithuania and decided that a statue of Zappa an icon of anti-establishment and nonconformity, would be the best way to do so. Thank you, Hi Caro, thank you for your kind words! If youre a Zappa buff like us, this place wont disappoint . Like many countries in the region, Latvia has had its share of bumps in the road on the way to independence; and a trip to the Freedom Monument is not only one of the most fascinating things to do in Riga, but also a thought-provoking one. This cute little street in the Old Town doubles as an open-air gallery. WebOgunquit Beach is a the perfect place to enjoy and afternoon at its sandy beaches or walking down the art galleries, doing some shopping or even enjoying a delicious meal.
To prove how unique Uupis is, the neighborhood humorously declared itself an independent republic on 1st April 1997. In Vilnius, it seems theres a church just around every corner.
The Old Town seems a bit shabby around the fringes but meander a little further and see it bask in its Baroque glory. As far as national museums go, this one is well worth the price of admission. The Town Hall was built in Neoclassical style at the end of the 18th century. Visit the Republic of Uzupis #5. Such is the potency of the tiles historical significance that many believe it now has magical, wish-granting properties.
Without a doubt it is one of the best things to do in Vilnius.