Read about the things to do in Vilnius, including things that are still fun during the winter such as visiting the bell tower and enjoying snowy views. Each one is created by renowned local sculptor Vaidotas Ramoka and each is also mobile. 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. Vilnius is one of Europe's smaller capital cities, but that doesn't necessarily mean everything is close together. So, you get a birds-eye view of the gorgeous rooftops, cobbled streets, and church spires. All rights reserved. Inside they serve up gourmet burgers, signature fries, and even beers on tap! Throughout the summer, youll often find beautiful installations like umbrellas or lanterns hanging above you! Please see my disclosure policy for details. It was a place that housed the local magistrate, held city meetings, had a courtroom and there was even a prison underneath in the basement. Only the bottom part of the Bellfry tower is original, the rest is a reconstruction from the 19th century. ("What to do in Vilnius, our website TripOriginal has more than 10 attractions and best things to do in Vilnius.") ("If you want to go on a day excursion or Day Trip from Vilnius, go here Fast Go") (" With our website TripOriginal and our partner GetYourGuide, we've compiled a list of the finest and fun things to do in Vilnius ") You can take a balloon ride or join a free walking tour to get around the main sights and learn more about Vilniuss fascinating history. Exploring the area is one of the most fun things to do in Vilnius. Visit Vilnius Cathedral (Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius), 4. With 48 hours in Vilnius and plenty of sightseeing to do, you're going to need to know the best ways to get around the city. You can buy the Vilnius City Card online and at several locations, and it comes as a 24-hour card or a 72-hour card with or without public transportation.? By Crazyguy14. Europe Travel Tips . Explore these best attractions, sightseeing spots, fun activities, and other handpicked places to visit in Vilnius on this weekend. Outside, youll see a statue dedicated to King Mindaugas. Museum of Genocide Victims - particularly interesting if you're curious about the Soviet occupation and the atrocities of that period. It is meant to introduce you to the city and make it feel as home. 2.Catch the highest view in the City at St John's Church. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In England, our mead is served up like a wine. During the 19th century, this building was home to many important Russian governors. But get in quick the monument will come down one day, with all of its coins earmarked for childrens charities. One of my favourite streets in the whole of Vilnius is Ausros Vartu Street. Heads up: my accommodation in Vilnius and some tours were sponsored by Tinggly, who is an awesome gift card experience company! Vilnius Old Town. With its striking shade of yellow and beautiful baroque design, youll notice the Basilian Monastery it in an instant, even from afar! The private museum, founded by Viktors and Dangole Butkus, has two exhibition halls - large and small. Vilnius, Lithuania. Watch on. Uutrakis Manor - restored 19th-century manor. But, it has been taken down in 2019 with a pink mural that reads make compassion great again. Originally it was built in the Gothic style but the style we see today is a Neoclassical reconstruction by Laurynas Stuoka-Guceviius. It is a 510km river that starts in Belarus and flows all the way to Vilnius.. This post may contain affiliate links. Vilnius is not the typical destination people think of when booking a trip to the Baltics. Perfect for those who don't enjoy the grueling climb. 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. Climb up to see the Hill of Three Crosses and take in the panoramic city views or enjoy one of the regular festivals and events held here. Click here to check out packages and treatments at Azia spa. Gediminas Tower & Castle Hill. Much of the food is based around root vegetables which . Entrance is 11 Euros an adult. The chapel inside the Gate of Dawn contains a portrait of The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy or the Vilnius Madonna who is said to perform miracles. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you tell someone you are going to Vilnius, you are often met with a confused look and a 'Where is that'. Free Things to do in Vilnius - Neris River. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Years ago, the Grand Dukes of Lithuania was crowned here and many famous icons in Lithuanian history have graves inside its walls. . You will have to climb up 193 wooden stairs to reach the peak which is around 45 metres high. Then, when I popped my head inside, I knew I HAD to pop back and have lunch there so that is exactly what I did. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Its a great place to sample a few dishes as the prices wont break your budget! At this time, Lithuania was known as the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. If youre going further afield, you may want to invest in a Vilnius City Card that will get you FREE transport and access to some of the local museums. 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. Amber Museum-Gallery. Although the accomplished chef champions seasonal, local and sustainable products, his food rivals top restaurants in countries like France and Japan. Here are 10 of the best things to see and do during a visit. Usually considered as a meeting point for locals, the Cathedral Square sits at the heart of the Old Town. 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. Frank Zappa is American, so I wasnt sure why his bust would be in the capital of Lithuania but I was sure there was a good reason for it. Vilnius Cathedral. You get to orientate yourself, know the area, learn about the history and visit some of the top attractions too! But the best known is Gediminas Tower, which stands on a small hill near the outskirts of the old town. You were brought to the room and without a word shot. It can be found around 19 kilometres out of Vilnius City Centre. 26 DATES July 2 August 27, A musical stage performance during Christopher Summer Festival (Photo: Evgenia Levin). The Church of St Johns is meant to have the most amazing views from the top of its bell tower. It was a peaceful protest against decades of Soviet Rule which saw thousands of people unite together holding hands across Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Trip.com. Share. It had the most EPIC Christmas decorations, but also has a gorgeous interior throughout the year. Do They Speak English in Lithuania Vilnius? But, through time, the building suffered major fires and had to be reconstructed. A lot of local people hang out here and play pool/billiard or do Karaoke in the weekdays. As the sun rose on Near Years Day 2015, the people of Lithuania woke to a new national currency, the euro. So, make sure you try it out for yourself while youre here. A guide to craft beer in Vilnius and Lithuania. Things to do in Vilnius: Check Trip.com's traveler reviews and must-play items in tourist attractions. The caf is open from 9 am 11 pm daily. Classical Heavy Metal Music Mash-up in Vilnius, Lithuania. Tucked away underwater, away from the sight of prying eyes, the remnants of these stony roads date back centuries. You can visit the memorial on K. Kalinausko g. 2B, but its quite hard to spot at first. 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! My favourite caf was the Augustus Ir Babora Caf which Ill explain more about below. Surrounded by history it stands tall in a capital city Vilnius. The Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower is open from 10am 7pm in summer and 10am 6pm in winter. Find fun things to do in Vilnius this weekend. Of more interest to me was the panoramic view from the top. The history museum Gediminas Castle Tower in Vilnius tells the story of the city from its settlement by Grand Duke Gediminas in the 15th century to present day. 6. The Palace used to be the centre of the political, diplomatic, and cultural aspects of the state and home to the Grand Dukes of Lithuania too. Climb Bell Tower of St. Johns Church for the best view over Vilnius. If youve been hooked on the new HBO series of Chernobyl about the infamous disaster in Ukraine. 2022 is a great time to go sightseeing and visit the many attractions in Vilnius. In order to get there, you need to walk up for approx 10 minutes on the uneven, pebbly road. Its located on Ausros Vartu Street and was one of five gates in the cities defense wall that were built during the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. If you want to learn some more history about the Upper Castle of Vilnius, then head up to the iconic Gediminas Castle Tower. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. St. John's Church is located on the campus of Vilnius University. But, masses started again in 1988. The Cathedral Square with the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus is a must-see during a sightseeing tour in Vilnius. This cookie is used by Facebook to control its functionalities, collect language settings and share pages. I always use Google Maps if I have WiFi, or download Maps.Me if Im going to be offline. Its located just off the Town Hall Square in the Old Town and is a Roman Catholic temple. 9th Fort of the Kaunas Fortress - a museum and memorial for the Holocaust victims. You will see public art all over Uupis. This is because you can see the whole of the city from there and the best attractions, like the Gediminas Tower. This micro-nation may be some sort of prank, but its constitution sure seems official. I went on two free tours in Vilnius: the Free Walking Tour with guide Ele, and the Free Alternative Tour with Marge, both showing two completely different sides of Lithuania's capital. And they can open your eyes . Lithuanian language and text were banned. With the countless things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania, coupled with its dreamy quality, this city is no doubt a must-visit destination. This is to represent the Baltic Way which took place in 1989. Oct 3, 2020 - Are you travelling to Lithuania? It is HUGE at over 1,000 feet high, so youre bound to feel like youre up in the clouds. It was cheap and convenient. It's actually the highest point in all of Vilnius, which means if you want great views, then here will have them. We got to learn the history behind a lot of the Lithuanian dishes, like Zeppelins or Cepelinai, and other popular foods like Rye bread too. To learn more about cookies, you can consult our. Not only does it draw attention for its architectural . Lithuanians step on this tile facing the cathedral, spin around 3 times, all the while making a wish! The City Bastion Viewpoint can be visited 24 hours a day, but if you want to go insidethe museumor onto the terrace, this is only open from Tuesday Sunday from 10am 6pm. They have a show stopper of a Christmas Tree all lit up and there is a lot of festive cheer around this area too. Moreover, our partners, such as Google Adsense, will collect data and use cookies for ad personalization and measurement. 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. For anyone who is into escape rooms or any kind of innovations, you are going to have a blast here.. It has had quite a colourful history since it was built, becoming an Orthodox church, a museum about Atheism during the soviet era, and then going full circle back to a Catholic Church today. Its made light with honey, but its deceiving as its also really strong. Then I would book yourself in for a relaxing massage at Azia Spa. According to legend, before a church was placed here, it was a site of a Pagan temple dedicated to Milda. YSC cookie is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages. More travel. 4. During my week here, I got to explore many cities and attractions outside of Vilnius and wrote helpful guides for each of them; Europos Park is a contemporary art museum founded in 1991 and set in nature. The Fabijoniks district plays the part in the infamous Pripyat, The Museum of Occupations plays the KGB prison and a few of the former government buildings and guest houses were transformed into courtrooms and hotels. 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. More things to do and see: Uupis - the hipster quarter in Vilnius and a self-declared independent republic with its own flag, currency, president and constitution. I use. Outsider Art 3. The most famous mural that Vilnius is known for is the shotgun mural of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin called Make Everything Great Again by artists Dominykas ekauskas and Mindaugas Bonanu. Climb the University Bell Tower. This classic walking tour will take you through the quaint Old Town of Vilnius and Uupis too! Parents were separated from their children and sent away. But, there is a grassy area opposite to take a nice photo. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Another fun place with plenty of digital things to do in Vilnius is Future Live interactive exhibition. Its delicious and I would highly recommend trying. The Hill of Crosses. Our favourite things to do in Vilnius. Jelonek - Heavy Metal Sabre Dance in Vilnius Lithuania. A cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface. Climb up the Church of St Johns Bell Tower, 37. 8. Hill of Three Crosses. My guide on a Vilnius walking tour also told me that you can always navigate your way around the city by heading down to this spot. AddThis sets this cookie to ensure that the updated count is seen when one shares a page and returns to it, before the share count cache is updated. Years ago, before Duke Gediminas united and founded Vilnius, it actually used to be a series of villages. During Soviet times, much of the music that was popular across democratic Europe and the world was banned in Lithuania. Many Lithuanian freedom fighters fought against the Soviet troops and were jailed and killed. It's bell tower is one of the tallest structures in historic Old Town.Reach the top, and you'll be rewarded with unparalleled 360 views of Vilnius Old Town.The observation deck is so large, that there was even enough room to install an elevator! (the company that believes in giving stories, not stuff! Gediminas Tower of the Upper Castle in Vilnius The Ultimate Guide, Eravikulam National Park 15 Essential Tip You Must Know Before Visiting. It is unique in that it also is a Chapel that holds a miraculous . Just over a year later, Lithuania was granted independence in 1990. Both were amazing! Later, in the 17th century, the church belonged to the Uniates of the Basilian Order. A dark and disturbing testimony to the events that still cast a shadow over the city. You will need to fill in a form and then you pay 8 Euros for a tour that will take you around the Library, University Halls and Courtyards too. #1 Walk around the Old Town. (the . Help. With his iconoclastic image, American rock star Frank Zappa became a symbol of the freedom that people had for so long been denied and in 2001 a member of the Vilnius bohemian set founded the Frank Zappa Fan Club. Vilnius Old Town. Have fun in Liepkalnis Ski Run. Climb up the Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower, 5. Set on the Neris River, Lithuanias picturesque capital is peppered with shrines, churches and baroque architecture. There are around 100 sculptures that can be found throughout the park all created by international artists. Discover mysterious legends and stories as you walk around the city with a professional local guide. One of my favorite things to do in Vilnius when people come to visit is go up to Gediminas Castle. Deals. But, I feel that although these are dark places, learning about history is necessary so these things do not happen again. Reservations are recommended for large groups and at peak times. Within Vilnius, do not skip the KGB Museum or the quirky Republic of Uupis. Lukiks Prison 2.0. How many of the churches were destroyed and how so many Lithuanian people were deported to hard labour camps, imprisoned, or killed. See the official website for opening times. Its only an hour and a half by train, so I highly recommend getting up early and making the most of it. A single cross for a miracle, which multiplied to include hundreds of thousands. Here are a few of my favourite streets and courtyards in the old town; Click here to book a courtyard tour of Vilnius. If youre going to need WiFi, make sure you ordered. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It was then a huge art district. Fun Things to Do in Vilnius with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. It does not store any personal data. One of my favourite areas of the city was the bohemian Free Republic of Uupis! You never know where it may lead! Prices start from 45 Euro for a one-hour treatment which is really reasonable for full-body treatments. Have some cheap eats or Lithuanian Mead at Snekutis, 16. Search Bookings. The Gate of Dawns is open 24 hours a day to take photos from the outside. The palace has a long and noble history and has stood here since the 14th century during the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. 6. 4. Here, I want to share with you a few of the more unique things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania. Its also FREE to visit. . #3 Stroll through the Republic of Uzupis. Entrance is 4.50 Euros. If the Old Town isnt your bag, why not go on an alternative tour of Vilnius? You can pay to enter the Bell Tower and learn about its history inside, but the real payoff comes from the views from the top. 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. Years ago the whole upper castle was a defensive fortification built by Gediminas grandson, Duke Vytautas. But, the reality is that the French soldiers used it for shelter during the Napoleonic wars. Another amazing viewpoint in the city is the incredible Hill of Three Crosses in Vilnius. It sparked worldwide media attention and was extremely controversial at the time. Reservations in advanceare highly recommended. Stays Stays. With St. Anne's Church in the background Bernardine Park was a huge open space with lovely laid out gardens, plenty of grass to run around on, and lots of shade. To fully experience this awesome city, here are 4 epic, fun, exciting things to do in Vilnius. Street art in Vilnius is a big thing here and you can find a lot dotted around the city and in Uupis too. There is a popular legend that Napoleon Bonaparte fell in love with this church and he wanted to take it back to Paris in the palm of his hand. 7 were executed and thrown from Bleak hill and the other 7 were crucified thrown into the Vilnia River. You can also download the Trafi App for times and directions. This is a chargeable museum but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of artifacts inside! 1. 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. Click here to see all the tours provided by Vilnius with Locals! Youve got the Gate of Dawns in the background, a whole range of historic architecture including the Philharmonic building, church spires, and cobbled streets. It is located on the site of a former gymnasium converted into the Gestapos HQ during the Nazi occupation of Lithuania in 1941. Furthermore, it is also set in a former KGB . The part that really gave me the chills was the death chamber. Today its cells have been left virtually untouched, making it a true memorial to a past that many would rather forget but that the wider world cannot allow to happen. Designed for nature and outdoors enthusiasts, guests can expect grill and barbecue events, mulled wine, craft beers and night-time bonfires all of which combine to create a magical ambience. The main sights in Vilnius + history of the city Cathedral Square & St.Stanislaus Cathedral. List your property . He brings a world-class level of gastronomy to the Lithuanian capital. 5. Its also in the centre of the old streets. Moreover, our partners, such as Google Adsense, will collect data and use cookies for ad personalization and measurement. Step inside the Church of St Peter and St Paul, 39. The Gate of Dawn in Vilnius is the city's only surviving city gate. I didnt end up going inside as it was closed, but the church itself has a mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Russian Byzantine styles. One of those is a set of footprints. 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. The best things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania. The Atlas Obscura Guide To Vilnius 16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Vilnius, Lithuania Updated August 22, 2022 Today, you can find fountains, sculptures, flowers, benches, and grass to sit on or have a picnic! I particularly loved the chapel in the Gate of Dawn where you can see the portrait of the Blessed Mary. Unfortunately, I took way too long to find it before I realised that it was completely closed! With ochre rooftops and green rolling hills, Vilnius is stunning. Car Rental Car Rental. Today it serves as a community-building with events held throughout the year. During the Soviet Era, it was converted into a warehouse. Read my complete Trakai guide here and the best way to get there here from Vilnius! And for real aficionados, Amber polishing demonstrations are available upon request. KGB Museum (Genocido Auku Muziejus) Housing the Nazi occupants during WW2, and the Soviet KGB directly after, and up until 1989, this building has sealed. Art Deco 2. It was originally built for Anna, the Grand Duchess of Lithuania, and the wife of Vytautas the Great. If youre heading around some of the neighbouring countries, make sure you browse some of my blog posts; Moomin Cafe: why you need to visit one in Helsinki! Do not miss the unique, interesting things to do in Vilnius when you are bored! Gediminas Castle Tower. They say it all started with a vision, and a pilgrimage across the country to save the life of a farmer's daughter. Sacred Spaces 4. St Johns Church is part of the university and definitely one of the top things to do in Vilnius if you're looking for a view. #4 Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights. Every Sunday at 12 pm you can see a solemn flag hoisting ceremony, where soldiers of the Honour Guard Company of the Lithuanian Armed Forces dress up in Medieval attire. Thats because he is known as the founding father of Vilnius! I would highly recommend it and you can book onto the tour here. But with the fall of communism came a cultural liberation and suddenly bands that were previously outlawed were pumping out of teenage bedrooms, park stereos and music venues across the nation. Look out for the The Walls Remember, People Tell street art around here, these are paintings inspired by real people who used to live in the area. To mark the occasion, a quirky project was put forward that resulted in the construction of the worlds largest coin pyramid. Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights. Gediminas Tower. This library is one of the oldest and largest academic libraries in Lithuania founded in the 1570s by the Jesuits. It was made when the railway line between St Petersburg and Vilnius was built and the development of the city demanded it. Cross over the Bridge of Uupis and find the Mermaid; 3. Look out for the amazing graffiti surrounding it. 25 Things To Do In Vilnius Lithuania in Winter. From different Vilnius attractions to visiting one of the many churches to going to the Trakai castle, to walking on the streets of the Old Town. Read more why you need to visit Vilnius in December. If you want to know what you can expect, they have a nifty3D tour here. Throughout the year, this is also the location of many community events like Concerts in the Summer and in December it comes alive with the annual Christmas Tree and Markets! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. GIFTEDWe spent ab. It now holds over 5.7 million documents and its bookshelves cover a whopping 166 kilometres. Master Pieces by great illusionists from Netherlands, Sweden, Japan and all over the world, of 1920s to 1970s. YouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video. Taking pride of place on one of Vilnius' main squares, the Vilnius Cathedral is a sight you're sure to see. The first church that stood here was to mark the spot where the three Lithuanian Christian Martyrs (Anthony, John, and Eustace) died. Lithuania is a small country and so most big cities and attractions can be reached in less than a few hours from the capital. There were people coming in all the time for treatments and massages. Frank Zappa Statue: Perhaps the most famous of all Vilnius tourist attractions, this bust of the ethnically Lithuanian musician is an offbeat site for fans of the man and his music. Now, when youre wandering around Cathedral Square you may find some bits a little interesting. Another famous street that leads off from Vilnius Cathedral Square is Gediminas Avenue. But, I would recommend seeing the whole thing.

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