Things to Do in Vilnius
Plan your days in Vilnius, your way
Vilnius is a city you can hold in one open hand, and three days here feel like the right amount of everything.
Start at Cathedral Square and climb to Gediminas Tower before the light changes — the one essential view, done early.
Wander the Old Town without a map; it is small, baroque, and forgiving to the lost.
Lunch is your choice of pink cold beet soup or a plate of cepelinai, and either is the correct answer.
Afternoon across the bridge into Uzupis, the bohemian quarter with its own constitution and a good riverside cafe.
If the mood is green, Vingis Park is twenty minutes away and feels like leaving the country.
If the mood is history, the KGB museum or the Palace of the Grand Dukes will hold you for hours.
Golden hour belongs to the Hill of Three Crosses, where the whole city turns amber and nobody rushes you.
Dinner in a vaulted cellar, Lithuanian mead to finish, an early night or a late one as you please.
You asked for a bit of everything; Vilnius quietly specializes in exactly that.
Top attractions and places to eat in Vilnius
Vilnius Old Town
One of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Northern Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage site full of baroque churches, cobbled streets, and squares. A must-see for its history and atmosphere.
attraction · 4.6 rating
Gediminas Castle
The surviving red-brick tower of Vilnius's historic Upper Castle, now a museum offering exhibits on the city's history and panoramic views from the top.
attraction · 4.3 rating
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fighters
A museum in the former KGB headquarters documenting the Soviet and Nazi occupations of Lithuania and the resistance movement, including preserved prison cells. A sobering and important historical site.
attraction · 4.4 rating · €6
Church of St. Anne
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture in Vilnius Old Town, renowned for its intricate red-brick facade. A must-see for admirers of historic architecture.
church · 4.5 rating
Vilnius Cathedral
The neoclassical Roman Catholic cathedral on the city's main square, a central symbol of Vilnius and a key site of Lithuanian religious and national history.
church · 4.3 rating
Užupis Cat
A small public sculpture in the Užupis district that has become a quirky local landmark. A quick photo stop while exploring the neighborhood.
attraction · 4.1 rating
Three Crosses Monument
An iconic white monument on a hilltop in Vilnius, offering sweeping views over the Old Town. A landmark and popular viewpoint reached by a short uphill walk.
attraction · 4.4 rating
Church Of St Peter And St Paul
Baroque church famous for its ornate interior featuring around two thousand stucco figures.
church · 4.6 rating
Vilnius Museum of Illusions
An interactive museum filled with optical illusions and immersive photo installations. A fun, playful stop especially for families and groups.
attraction · 4.7 rating
Lukiškės Prison 2.0
Former Soviet-era prison transformed into a cultural hub for music, art, and design.
landmark · 4.9 rating
Holocaust Museum (The Green House)
Museum documenting the destruction of the Lithuanian Jewish community during the Holocaust.
museum · 4.4 rating
BARN bistro ( B’ARN )
A casual bistro in Vilnius offering a modern menu in a laid-back setting. A spot for a relaxed sit-down meal.
restaurant
Literatų gatvė
A charming cobblestone street in Vilnius's Old Town lined with artworks and plaques dedicated to writers connected to Lithuania. Travelers stroll here for its creative, whimsical wall installations.
attraction
Baras Pievos
A laid-back bar in Vilnius with a relaxed, plant-filled atmosphere popular for drinks and socializing. Travelers go for casual evening cocktails and a local vibe.
bar
Samuel Bak Museum, Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History
A museum in Vilnius dedicated to painter Samuel Bak and the history of Lithuanian Jewry, part of the Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History. Visitors come to see Bak's surrealist works and learn about the region's Jewish heritage and Holocaust history.
attraction