Sights and food you simply can’t miss when in Lithuania

• Activities
• Where to Stay

Lithuania is the southernmost Baltic state, often called the ‘little brother’ of Poland due to its shared history with the nation. It is a must-see when you’re on the Eastern side of Europe.

The country is largely Catholic so be sure to plan ahead if you want to purchase alcohol- sales at markets close in the early evening most days. You can, of course, always have a beer or your drink of choice at a bar, but be sure not to bring it outside away from the patio. Unlike the other Baltics, Lithuania is quite strict about drinking alcohol outside on the streets and in parks.

If you have some flexibility on when to travel and love museums, Lithuania offers free admission to most museums on the last Sunday of each month, so it might be worth scheduling your trip to coincide with this date.

No matter the time of year, here are eight activities that will add joy to your trip to Vilnius, Lithuania. At the end of the list you can find my Google Map for Vilnius with some extra locations!

*Vilnius is one of the last cities to allow hot air balloons to fly over it and they launch in the morning and late afternoon from Vingis Park.*

Activity 1: Take a walking tour to see the ‘most famous’ monuments and learn some history

As you may know, I love a good GuruWalk in new cities. This list of tours shows availability for a variety of walks showing the old town, the free republic in the middle of Vilnius, or off-the-beaten path highlights. Whatever you fancy, these tours have something for everyone, and local guides are the best resource for finding authentic restaurants. (Lucky for you, I asked my guide for his recommendations and included them in this list!)

Activity 2: Visit Užupis Neighborhood and look at their constitution

Užupis is an autonomous, bohemian neighborhood in the middle of Vilnius city. It is a home for artsy, independent minded people and has its own defining constitution inscribed on walls in the district. You can find plenty of street art as well as the best food I ate on my trip. (Order the fried rye bread platter and take the chance to pair it with some local beer!) If you’re lucky, you might see the Ministries of Tall Women and Cats holding a neighborhood meeting at this restaurant (Užupio Kavine). Behind the cafe is a warehouse with some unique, handmade goods and across the street you can even stamp your passport!

Activity 3: Climb to Gediminas Castle Tower and enjoy the view

You’ll be able to see the impressive hill that Gediminas stands on from most of the Old Town, but one of the best views of the city is from on top of the hill. If there’s an activity happening in the main cathedral square you can watch from up here as well. The climb from the back of the hill isn’t too strenuous, but if you’ve already hit your 20,000 steps for the day, there is a small cable car reaching up and down the monument.

From the top, you can see the Old Town as well as the new and shiny part of Vilnius.

Activity 4: Eat what seems like a whole potato at Etno Dvaras

This restaurant can be found in a couple locations around the city and provides a fun experience for everyone. Modeled after the historic architecture and design of the Lithuanian people, Etno Dvaras feels like you’re stepping into a time when the country was made up of separate people groups with their own cuisines. The menu here is extensive so I recommend going with a few friends or your family- everyone can order one or two dishes and you all share!

The ‘whole potato’ is their signature potato dumpling stuffed with your choice of filling. I also enjoyed the flavored teas found in the back of the menu. The tea with crushed raspberries inside brought me right back to the summer I spent in Kyrgyzstan. Other dishes I tried and would recommend are the sauerkraut soup and beef stroganoff.

Activity 5: Walk up to the Three Crosses Monument

My other favorite view of the city was from the top of the hill where this monument sits. It’s a short walk from Užupis or the Bernardine Gardens (a beautiful spot for a slow afternoon) and is part of a larger system of trails, so you can extend your urban hike if you’d like. The trails are well maintained and marked so don’t be afraid to spend a fair amount of time exploring by foot or bike. If you’ve rented a car, there’s a parking lot at the bottom of the hill, right near the Gediminas Castle.

After your hike you can soak your feet in the river winding round the park and through the Bernardine Gardens and watch dogs and birds splash in the water.

Activity 6: Stroll down Gedimino Street and do some window (or real!) shopping

This street, branching off from cathedral square, is one of the longest continuous straight streets in Vilnius and has plenty to offer every kind of traveler. I stopped into the cat cafe- don’t expect much from the food here, but the cats are sweet- and browsed the many souvenir and clothing shops this street had to offer. If you’re a history buff, the Museum of Occupations (KGB Museum) and Lithuanian Parliament are located along this path, and if you prefer a quieter vibe, the many streets branching off to the sides offer you a nice experience.

Activity 7: Walk through the Old Town and wave at people across the world using the Portal

A fun surprise on my visit to Vilnius was seeing one of the viral ‘portals’ in the main square of the Old Town, right in front of the Old Town Hall. Every few minutes the displayed changed to show people in other country and seeing how the crowds on each side interacted was very sweet.

Activity 8: Walk across the Gate of Dawn and listen to songs about Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn

The Gate of Dawn is a small chapel connected to the larger Church of St Theresa on the outskirts of Vilnius’s Old Town. It houses the icon ‘Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn’ and acts as a bridge across the old street. You can access it through the Church and visit the icon as well as look down the long road into the rest of the Old Town. If you come at the right time, which is most of Saturday and Sunday, there may be a crowd of religious pilgrims singing in front of the icon.

Right down the same street is Vilnius’s main Orthodox Church- Church of the Holy Spirit, and it’s worth a peek inside to compare the decor styles of the Catholic Church and Orthodox Church! Just be sure to bring a head kerchief as women are encouraged to cover their heads in orthodox churches.

What about lodging?

There are many nice places to stay in Vilnius but my favorite was Pogo Hostel right near Cathedral Square. It was central to practically every activity I did, and right around the corner from Pilies Street which had many restaurants, bars, and supermarkets. The place itself was nice and clean, had a kitchen and sitting area, and the staff are incredibly nice and accommodating if you need to check in outside of reception hours.

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