• 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.

Thanks for reading! Some links used above are affiliate links and I earn a small percentage of each sale, but it won’t cost you anything extra! Using my links allows me to keep writing articles just like this one for you to use in planning amazing trips! If you have any other questions, drop them in the comments below!

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A converter for my chargers. Most of Europe and Central Asia uses the same type of plugs, but this type is different from US and UK plugs, among others. Getting an international converter which can change between 3-4 types, or a set of converter blocks will save you from relying solely on power banks and USB ports. You also don’t want to worry about searching for converters at your destination! Take care of it before you leave for your trip, and you can keep using it for many trips to come.

And on that note, a power bank! You never know when you’ll visit a location without plugs at all, or when you’ll be out in the city all day, so save yourself from getting lost and bring a reliable, charged power bank.

An eye mask and earplugs. As is the case in most hostels, people will be coming and going at unpredictable hours. They might have an early flight to catch, or be out partying until the early daylight hours. Prevent multiple wakeups by using an eye mask to block light, and if you wake up easily from noises, bring earplugs. Maybe bring a few pairs in case you lose one of the plugs (worst situation to be in)! You can also use these on planes, trains, and any other mode of transportation you happen to find yourself using.

A microfiber towel. This has saved me more times than I can count when the hostel up charges for towels, when I want to take a quick dip on a hike, or when the weather is so nice I just need to lay on some grass in the sun. These towels fold up small and are light, and they dry fast so you can use them multiple times per day! Most full-size towels also come with a smaller towel that you can use to wash your face or wash dishes.

Some cash in the local currency. While some people might warn you away from exchanging money at the airport, there are many countries that still heavily rely on cash. Leaving the airport with at least $50 in local currency can save you the headache of wandering around a new city looking for ATMs, and you can always use this money for souvenirs if you find that credit cards are accepted at most places.

A physical sim card or esim. This is one of those items that you can take care of in country, but if your phone is newer you can purchase an ESIM before you even leave for your trip. I like Airalo because they have multi-country packages with easy top-ups if you use all the data, but there are many options out there! (You can use my referral code FELICI1911 to get money off your Airalo ESIM purchase if you decide to go with that company)

Thanks for reading! Did I mention everything you thought I would? Let me know your travel non-negotiables down in the comments.

1. Booking the all-female dorm in a hostel.

Or, if the price is insanely different to get an all-female room, I’ll book the mixed dorm and do my best to get a top bunk. While this doesn’t guarantee 100% safety, it does help me sleep a bit better at night. And as any traveler will tell you, sleep is THE most important aspect of your travels. Continuing with the sleep theme…

2. Not revealing where I’m staying.

If I’m chatting with someone on my trip, I never ever tell them which accomodation I’ve booked. I might say something vague like the area of the city or simply lie and say I’m staying with friends. You never know what someone’s intentions are, and you can never be too cautious with what information you reveal to strangers. The same goes with telling people what I’m planning to do next that day. I don’t want others to know where they can find me later on- am I paranoid? Maybe a little, but I also enjoy the individual experiences I have and don’t want random people tagging along.

3. Bringing a knife or other small self-defense object.

I always check the laws of a place I’m traveling to before bringing my self-defense objects, but most countries permit small, foldable knives for protection. I only bring these when I’m traveling by train, or when I’m checking a bag, but it helps me to feel safer when walking alone. Some girls I’ve met also bring pepper spray on their trips.

4. Not drinking.

I choose to not drink when I’m alone anyway, since I don’t see the point in not combining alcohol with a social setting, but when I’m solo traveling I definitely don’t drink to keep my senses on the alert. If that’s not your thing, and you can function on high alert after a few drinks, then this point isn’t for you, but I choose to save drinking for times when I’m with my friends and we can look out for each other!

5. Working out when I’m at home..so I can run away if I ever need to.

This point is more of a pre-travel topic, but I run and do cardio when I’m not traveling to keep my heart and lungs in shape… just in case. I also tend to gravitate toward wearing sneakers or other shoes I could easily run in. Luckily, I’ve never had to run away from anyone (I have had to run to get my passport but that’s a story for another post), but it never hurts to be prepared! If you’re a pro at running in heels you can totally opt for less comfy shoes to match your outfits, but my preference is usually sneakers.

5. Last, but not least..post after the fact!

When I’m traveling, I post a few stories of the big sights I see, but try stay away from any identifiable or locational pictures until I’ve already left the city. This helps protect you while you’re on the trip, as well as making sure people don’t know exactly when your house or room are empty.

If you found this post helpful, let me know! I’d love to hear from you about where I should travel next and what other topics I should cover. Just write to me at feliciacarrara@gmail.com or on Instagram @felcarrara.

1. Not reading hostel reviews and just going for the cheapest one.

I booked most of my hostels using Hostelworld which has a great rating system, but I didn’t pay attention to some of the reviews of hostels. At my first stop in Amsterdam, I chose the cheapest hostel and ended up getting bed bugs on my VERY FIRST day!! I had also booked the hostel for a few nights so I had to suffer through knowing I was being bitten for a few more nights. Most of the time, reviews are kept very recent and other travelers will report any issues with the hostel, so be sure to check these in the app or on the hostel’s own page.

2. Traveling between cities too often and not taking rest.

Over the course of 21 days, I hit 12 cities in 5 countries!! They were all extremely beautiful, and definitely worth visiting, but next time I would travel to fewer cities and spend more time in each. I was spending on average two to three days in each location, with travel by train or bus between each. This was EXHAUSTING and definitely took away from being present in each city I visited. I also ended up hitting the ‘Best of’ points of each city (ie the most popular museums and restaurants) and didn’t dig into the deeper history and culture of the places I saw. Additionally, switching places so frequently is more expensive than spending four to five days in each place before moving.

3. Not utilizing free resources like Guruwalk as a starting point for planning.

Now that I’m a more experienced traveler, I schedule a FREE Guruwalk guided tour to hear about the history and best restaurants of a new city as my first activity upon arrival. Many of these tours are given by locals who have a real passion for their city and can show some of the best spots in their area. From there, I can decide if the places I researched in advance are worth visiting with my remaining time on the trip! This has saved me so much time wandering around not knowing if a restaurant has authentic cuisine as well as knocking a few popular monuments off my list right off the bat. You can also meet travelers with similar interests as you among the group and team up to explore the city afterward. Schedule your FREE tour here!

Liked what you read and want to plan your own trip? Contact me at feliciacarrara@gmail.com, schedule a consult, or follow my journey @felcarrara on Instagram.

*Disclaimer: I have used affiliate links in this post. These come at no extra cost to you and I may earn commission from these links. This helps support my travel business and allow me to keep producing content for you!

and I’ve been traveling the world since I can remember. My parents always prioritized experiences over gifts around the holidays, so I’ve spent many hours in a car watching the landscape go by, in a plane looking down at the clouds, and sleeping on passenger trains.

I’m currently in university studying International Relations (go figure), so my passion is traveling on a budget and seeing some of the less-explored parts of the world.

Two summers ago, I spent 3 weeks backpacking in Central Europe, hitting 5 countries and spending under $4k for all expenses (airfare, food, hostels, and experiences). Since then, I have developed even more of a passion for helping others to explore the world with the money they have now instead of waiting until their ‘million dollar break’ to discover the globe!

See below for some snapshots of that trip Can you guess some of the places we went?

How I can help you?

The aim of this blog is to tell you all about my travels- starting from a few years ago and progressing up to the present moment and (hopefully) beyond! I’ll give you recommendations for my favorite cities, eateries, and accomodations all for FREE. All I ask is that you share my blog with your fellow travelers and respect the locals and nature wherever you go.

Follow along with my journey live on Instagram here.

If you want more (and personalized) guidance, visit my Thatch page for some guides or a consultation call.

And lastly, thank you SO much for being here. I hope you can find inspiration for your next trip in these posts.

Bye for now,

Felicia