A single cross for a miracle, which multiplied to include hundreds of thousands. The site is surrounded by a vast garden and is also close to St. Annes Church and the Vilnele River, meaning theres plenty of things to see and do during your stay. Have some cheap eats or Lithuanian Mead at Snekutis, 16. In Lithuania, they use the Euro. Moreover, our partners, such as Google Adsense, will collect data and use cookies for ad personalization and measurement. There are around 100 sculptures that can be found throughout the park all created by international artists. Today, this picturesque street is home to historic architecture, boutique stalls, coffee houses, restaurants and so much more. The exhibits will take you on a journey of Lithuania from the prehistoric age to the present. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Today, they are known as the Franciscan martyrs of Vilnius. Explore the Old Town. Check out my complete guide for this caf including the love story here! Lithuania is a small country and so most big cities and attractions can be reached in less than a few hours from the capital. The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. So, this seemingly small but beautiful gate on Ausros Vartu street has a big history to offer beyond a pretty photo spot. Not as romantic as all that! Travel along the western outskirts of the old town. One of the distinctive Smiling Angel statues that are dotted around Vilnius (Photo: Mark via Flickr). The Palace is HUGE so youll need at least a few hours to explore. You can get there by taking bus number 66 straight to the location of the park. See some more details here. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It's actually the highest point in all of Vilnius, which means if you want great views, then here will have them. Within Vilnius, do not skip the KGB Museum or the quirky Republic of Uupis. I didnt end up going inside as it was closed, but the church itself has a mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Russian Byzantine styles. 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. By 695arthurm. The Gate of Dawns is open 24 hours a day to take photos from the outside. Although many see this as a little tongue-in-cheek, they do have border control, their own flag, priests, churches, and parliament! It is this lovely, laidback feel that make the things to do in Vilnius a delight to explore. Art Deco 2. Have dinner in the highest building in Lithuania (TV Tower), 24. Gediminas Tower. Copyright Third Eye Traveller 2023 | Disclosure & Privacy Policy. Three Crosses Hill: Another monument to Lithuania's tense past with . It really is as pretty as a postcard. See Tripadvisor's 1,56,019 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Vilnius attractions 2. 6. Visit the official website for visiting times and prices for Europos Park. It was even used by both Tsar Alexander I and Napoleon while they were in Vilnius! Vilnius Old Town. But, there is a grassy area opposite to take a nice photo. It then changed to Stalin avenue and Lenin Avenue. And yet today there are over 70 of these cherubic looking figures at various locations around town. Discover mysterious legends and stories as you walk around the city with a professional local guide. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. If youre interested this church was built in 1387, so it has a lot of history to tell and is worth popping in to have a look too. In 1914 it was officially known as Hals Turgis. If you only have time for one, I would recommend visiting either the National Gallery of Art (LAM) or MO Museum. Churches 3. You could drink a few pints like juice and then be absolutely trashed. Perfect for those who don't enjoy the grueling climb. LAM highlights Lithuanian and international painters through time. Jack Lim. Packages Packages. Car Rental Car Rental. If you carry on to the end, youll find the Vilnius Town Hall. Together with a professional local guide, you will look for treasures hidden in the streets of Vilnius. Things To Do In Vilnius. 2022 UPDATED UPDATED Top 10 Things To Do https://bit.ly/3KUhF6EBest Hotels In Vilnius https://bit.ly/3kSZV18-----. Literatu Street is open to the public, is FREE to visit, and accessible 24 hours a day. BIX Baras. Visit the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, 6. Vilnius isn't just beautiful to behold - it's also an economic powerhouse in the Baltics. So, the people revolted and kill them all. According to legend, before a church was placed here, it was a site of a Pagan temple dedicated to Milda. Find, compare, and book sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, things to do and fun activities from around the world. Even today, there are markers where those used to be in the square. More travel. Located in Vilnius Old Town, there is no more unique district anywhere in Lithuania than Uzupis. Located directly next door to Vilnius main train station, patrons can enjoy imbibing till their hearts content while gazing out at trains passing by. 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. They will introduce you to different aspects of the local culture and to different parts of the city beyond the centre. 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. Its an enlightening visit. Soon after, he commissioned a sculptor to create a bust of Zappa on a patch of land in the city centre. Vilnil. Cross over the Bridge of Uupis and find the Mermaid; 3. I went on a private walking tour with them which I would also highly recommend if your budget can stretch. Its completely free! The Church of Casimircan be shot from the outside 24 hours a day. Escape Games. Watch on. For example, Lithuania is an agricultural country; lots of mushrooms, milk, and honey. Furthermore, it is also set in a former KGB . Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. But, things really took off at the beginning of the 20th century and it became a huge food market in 1906. Not much to say, we fell in love with it straight away! Years ago the whole upper castle was a defensive fortification built by Gediminas grandson, Duke Vytautas. If you really want to experience something local then Hals Market (Hals Turgis) should be your place. Lithuanians step on this tile facing the cathedral, spin around 3 times, all the while making a wish! #3 Stroll through the Republic of Uzupis. The caf is open from 9 am 11 pm daily. I later found out that the statue was erected in 1993 after his death to mark a new era of Post-Soviet Lithuania. Vilnius old town is definitely worth to visit, one of the oldest old towns in Europe, mist be in everyones list! Vilnius is one of Europe's smaller capital cities, but that doesn't necessarily mean everything is close together. The Old Town is also 10 minutes away by foot. Today, the hill by the City Bastion is a popular park and viewpoint in the city and from here you get a great view of the churches, Uupis, Gediminas Tower, and beyond. Read more. By the 17th century, the foundations were falling apart and it was reconstructed into the Neo-Classic style. Guided tours cost extra. 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. GIFTEDWe spent ab. You can follow ambers history through a series of ancient rooms in the cellar, including one showcasing reconstructions of Juodkran treasure and a baking shop from the end of the 15th century. It was really relaxing and just what I needed after some busy days exploring! So if you want a nice little introduction to Vilnius, this is your first stop. Its a lovely peaceful part of the city with great views of the Gediminas Castle and Hill of Three Crosses. Vilnius has a total of 65 churches, and spires and domes punctuate the skyline. Classical Heavy Metal Music Mash-up in Vilnius, Lithuania. If youre planning a trip here in summertime, this is a must-visit. Learn About Vilnius Ghost Stories & Legends, Vilnius Lithuania Points of Interest | 7 Tourist Attractions, 7. Such was the interest in the new edifice that a military brass band played famous Zappa hits at its unveiling and it remains a popular attraction to this day. In other words they can be carried anywhere at any time. 2022. A dark and disturbing testimony to the events that still cast a shadow over the city. The first church that stood here was to mark the spot where the three Lithuanian Christian Martyrs (Anthony, John, and Eustace) died. Out of all the views in Vilnius, this one was my favourite. Take a closer look at this bustling city with our suggestions for unique things to do in Vilnius. It shuts around 6pm each evening and is closed on Mondays. Things to do in Vilnius: Check Trip.com's traveler reviews and must-play items in tourist attractions. All rights reserved. Just be patient with the traffic and masses of tourists using the crossroads! 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.? If youve been hooked on the new HBO series of Chernobyl about the infamous disaster in Ukraine. Heres their menu. You can visit the memorial on K. Kalinausko g. 2B, but its quite hard to spot at first. Its a great investment. 7. Unusual Things To Do in Vilnius: There are some very interesting, unusual things to do in Vilnius; check out these: 7. Climb up the Gediminas Castle Tower to take in the views, 7. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Free Things to do in Vilnius - Neris River. You can also download the Trafi App for times and directions. As there are SO many churches in Vilnius, Id try to visit just a few while youre here. See here for details. This monument is a memorial to them that was torn down twice during the Soviet occupation. Read my complete Trakai guide here and the best way to get there here from Vilnius! LOCATION v. - Klook US . Mead from the Baltics is one of my favourite drinks and so whenever I have the chance to drink some I snap it up! LOCATION Geleinkelio g. 6 HOURS Sun-Mon 5pm-1am Tue-Wed 5pm-2am Thur-Sat 5pm-4am. Its also FREE to visit. by Paul Joseph|Published June 7, 2017, Where to Find Short Term Rentals in Amsterdam, 5 Charming Bed and Breakfasts in Cape Cod. As the tallest and oldest tower in Vilnius, it stands approximately 52 metres high and overlooks the whole of the Old Town. Europe Travel Tips . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It means youre officially a resident of Uupis! I wasnt disappointed. 7. While the Vilnia River winds through the quieter areas of the old town, the Neris River is flanked on both sides by a main city road. Perfect for a rainy day. It costs 4 Euros and is open from 10am 6pm Wednesday to Saturday. The Neris River forms the dividing line between the new and the old city. A short walk from Cathedral Square will take you to the National Museum of Lithuania. I will warn you that the church is located next to a busy road. If you love learning about Lithuanian history, The War Museum in Kaunas should be on your itinerary, for sure! You were brought to the room and without a word shot. Deals. 2. Vilnius Cathedral, or properly known as the Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius, is the center point of the city. Such is the potency of the tiles historical significance that many believe it now has magical, wish-granting properties. Today, you can climb up to the tower to find incredible views of the whole of Vilnius! So, make sure you try it out for yourself while youre here. #1. Visit the film locations of the Chernobyl series, 25. A guide to craft beer in Vilnius and Lithuania. Vilnius is not the typical destination people think of when booking a trip to the Baltics. 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. 3. 4. Vilnius has some great open spaces and parks in and around the Old Town. This library is one of the oldest and largest academic libraries in Lithuania founded in the 1570s by the Jesuits. The Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower is open from 10am 7pm in summer and 10am 6pm in winter. How they were held in tiny cells, tortured and you didnt know if tomorrow would be your last. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. For more fun activities in Vilnius, try any of these unique tours. Although I was a guest, all opinions are my own. Have a Instagrammable lunch at Augustus Ir Babora Love Story Caf, 19. There is so much life happening in this part of town and so I would recommend scheduling time to explore a few places. If you tell someone you are going to Vilnius, you are often met with a confused look and a 'Where is that'. Read more the best viewpoints in Vilnius. And they can open your eyes . This is to represent the Baltic Way which took place in 1989. The Gate of Dawn, or Sharp Gate, is one of the most important religious and historical monuments in the whole city. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Originally it was built in the Gothic style but the style we see today is a Neoclassical reconstruction by Laurynas Stuoka-Guceviius. Plus its only 30 minutes from Vilnius making it the perfect day trip. Or, have a play on the swing of fate (secret Uupis swing) 4. YouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data. Many Lithuanian freedom fighters fought against the Soviet troops and were jailed and killed. Save money and book directly from local suppliers. But, it was destroyed and burned down due to the Russian invasions. Visit The KGB Museum / Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fighters, 18. Eventually, when Lithuania was granted its independence it was renamed Gediminas Avenue after the Grand Duke Gediminas who founded Vilnius. Vilnius, Lithuania. The Church of St. Anne is a Gothic style church in Vilnius' Old Town. Visit the Presidential Palace of Lithuania, 31. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Home to Eastern Europes only Island Castle, Trakai used to be the capital of Lithuania years ago. The interior is just as pretty with flowers and trellises and I made sure I was first there for photos! Not only does it draw attention for its architectural . Kaunas is often called Vilnius quirky brother and, as the second-largest city in Lithuania, its well worth checking out. On August 23, 1989, a few months before the fall of the Berlin Wall, around two million people joined hands across Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to make the Baltic Way, the longest unbroken human chain in history, spanning over 370 miles. Cookies containing your personal data may be used for personalized and non-personalized advertising to you. St. John's Church is located on the campus of Vilnius University. 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. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 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. It became one of the most famous palaces in Europe at that time. 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. Alternative Vilnius - 10 unique things to do in Vilnius Visit Vilnius Cathedral (Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius) This Cathedral is seen as the most important icon of Roman Catholicism in the city and is a top pilgrimage site for catholics in Lithuania. Artworks mounted on a wall in Literatu Street (Photo: FaceMePLS via Flickr), We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience and save your preferences. (the . . See the official website for opening times. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the 18th century and what we see today was a huge reconstruction of the original building that used to sit here. The Vilnius TV Tower is the tallest building in Lithuania and an attraction in the new part of the city. Not only does this city have its own epic castle, but there are also some unique attractions to explore like Fort IX, the worlds only Devil Museum, and neighbourhoods covered in street art! Lithuania is a deeply Catholic country and this cathedral is one of the country's most important places of worship. The tower, which is one of Vilnius' oldest and most popular tourist attractions, offers a 360-degree panorama of the city and exhibits objects related to Lithuania's history. It does not store any personal data. Browsing an art gallery is something I LOVE to do in cities and I had my heart set on the MO museum. Things aren't quite what they seem at this mind-bending museum. 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. As well as religious monuments and memorials, there are over forty pieces of art by famous Lithuanian painters. Unfortunately, I took way too long to find it before I realised that it was completely closed! I always use Google Maps if I have WiFi, or download Maps.Me if Im going to be offline. Lithuanians are a very clear and literal people. Source: Shutterstock. Share. 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. 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. You can have a Thai massage, Segmented massages, facial treatments, and body scrubs too. It was a great introduction to Lithuanian dishes as I really didnt have a scooby about what sort of food they ate in the country before that. View this post on Instagram. Share. The cherry on top? Outsider Art 3. My favourite part of Pilies street was veering off down the small pretty side streets, courtyards and alleyways. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. He brings a world-class level of gastronomy to the Lithuanian capital. I love Baltic countries and have had the pleasure of visiting a few during my years of travelling. From an Old Town that looks like something from a fairytale, gothic castles, and breathtaking viewpoints. Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2022. Today, it is the home to many government authorities in Vilnius but its also home to hundreds of retail outlets, restaurants, cafs, and the Museum of Occupations. But while its full back-story remains shrouded in mystery, there are some aspects that we do know. You can visit the inside of the church during the restricted opening hours, but even if its closed its worth stopping here for a photo! It may be closed to visitors during mass times. It makes for a perfect day trip and only takes a 30-minute bus ride to get to Trakai. This is a chargeable museum but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of artifacts inside! Explore the ruined castle complex, with the Gediminas Tower still standing, and the cathedral and bell tower in lively Cathedral Square. They started small and placed a few artifacts, like tiles, paintings, abstract symbols, excerpts, and even FALSE TEETH! We visited Vilnius this summer for a weekend from Norway on an invitation from Tinggly Experiences. The mini series took over 1000 hours to film and is one of Lithuanias biggest productions to date. 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. I went on a day tour to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius but you can do this self-guided too. This event showed the world that the Lithuanian people were tired of being occupied by a foreign country and wanted their independence. Fighting UFO's. This 560 m2 area is separated into several rooms. Each one is created by renowned local sculptor Vaidotas Ramoka and each is also mobile. It was one of the most successful warrior states at that time and used Vilnius as its capital. While 2 days in Vilnius is generally enough to see most things and to get a good feel for the city, we would recommend trying to spend 3 days in Vilnius in order to be able to get the most out of Lithuania's capital while also being able to go on a day trip or two. Enjoy the view A sea of red-tiled roofs and lush green parkland, punctuated by dozens of church spires: Vilnius looks spectacular from . Its located just off the Town Hall Square in the Old Town and is a Roman Catholic temple. Things to do in Vilnius in a nutshell Its one of the most popular attractions in Lithuania, so you really cant miss it! Make sure you have a look on the Vilnius Town Hall website for whats on while youre here. 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. Hals market can be found on Pylimo gatve and is open from 7am. Vilnius Old Town. Read the top attractions in Kaunas here and where to find the best street art. Both were amazing! 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. The brainchild of two Lithuanian physics students, the pyramid featured a delicately balanced stack of over 1,000,000 disused coins from the countrys previous currency. In Uupis, you will find art galleries, coffee shops, cosy restaurants and small charming shops, where you can find unusual things from antiques to various works of art. Take a tour of the Vilnius University Library, 32. This former gymnasium was the headquarters of both the Gestapo and the KGB. This review is the subjective opinion of . Help. The National Museum costs 3 Euro a ticket and is open from 10am 6pm Tuesday through Sunday. World War Ii 3. Originally intended as a temporary exhibition when it was launched in 2008, the wall quickly grew in popularity and it was soon decided that it would remain, becoming a popular stop-off point for both locals and visitors to the city. Search Bookings. In England, our mead is served up like a wine. Groups & meetings. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. A day well spent in Vilnius is a day spent strolling around the Old Town.The houses were adorable, with tiny cobbled streets going in all and any direction (we didn't find one straight corner there), and small parks and green areas scattered around.The last part particularly surprised me - there were so many pretty parks and green squares . There is so much to do on Gediminas Avenue it may take you a while to browse around! Walking, especially within the Old Town, will be your best bet most of the time. They were originally set up by Bernadine Monks that were invited to Vilnius. So thats all the things to do in Vilnius, but if youre here for a few days and fancy a day trip, there are lots to choose from. 4. If youre going to need WiFi, make sure you ordered. This viewpoint around the area is FREE but if you wanted to visit the terrace in the City Bastion museum this is chargeable. Then I would book yourself in for a relaxing massage at Azia Spa. Museum of illusions. Vilnius with locals run a fabulous free walking tour that runs from the Cathedral Square daily at 10am and 12pm. Visit a cool local market. You can see a concert, visit an art exhibition, literature events and much more! Click here to see Drama Burgers website and menu. One of my favourite coffee houses in Vilnius was the Augustus Ir Babora Love Story Caf! Uutrakis Manor - restored 19th-century manor. As was tradition, many of these gates had religious artifacts inside to protect the city from attacks and bless travellers that walk through them. Written October 1, 2022. This was a state that was founded by Lithuanian people but formed unions with kingdoms like Poland, Prussia (Germany), and Austria. Vilnius Old Town is really easy to get around on foot. Visit the streets of the Vilna Ghetto (Jewish Ghetto), 17. As the oldest baroque church in Vilnius, it was built in the 17th century by the Jesuits and is dedicated to the holy prince Saint Casimir. Vilnius Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sits at the point where two of Lithuania's main rivers converge.