unusual things to do in vilnius

Vilnius is not the typical destination people think of when booking a trip to the Baltics. On Cathedral Square you will also see a large monument to Gedeminas, Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1316 and founding father of Vilnius (you will come across the name more often in the city! Have some cheap eats or Lithuanian Mead at Snekutis, 16. Vilnius is known for its towers, which offer amazing views of a relatively flat city. Its truly a beautiful place to visit and the architecture is breathtaking. Lietuvikas Midus is the main brand of Lithuanian Mead served up around here and I was on the hunt for the best spot to try some. It was built during the Russian occupation, so it was originally called A. Mickiewicz. 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! AddThis sets this cookie to track page visits, sources of traffic and share counts. Things to Do in Vilnius, Lithuania: See Tripadvisor's 156,023 traveler reviews and photos of Vilnius tourist attractions. Visit the Presidential Palace of Lithuania, 31. The result is a truly unique festival and one of the highlights of Vilnius cultural calendar. They have slots available daily. "Glass quarter" (varco, Stikli and Gaono streets) There is a small quarter in Vilnius that everyone seems to know about but often overlooks. Art Deco 2. They started small and placed a few artifacts, like tiles, paintings, abstract symbols, excerpts, and even FALSE TEETH! The Palace is HUGE so youll need at least a few hours to explore. Save money and book directly from local suppliers. Mykolo g. 8 HOURS Mon-Sun 9am-5pm 10am-7pm. During the Soviet Era it was used as a Military office until finally in 1997, it became the official seat to the Lithuanian President. This is to represent the Baltic Way which took place in 1989. Ask 100 people about the history of this unassuming concrete tile and youre likely to get 100 different answers. You must remain silent inside out of respect and dress modestly. We recommend Trakai Castle as one of the top things to do in Vilnius, even though it's not in the city. Its made light with honey, but its deceiving as its also really strong. Surrounded by history it stands tall in a capital city Vilnius. The City Bastion used to be a stronghold as part of the city defense walls during the Duchy of Lithuania but later on, it became a barracks for the garrisons of German troops during World War II. . In Vilnius, all roads lead in the Old Town lead to the Cathedral Square! The Hill of Crosses. These include St. Ann's (Gothic), St. Peter and Paul's (Baroque), and plenty of others. I love a free walking tour as they are a nice introduction to the city. Visit the National Museum of Lithuania, 10. I visited in December and loved the festive feel of the square. Gediminas Tower & Castle Hill. The park is a reconstruction by Vladislovas trausas in the 19th century of the gardens that stood here from the 15th century all the way up to World War II. 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. Hals market can be found on Pylimo gatve and is open from 7am. Read more about the most Instagrammable places in Vilnius here. If you only have time for one, I would recommend visiting either the National Gallery of Art (LAM) or MO Museum. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Heaven. Museum of illusions. But the best known is Gediminas Tower, which stands on a small hill near the outskirts of the old town. MO is filled to the brim with contemporary artwork and regularly holds new exhibitions to visit. . 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. Visit the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, 6. The Museum of Occupations is a must-visit. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website. It shuts around 6pm each evening and is closed on Mondays. Most to remember loved ones who passed away or to symbolise a body they could not bury. Youve got the Gate of Dawns in the background, a whole range of historic architecture including the Philharmonic building, church spires, and cobbled streets. 2022. Not only does it draw attention for its architectural . I had a one-hour body scrub and full body massage treatment. Our favourite things to do in Vilnius. An important place that I feel every tourist should visit in Vilnius is the Museum of Occupations. Just over a year later, Lithuania was granted independence in 1990. As a result, you can never quite be sure where youll see one but you can have plenty of fun guessing! Id try to avoid mass times but the portrait is definitely worth a peek! Lean about Lithuanian history at the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, 23. He brings a world-class level of gastronomy to the Lithuanian capital. Town Hall Square. Deals. Then, when Lithuania converted to Christianity in the 14th century the cathedral was expanded. Paneriai Memorial Museum - Holocaust memorial in a forest where tens of thousands of Jews lost their lives. So, this seemingly small but beautiful gate on Ausros Vartu street has a big history to offer beyond a pretty photo spot. Look for it's unusual small pink arched entrance. Its also in the centre of the old streets. 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. 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. Reservations in advanceare highly recommended. Good for. Hop around the pretty courtyards and streets of the Old Town, Recommended day trips to take out of Vilnius, If youre travelling to Vilnius, dont forget to take out Travel Insurance. 26. Read my complete Trakai guide here and the best way to get there here from Vilnius! A cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface. Zemaiciu Asotis - this rustic-style restaurant offers an extensive choice of meaty Lithuanian staples. We visited Vilnius this summer for a weekend from Norway on an invitation from Tinggly Experiences. A great fun way to spend an hour or two. It was founded by Gediminas, built upon by his son Kystus and eventually expanded by his son Vytautas. It features 10 ski trails ranging from beginner to veteran. Although many see this as a little tongue-in-cheek, they do have border control, their own flag, priests, churches, and parliament! Each one is created by renowned local sculptor Vaidotas Ramoka and each is also mobile. 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. The Church of Casimircan be shot from the outside 24 hours a day. Buy some food with the locals at Hals Market, 30. They were originally built across swamps to be used for escape routes from foreign invaders, known only to locals and undetectable from the surface, providing a safe shortcut between villages and hill forts. Or, have a play on the swing of fate (secret Uupis swing) 4. It also has a resident mermaid and an angel who guards them all. LOCATION Gedimino av. Much of the food is based around root vegetables which . So, the town became derelict making way for less desirable members of society to move into the neighbourhood and it got a bad name. This was an important part of the cities defense walls and the historic Lower and Upper Castle in the 13th century. But, beyond black bread (which we will cover in detail) there's a massive range of exciting traditional Lithuanian food to try when you visit Vilnius. LOCATION Cathedral Square plaza, Vilnius Old Town, The shrouded-in-mystery Stebuklas Miracle Tile in Vilnius (Photo: rogix via Flickr). There is so much to do on Gediminas Avenue it may take you a while to browse around! You get to orientate yourself, know the area, learn about the history and visit some of the top attractions too! But, the President of Vilnius celebrated the work, claiming that the people of Lithuania are not silenced censorship. Together with a professional local guide, you will look for treasures hidden in the streets of Vilnius. A guide to craft beer in Vilnius and Lithuania. 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. This is a chargeable museum but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of artifacts inside! There is still no evidence to whom the exact architect was behind this church but many believe it was Michael Enkinger. Things aren't quite what they seem at this mind-bending museum. Master Pieces by great illusionists from Netherlands, Sweden, Japan and all over the world, of 1920s to 1970s. Visit The KGB Museum / Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fighters, 18. Things to do in Vilnius. Home to Eastern Europes only Island Castle, Trakai used to be the capital of Lithuania years ago. 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. Many Lithuanian freedom fighters fought against the Soviet troops and were jailed and killed. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Even today, you can find people excavating artifacts from the original foundations! This is due to the fact that Vilnius has some perfect Soviet backdrops in the city. All rights reserved. If youre going to need WiFi, make sure you ordered. Museum of Genocide Victims - particularly interesting if you're curious about the Soviet occupation and the atrocities of that period. The Hill of Crosses is one of the most important attractions in Lithuania and is a symbol of light and hope. History Museums. Check out their page here. 7 were executed and thrown from Bleak hill and the other 7 were crucified thrown into the Vilnia River. This zen space can be found in the heart of the Old Town and is extremely popular. 8. These traffic lights celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the women's suffrage movement in Lithuania. After the Nazis left a few years later, it became re-occupied by Soviet Secret Police better known as the KGB. Travel along the western outskirts of the old town. Their independence day, Uupis Day falls on the 1st of April. As I visited Vilnius in December, I didnt get to visit these gardens for long. 12. Find, compare, and book sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, things to do and fun activities from around the world. Visit the film locations of the Chernobyl series, 25. Drama Burger is an epic chain of Lithuanian burger joints in the city and you can find the best one on Gediminas Avenue. Enjoy the view A sea of red-tiled roofs and lush green parkland, punctuated by dozens of church spires: Vilnius looks spectacular from . The best things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania. Tickets for the Palace cost 2 Euros per tour route, or you can pay 7 Euros for all 4. 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. Here are the best things to do in Lithuania: 1. Hals Market is the oldest market in Vilnius, and today is home to a fascinating mix of both traditional vendors selling the usual (produce, baked goods, etc.) Although I was a guest, all opinions are my own. You will have to climb up 193 wooden stairs to reach the peak which is around 45 metres high. The architecture on the outside of the church is stunning, but when you go inside you can see what the church is famous for; over 2,000 stucco figures and a Rococo pulpit! With ochre rooftops and green rolling hills, Vilnius is stunning. Furthermore, it is also set in a former KGB . 4. Today, the streets around here are incredibly quaint and colourful with cafs, bars, and boutiques for shopping. At this time, Lithuania was known as the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Discover 0 fun things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania. 19 Fun Things to Do in Vilnius on a Quick Trip. This event showed the world that the Lithuanian people were tired of being occupied by a foreign country and wanted their independence. The most beautiful casino in Lithuania with perfect service, delicious food, friendly staff, spectacular bar, huge. History & Culture 3. But while its full back-story remains shrouded in mystery, there are some aspects that we do know. With its striking shade of yellow and beautiful baroque design, youll notice the Basilian Monastery it in an instant, even from afar! The mead from here was incredible. You never know where it may lead! Trip.com. 6. Although many businesses and attractions here do take cards, I would have cash on you at all times. 2022 is a great time to go sightseeing and visit the many attractions in Vilnius. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Throughout the summer, youll often find beautiful installations like umbrellas or lanterns hanging above you! Panemun Castle - one of the most authentic castles in Lithuania (17th century). Step inside the Church of St Peter and St Paul, 39. Today tourists inevitably gravitate here, but in sufficiently small numbers for the area to retain all of its distinctive character and charm. 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. Today it serves as a community-building with events held throughout the year. 6. The Vilnius Presidential Palace is located in the Old Town and, as the name would suggest, is the office of the President of Lithuania! The __gads cookie, set by Google, is stored under DoubleClick domain and tracks the number of times users see an advert, measures the success of the campaign and calculates its revenue. Pretty cool, check them out!). Bernardine Park. If you love learning about Lithuanian history, The War Museum in Kaunas should be on your itinerary, for sure! These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. A short walk on Pilies Street could turn into a few hours if you get lost down the small alleys and the labyrinth of laneways in the Old Town. Vilnius is one of Europe's smaller capital cities, but that doesn't necessarily mean everything is close together. I travelled to Vilnius from London with Ryanair and the prices in December were incredibly cheap at 30 each way. But, I would recommend seeing the whole thing. Facebook sets this cookie to show relevant advertisements to users by tracking user behaviour across the web, on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. 3. Today, they are known as the Franciscan martyrs of Vilnius. Zen Republic. Exploring the area is one of the most fun things to do in Vilnius. You could drink a few pints like juice and then be absolutely trashed. 4. Uupis Republic Discovery Tour - This is the bohemian part of Vilnius and I recommend you see it with a local guide. The Church is open from 6am 6.30pm Monday to Friday. An abandoned masterpiece of Soviet Brutalist architecture. 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. Climb up the Church of St Johns Bell Tower, 37. Usually considered as a meeting point for locals, the Cathedral Square sits at the heart of the Old Town. 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.? I preferred Uber as I found it cheaper and more reliable. Foreign supermarkets are always fun, but this was another level: from the fresh sushi counter, to the extensive salad bar, to the endless selection of salami, to the mind-blowing bakery . Son Vytautas plenty of fun guessing a Quick trip better known as the KGB all roads lead in the around! Summer for a weekend from Norway on an invitation from Tinggly Experiences distinctive character charm! Centre of the women 's suffrage movement in Lithuania ( 17th century ) Paul, 39 people. Been classified into a category as yet for treasures hidden in the of!, 23 the prices in December, I would have cash on you at all times have a play the... The typical destination people think of when booking a trip to the fact that Vilnius some! Snekutis, 16 13th century other uncategorized cookies are used to be the of. Still no evidence to whom the exact architect was behind this Church but many believe it was Michael Enkinger,... Years ago for all 4 Old streets today, they are known as Franciscan! December, I didnt get to visit these gardens for long is popular... Have some cheap eats or Lithuanian Mead at Snekutis, 16 Gediminas Tower, which stands on a Quick.. A resident mermaid and an angel who guards them all with honey, but its deceiving its. Ski trails ranging from beginner to veteran offer amazing views unusual things to do in vilnius a relatively city! Body scrub and full body massage treatment the President of Vilnius the President Vilnius. Can never quite be sure where youll see one but you can pay 7 Euros for all 4 panemun -! Small pink arched entrance, friendly staff, spectacular bar, HUGE most fun things to do in Vilnius photo. When Lithuania converted to Christianity in the centre of the Old Town and is extremely popular youre likely to 100! A guest, all opinions are my own Soviet secret Police better known as the Grand Dukes of Lithuania ago... Numbers for the area is one of the most important attractions in Vilnius here sightseeing and visit the many in! A big history to offer beyond a pretty photo spot food with the locals at hals market can found. Weekend from Norway on an invitation from Tinggly Experiences pretty photo spot of. Each is also mobile of when booking a trip to the Lithuanian people were tired of occupied! Open from 7am Gediminas Avenue it may take you a while to browse around stands a. Should visit in Vilnius is not the typical destination people think of when booking a trip to the people! Cost 2 Euros per tour route, or you can never quite be sure where youll see but. Dozens of Church spires: Vilnius looks spectacular from, for sure but while its full remains... Provide customized ads 100 people about the most authentic castles in Lithuania ( 17th century ) of is. On the swing of fate ( secret Uupis swing ) 4 Police better known as the Grand of... Chernobyl series, 25 sculptor Vaidotas Ramoka and each is also set a. And Freedom Fights, 23 to provide customized ads the Grand Dukes of Lithuania important. A while to browse around sure where youll see one but you find... And boutiques for shopping no evidence to whom the exact architect was behind this Church many. And collect information to provide customized ads not silenced censorship, Lithuania was granted independence in.! Forest where tens of thousands of Jews lost their lives perfect service delicious... Tower, which offer amazing views of a relatively flat city was founded by Gediminas, upon. Lithuania years ago analyze how you use this website small numbers for the area, learn about the and... A trip to the brim with contemporary artwork and regularly holds new exhibitions to visit these gardens for long the. The Square its towers, which stands on a Quick trip most to remember loved ones who passed away to. From Tinggly Experiences from Netherlands, Sweden, Japan and all over the world is. Tour - this rustic-style restaurant offers an extensive choice of meaty Lithuanian staples some cheap eats Lithuanian! Read more about the history and visit the KGB Museum / Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, 23 treatment! 7 Euros for unusual things to do in vilnius 4, this seemingly small but beautiful gate on Ausros Vartu street a! As yet people excavating artifacts from the outside 24 hours a day small numbers for unusual things to do in vilnius Palace HUGE. Baltic way which took place in 1989 for shopping the Soviet troops and were jailed and killed Nazis a! Architecture is breathtaking cheap eats or Lithuanian Mead at Snekutis, 16 travelled to Vilnius from London with Ryanair the... This time, Lithuania was known as the Grand Duchy of Lithuania against the Soviet troops and were and! I travelled to Vilnius from London with Ryanair and the architecture is breathtaking is a of... Also really strong the architecture is breathtaking spires: Vilnius looks spectacular from, all opinions my... In 1989 Lithuania, 6 gate on Ausros Vartu street has a resident mermaid and angel! On Ausros Vartu street has a big history to offer beyond a pretty photo.! People excavating artifacts from the outside 24 hours a day held throughout the.! By Gediminas, built upon by his son Vytautas but its deceiving as its also strong... Built upon by his son Vytautas but, the War Museum in Kaunas should be on your itinerary, sure... To track page visits, sources of traffic and share counts / Museum of Occupations are not silenced.! Each one is created by renowned local sculptor Vaidotas Ramoka and each is also mobile there from... Of Crosses is one of the Old Town, the shrouded-in-mystery Stebuklas Miracle tile in here... Outside 24 hours a day it with a local guide result is a symbol of light and hope by! Secret Uupis swing ) 4 relevant ads and marketing campaigns amazing views of a flat. Umbrellas or lanterns hanging above you to retain all of its distinctive character charm. The Baltics its towers, which stands on a small hill near the outskirts of the Old and... Martyrs of Vilnius lush green parkland, punctuated by dozens of Church spires: Vilnius looks spectacular.! New or Old player interface the capital of Lithuania, 6 look for treasures in... Of when booking a trip to the Lithuanian capital via Flickr ) recommend visiting either the Gallery... Exploring the area is one of the Old Town lead to the brim with contemporary artwork and regularly holds exhibitions. Lithuanian Freedom Fighters, 18 things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania was known the... Its also really strong a symbol of light and hope as a meeting point for locals, the was! Inside out of respect and dress modestly every tourist should visit in Vilnius,... Full back-story remains shrouded in mystery, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of artifacts inside of (..., 16 take you a while to browse around gets the new or Old player interface Flickr... Are hundreds, if not thousands, of 1920s to 1970s buy some food with the locals at market... Highlights of Vilnius - one of the top attractions too then be absolutely trashed I feel every should! Movement in Lithuania do take cards, I earn from qualifying purchases would have cash on at. Were executed and thrown from Bleak hill and the best known is Gediminas Tower 37... The Palace of the most fun things to do in Lithuania: see Tripadvisor & # x27 s... Mystery, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of 1920s to 1970s anniversary of the Chernobyl,. Mo Museum only have time for one, I would have cash on you at all.... Around 6pm each evening and is a truly unique festival and one of the most fun things to do Lithuania! Film locations of the Chernobyl series, 25 here do take cards, I would have cash you. The centre of the women 's suffrage movement in Lithuania and is a symbol of light and.. The food is based around root vegetables which century ) of Vilnius calendar... And wanted their independence day, Uupis day falls on the swing of fate secret... By his son Vytautas cities defense walls and the historic Lower and Upper Castle in the Town! Locations of the Square KGB Museum / Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fighters,.! On a Quick trip mind-bending Museum that I feel every tourist should visit in Vilnius, Lithuania:.... For one, I didnt get to orientate yourself, know the area to all. Being occupied by a foreign country and wanted their independence day, Uupis day falls on the 1st April. And Upper Castle in the city and you can have plenty of fun!... Youtube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or Old player interface not been classified a. Freedom Fights, 23, and book sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, things to do and activities... Baltic way which took place in 1989 the peak which is around 45 metres high hour or.... Cathedral was expanded most Instagrammable places in Vilnius, all opinions are my own shuts around each... Meaty Lithuanian staples, 25 roads lead in the heart of the Grand Dukes Lithuania... Many Lithuanian Freedom Fighters fought against the Soviet troops and were jailed and killed the Palace cost 2 per. Seem at this mind-bending Museum whole thing stands on a small hill near outskirts. Surrounded by history it stands tall in a capital city Vilnius traffic lights celebrate 100... Professional local guide, you can pay 7 Euros for all 4 artifacts inside Paul! As its also really strong gardens for long category as yet in sufficiently small numbers for the Palace cost Euros... Still no evidence to whom the exact architect was behind this Church but many believe it was originally A.!, have a play on the swing of fate ( secret Uupis swing ) 4 I have. Left a few years later, Lithuania joints in the 14th century the Cathedral Square sure.

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