7 free things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania: a complete travel guide
Wacky statues, urban legends, and unexpected cuisine— welcome to Vilnius, a Baltic city sprinkled with surprises and filled with fun things to do. Check out what to put on your itinerary in this travel guide.
Where can you find a giant Tony Soprano statue, an “Easter egg” monument, the best bagels in the Baltics, and a city within a city complete with border control? Vilnius, Lithuania. A city that stole my heart with its wacky, weird, and wonderful things to do and see.
Vilnius had me asking, “why aren’t more people coming to Vilnius?” It set the bar high for my time in the Baltics and I consider it one of the most underrated cities in Europe. The Lithuanian capital has so much to offer in terms of architecture, street art, and delicious food. Vilnius {pronounced vil-noose} has a whole hidden lather of coolness minus any pretension. There were treasures around every corner— from satirical murals to urban legends. And I’ve compiled the mainstream tourist attractions and the lesser-known gems in this off-the-beaten-path guide.
getting to Vilnius ↴
RyanAir and WizzAir both provide affordable flight options from most cities in Europe and the U.K. There is a train that will get you from the airport to the city center. It’s a 15-minute ride that costs about €1.
If you’re already in the Baltics, I’d highly recommend a more environmentally-minded option and travel to Vilnius via bus. To get to the city center from the bus terminal, there is a city tram that will get you there for approximately €1 per person.
getting around Vilnius ↴
Many of the top attractions and landmarks in Vilnius, including a visit to the city within the city {the Republic of Užupis}, is accessible on foot. Even though it’s a fair size, the Old Town doesn’t require anything more than your own two feet and this is the best way to insure you don’t miss anything in the city.
If you’re planning on venturing a bit further outside of the main tourist area, there are city buses and trolleys that run from early in the morning until midnight. You can pay the bus/trolley driver directly and your ticket will cost €1. Or, if you’re staying in Vilnius for a while and are based in the outskirts of the city, you can get a reloadable transportation pass for €1.50 and each ride will cost a discounted €0.64. Timetables and routes for buses are less than reliable, but will get you where you’re heading with a little patience if you have time to play with.
what to see + do in Vilnius ↴
wander the old town
The Old Town of Vilnius is one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Northern Europe, which is why it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its lovely pastel churches and cobblestone streets are well-worth a wander. The Old Town is also where most of the city’s best cafés and most highly-rated restaurants are located. Exploring Old Town on foot is a great way to see the idyllic side of Vilnius.
COST | free
take the Free Alternative Vilnius Tour
Taking the alternative tour with Free Tour Vilnius opened me up to a whole different side of the charming city I’d been exploring. Thanks to the free tour, I came across the best street art, alternative eats, and hidden modern history. I saw a giant Tony Soprano statue, learned about celebrities that Lithuania claims {though the ties are often very distant}, and picked up some great food recommendations. The tour itself starts in the Old Town and lasts about 2.5 hours. You will do a LOT of walking during that time, so wear comfortable shoes {and sunscreen if you happen to be visiting in the summer months}.
COST | free, tips appreciated
get your passport stamped crossing the border into the republic of užupis
The residents of the bohemian, self-declared Republic of Užupis, which translates to “beyond the river”, have had their community compared to Freetown Christiana and Montemartre. Truthfully, it felt like a smaller, less private blend of those two places. Near the lovelock bridge is a small handicraft store with an “official” passport stamp for Užupis. Once you “cross the border”, there are an abundance of art installations thanks to the nearly 1,000 artists that contribute to the population of 7,000. The quirky art includes mermaid statues and bronze angel figures. Don’t miss the constitution hanging on the walls of the main road. It’s been translated into 23 languages and includes little nuggets like, “People have the right to be happy” and “People have the right to be unhappy.”
COST | free
make a wish at the miracle tile
On August 23rd, 1989, approximately 2-million people linked arms and held hands across the length of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. This would later be referred to as “the Baltic Way”, which is the longest unbroken human chain in history. The chain covered 370 miles of ground, starting in Tallinn, Estonia and ending in Vilnius, Lithuania at a tile marked “stebuklas” in Cathedral Square. The Baltic Way was meant to be a symbol of national sovereignty and a peaceful protest of the Soviet rule. It is credited with being a contributing catalyst in the three countries gaining their independence in 1991. “Stebuklas” translates to “miracle”. Today, visitors to Vilnius seek out the tile to make their hearts’ deepest wishes come true by spinning around the tile three times, jumping up, and clapping once.
COST | free
feed your inner starving artist with a walk down literatu gatvė
Writer’s Lane, or Literatu Gatvė as it is known in Latvian, is a stretch of street dedicated to Lithuanian writers. Not all the writers featured are Lithuanian born and bred, but they are all connected to the country in some way, shape, or form. There are over 200 tiles dedicated to “Lithuanian” writers and their works. Maybe walking by each of them will inspire you to pen your next novel.
COST | free
explore the Jewish Quarter
Vilnius overall is easy on the eyes, but the Jewish Quarter is particularly nice to look at. This area of Vilnius is all cobblestone streets, paper lanterns, and carved wooden doors. Despite being the part of town where most of the Jewish population pre-war resided, it’s hard to visually make the distinction. This makes it a bit hidden. There aren’t any synagogues or mezuzahs. The fact of the matter is, a majority of the Jewish community in this area did not survive. Thus, the only remnants from before the Holocaust of their rich cultural presence are Hebrew street signs you have to keep your eyes peeled for. Still, the Jewish Quarter one of the most beautiful areas to take a walk through.
COST | free
check out the street art {including the tony soprano + little donald trump statues}
Sure, spray painted graffiti has its charms, but Vilnius has welcomed a new era of street art that includes politically-charged murals and statues that depict cultural icons. Artists from around the globe have found a haven in the streets of the Lithuanian capital. If you decide to try and stumble upon the art installations on your own, head towards Uzupis, Pylimo Street {where you can find the infamous Trump kissing Putin piece that is now housed inside a pizza shop} and Olimpieciu street. You can also give “Little Donald” Trump, a statue outside the aforementioned pizza shop, a hug. The artist responsible for making the figure believes that if Trump would have gotten a few more hugs as a child he wouldn’t have grown up to be such a prick. Oh, and don’t miss Tony Soprano’s larger than life statue and art installation near the {unusable railroad}.
COST | free
pay your respects at the Genocide Museum
Part of being a responsible traveler is taking the time to learn about the history of a destination. In Vilnius, much of this history is dark and violent. In the last part of the 20th century, the KGB had a large and overwhelming presence in Vilnius. The Genocide Museum is housed in the KGB’s former prison and depicts the suffering of prison inmates as well as what life for everyday citizens was like under Nazi and Soviet rule.
OPENING HOURS | 10am-5pm on Sundays, 10am-6pm Wednesday-Saturday. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
COST | €3
where to eat in Vilnius ↴
Beigelistai | Jewish Lithuanians like to claim the bagel as their own, though there are many other communities that also claim the carb-y goodness as their own. I can personally recommend the bagel with cream cheese and locally-sourced honey. I also indulged in a hot Chai on the side, which made for a yum start to my morning.
Zatar falafel and hummus | Zatar is healthy, affordable and super delicious. If you’re into Middle Eastern of Mediterranean food, Zatar is the place to be. It’s particularly popular with millennials in Vilnius and vegans. Zatar isn’t a fancy eatery, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious.
Hales Market Hall | Between the train station and the Gates of Dawn is the oldest market hall in the city. Locals do their grocery shopping in Hales Market since prices are reasonable and the selection is fantastic. If you want to find Lithuanian nibbles and bits to snack on, this is the spot to head to. Honey, meats, cheeses, and traditional sweets stalls are surrounded by modern eateries and coffee vendors.
Taste Map | Taste Map is the place to go if you enjoy the art of coffee— manual brewing, finely roasted beans, and fair trade suppliers. Taste Map is my pick for a solo coffee date {since none of my friends appreciate the process of coffee in the same way}.
Holly Donut | One of my favourite moments from my time in Vilnius was a golden hour spent downing a delicious donut in the last streams of the days’ daylight. It sounds a bit cheesy, but it was a simple moment I look back on extra fondly. Holy Donut makes specialty donuts, like the white chocolate and mixed berry donut I inhaled. It also serves up coffee and kombucha. The later in the day you visit, the fewer the donut options exist. So, if you have your heart set on having your pick, I’d make this a breakfast stop instead of a nightcap as I did.
Žemaičių ąpotis | Away from Old Town of Vilnius, Žemaičių ąpotis is a local haunt serving up Lithuanian classics like cepelinai {potato dumplings served with sour cream}. It’s a bit harder to eat vegetarian here, but it’s a window into traditional cuisine.
Šnekutis | Another favorite spot among locals is Šnekutis, a local pub with a great selection of beer and an affordable food menu. This place is actually a chain, so there are a number of locations. The atmosphere here is relaxed and the WiFi is strong, which makes it a fantastic spot to get a little work done while you chow down. Locals swear by the cabbage roll and the potato dumplings, staples of traditional cuisine.
Crooked Nose + Coffee Stories | Looking for a café with a sleek aesthetic and space to get some work done? Crooked Nose + Coffee Stories is that place. This airy café and its glorious daylight would be my pick for a workspace if I were based in Vilnius, except there isn’t a food menu. Come here for a cup of joe and head to one of the other places listed in this guide to get your food fill.
quick tips for first-timer’s in Vilnius ↴
Credit + debit cards are accepted most places around the city
Lithuania is part of the European Union + uses Euro as currency
Vilnius in the winter is snowy {but supposedly there is a great atmosphere}, and in the summer it’s fairly mild {I found it really comfortable}
map ↴
Find the best things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania on the map below.
