Ultimate Itinerary For 2 Days In Vilnius, Lithuania 2026

Set in the heart of the Baltics, Vilnius is one of Europe’s most charming and underrated capitals. With its baroque Old Town, scenic viewpoints, and relaxed café culture, it’s the perfect place for a laid-back weekend city break without the crowds.

Just a short trip away, the lakeside town of Trakai also offers a beautiful change of pace with forest trails and its iconic island castle providing an escape into nature.

In this blog, I share my tried and tested itinerary for two days in Lithuania’s captial including time in Trakai. Covering the must-see sights, great places to eat, and practical tips to help you plan your trip.

Read on from the top for all the details or use the options below to jump to the sections you’re most interested in. Let’s go!

1. Is Vilnius worth visiting & are two days enough?
2. Where is Vilnius?
3. How to get to & around Vilnius
4. When to visit Vilnius
5. Day 1: Old Town gems, arty Užupis + panoramic views
6. Day 2: A dose of nature at Trakai Island Castle + Pūčkoriai
7. Best places to eat & drink
8. Best places to stay
9. What to pack & know before you go
10. How much a trip to Vilnius costs

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links, so if you do make a purchase through them I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Vilnius at a glance:

• Bucket list hot air balloon ride over Trakai Island Castle
• Official Vilnius transport app
• Easiest Lithuania eSIM
• Cheapest flights to Vilnius

Is Vilnius worth visiting & is two days enough?

Before we get into the details, you might be wondering if Vilnius is actually worth visiting. My answer would be yes, but it does depend on what you’re looking for… Vilnius is a buzzing city packed with beautiful architecture, rich history and panoramic viewpoints. Simply put, it’s the perfect city break for history and culture lovers.

However, if you find yourself losing interest after visiting more than two churches in a day, Vilnius might not be the one for you. While it is beautiful and somewhat varied, there main sights are mostly incredible churches. So if you’re after more variety and it’s your first time visiting the Baltics – I’d recommend considering Tallinn, Estonia or Riga, Latvia.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to dodge the crowds and see more of Lithuania’s iconic medieval history, consider its second city, Kaunas. Or like we did, add a day in Kaunas onto your trip!

Find my complete guide to visiting Kaunas here.

When it comes to how long you need to see the city, I think two days is perfect. That will give you a full day to explore the Old Town and then another day to see the gems in the surrounding area. While the heart of Vilnius has plenty to see and do, I think you’d be missing out if you only saw that and not the beautiful lakeside town of Trakai too.

With that in mind, I’d really recommend spending two days here. Of course, if you want to take things slower or explore more of the towns surrounding the city, you could always spend longer. But I wouldn’t recommend much less time than two days.

Where is Vilnius?

As you can see from the map below, Lithuania’s capital is one of the southernmost cities in the Baltics. This position has influenced Vilnius’ culture and history, giving this region a more central European feel with strong religious ties compared to the more Nordic culture in northern Latvia and Estonia.

Within Lithuania, Vilnius sits in the far east of the country, close to the border with Belarus and surrounded by rolling hills, national parks and dense woodland. It’s this proximity to nature that makes Vilnius a particularly special city.

How to get to & around Vilnius

Now let’s talk logistics. Generally speaking, getting to Vilnius is pretty easy and affordable – there are various transport options depending on where you’re travelling from. Here are the main options…

By air

As the city has it’s own international airport, if you’re travelling to Vilnius from outside of the country, the quickest and most cost effective option is usually to fly. Vilnius International Airport offers nearly 80 direct routes from across Europe and the Middle East so you’re likely to find a flight that suits you.

Find and book the cheapest flights to Vilnius here.

By train

If you’re travelling to Vilnius from another Lithuanian city like Kaunas, or a neighbouring country, then it’s usually then it’s much cheaper and easier to take the train. Here are the main routes:

Kaunas to Vilnius: 1 hour – €10

Klaipėda to Vilnius: 4.5 hours – €26

Riga, Latvia to Vilnius: 4 hours – €24

Tallinn, Estonia to Vilnius: 11 hours – €39

Warsaw, Poland to Vilnius: 7.5 hours – €29

Krakow, Poland to Vilnius: 10 hours – €35

Find the latest timetable and book your tickets for all of these routes through the official Lithuanian train website here.

By bus

If you’re travelling from other parts of neighbouring Latvia, Poland or Estonia, another option is to take the bus. Lithuania and the wider Baltic region has a really extensive bus network that offers affordable regular services. You can find bus services and timetables here.

Once you arrive in Vilnius, getting around is really easy. As the city centre is quite compact, you can walk to most of the sights quite quickly. Beyond the city limits, there’s a great bus and train network that’s affordable and easy to use. Just download the Trafi app onto your phone to view the latest timetables and buy your tickets.

If you do want to save your legs and take a taxi across the city, I’d recommend using Uber or Bolt. That way you can see the cost of your journey before you ride.

When to visit Vilnius

When it comes to the best time to visit Vilnius, again it depends on what you’re looking for. As you can see from the table below, the weather changes quite dramatically throughout the year and while every season can be beautiful in its own way, here’s what to consider when booking your trip.

Spring: As Vilnius’ forests and parks come back to life, March to May is a lovely time to visit to see the city in bloom without the summer crowds and the lowest chance of rain. Just be warned, the temperatures can still be pretty cold so pack layers to stay warm.

Summer: June to August is unsurprisingly the most popular time to visit Vilnius, and for good reason too. The days are longer and warmer – perfect for exploring outdoors, swimming in lakes and soaking up the sunshine. The only thing to consider is that the city will be busier and prices are likely to be a little higher.

Autumn: As Vilnius starts to glow red and orange with the changing fall foliage, September to November is a really scenic time to visit. The temperatures are still relatively mild, the crowds have thinned out and you get to see the city in some of the most beautiful autumn light. The only catch – it’s also the wettest time of year. This is something I confirmed the hard way as I visited in October and got rained on for a lot of my trip. While this isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, it’s something to bear in mind. I would say, if you want to visit in autumn, try to plan your trip for earlier in the season – either September or early October before the rainiest days set in.

Winter: Looking for a Christmas escape? Vilnius is also a great choice for festive markets in December or a snow-covered break in January to February. Of course, just be sure to pack warm clothing, hats, gloves, and scarves as the temperatures really do drop.

Month	Average High Temperature	Average Low Temperature	Average Number of Rainy Days
January	-3°C	-7°C	15 days
February	0°C	-8°C	12 days
March	5°C	-3°C	13 days
April	10°C	2°C	14 days
May	18°C	7°C	15 days
June	20°C	11°C	15 days
July	21°C	12°C	15 days
August	21°C	12°C	15 days
September	16°C	8°C	14 days
October	10°C	4°C	17 days
November	3°C	0°C	17 days
December	-1°C	-5°C	15 days

Day 1: Old Town gems, arty Užupis + panoramic views

Now it’s time for the fun part – how you’ll spend your two days in Vilnius. To kick things off, here’s what I’d recommend doing on day one.

Explore historic + delicious Halės Market

Because who can set off for a morning of exploring without a coffee (and because it makes most sense for the route), kick things off at the city’s historic market – Halės Turgis.

This is the oldest market in Vilnius built in 1906 and local people have been buying the freshest produce and foods there ever since. Today, you can explore the striking market hall and find fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and more as well as some excellent food stands. Here are my favourites that I’d highly recommend:

Depeche Coffee Roasters

For your first cup of coffee in the city, you can’t go wrong with Depeche Roasters based inside the market. Follow the sweet smell of their coffee beans toasting and order a barista quality brew to enjoy while you explore the market.

Prezo

For a morning sweet treat or savoury bite to go with your coffee, I recommend heading into Prezo bakery. Here you’ll find their counter glowing with golden homemade pastries. They offer everything from traditional Lithuanian kibinai (a must-try) with a range of fillings, to sweet poppy seed-filled buns and their irresistible caneles. Plus, all the prices are incredibly affordable – all the more reason to try everything 😂

Halės Smokehouse

If you’re hungry for something more, don’t miss the market’s smokehouse. Although to be honest it’s hard to miss as it’s likely to be the most popular stand. This place serves the most delicious pastrami sandwiches with sides of juicy pickles, BBQ ribs and beef brisket.

The market is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 7am to 6pm, and on Sundays from 7am to 3pm.

Walk under the Gate of Dawn

After fuelling up, head towards the Gate of Dawn which marks the start of the true Old Town. Built in 1514 this gate was part of the original city walls and served a primarily defensive function, although it also included an image of the Virgin Mary to protect and bless travellers.

It was this image that became such an important icon of the city and was said to hold miraculous powers. Which is likely why in the mid-1600s a monastery was established next door and eventually a church was built into the gate itself.

This soon became one of the most important Catholic sites in Lithuania and so by the time the government decided to remove the original city walls in the early 1800s, this was the only part to be preserved.

As you wander under the arch today, you can still see a lot of the original features as well as newer imagery and wording, so take your time to appreciate the history of this beautiful entry point.

Visit the ornate Lithuanian Orthodox Church

Just a short walk on from the gate, you’ll come to an intriguing pink archway. This is the entrance to the Lithuanian Orthodox Church – possibly the church with the most beautiful interior in the city.

Built in 1839, this church was officially the Lithuanian branch of the Russian Orthodox Church until 2022 when many of the clergy sought to support Ukraine and reject the Russian Patriarch.

Today, you can visit the church grounds and freely explore inside (as long as there’s not a service happening). The striking pink exterior continues on to the inside where you’ll find incredible painted scenes, ornate domes and a stunning green altar.

I’d really recommend taking the time to see this place. Of course, as it is an operational church, just be mindful of services taking place and respect other church-goers by dressing appropriately. It’s open every day from 5am to 10pm (but closing at 8pm on Tuesdays).

Admire pink St. Casimir’s church

From one pink church to another – just a couple of hundred metres away, you’ll come to St. Casimir’s Church.

This incredible baroque church was built in the early 1600s in the name of the patron saint of Lithuania – St. Casimir. It was an important place of worship for Jesuits until 1949 when Soviet authorities closed the church and used it as a wine warehouse, only being returned to the Jesuits in 1988.

Today, again it’s worth stopping by to admire this church from the inside and out. It’s open Sunday to Friday from 11am to 7pm.

Visit Town Hall Square

Just around the corner, you’ll come to Town Hall Square. It might be hard to believe that during medieval times, this is where bear fights and dancing took place, entertaining local crowds. Today, this scenic spot is often used for a different type of entertainment – concerts, fairs and other events.

The town hall itself dates back to the 1400s, although the design we see now was built in the 18th century. At the moment, it serves as a regular administrative building but it previously acted as the city’s theatre and Museum of Fine Arts.

Enjoy a stroll through here, soaking up the charming Old Town atmosphere.

Explore the art on Literatų Street

Continue walking on to one of the most popular sights in Vilnius – Literatų Street which originally got its name from the printing houses and bookstores located there.

In 2008, this small stretch of road was turned into a public art space celebrating writers and poets who lived and worked in Vilnius. There are 225 dedications which all different types of plaques from metal and wood to ceramic and glass. Take your time here to wander along and read each of them to discover all the creatives Vilnius has housed.

Climb St. John’s church bell tower

Now you’ve seen the heart of the Old Town from below, it’s time to see it from above. Walk a couple of minutes on to find St. John’s Church with its panoramic viewing tower.

This church was built in 1426, having taken nearly 40 years to complete and since the 1500s has been considered part of the city’s university. As the tower is one of the tallest buildings in the area at 68m high, it really makes for the perfect place to take in the city.

The church itself is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm and 9am to 1pm on Sundays. The tower is only open from spring to autumn and costs €5 to climb.

Marvel at baroque St. Catherine’s Church

Just a short walk further on and you’ll come to yet another church – but trust me it’s worth it. This is the unmistakable red baroque towers of St. Catherine’s Church built in 1625.

While it looks picture-perfect today, like many of Vilnius’ historic buildings, it has also seen it’s fair share of trials. Over the centuries it’s been damaged by fires, attacked in wars, and even used as a mere warehouse by the Soviet authorities. But today, it’s been restored to it’s full glory and now plays an important religious and cultural role hosting community events.

So stop by to admire this baroque gem from the inside and out!

Admire the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Continue to the end of famous Pilies Street and you’ll find the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Incredibly, a wooden settlement was first recorded here in the 4th century, by the 13th century a stone fort appeared and then by the 16th century a grand gothic palace. However, sadly in the 1800s the Russian Tsars ordered the demolition of the palace and so what we see today is a reconstruction of what it would have looked like.

Up until that point, the palace played an important political, diplomatic, administrative and cultural role in Lithuania, and almost all Lithuanian rulers resided there.

Today, you can tour the National Museum that’s been created in the reconstructed palace and see the artefacts that were discovered during the process. There’s also exhibits on wider Lithuanian history, art and culture. The museum is open at slightly different times throughout the year so it’s worth checking their website here. Entrance tickets cost €3 – €13 depending on how many exhibits you want to see.

Whether or not you choose to enter the museum, it’s worth heading this way to admire the building from the outside and see the most historically important area in the whole city.

Marvel at Vilnius Cathedral

Right next to the Palace of Dukes, you’ll find the city’s grand cathedral and bell tower. This sits on the site of an old pagan temple dating back to the 13th century which was turned into a church in 1251 after the then Lithuanian King converted to Christianity.

As the entire country adopted Christianity in the 1300s, grander Gothic versions of the cathedral were created and the bell tower added in 1522. From then on, it was the location for the coronation of all Lithuanian leaders and served as the resting place for some of Lithuania and Poland’s most important figures including St. Casimir who I mentioned earlier.

During that time, the cathedral suffered many fires and parts of it had to be rebuilt which lead to a larger renovation in the 1800s, leaving us with the building we see today. As you can imagine, there’s a whole lot os history here to absorb so take your time to take it all in. You can also enter inside the cathedral for free from 7am to 6pm every day. Or pay €6 to visit the top of the bell tower, open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

TOP TIP: If you want to see more of the cathedral and explore its historic roots, you can also enter the cathedral crypt and treasury on a guided tour. Just contact the cathedral in advance to book a place – find all the details here.

Ride the funicular up to Gediminas Castle Tower

From the cathedral, you’ll be able to see your next stop. Perched on the hill behind the square is Gediminas Castle Tower, the only part that remains of the original upper castle built in 1409. While it served a key role in helping to defend the city in its first couple of hundred years, in more recent times this tower has served a few different roles.

In 1838 it became the city’s first telegraph building, first flew the Lithuanian flag in the early 1900s and is now an official museum.

Today you can walk or ride the funicular up the hill to reach the tower and enjoy the panoramic views of Vilnius from the top. Personally, I’d recommend taking the funicular up and walking back down as it’s a fun part of the experience and only costs €2 per person. The funicular runs really frequently and is open every day from 10am to 8pm.

Once at the top, you can explore the site of the original castle or head inside the tower to explore the exhibits on the history of the building. Entrance costs €8 and the museum is open every day from 10am to 8pm too.

On a tight budget? Of course you can also walk up to the tower for free and I wouldn’t say visiting the museum is a must. You can get a good feel for the place and enjoy the views without it costing a penny.

Admire beautiful St. Anne’s church + church of St. Francis

Walk 10 minutes further and you’ll come to the church with arguably the most beautiful exterior – St. Anne’s Church, and tucked behind it is also the gothic church of St. Francis.

This church complex is considered one of the most important areas in Vilnius dating back to the 15th century. It was built on the orders of the King of Poland and incredibly the gothic exteriors have remained almost unchanged since then. It is so beautiful that legend has it Napoleon expressed a desire to take the church home to Paris in the palm of his hand after visiting the area during the Franco-Prussian War of 1812.

Today you can see this beauty inside and out for yourself. St. Anne’s church is open Monday to Friday from 4pm to 7pm and on weekends from 9am to 5pm. St. Francis church is open 7:30am to 7pm Tuesday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm on weekends, and from 9am to 6pm on Mondays.

Wander the leafy Bernardine Gardens

Just behind the church complex, you’ll find the leafy Bernardine Gardens that hug the river bend. This area was originally cultivated by the Bernardine Monks of St. Anne and St. Francis churches – they planted gardens, created small canals and dug ponds to help the plants flourish.

Today it’s a lovely place to wander (especially on a sunny day) – look out for the rock garden, large pond and pretty musical fountain. It’s also home to the oldest oak tree in the city, thought to be over 400 years old.

The gardens are free to enter and open every day from 6am to 11pm.

Climb up to the Hill of Three Crosses

Just the other side of the park, perched up on the hills above the city you’ll spot your next iconic Vilnius landmark – the Hill of Three Crosses.

This hilltop was originally the site of a wooden castle built in the 12th and 13th centuries. It’s said that three Franciscans later died as martyrs here when pagans tied them to crosses and pushed them down the hill – it’s this event that the current three cross monument commemorates. The 12-metre tall monument was first created in 1916 and later restored and updated in 1988.

While the monument may look a little far away when you’re standing in the Old Town, the walk to the top is relatively quick and easy. Just follow the beautiful scenic staircase that winds up the hill from the riverside and you’ll be there in about 15 minutes. Spend some time here soaking up the view before heading back down the hill and continuing on to south.

Explore the arty Užupis neighbourhood

After a short climb and a busy day of exploring, you’re probably ready to grab a coffee or cold drink and relax a little. The best place for that is the Užupis neighbourhood – Vilnius’ most artistic and free-spirited area.

This rebellious region began as an art community in 1996 and has grown into an artistic incubator where new ideas, creativity and this little zone of independence is celebrated. You’ll feel this as soon as you step into the neighbourhood – there’s plenty of public art, creative buildings and cool shops, cafés and restaurants.

Don’t miss the Constitution of the Republic of Užupis, famous Angel of Užupis, and Mermaid of Užupis.

Grab dinner at Paupio Turgus Food Hall

By now, you’ll have worked up an appetite for dinner – for that I’d really recommend heading to Paupio Turgus. This is a really lovely modern food hall with a whole range of stands serving everything from ramen and tacos to sushi and seafood.

But my personal favourite was the Georgian stand – here you can sample delicious classic Georgian dishes like khachapuri and spicy bean soups. 10/10 recommend.

There’s also bars and drinks stands alongside the food so you can enjoy a glass of wine, beer or even a cocktail too!

The market is open 11am to 9pm Sunday to Thursday and 11am to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Enjoy more views from Subačius Observation Deck

After dinner, take a scenic stroll back to town via the Subačius Observation Deck. This is a really nice point just a short walk from Paupio Turgus where you can see another side of the city from above.

See a different side of Vilnius at Lukiškės Prison

Speaking of different sides of the city… If you still have energy for some late night exploring don’t miss the chance to visit Lukiškės Prison which housed criminals, political prisoners and exiles for 115 years until it was opened to the public in 2019.

The sprawling complex housed many famous figures from Lithuania and across the region including authors, songwriters and activists who opposed the Soviet regime. But now, local artists have chosen to turn this dark corner of history into something a lot more positive.

While the main prison block is now open to guided tours, the central courtyard space is now used for concerts, events, public art, and food and drink. So, whether you want to join a guided tour – last one starts at 6:30pm (find the details and booking here) or just grab a drink and soak up the unique atmosphere and art, it’s worth stopping by!

The prison is open 12pm to 10pm Sunday to Wednesday and 12pm to 12am Thursday to Saturday.

Day 2: A dose of nature at Trakai Island Castle + Pūčkoriai

On your second day in Vilnius, it’s time to see another side of the city – here’s what I’d recommend.

Take the train over to Trakai

Start your morning relatively early and catch the train to the lakeside town of Trakai. Not only is this area incredibly pretty in the morning light, but you’re also more likely to beat the crowds (particularly if you’re travelling in summer).

The train journey only takes 30 minutes but just note, the services only depart from Vilnius around every two hours so be sure to check the timetable in advance. You can find and book your tickets on the official website here – tickets usually cost €3 each way.

Plus, the Lithuanian trains are pretty comfy and the views out of the window are stunning. You’ll pass plenty of forests, sleepy villages and rivers, so be sure to keep an eye out as you go!

Walk pretty lakeside trails

Once you arrive in Trakai, you’ll get off the train a short walk from the major sights – trust me this is a good thing! It means you get to walk along some of the prettiest lakeside trails that hug the water and offer the perfect view of Trakai’s Island Castle.

Follow the main footpath out of the train station towards the lake and around Vilniaus Mažoji Street. This trail continues to wind alongside the lake passing small piers and historic fort walls until you reach the gem of Trakai – it’s castle.

Explore beautiful Trakai Island Castle

Trakai Island Castle is like something out of a fairytale with perfectly pointed towers, a romantic bridge and golden bricks. Its foundations were laid as early as the 14th century, designed to defend the Trakai peninsular and act as the Duke’s main residence.

However, various attacks from other nations and internal power struggles took their toll on the castle and even with extensive redevelopment, by the 1600s it had fallen into disrepair. But thankfully, all was not lost. From the late 1800s conservationists started work documenting and restoring the core of this stunning castle.

Even during the world wars, Russian and German specialists continued to save the ruins and ensure this special spot was not lost to history. By 1961, the restoration work was officially complete – restoring the site to how it would have looked in the 15th century.

Today, while it’s clear this is not the complete original building, you can still feel the history that surrounds the island and appreciate the marvel that this residence would have been. Plus, let’s be honest – it’s beautiful and you could never regret setting your eyes on it in person!

You can wander around the outside of the castle for free like we did (for me this was enough of a look at the site and structure), or pay around €10 to enter the main castle grounds and visit the castle museum. Just note, ticket prices and opening hours do change throughout the year so it’s worth checking in advance here.

HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES: Want to see another side of Trakai and its picture-perfect castle? One of the most magical things you can do is to take a hot air balloon ride over the area. Having enjoyed hot air balloon rides in other places around the world, I can safely say it’s a true bucket list experience and Trakai is no different. Taking off at dawn or dusk, you’ll see the islands from above bathed in a golden glow. It’s easy to see why this tour has 5*! Check availability and book the best operator here.

Feast on traditional Kibinai at Senoji Kibininė

After a dose of history, you’ll have worked up an appetite for lunch. For that head to local restaurant, Senoji Kibininė founded in 1969 serving traditional Karaite kibins (more on the Karaites in the next section).

If you’ve ever had a Cornish pasty in the UK, a kibin is a little like that – a golden flaky pastry filled with chicken, pork, local curd cheeses, spinach, mushrooms and more. They’re all freshly baked on-site following the traditional recipes passed down for generations.

So if you want to taste a truly local lunch, I’d recommend heading here. Plus, the restaurant itself is set in a beautiful old wooden building that really completes the experience.

Wander the colourful houses of the Karaite neighbourhood

After lunch, start wandering back towards the train station – this time through the bright and colourful Karaite neighbourhood. The Turkic-speaking Karaite community first moved to Trakai in 1398 when Vytautas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, brought 380 families with him after his victorious battle in Crimea in the 14th century.

Incredibly, after only three surviving families remained in the early 1700s, the community managed to rebound and preserve their religion, traditions, customs, language and food which is why this small area is such a special place. You can most easily see the strength of this culture in the design of the houses. Unlike other parts of Lithuania, these houses are bright, colourful and mostly made from wood.

So take your time to wander along the pretty streets looking out for some of the key Karaite landmarks – the beautiful wooden synagogue, the Karaite school and the ethnographic museum.

Visit the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Along the way back to Trakai train station, you’ll also pass some beautiful churches – one you can’t miss is the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This is a large church originally built in the early 1400s in a Gothic style that has had Baroque features added over the years. Stop by to admire the incredible artwork in here and learn more about the importance of this religious building – one of the oldest basilicas in Lithuania.

Head into nature at Pūčkoriai Observation Deck

If you still have energy for more exploring and an unquenchable thirst for delicious viewpoints, spend your afternoon climbing to Pūčkoriai Observation Deck and exploring the surrounding area.

This is a beauty spot just east of Vilnius. So if you are coming from Trakai, hop back on the train to the capital and then take a 10 minute Uber ride to the start of the trail. Public transport is an option, but it will take you a lot longer so to be honest I’d recommend paying for a short taxi ride.

Once you arrive, follow the wooden board walk around the river and up to the top of the hill. Here you’ll get some stunning views of the wooded area – especially in the late afternoon around golden hour.

For a longer leg stretch, follow the easy 5km Pūčkoriai Educational Trail – a circular route that winds up to the viewpoint, along stretches of river and past some historical landmarks like an old French mill and Puckoriai manor.

Best places to eat & drink

Part of experiencing a new city is also tasting the best local food and drink. Here are my favourite spots around Vilnius for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee or cocktails…

Kavos Reikalai

For your morning cup of coffee, head to Kavos Reikalai. Here you can sit back in their cool and colourful space to enjoy a barista quality coffee and selection of sweet treats.

Strange Love Coffee Roasters

For a caffeine hit before you begin the walk up to the Hill of Three Crosses, make a stop at Strange Love. This is a café and roastery with beautiful picture windows, a cosy atmosphere and plenty of excellent coffee. Feeling peckish? They also serve a selection of sweet baked treats and savoury toasts.

Not Only Coffee

For a coffee stop in Užupis that’s a little more unique, head to Not Only Coffee where you’ll find Diehard Speciality Coffee nestled in this book shop stroke co-working space. The fun thing about getting a coffee here is that they offer a free waffle with your purchase if you can show that you’ve walked 10,000 steps that day. A fun incentive to get your steps in and enjoy an excellent brew!

Brew Speciality Coffee

Hungry for more than a morning coffee? Head to Brew for their excellent coffee and delicious breakfast bowls with various topping options.

Pirmas Blynas

For an easy brunch, lunch or dinner option, head to Pirmas Blynas pancake restaurant. Honestly, the reviews of this place speak for themselves – the pancakes are excellent with so many different sweet and savoury topping options, the restaurant itself is housed in an old church that’s been transformed into an almost artistic space, and the owners prioritise hiring people with disabilities to offer more employment and promote diversity. There’s nothing not to love! Booking in advance recommended.

Dogma Pub

For another brunch or dinner option – consider Dogma’s famous sandwiches. These are seriously stacked and decadent sandwiches served in their chic restaurant space.

Bernelių Užeiga Restaurant

When it comes to dinner, if you want to sample traditional Lithuanian dishes like we did, head to Bernelių Užeiga. This is a small Lithuanian chain of restaurants with spaces designed to look and feel like you’re stepping back in time. You can dine like medieval nobility in their candle-lit restaurant, sipping mead, tasting Baltic flavours and soaking up the atmosphere. We visited their restaurant in Kaunas and it was a great experience, I’d really recommend booking a table here in advance.

Meat Lovers Vilnius

Craving burgers or steak? Choose aptly named, Meat Lovers. As you might expect, this place serves up perfectly cooked cuts of meat with tasty sauces, fresh salads and hearty sides. Perfect for those with a big appetite! Again, booking in advance recommended.

Osteria da Luca

For a taste of Italy in Vilnius, it has to be Osteria de Luca for the best homemade pizza, pasta and tiramisu in the city. Again, booking recommended!

Nomad’s Cocktail Bar

Want to round out your evening with a few cocktails? Look no further than Nomad’s Cocktail Bar. Low lighting, a very cool bar, expert mixologists and creative cocktails – need I say more!

Best places to stay

After a busy day of exploring, you need the best night’s sleep. Here are my top picks of the best accommodation options in Vilnius to suit every budget…

Budget: Downtown Forest Hostel & Camping (dorm beds from £20 per night)

For the most budget-friendly stay in Vilnius, choose Downtown Forest Hostel perched on the leafy edge of the Old Town. This hostel offers spacious, airy and spotlessly clean four, six and eight-bed dorm rooms as well as very reasonably priced private rooms.

There’s a shared kitchen, terrace and garden for cooking your own meals and relaxing after a long day of exploring, or take advantage of their €1 breakfast for coffee, tea and a pastry.

Plus, when it comes to location, you get the best of both worlds – just a 10 minute walk from the heart of the Old Town but far enough away that you’re out in nature surrounded by trees.

Mid-range: City Center Apartment (from £56 per night)

For a little more privacy and space of your own, choose this beautiful city centre apartment. This place gets rave reviews for a reason – it’s spacious, has everything you could need for a comfortable stay, is spotlessly clean, and gets a whole lot of sunlight.

In terms of location, this apartment also just five minute walk away from the centre of the Old Town, as well as the city’s main train station which is perfect if you’re travelling from Kaunas or Vilnius Airport.

Luxury: Hotel Vilnia (from £83 per night)

For a little more luxury, choose Hotel Vilnia. This is a beautiful hotel on the edge of the Bernardine Gardens with easy access to the city’s best sights, restaurants and more.

Each room is thoughtfully designed with high quality furnishings, the friendly hotel staff are on hand to welcome and assist you during your stay, and you can enjoy breakfast, dinner and drinks in the hotel’s excellent restaurant and bar. Just take a look at the reviews to see for yourself how well-loved this place is!

What to pack & know before you go

As with any new destination, there are always tips and tricks it’s helpful to know in advance. Here are a few things to note from my experience.

Pack your Euros: The currency in Lithuania is the Euro so if you do have any from a left over trip now is a good time to use them. While lots of restaurants and shops do accept card payments, there are still some places that don’t. So I’d recommend having at least a little bit of cash ready for your trip.

Wear comfy shoes: If you couldn’t already tell from this itinerary, Vilnius is a city best seen on foot and that means quite a bit of walking. So skip the slip-on sandals and uncomfortable footwear, instead pack sturdy trainers or boots in winter.

Prepare for sudden showers: As I mentioned earlier on this blog, while there is less chance of rain in spring and summer, Vilnius is still prone to sudden downpours. So even if it’s just a small umbrella or fold-up waterproof jacket, pack something to keep you dry if the heavens open.

Keep an eye out for falling plant pots: With that in mind, heavy rainfall and windy conditions can make the balconies above the narrow streets of the Old Town more hazardous. During our stay in October, the weather turned pretty unpleasant and before we knew it there were things blowing off the balconies above us, including a full ceramic plant pot… Had we been five metres ahead, we might have found that landing on our heads. So, take our lesson and always look up and be aware if the weather does change in built up areas.

Don’t expect everyone to speak English: While the official language in Lithuania is Lithuanian, many younger citizens do speak good English. However, don’t expect this to be the case everywhere – learning a couple of Lithuanian phrases like hello, please and thank you will go a long way. Plus, always have the Google Translate app downloaded on your phone ready to use when needed.

Don’t drink outdoors: One last thing I think it’s important to know is that drinking alcohol on the street or in parks outside of restaurants and bars is illegal in Lithuania. So even if it’s a hot day and you’re craving a cold beer in the sun, don’t be tempted to risk the fine. Stick to recognised bars for your tipple!

How much a trip to Vilnius costs

That probably leaves you with one final question – how much is this all going to cost? The good news is that Lithuania as a whole is a pretty affordable travel destination and the same is true of Vilnius.

If you’re on a tight budget, you could spend as little as £60-£70 on two days in Vilnius including a night in a hostel, the main activities mentioned in this blog, and a couple of coffees and supermarket food.

If you do have a little more budget to play with and want to experience more of Vilnius’ little luxuries, expect to spend £150 or more on a night in an apartment, all the activities in this blog and restaurant meals.

There we have it, that’s a wrap on my ultimate tried and tested itinerary for Vilnius. I hope you enjoy your time here as much as I did and if you have any questions or tips of your own to add, please let me know in the comments box below. Happy travelling!

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