Vilnius Travelers Recommend

An extra day in Vilnius gives you the chance to explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town and take a day trip to Trakai Castle. Plus, you’ll have ample time to experience local culture and cuisine. Here’s how to spend three days in Vilnius. 

Day 1: Sightseeing in the Old Town

As one of the largest in Europe, Vilnius’ UNESCO-listed Old Town is home to a plethora of medieval monuments and Baroque buildings. Ensure you don’t miss some of the finer details by taking a walking tour or, to cover more sights in less time, opt for a bike or Segway tour. Tours typically cover the Palace of the Grand Dukes, home to the National Museum of Lithuania, and the neighboring Gediminas Tower, which offers panoramic city views. Afterward, take a stroll down Pilies Street, stop to admire the Gates of Dawn, and pay a visit to Vilnius Cathedral and St. Anne's church. 

Across the Vilnia River, the bohemian district of Užupis is full of shops, cafés, art galleries, and street art. It’s an atmospheric spot for dinner and drinks in the evening but if you want to get the inside scoop on local nightlife, join a pub crawl or beer tasting tour. 

Day 2: Visit Trakai Castle

Just a 30-minute drive from Vilnius, Trakai Historical National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Lithuania’s most-visited attractions. The headline act is Trakai Castle, perched on an island in Lake Galvė. For the best views, take a boat cruise or kayaking excursion around the lake and then head ashore to visit the Trakai Castle Museum. For something extra-special, take a sunrise or sunset hot-air balloon ride over the lake. 

Back in Vilnius, head to Hales Turgus market to experience local life and sample traditional Lithuanian foods—be sure to pick up some sweet Baltic pastries. If you’re a history buff, don’t miss the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (the KGB Museum) and the MO Museum, a favorite among art lovers. At sunset, head to the top of the Vilnius TV Tower, Lithuania’s highest building, for dinner at the revolving restaurant.

Day 3: Escape to the Country

Spend your third day exploring more of Latvia on a day trip. Options include the capital of Riga; the historic city of Kaunas, Lithuania’s second largest city; or the coastal Curonian Spit National Park. 

Another popular choice is the Hill of Crosses, a Christian pilgrimage site that dates back to the 19th century. The hilltop site is covered with hundreds of crosses, which were removed by the ruling regime during the soviet era, only to be replaced by locals during the night as a show of solidarity and resistance. Make the most of your time by combining a day trip to the Hill of Crosses with Anyksciai Regional Park, home to Lithuanian cultural heritage sites such as the Narrow-Gauge Railway Museum. 

One day in the Lithuanian capital is just enough time to take in the highlights of the Old Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit one or two of the city’s museums, and experience the city’s cuisine and nightlife. Here’s how to get the most out of one day in Vilnius.

Morning: Explore the Old Town

Vilnius’ Old Town is one of the largest in Europe, but it’s still possible to get around on foot. A walking tour is the ideal way to take in the sights while learning more about the city’s baroque architecture and Soviet past, while adventurous travelers can also opt to explore by bike or Segway. Start with a visit to the magnificent Palace of the Grand Dukes, now home to the National Museum of Lithuania, then take in the views from the top of Gediminas Tower. Other landmarks worth visiting include the Gates of Dawn, Vilnius Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, and St. Anne's church, while the picturesque Pilies Street affords plenty of photo opportunities.

Afternoon: Markets and Museums

Head to Hales Turgus, the city’s oldest market, for lunch and a glimpse of local life—top buys include Lithuanian honey and indulgent Baltic pastries. Afterwards, cross the Vilnia River to discover the bohemian district of Užupis. It’s one of the most atmospheric areas of the city, full of shops, cafés, and art galleries, as well as some colorful street art. With limited time, it’s impossible to visit all of Vilnius’ museums, so pick just one or two to spend the final hours of the afternoon. Our pick is the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, otherwise known as the KGB Museum, which provides a sobering insight into the city’s Soviet era.

Night: Drink and Dine Like a Local

Vilnius is a great place to sample Lithuanian cuisine, and there are restaurants to suit all budgets in the Old Town. For a more immersive experience, join a food tour or enjoy a dinner show with traditional Lithuanian folk music and dancing. Must-try dishes include cepelinai (potato dumplings) and šakotis (a tree-shaped cake). Lithuania also has a long history of beer making, and most bars and cafés in the Old Town have a good selection of local brews. Joining a pub crawl or beer-tasting tour is a great choice for beer-loving travelers, providing tips and recommendations from a local guide, as well as a group of like-minded drinking buddies to enjoy the evening with.

With two days in Vilnius, not only can you explore the Old Town, visit historic monuments and museums, and experience the city’s nightlife, but you’ll also have time to head out of town to see the beautiful Trakai Island Castle. Here are our top recommendations for two days in the Lithuanian capital.

Day 1: Discover Vilnius Old Town

**Morning:**A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vilnius’ Old Town is a warren of picturesque streets dotted with grand baroque monuments. It’s easy to get around on foot, but opting for a walking tour will give insight into the city’s fascinating history and Soviet past. Bring your camera, and be sure to stop by the Gates of Dawn, St. Anne's church, and Vilnius Cathedral.

**Afternoon:**Frequented by locals, Hales Turgus market is the ideal spot to pick up local specialties such as Lithuanian honey or grab a quick lunch. Afterwards, cross the Vilnia River and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the colorful Užupis district, a bohemian neighborhood full of vibrant street art, cozy cafés, and independent shops. 

**Night:**The bars, restaurants, and pubs of Vilnius’ Old Town offer plenty of ways to experience the city’s nightlife. For a more immersive experience, join a food tour or cooking class to learn more about Lithuanian cuisine, or discover Lithuania’s growing beer scene during a pub crawl. 

Day 2: Visit Trakai Castle

**Morning:**Just a 40-minute drive from Vilnius, the historic town of Trakai is one of the most picturesque in Lithuania. The star attraction is medieval Trakai Castle, dramatically situated on an island on a lake. Take a boat cruise out to the island, or, for a truly unforgettable experience, opt to float overhead in a hot-air balloon or enjoy a kayaking excursion around the island.

**Afternoon:**Back in Vilnius, spend the afternoon visiting some of the capital’s museums. The magnificent Palace of the Grand Dukes is home to the National Museum of Lithuania, while the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, otherwise known as the KGB Museum, provides a sobering insight into the city’s Soviet era. Fans of modern art won’t want to miss the MO Museum. Book your tickets in advance to save time. 

**Night:**The Vilnius TV Tower is Lithuania’s highest building, and it’s a magical spot from which to watch the sunset. Head up to the viewing platform for a panoramic view over vast Vingis Park and the Old Town, or perhaps book a table for dinner at the revolving restaurant.

Vilnius was once known as a hub for Jewish learning and culture, with a thriving community of Talmudic scholars, rabbis, intellectuals, artists, and educators. And, though the city’s Jewish community was decimated during World War II, evidence of its rich Jewish heritage remains. See below to discover more about Vilnius’ Jewish history.

Jewish History in Vilnius

For more than 600 years, the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius was a major Jewish intellectual center. Prior to World War II, the city was home to between 60,000 and 100,000 Jewish residents and 100 synagogues. During the war, however, the Nazis all but obliterated its Jewish population, instantly extinguishing a once rich and vibrant culture.

Ways to Learn About Jewish History in Vilnius

• Take a walking tour of Old Town and learn about key Jewish figures from Vilnius’ history, such as Gaon of Vilna, a famous Talmudic scholar.

• Explore the former Jewish ghettos of Vilnius —Big and Little ghettos—where the city’s Jewish population were kept prior to the Nazi’s “liquidation” of the area.

• See the still-functioning Choral Synagogue of Vilnius, the only synagogue in the city to have survived World War II and Soviet rule.

• Spot vestiges of the once-thriving Jewish community of Vilnius, such as Yiddish shop signs.

• Visit sites where important Jewish institutions once stood, such as the Great Synagogue of Vilna, which was damaged in World War II and was later demolished by the Soviets.

• Browse exhibits detailing the art and culture of Lithuanian Jews at the Tolerance Center of the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum.

• Take a moment of silence at the Flame of Hope monument, situated in the courtyard of the old Vilnius Ghetto Council, which memorializes the Lithuanian Jews killed in the Holocaust.