Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius Lithuania

Vilnius is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, located at the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers. Founded in the 14th century, it became the political centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features Baroque architecture and numerous churches.

Main Landmarks

Old Town (Vilniaus senamiestis) – one of Europe's largest medieval old towns, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – map
Cathedral Square (Katedros aikštė) – main square of Vilnius, surrounded by the Cathedral, Bell Tower and the Palace of the Grand Dukes – map
Vilnius Cathedral (Vilniaus katedra) – neoclassical cathedral on Cathedral Square with a separate bell tower – map
Gediminas Castle Tower (Gedimino pilies bokštas) – remaining tower of the Upper Castle with panoramic views over the city – map | tickets
Gate of Dawn (Aušros Vartai) – medieval city gate with a chapel housing a revered icon of the Virgin Mary – map
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania (Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės valdovų rūmai) – reconstructed royal palace with museum exhibitions – map | tickets
St. Anne's Church (Šv. Onos bažnyčia) – Gothic church built of red brick – map
Uzupis (Užupis) – artistic neighbourhood with galleries, cafés and its own symbolic constitution – map
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (Okupacijų ir laisvės kovų muziejus) – museum in the former KGB headquarters documenting the Soviet and Nazi occupations of Lithuania – map | tickets
MO Museum (MO muziejus) – museum of modern and contemporary Lithuanian art – map | tickets
Vilnius University (Vilniaus universitetas) – one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe with courtyards and St. John's Church – map
Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (Šv. apaštalų Petro ir Povilo bažnyčia) – Baroque church with a richly decorated white stucco interior – map
Three Crosses Monument (Trijų Kryžių paminklas) – hilltop monument with panoramic views over Vilnius – map
Vilnius TV Tower (Vilniaus televizijos bokštas) – Lithuania's tallest structure with an observation deck, 326 m high – map | tickets

Day trips from Vilnius

Trakai – lakeside town with Trakai Island Castle, the former residence of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, 30 km away – map | tickets
Kaunas – second-largest city in Lithuania with an old town, medieval castle and Art Deco architecture, 100 km away – map
Kernave – archaeological site with medieval hillforts and a UNESCO World Heritage Site landscape, 35 km away – map
Druskininkai – spa resort with parks and lakes, 130 km away – map