Day 1 in Vilnius

Welcome to the Vilniu, the bustling capital of Lithuania! Upon arrival, make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Begin your afternoon with a free walking tour of Vilnius with a local. Their main tour leaves daily at 10 am and 12 pm from just outside the Town Hall in Vilnius` main square. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours (with a short break halfway through) and will give you a great introduction to Vilnius and its history and interesting sites.

The tour takes you past all of the main sites in the Old Town including the Town Hall Square, the old Jewish Quarter, St Anne`s Church, and the bohemian neighborhood of Uzupis before ending in Cathedral Square in front of the Vilnius Cathedral and the Lithuanian Presidential Palace.

Not only does a free walking tour give you a great introduction of the city, it is also a perfect way to speak with a local and get some great recommendations and come up with ideas for what you might want to do with your remaining time in the city. It is worth noting that, while the tour itself is free, the guides do work only for tips so it is good practice to tip the amount that you feel the tour is worth.

After the walking tour, head back to the trendy and stylish neighborhood of Uzupis. Once a derelict and run-down area, this neighborhood has become a haven for artists and creative types due to the cheap rent prices and low cost of living compared to the rest of the city. In 1997 this neighborhood was declared an independent republic. While this status is entirely ceremonial, the `Republic of Uzupis` mimics other independent republics within cities, most notably Christiania in Copenhagen. Though on a typical day there is no `border control,` they will stamp your passport as you cross the bridge on their independence day: the 1st of April.

They also have their own constitution which is displayed on plaques in numerous languages on Paupio Street. They release new plaques of the constitution in a different language each year and the flag of the country whose language has been printed is hanging in front of the building just opposite the constitution. In 2018, the new language was Armenian. Take the time to read through the whole constitution because there are some amusing `rites` that have been stated here.

There are also numerous great restaurants and cool bars, cafes, and shops in Uzupis along with some of the city`s best street art.

Finish your day at Hales Turgus, the central market hall in Vilnius. This is a perfect place to browse the local Lithuanian produce, enjoy the delicious smells of the traditional cuisine and just take in the atmosphere. There are numerous stands in the covered hall selling everything from fresh sausages and seafood, delicious sour pickles, sweet Lithuanian honey, and yummy Baltic pastries. You`ll also find a few trendy coffee shops and trendy fast food stalls in the market, so it is also a perfect spot for a small bite to eat.

If time and energy allow, spend your evening walking through the bustling streets of town. The large student population help fuel Vilnius`s eclectic and buzzing nightlife scene. Throughout the year, Vilnius bustles with the arts, ranging from small-scale street theatre right through to grand opera performances and classical music recitals. The city`s award as European Capital of Culture in 2009 has really given the city`s cultural scene a real emphasis. Many of the performances are only in Lithuanian though.

Day 2 in Vilnius

Wake up early today to continue your exploration of this wonderful city, digging a little deeper into what it has to offer. Grab some breakfast before heading out to a museum or two, as well as just getting lost in the winding cobble streets of Vilnius.

We recommend a visit to the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, formally called the Museum of Genocide Victims. This museum is one of the best ways to learn more about both the Soviet and Nazi occupations of Lithuania and the resistance movements. It may not be the most uplifting experience, but it definitely puts into perspective the horrors that Lithuanians had to live through in not so distant past. It also gives some horrible insight on the effect that the Nazi occupation had on the Jewish populations of Vilnius, which was once one of the largest in Europe.

The museum is a bit outside of the Old Town but is easily reached by bus or an inexpensive uber ride and entry costs about €4 for an adult ticket.

Housed in the former KGB headquarters, there is also a former Soviet jail in the basement of the museum where you can tour the cells and learn more about what being a prisoner during occupation would have been like. Anticipate spending at least 2 hours here in order to see and learn everything.

After a heavy morning at the museum, take some time to wander through the charming Jewish Quarter, which was a former ghetto during the Nazi Occupation. Spend some time enjoying the peaceful Bernardine Garden. There are numerous lush, green spaces in Vilnus and if the weather is fine, many locals and tourists alike enjoy spending time in them.

The Bernardine Garden is also very close by to the Cathedral Square and the Gedinimas Castle tower, though the latter is presently closed to visitors due to the fact that it is sinking.

If you are interested in learning more about the Jewish population of Vilnius, head next to the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum. This museum offers several permanent exhibitions that provide some great insight into why Vilnius was once referred to as the `Jerusalem of the North.`

Before WWII, Vilnius has one of the largest Jewish populations in all of Europe and was also the capital of the Yiddish language (the language that was once commonly spoken by Ashkenazi Jews). Almost the entirety of Lithuania`s once strong Jewish population was wiped out during the Nazi Occupation and this museum does an excellent job of preserving the culture and traditions of Lithuanian Jews.

Entry is €3 for adults and we recommend spending at least two hours to get in all the exhibitions at the museum.

As evening approaches enjoy some traditional Lithuanian cuisine at any of the restaurants in town, there are several to choose from. You can`t leave Vilnius without trying a zeppelin - a stuffed potato dumpling.

Finish off your day in Vokieciu, Vilnius`s nightlife is centered here. There are plenty of places to choose from to enjoy a nightcap before heading back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.

Day 3 in Vilnius

On your last day in Vilnius, spend today exploring some of the Lithuanian countryside and head to the lakeside town of Traka, one of the most popular day trips from the city. Located only about 18 miles from the city center, this beautiful area is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

One of Trakai`s best feature is the lovely Trakai Island Castle, a beautiful red brick medieval fortress situated on an island in the lake. This attraction can get very busy during the summer months with day-trippers and tour groups eager to pretend they are in Game of Thrones, but it is still very much worth visiting as the scenery surrounding it and the castle itself is idyllic.

There are several lakeside restaurants and cafes around the town and there is also plenty of opportunity to enjoy some fun on the lake. Rent a paddle boat or take a sailing trip, the water is also quite warm in the summertime and it`s a popular spot for swimming, so be sure to bring your swimsuit on a hot day!

Additional Days in Vilnius

Should you be able to spend additional days in Vilnius we recommend exploring Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania that sits at the point where the majestic Neris and Nemunas rivers converge. It is known throughout Lithuania as the city of culture as there are over 40 museums housed here as well as a charming Old Town area. Many of the buildings here showcase baroque, renaissance, and gothic designs and highlights not to miss include the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica, the Kaunas Castle, and Vyautas Church.

Your Last Day in Vilnius

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.