vilnius sights, attractions and itinerary

Welcome to the Drink in the Sights Vilnius itinerary. Here you'll find all the information you need on the best Vilnius sights and attractions along with plenty of pictures, a bit of history and a couple of suggested day trips. One of the day trips is to Lithuania's second city Kaunas.

Amazing Views,  Satanic Museums and Finding the G-Spot.

Welcome to the self-proclaimed 'G-spot of Europe.' That's right guys you've found it, and doesn't it just feel great. The new tagline for Vilnius is certainly attention grabbing, and actually pretty accurate, as it goes on to explain 'no-one knows where it is, and when you find it it's amazing.' Sure enough when I told people I was heading to Vilnius I mainly got two responses... Where's that? And is it in Latvia? Just to help people out it's in Lithuania, which is one of the Baltic States bordering Latvia, Belarus and Poland. So it's not really that hard to find. 

In 1918 Lithuania declared itself an independent state, but after Soviet and Nazi occupation this only became a reality in 1990. ​Vilnius is the biggest city and the capital of Lithuania plus there's loads of things to do in Vilnius. It wont take you long to start appreciating these off the beaten track European cities. They are lively, they are fun, and there's plenty to do. If you're looking for somewhere not completely overrun with tourists, and able to retain it's charm as a result, Vilnius really does hit the spot. Then once we've done all the main Vilnius attractions we can take a train over to Lithuania's second city, and home of my all time favourite museum Kaunas.

Before we talk about the Vilnius attractions we need to get there. There's still not a huge amount of flights to Vilnius, but they aren't too expensive. You'll need to fly from London, Liverpool, Doncaster or Belfast. Once you get to the airport the bus only costs 1 euro and the ride takes about 15 minutes, there's a few lines so you wont be waiting long. Alternatively you can book a transfer through ShuttleDirect. Now we've got you there lets check out the top Vilnius sights.

Vilnius Sights

​I'll start by saying this is the cleanest city I've ever visited, but the Pope was about to arrive while I was there so maybe it'd been done up especially for His Holiness. Or maybe they just heard I was coming and wanted to make a good impression. There were big screens outside city hall, and a massive stage outside the cathedral where he'd be performing, if that's the right word. Clearly this was going to be a big event. Personally I couldn't care less that the Pope was making an appearance, I'm just saying the streets were spotless and that was nice.

Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour

You can book a one hour walking tour here.

Everything there is to do in Vilnius is in the extremely pretty old town, and a small independent state just outside called Uzopis. Which I realise sounds like something you do after drinking too much ouzo. It's certainly worth taking a tour to get your bearings and gain a bit of perspective. It should also be noted that this is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but then it feels like everything is these days. The Old Town certainly deserves the status though, it's a proper medieval centre with some incredibly beautiful buildings and streets. It's a colourful, architecturally complex area, which you can spend ages walking around quite happily. As always I'd recommend doing a walking tour to really get to know the city.

Gediminas Tower

This last remaining part of the upper castle dominates the Vilnius skyline, and is allegedly where the city has it's origins. It was here Gedimimas the Grand Duke decided to build the Lithuanian capitol. His inspiration came from a dream involving a bull, a giant wolf, and a magician, which I'm sure is perfectly normal. The tower itself is a fairly steady 5-10 minute uphill walk, but there is a cable car available. The main reason for the climb is the views over the city, but the tower is now a museum you can enter for 4 euros. It's not an overly inspiring museum, but feel free to have a walk around, the models of the old castle are quite interesting. The problem with Gedimimas Tower isn't that the views aren't great, they are. But the tower is such an important symbol of Vilnius you want it in your pictures, and for that you have to go higher. This really is one of the top Vilnius attractions and the starting point for any Vilnius itinerary.

Hill of Three Crosses

Now this is a bit of a trek, but absolutely worth it. You can either follow the road round, or there are steeper off road tracks available. Failing that there is a bus which costs 1 euro, but come on be adventurous go for the walk. The Hill of Three Crosses is behind Gedimimas tower, so you can get fantastic views looking down on the tower, as it looks down on the rest of the city. I'm not going to pretend there's a great deal to do up here other than look down at the view, and up at the three giant white crosses behind you. But that doesn't mean it's any less worth the trek.

The crosses were originally placed here in memory of 7 friars, who were beheaded on the spot for been a little too preachy for their own good. No-one knows if this story is true, but it seems plausible to me. Originally the crosses were wooden but they were replaced by the current monument in 1989. For me this is the best place to view the gorgeous city, so make sure you head up and take it all in. Some of the best things to do in Vilnius do involve climbs, but it is the ideal place to drink in the Vilnius sights.

Vilnius Cathedral

This rather odd looking cathedral, dedicated to St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus was built in the 18th century, after previous versions on the same spot had been destroyed. To be honest looking at it from the outside if someone had told me it was a very impressive library I'd have probably believed them. This isn't a criticism though, it's good to have something a little different for a place of worship, and this is certainly different. Given the amount of statues and artwork inside the cathedral you could also be forgiven for thinking you'd walked into one of the most auspicious art galleries in the world.

The entrance fee, which always bugs me at cathedrals is 6 euros, which also gets you a tour of the impressive crypt, but not into the bell tower. To be honest there's no need to do the bell tower anyway, the views are much better from the Hill of Three Crosses, and that's free. Despite the annoyance of having to pay to get in it's worth paying, if nothing else just to prove to yourself once and for all this really is a church not a library.

Uzupis

If you've ever been to Copenhagen, and more specifically Christiana you'll be familiar with the concept of Uzupis. If not then I'll explain. Periodically people in Europe get fed up with doing what their told, and every now and again these people will decide bugger this, I'm going to create a free state. Alcohol is often involved in these decisions, and who hasn't sat around a bar table with their friends planning the new world. The difference is these guys did it, and on the 1st of April 1998 The Republic of Uzupis was born. Given the humour involved in the constitution I think the date of April fools day wasn't randomly selected by this group of artists, musicians and other creative types. The Republic boasts around 7000 people with its own anthem and flag, as well as ambassadors. While Uzupis is far less famous, and slightly more tongue in cheek than Christiana in Copenhagen I think it's a lot more fun, and certainly has better bars. It's a beautiful area to walk around and gaze at the graffiti, as well as the constitution which stands proud in 23 languages on the walls.

I strongly recommend reading the whole constitution, but the 3 motos are 'don't fight, don't win and don't surrender.' The 41 declarations in the constitution range from the profound to the ridiculous. Here's some of my favourites...
'Everyone has the right to die, but this is not an obligation.
A cat is not obliged to love its owner, but must help in time of need.  
No one has the right to violence.
Everyone is responsible for their freedom.
Everyone has the right to be individual.
Everyone has the right to not to be afraid.'
I think I'd enjoy living here. Keep an eye out for the Angel of Uzupis while you wonder around. Uzupis should be in every Vilnius itinerary. Uzupis also contains a couple of the best bars in Vilnius.

Vilnius Attractions

Bernardine Gardens

Every city needs some greenery, and Vilnius is no exception. The Bernardine Gardens with its fountains, streams, and flowerbeds is an ideal haven from the noise of the city centre, and a lovely place to just stroll around on a sunny day taking in the Vilnius sights.

Museum of Illusions

These little houses of fun seem to be popping up all over Europe, but the only one I've visited is in Vilnius. There's loads of interactive bits to do, making you and your friends tiny or huge, or melding you together in disturbing ways. There's also loads of optical illusions to try and make sense of, and the staff will take great pleasure in showing you round, and pointing out how the tricks work.
​As part of the 11 euro ticket you'll be invited back for a light show later. We came back not quite knowing what to expect. Everyone took their seat patiently, the lights dimmed, music started, and then a guy dressed in black waved some glow sticks around. They were impressive glow sticks, but still it was just a guy dancing with glow sticks. This went on for a few minutes, he left, we clapped politely and waited for the proper show to start. Then he came back with different glow sticks and waved them around again, this was repeated several times. The whole experience is a bit of fun especially if you're with friends and family, but maybe give the light show a miss.

Vilnius Itinerary Extras

Trakai Castle

You can book a trip to Trakai with entrance to the castle and a guide here.

Once you've done all the main Vilnius attractions it's to to head out to this beautiful 15th century red brick castle which lies about 40 minutes away by train, which costs 4 euros each way, and then there's the entrance fee of 7 euros. Alternatively tours are available with transport from Vilnius. The main advantages of the tours are a bit more knowledge, and you get straight to the castle. The train takes you to the town, and it's about a 20 minute walk after this. ​The walk isn't grueling, and at least part of it is next to a river, so it's not the end of the world, but it is a very long straight road.

The castle sits alone on an island, and can only be reached via one bridge, unless you're an exceptionally good swimmer. It's solitary position makes it both incredibly photogenic, and no doubt extremely difficult to invade. I like it when a castle actually feels like a castle, rather than a palace with a couple of turrets, and this certainly fits the bill. The castle also houses the Trakai museum, but really you just want to walk around this gorgeous masterpiece, and make the most of the photo opportunities. If you do want to learn more about Trakai and the castle book a tour here.

Kaunas

With Vilnius pretty much completed it's time to set off to the second city of Lithuania, Kaunas. The trains are pretty regular, and take about 90 minutes each way, at a cost of about 9 euros. The alternative is a slightly quicker bus for 6 euros, but I've always preferred trains. Just as a side note the bus does get you closer to the main sights, and the walk from the train station is very much through a proper industrial working city. So even if you do get the train jumping on a bus after might not be the worse idea. There really are some excellent things to do in Kaunas.

The Devil's Museum

That's right folks it's a museum entirely dedicated to all things devilish, and it turns out there's loads. This isn't a small niche few pictures of Satan, this is a three story extravaganza, costing 5 euros to get in, but worth every cent.  I'll admit I have a thing for the weird and dark, possibly dating back to my almost, but not committing all the way goth days. Among the treasures are devil Stalin whipping devil Hitler, a devil flying away with a posh guy, lots of little devil families, and a very bored looking devil defecating.

There's loads of stories about devil myths and beliefs, and information about all the pieces. There's even a little Lincoln Imp, which we'll get to when I talk about my home city, and why you should visit. It's not just to buy me a well deserved drink. Excuse all the photos but I just loved this place it really has to come top of any list of things to do in Kaunas.

If you want to see all of the Baltic States without any hassle have a look at Travelsphere.co.uk. They have an excellent 10 day Baltic Tour including Tallinn, Helsinki, Riga, Vilnius, Turaia, Sigulda and Warsaw . Travelsphere will sort out the transfers, the flights, the hotels, two or three meals a day and the tours for you while you just sit back and enjoy the trip. Check it out here.

Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul

Although from the outside this massive 15th century cathedral looks pretty plain, to say the least, that just masks the glorious blue and white interior. There's works of art, sculptures and frescoes lining the walls. This is the biggest Gothic church in Lithuania, and I'm a big fan of Gothic architecture. There's no entrance fee, which is how it should be, so it's well worth going in and having a look around this magnificent building. The cathedral has to be one of the top Kaunas sights.

Kaunas Castle

This 14th century castle is the last of my Kaunas sights and it'll probably look and feel like the poor little brother of the one in Trakai. It costs 3 euros to get in, which is a fair price. You get some nice views from the top, and the museum will keep you entertained for a little while, as will the giant mural of a guy smoking a pipe on one of the buildings opposite. The castle is very much in the traditional Baltic red brick style, and while I wouldn't travel from Vilnius to see it, once you're in Kaunas it's worth a look.

I think that's all the main things to do in Vilnius and Kaunas done so it's time to go for a drink. Please also check out my guide to the best pubs in Vilnius.

I hope you enjoyed my Vilnius itinerary. Now you know the main Vilnius sights and attractions it's time to get over there and see them for yourself.

Search Expedia for your Lithuania trip using the search box below. If you want any other information about the top Vilnius sights or things to do in Kaunas just get in touch, I can be reached on Facebook Messenger or via my Free Holiday Planning support page.