When did I last visit Vilnius? September 2021
When was this page last updated? February 2025
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Arriving in Vilnius
The easiest way to get into the centre of Vilnius from the airport is by bus. The fastest buses to take from the airport are the 3G express bus during the day or the 88N bus during the night. The trip will take about 20 minutes to reach the city.
Other buses are also available into the city but take a longer amount of time. Coaches also run directly to the Lithuanian cities of Klaipedia, Kaunas and Palanga, and also to the Belarusian capital of Minsk.
You can purchase bus tickets either from the driver for 1 Euro (cash only), on a local app or buy a travel card from the Narvesen shop in the arrivals hall.
Vilnius Airport also has a train station with an infrequent service to the city operated by LTG. A ticket from Vilnius Airport to the city costs 80 cents, however, trains only run seven times a day at infrequent intervals. The train would only be useful in the case one is departing shortly after your arrival and if you are staying in the south of the city. A timetable can be found at www.ltglink.lt.
Taxis are available from outside the arrivals hall at Vilnius Airport. Uber and Bolt rideshare services are also available. A taxi to Vilnius Old Town should cost about 18-20 Euros and an Uber about 15 Euros.
Vilnius Airport has a small collection of four car rental car companies. If you are staying solely within Vilnius city, there is no need for a rental car as the city is walkable. However, if you are going beyond Vilnius or Kaunas, a rental car would be necessary.
Getting around Vilnius
Buses and trolleybuses are the main form of public transport that you will find in Vilnius. A good app to download for the latest information and tickets is Trafi, a local creation. Short term e tickets are available for less than a Euro and you can buy a travel card for 5 Euros for 24 hours or 8 Euros for 3 days. You can also buy one-way tickets on the bus for 90 cents.
Vilnius was the first city where I tried using an e-scooter to explore the sights. Bolt has e-scooters located across the city, with affordable rates to hire them. There are of course speed restrictions in certain areas such as parks and safety checks before you can hire the scooter. Once you’ve got those out the way, you are free to travel around the city centre with ease!
Most of the Old Town and tourist areas of the city centre are pedestrianised or pedestrian friendly. Only if you are visiting locations outside of the city centre or don’t feel like walking all day will you need public transport or an e-scooter. Walking can be a good way to lose yourself in a city and explore everything that Vilnius has to offer.
Things to do in and around Vilnius
Vilnius’ Old Town is one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in northern Europe and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. A collection of historic churches, squares, cobbled streets and a combination of architectural styles, the Old Town is a must visit for any Vilnius visitor. Most of the area is pedestrianised, which makes it easy to explore and spend an afternoon!
Before or after visiting Vilnius’ Old Town, you should make a visit to the Gediminas Tower to look over the Old Town and more modern districts of Vilnius. You can go inside the tower for the view from the top, with a museum about castles in Vilnius inside, for a cost of 8 Euros. The area around the tower itself is free to visit and the view is still worth the visit! The tower is centrally located making it the good starting point for your trip.
If you’re not keen on the walk up the hill, there is a funicular which runs up to the Gediminas Tower. It costs 2 EUR one-way or 3 EUR return. I got the funicular up and walked down, get the best of both worlds!
The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, located at the entrance to the Old Town and at the bottom of the Gediminas Castle Hill, is a museum which goes into detail about Lithuanian culture and history. It’s a great spot for a rainy day as the exhibitions can take a few hours to get around in full. Make sure to go to the viewing tower in the top of the museum for some great views of Gediminas and old Vilnius.
In amongst everything else, you will find Vilnius Cathedral and Cathedral Square, with its very recognisable clock tower which you can climb for 6 Euros. Even if you just poke your head through the door for a few minutes, the Cathedral inside is worth seeing just for the sheer size! Cathedral Square next door is a popular gathering spot and can also play host to events and celebrations on public holidays.
Keep an eye for the Stebuklas tile outside the front of the Cathedral – it is believed that if you step on the tile and make a wish, it will come true! The tile is red and looks a little bit like a compass.
The Užupis Republic is a trendy and artistic neighbourhood located within Vilnius city centre. What makes Užupis interesting is that on 1 April 1997, the neighbourhood declared itself an independent republic separate from Lithuania, with its own constitution. The constitution is displayed in several languages on a long shiny board within the neighbourhood – my favourite is Article 12 which states that ‘a dog has the right to be a dog’ among some other interesting contributions! Make sure to get a photo with the Uzupis Republic sign located on a bridge to the west of the neighbourhood on the ‘border’ between Užupis and Lithuania. There is an tourist information centre with unofficial Užupis passport stamps and currency.
The House of the Signatories is located in the heart of the Old Town and tells the story of Lithuania’s journey to statehood, which ended with Lithuania’s independence in February 1918. Some tourists may find the content niche but, if you like your history, this is a quick and easy way to find out the history of Lithuania before the country was occupied by the Soviet Union.
The Vilnius TV Tower is a good evening stop on your trip. Offering panoramic views across the city, the tower also had an important role in the restoration of Lithuania’s independence in 1991, with a small exhibition about this at the tower. One rather unique feature is that, alongside the views, the tower has a rotating bar! I would highly recommend going at sunset, grabbing a drink and taking a seat as you’ll get 360 degree views without having to leave your seat! On a clear night, the views of Vilnius are well worth the slight journey out of the city centre. If you really want to, you can go in a harness on the outside of the tower – this comes with an extra cost and is best pre-booked. More details about that, the tower and more here.
[NB: The rotating bar is currently closed for refurbishment.]
The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights is located at a former KGB prison and headquarters, and tells a story of the impact that Soviet occupation had on Lithuania, its people and society. Many of the remnants of the Soviet era can be found in the exhibits within the museum. The exhibition is fascinating, tells brutal and personal stories about the impact on everyday Lithuanians, and acts as a reminder to future generations how this level of pain must never be repeated. The museum is a must visit on a visit to Vilnius.
The Road of Freedom Memorial Wall is an important symbol representing the Baltic Way, a historic day in Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian history. In 1989, approximately 2 million people across the Baltic nations joined hands in a human chain peacefully protesting for freedom from the Soviet Union. This memorial was built in Vilnius to commemorate the event.
On your way round to visit Užupis, don’t miss the opportunity to drop into the Church of St Anne and Bernadine Complex for free. An old Gothic brick church with wooden statues, the Church is very well kept and impressive inside and out.
Go Vilnius, the main local tourist information service, has an online guide to tourist attractions and other activities across the city – this can be found here.
Where to eat
Located within the ‘independent’ Užupis Republic, Užupio Picerija is a very popular Italian restaurant. I had to queue for over half an hour just to get a table! Prices are a little higher than the Lithuanian average, but the quality of the food and service makes up for it. In the warmer months, the restaurant has an outdoor terrace with heaters where you can enjoy a lively atmosphere and people watching in the square nearby.
The 7 Fridays Bar is a nice spot in the city centre which offers a selection of small plates, Lithuanian and international food and drinks. It is popular with locals and students (being near to Vilnius University).
If you need a spot for a quick coffee or bite to eat, Caffeine is a good bet in the Baltics. This chain of cafes is popular and has a range of coffees, teas, pastries and sandwiches.
The best local beers to try whilst in Vilnius are Švyturys Ekstra and Volfas Engelman Rinktinis. I still drink these beers to this day as they are of very high quality.
Where to stay
I chose to stay at the Ibis Vilnius Centre on Rinktinės. Located on the north bank of the river, the Ibis has all the facilities you would need for a couple of days in the city – nothing more, nothing less. You can often get good deals for Ibis hotels with Accor’s ALL program. Breakfast was included in the cost of my hotel stay which, at £40 a night for two people, was very affordable.
Other hotels I considered for this trip were the Courtyard by Marriott Vilnius City Centre, Hilton Garden Inn Vilnius City Centre and Holiday Inn Vilnius. All can be found at a reasonable rates and are located at convenient locations for attractions within Vilnius.
The budget
As of 2024, LOT Polish Airlines, Ryanair and Wizz Air fly from the UK to Vilnius. Flights from major European cities are available either direct or via a regional hub such as Riga/Warsaw. Prices can be very affordable – you can get flights on Ryanair and Wizz Air for as low as £40! I paid slightly more to fly with LOT from London City – although after the cost of travelling to Luton or Stansted, it worked out cheaper for me!
I paid £120 (145 EUR) for three nights at the Ibis Hotel, which included breakfast. Hotels in Vilnius tend to be on the cheaper side compared to other similar European cities so there are always deals to be had, particularly if you are flexible with dates.
Getting the Vilnius Card may be good value for your trip depending on how many museums and attractions you want to do. You can see more about the card, the attractions and other offers that are included and whether it would be worthwhile for your trip here.
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