A historical building looms over a large public square in Vilnius (Photo: F Mira via Flickr). It makes for a perfect day trip and only takes a 30-minute bus ride to get to Trakai. This cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites. Uber and the competing app Bolt work in Vilnius to get you around the city too. Originally intended as a temporary exhibition when it was launched in 2008, the wall quickly grew in popularity and it was soon decided that it would remain, becoming a popular stop-off point for both locals and visitors to the city. Some leave crosses as a sign of love. You can visit the memorial on K. Kalinausko g. 2B, but its quite hard to spot at first. So, when I found out that there was a memorial dedicated to him in Vilnius I had to check it out. Visit the National Museum of Lithuania, 10. This museum . All rights reserved. So, you get a birds-eye view of the gorgeous rooftops, cobbled streets, and church spires. Climb up to see the Hill of Three Crosses and take in the panoramic city views or enjoy one of the regular festivals and events held here. Gate of Dawn. There are around 100 sculptures that can be found throughout the park all created by international artists. On our three-hour tour, we explored and ate our way through the Old Town. Such was the interest in the new edifice that a military brass band played famous Zappa hits at its unveiling and it remains a popular attraction to this day. Only the bottom part of the Bellfry tower is original, the rest is a reconstruction from the 19th century. Today visitors can come and admire these innovative structures that were built by bringing stones, wood, or gravel over frozen swamps during the winter, and letting them sink once the ice melted. Vilnius, Lithuania. Its delicious and I would highly recommend trying. Vilnius University. Its also FREE to visit. It was originally built for Anna, the Grand Duchess of Lithuania, and the wife of Vytautas the Great. By 695arthurm. This post may contain affiliate links. Exhibitions of the works of artists working with amber are also regularly held here and visitors can buy amber jewellery in the on-site store. The views back over the city are stunning (and free!). Foreign supermarkets are always fun, but this was another level: from the fresh sushi counter, to the extensive salad bar, to the endless selection of salami, to the mind-blowing bakery . You will have to climb up 193 wooden stairs to reach the peak which is around 45 metres high. LOCATION Gedimino av. Firstly check out the Republic of Uupis sign and learn the laws of the code; 2. It was . A day well spent in Vilnius is a day spent strolling around the Old Town.The houses were adorable, with tiny cobbled streets going in all and any direction (we didn't find one straight corner there), and small parks and green areas scattered around.The last part particularly surprised me - there were so many pretty parks and green squares . Good for. Later, in the 17th century, the church belonged to the Uniates of the Basilian Order. . Then you may be interested to know that a lot of it was filmed in Lithuania, mostly in Vilnius! These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Places To Stay 2. So, the town became derelict making way for less desirable members of society to move into the neighbourhood and it got a bad name. But the best known is Gediminas Tower, which stands on a small hill near the outskirts of the old town. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. You can have a Thai massage, Segmented massages, facial treatments, and body scrubs too. Find fun things to do in Vilnius this weekend. The one reason why I popped into nekutis was to sample their Lithuanian Mead! The tiny courtyard outside shows the place where inmates would walk for 15 minutes a day. Drama Burger is an epic chain of Lithuanian burger joints in the city and you can find the best one on Gediminas Avenue. Climb up the Church of St Johns Bell Tower, 37. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Roman Catholicism is the country's primary religion, but the Eastern Orthodox and Protestant faiths are also well represented. ? Corruption was everywhere and you didnt know who to trust. I later found out that the statue was erected in 1993 after his death to mark a new era of Post-Soviet Lithuania. This is to represent the Baltic Way which took place in 1989. LOCATION v. The district also plays host to regular feasts, fireworks shows and open-air art exhibitions, so be sure to check local events schedules during your visit. I love Baltic countries and have had the pleasure of visiting a few during my years of travelling. Gediminas Tower & Castle Hill. Surrounded by history it stands tall in a capital city Vilnius. Mykolo g. 8 HOURS Mon-Sun 9am-5pm 10am-7pm. The Old Town is also 10 minutes away by foot. Have dinner in the highest building in Lithuania (TV Tower), 24. Due to its long history, its also beautifully decorated with paintings, chandeliers, and portraits in rooms such as the astronomical observatory and the Philology Room. They were originally built across swamps to be used for escape routes from foreign invaders, known only to locals and undetectable from the surface, providing a safe shortcut between villages and hill forts. A lot of the exhibitions are memorials to those who fought for Lithuanias freedom at that time. If you cant get enough of the view over Vilnius, you can head to the Three Crosses Hill, a hill overlooking the city with three 12m tall white concrete Crosses overlooking the city. Jelonek - Heavy Metal Sabre Dance in Vilnius Lithuania. In fact, during the Soviet era, it was the most neglected part of the city! The Vilnius Presidential Palace is located in the Old Town and, as the name would suggest, is the office of the President of Lithuania! This bell tower has unobstructed open views from its windows at the top which is why people prefer it over the Cathedral Square Bell Tower. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously. The mini series took over 1000 hours to film and is one of Lithuanias biggest productions to date. Vilnius is a pretty city, well worth visiting, with a charming Old Town, plenty of green spaces, nice bars and cafes and a friendly atmosphere. The architecture on the outside of the church is stunning, but when you go inside you can see what the church is famous for; over 2,000 stucco figures and a Rococo pulpit! Vilnius old town is definitely worth to visit, one of the oldest old towns in Europe, mist be in everyones list! The mead from here was incredible. 3. Throughout the summer, youll often find beautiful installations like umbrellas or lanterns hanging above you! Vilnius Old Town. Here you can see where prisoners were kept. Classical Heavy Metal Music Mash-up in Vilnius, Lithuania. Although I was a guest, all opinions are my own. Have a Instagrammable lunch at Augustus Ir Babora Love Story Caf, 19. Sacred Spaces 4. The Palace used to be the centre of the political, diplomatic, and cultural aspects of the state and home to the Grand Dukes of Lithuania too. Then, when Lithuania converted to Christianity in the 14th century the cathedral was expanded. Trying all sorts of Lithuanian cuisine and alcohol as we went! It was included amongst the worlds most beautiful churches on Churchpop, alongside cathedrals in England and Italy. Visit The KGB Museum / Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fighters, 18. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You can follow ambers history through a series of ancient rooms in the cellar, including one showcasing reconstructions of Juodkran treasure and a baking shop from the end of the 15th century. For anyone who is into escape rooms or any kind of innovations, you are going to have a blast here.. Mead from the Baltics is one of my favourite drinks and so whenever I have the chance to drink some I snap it up! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. It also has a resident mermaid and an angel who guards them all. But while its full back-story remains shrouded in mystery, there are some aspects that we do know. This could be found on Pylimo Gatv outside Keule Ruke a popular restaurant in Vilnius. . If youre heading around some of the neighbouring countries, make sure you browse some of my blog posts; Moomin Cafe: why you need to visit one in Helsinki! Going to Gediminas Tower is one of the best things to do in Vilnius. This museum highlights what life was like during the Nazi and Soviet eras. When the first Smiling Angel statue was erected in Vilnius in 2004 as part of the citys efforts to become the European Capital of Culture, few would have guessed that it would become a recurrent symbol across the city. You can pay to enter the Bell Tower and learn about its history inside, but the real payoff comes from the views from the top. So, if youre relatively fit and not scared of heights its perfect. Of all the things to do in Vilnius, this is the one you can't miss as the city's Old Town is the main attraction. Jack Lim. How they were held in tiny cells, tortured and you didnt know if tomorrow would be your last. The Church of Casimircan be shot from the outside 24 hours a day. Pretty cool, check them out!). It has had quite a colourful history since it was built, becoming an Orthodox church, a museum about Atheism during the soviet era, and then going full circle back to a Catholic Church today. More things to do and see: Uupis - the hipster quarter in Vilnius and a self-declared independent republic with its own flag, currency, president and constitution. There are free tours to go inside the Palace on Saturdays. #2 Explore Cathedral Square. They were originally set up by Bernadine Monks that were invited to Vilnius. So, Gediminas united the villages, and Vilnius was born! Today, the streets around here are incredibly quaint and colourful with cafs, bars, and boutiques for shopping. Facebook sets this cookie to show relevant advertisements to users by tracking user behaviour across the web, on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. By the 17th century, the foundations were falling apart and it was reconstructed into the Neo-Classic style. Read my complete Three Cross Hill guide here. By Crazyguy14. For example, Lithuania is an agricultural country; lots of mushrooms, milk, and honey. I preferred Uber as I found it cheaper and more reliable. It is meant to introduce you to the city and make it feel as home. This viewpoint around the area is FREE but if you wanted to visit the terrace in the City Bastion museum this is chargeable. Its a testament to the strength of the Lithuanian people despite their dark past. Climb Bell Tower of St. Johns Church for the best view over Vilnius. Just outside the Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus is the Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. So, without further ado, here are all the amazing things to do in Vilnius on your trip. Stikliu, M. Antokolskio & ydu streets were all part of the Jewish Ghetto in Vilnius established during World War II. So, make sure you try it out for yourself while youre here. Vilnius Cathedral, or properly known as the Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius, is the center point of the city. Years ago the whole upper castle was a defensive fortification built by Gediminas grandson, Duke Vytautas. This museum is a fun way to understand the workings of science in day to day lives and how some of the logical and day to day phenomenon can result into delusions. But, if you werent fussed the views from the bottom of the tower are pretty amazing too. All I will say is just GO, you wont regret a thing. Written October 1, 2022. Europe Travel Tips . You can get there by taking bus number 66 straight to the location of the park. I always use Google Maps if I have WiFi, or download Maps.Me if Im going to be offline. See some more details here. You were brought to the room and without a word shot. Watch on. But with the fall of communism came a cultural liberation and suddenly bands that were previously outlawed were pumping out of teenage bedrooms, park stereos and music venues across the nation. A guide to craft beer in Vilnius and Lithuania. 26. This cookie is used by Facebook to control its functionalities, collect language settings and share pages. Lithuania has a long history of foreign forces occupying their country for centuries like the Teutonic Knights of Prussia (Germany), Russian Moscovy troops, Nazi invaders, and finally the Soviet Union, or the KGB. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". If you want to know what you can expect, they have a nifty3D tour here. Read the top attractions in Kaunas here and where to find the best street art. Learn About Vilnius Ghost Stories & Legends, Vilnius Lithuania Points of Interest | 7 Tourist Attractions, 7. 4. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website. All Rights Reserved - PRIVACY POLICY, From Vilnius Airport to City Center with public transportation. Today, it is the home to many government authorities in Vilnius but its also home to hundreds of retail outlets, restaurants, cafs, and the Museum of Occupations. Browsing an art gallery is something I LOVE to do in cities and I had my heart set on the MO museum. History Museums. If youre interested this church was built in 1387, so it has a lot of history to tell and is worth popping in to have a look too. 2.Catch the highest view in the City at St John's Church. ("What to do in Vilnius, our website TripOriginal has more than 10 attractions and best things to do in Vilnius.") ("If you want to go on a day excursion or Day Trip from Vilnius, go here Fast Go") (" With our website TripOriginal and our partner GetYourGuide, we've compiled a list of the finest and fun things to do in Vilnius ") Then I would book yourself in for a relaxing massage at Azia Spa. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Thats because he is known as the founding father of Vilnius! Find, compare, and book sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, things to do and fun activities from around the world. During the Soviet Era it was used as a Military office until finally in 1997, it became the official seat to the Lithuanian President. Its one of the most popular attractions in Lithuania, so you really cant miss it! The Gate of Dawns is open 24 hours a day to take photos from the outside. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hals market can be found on Pylimo gatve and is open from 7am. Vilnius with locals run a fabulous free walking tour that runs from the Cathedral Square daily at 10am and 12pm. BIX Baras. Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. The cherry on top? But, beyond black bread (which we will cover in detail) there's a massive range of exciting traditional Lithuanian food to try when you visit Vilnius. Unusual Things To Do in Vilnius: There are some very interesting, unusual things to do in Vilnius; check out these: 7. But, the President of Vilnius celebrated the work, claiming that the people of Lithuania are not silenced censorship. An important place that I feel every tourist should visit in Vilnius is the Museum of Occupations. In Lithuania, they use the Euro. Vilnius. It does not store any personal data. It was a place that housed the local magistrate, held city meetings, had a courtroom and there was even a prison underneath in the basement. But, once I arrived and experienced all the unique and amazing things to do in Vilnius, I fell head over heels in love with it! One of my favorite things to do in Vilnius when people come to visit is go up to Gediminas Castle. Both were amazing! Set on the Neris River, Lithuanias picturesque capital is peppered with shrines, churches and baroque architecture. Today, you can climb up to the tower to find incredible views of the whole of Vilnius! But, the reality is that the French soldiers used it for shelter during the Napoleonic wars. List your property . You will need to fill in a form and then you pay 8 Euros for a tour that will take you around the Library, University Halls and Courtyards too. Id try to avoid mass times but the portrait is definitely worth a peek! Vilnius is one of Europe's smaller capital cities, but that doesn't necessarily mean everything is close together. You can see a concert, visit an art exhibition, literature events and much more! Things to Do in Vilnius, Lithuania: See Tripadvisor's 156,023 traveler reviews and photos of Vilnius tourist attractions. There are 3 of them in the city and all have a fantastic selection of craft beers and a cheap and cheerful menu serving up traditional Lithuania cuisine. Take a tour of the Vilnius University Library, 32. If youre going further afield, you may want to invest in a Vilnius City Card that will get you FREE transport and access to some of the local museums. To mark the occasion, a quirky project was put forward that resulted in the construction of the worlds largest coin pyramid. Find the Magic Brick and make a wish! The exhibits will take you on a journey of Lithuania from the prehistoric age to the present. But, things really took off at the beginning of the 20th century and it became a huge food market in 1906. If you tell someone you are going to Vilnius, you are often met with a confused look and a 'Where is that'. If all that exploring has taken its toll, or youve booked in for a relaxing break in Vilnius. Heaven. The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. 1. Our favourite things to do in Vilnius. I didnt know much about the capital of Lithuania before I landed in this city. (the company that believes in giving stories, not stuff! The University Bell Tower is one of a few things to do in Vilnius that will get you a bird's-eye view of Old Town Vilnius. Then, when I popped my head inside, I knew I HAD to pop back and have lunch there so that is exactly what I did. Climb the University Bell Tower. These cookies will be stored in your browser. My guide on a Vilnius walking tour also told me that you can always navigate your way around the city by heading down to this spot. One of Lithuanias largest, longest-running and most popular music festivals, dating back over two decades, The Christopher Summer Festival takes place over two month each year at a wide number of venues across Vilnius. But, most of the food stalls will not open until 9/10am. Another church you must add to your list is the 17th-century Baroque church of St Peter and St Paul. There were people coming in all the time for treatments and massages. AddThis sets this cookie to ensure that the updated count is seen when one shares a page and returns to it, before the share count cache is updated. Even today, when you walk through the gate, youll see many locals pause and say a little prayer towards her portrait that can be seen through the window. #1 Walk around the Old Town. KGB Museum (Genocido Auku Muziejus) Housing the Nazi occupants during WW2, and the Soviet KGB directly after, and up until 1989, this building has sealed. But, I feel that although these are dark places, learning about history is necessary so these things do not happen again. Most to remember loved ones who passed away or to symbolise a body they could not bury. Bernardine Park. Today, Literatu Street is home to a wall commemorating this heritage, featuring over 200 wooden, ceramic, glass or metal tiles engraved with the names of some of Lithuanias most famous literary names. But, unfortunately, I ran out of time. Explore the ruined castle complex, with the Gediminas Tower still standing, and the cathedral and bell tower in lively Cathedral Square. Make sure you arrive hungry! The Hill of Crosses is one of the most important attractions in Lithuania and is a symbol of light and hope. Its only an hour and a half by train, so I highly recommend getting up early and making the most of it. These include St. Ann's (Gothic), St. Peter and Paul's (Baroque), and plenty of others. Its repository houses about 5,000 works of art, covering the period from the restoration of Lithuania's independence to the present day. So, if you want to have some fun, this is a place to start with. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! Throughout the year, this is also the location of many community events like Concerts in the Summer and in December it comes alive with the annual Christmas Tree and Markets! GIFTEDWe spent ab. Look out for the amazing graffiti surrounding it. This monument is a memorial to them that was torn down twice during the Soviet occupation. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In Uupis, you will find art galleries, coffee shops, cosy restaurants and small charming shops, where you can find unusual things from antiques to various works of art. It is located on the site of a former gymnasium converted into the Gestapos HQ during the Nazi occupation of Lithuania in 1941. It was founded by Gediminas, built upon by his son Kystus and eventually expanded by his son Vytautas. You can buy the Vilnius City Card online and at several locations, and it comes as a 24-hour card or a 72-hour card with or without public transportation.? Climb up the Gediminas Castle Tower to take in the views, 7. Zen Republic. Things aren't quite what they seem at this mind-bending museum. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Download App for Free. It was one of the most successful warrior states at that time and used Vilnius as its capital. Despite only being home to 570,000 people, Vilnius has a lot of fun and interesting things to do. This is because you can see the whole of the city from there and the best attractions, like the Gediminas Tower. So if you want a nice little introduction to Vilnius, this is your first stop. But, its also a nice stop on your tour of Vilnius Old Town for a photo opp! One of those is a set of footprints. "Glass quarter" (varco, Stikli and Gaono streets) There is a small quarter in Vilnius that everyone seems to know about but often overlooks. But, it was destroyed and burned down due to the Russian invasions. Tickets cost 3 Euros and its only open in the Summer. The most disturbing part of the museum is the KGB prison in the lower decks. Then take a look at these 12 fun things to do in Riga! Originally it was built in the Gothic style but the style we see today is a Neoclassical reconstruction by Laurynas Stuoka-Guceviius.
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