The Baltics are slowly gaining traction and buzz in the travel world for being great, affordable city breaks. Despite this, Lithuania is still somehow heavily underrated as a country to visit. Featuring destinations such as the young-spirited Kaunas, calming seaside city of Klaipėda and intriguing Siauliai, there is much more to see and do in this Baltic country than one would expect. 

When visiting Lithuania, the first place you absolutely have to visit before you venture off elsewhere is its charming capital, Vilnius. Often, Vilnius gets grouped with other Baltic cities like Tallinn (Estonia) and Riga (Latvia), but it also offers a completely different flavour. 

What I absolutely adore about Vilnius is the mixture of medieval architecture, Gothic structures and Russian-inspired Baroque buildings. In my opinion, its Old Town is one the most beautiful in Europe.

Another thing I have to mention is the amount of intricately decorated cafés and restaurants in Vilnius. This city has such a young and dynamic vibe – you have to check it out for yourself. You need to visit Europe’s most underrated capital, and here’s how you can get the best of it in just two days.

Check out this Perfect 2-Day Itinerary of Vilnius – Europe’s Most Underrated Capital.

Where to stay in Vilnius

The capital of Lithuania has plenty of fabulous places to stay, suited to every kind of budget. Here’s our handpicked choices for you.

Budget: Old Town Trio Hostel Rooms

Placed firmly within Vilnius’ Old Town, the Old Town Trio Hostel Rooms provides a suitable budget accommodation for those looking for cleanliness and comfort without the heavy price tag.

You can take a closer look at Old Town Trio Hostel Rooms by clicking here.

Mid-Range: Hotel Vilnia

This hotel is a 4-star establishment and packs some serious style into its rooms, and yet it’s somehow still inexpensive to stay at. Don’t ask why, simply take advantage when you can! Hotel Vilnia has near-perfect ratings and its location in the Old Town is ideal.

You can take a closer look at Hotel Vilnia by clicking here.

Luxury: Hotel PACAI

For a slice of history, comfort and style, look no further than Hotel PACAI. Set in a Baroque palace dating back to 1677, this hotel is also located firmly in the center of Vilnius Old Town and is one of the all-time favourites in Vilnius.

You can take a closer look at Hotel PACAI by clicking here.

Where We Stayed: Hilton Garden Inn Vilnius City Centre

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Vilnius City Centre and this hotel served as a perfect base for us. Close to restaurants, public transport and even bubble tea, the Hilton Garden Inn hotel was stylishly immaculate in every way and had some of the friendliest staff at the hotel we’ve ever interacted with.

We would 100% recommend you staying here as well, as it’ll be the ideal place to start off your Vilnius itinerary. If you want to book a room, click here.

Day 1 – Exploring Vilnius

Vilnius is an incredibly compact city, so you can do most (if not, all) of this itinerary on foot. Most of the attractions are only minutes away from each other. If you’re feeling tired and would prefer not to walk, I would suggest you use Bolt – it’s a rideshare app that works like Uber, and it’s incredibly affordable. 

It’ll be a long day, so get up early because it’s going to be completely worth it!

Vilnius Cathedral Square, Bell Tower of Vilnius Cathedral and Palace of Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Start your day at the capital’s central point, Vilnius Cathedral Square. It’s here that you’ll literally be at the very heart of the city, and you’ll be surrounded by some of Vilnius’ most important buildings such as Vilnius Cathedral, Bell Tower of Vilnius Cathedral and the Palace of Grand Dukes of Lithuania.

At night, the square will be very busy with locals hanging out. It’s also a popular spot for parents to take their children and just play around. We visited on Christmas night, and the square was lit up with beautiful illuminations, people sharing laughter and celebrating.

Vilnius Cathedral

The Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius, otherwise known as Vilnius Cathedral, is one of Vilnius’ most iconic sights. Finished in 1783, it is considered to the be the spiritual heart of Lithuania. 

A true survivor, the cathedral has endured several fires, war, and an unstable foundation. Rebuilt many times over the years, the Cathedral is now an instantly recognisable figure of Vilnius.

Right next door to the cathedral, you’ll find an imposing 57-metre bell tower (it’s pretty hard to miss)!

Presidential Palace of Lithuania

This beautiful building dates back to the 14th century, and is the Presidential Palace of Lithuania, which is the official office of the President of Lithuania. As with a lot of buildings in Vilnius, it has a long history which has involved multiple reconstructions and amendments.

You won’t have time to go on a guided tour for this itinerary, although free guided tours in English are available on Sundays from 10am to 2pm, at every hour.

Vilnius University

When I visited Vilnius, I felt a very studious and educational vibe from the city, and it was probably because I spent a good part of my morning just walking around the grounds of Vilnius University. 

Vilnius University is the oldest university out of all the universities within the Baltic countries, and is possibly one of the most prestigious in the area, consistently ranked among the top 400 universities in the world.

St Johns Church

St Johns Church (named this way because it refers to both St. John the Baptist and St. John the Apostle and Evangelist) is a lovely church practically connected to Vilnius University. 

Towering at 60m tall, climbing the tower can be a good way to treat yourself to views of Vilnius city. But if you’re short on time, don’t worry – there will be another opportunity to get a amazing view of the city later on. 

Vilnius Old Town

Vilnius Old Town is in my opinion, one of Europe’s most beautiful and underrated old towns. We’ve been to a lot of old towns, but this one stands out because of how quaint and ‘in place’ everything is. I’m sure you’ll agree when you visit - this is a really well-preserved, organised, big old town.

What I loved about strolling through Vilnius Old Town is how the designers of the old town had immaculately planned every corner of it. Remember to look up when walking through, as you’ll see churches peeking through spaces between buildings – which makes for a really surprising and unique experience.

Vilnius Old Town is also an excellent area to grab a coffee, or to have lunch in one of the impossibly cute places dotted around town.

Artworks on Literatu Street

Part of Vilnius Old Town, you should keep walking until you reach Literatu Street, where you’ll see a blue wall with various artworks on it. This is known as the Artworks on Literatu Street. 

The artworks on this famous wall feature notable Lithuanian writers and artists, and many of the pieces depict Lithuanian culture and what it’s like to live in the country.

Church Heritage Museum

The Church Heritage Museum is actually considered to be a treasury of Vilnius Cathedral, and contains ornaments and artefacts relating to religious life in Lithuania.

Items in the museum include ecclesiastical cups, church utensils, tapestries and relics. We didn’t go into the museum, but passed by the pretty building on the way to our next attraction.

St Anne’s Church

This Roman Catholic Church is perched elegantly on the right bank of the Vilnia River, and can be distinguished from most of the other cathedrals in the city due to its Flamboyant Gothic and Brick Gothic styles. It’s quite different from most churches in Europe, and the orange brick colour is rather striking. Remarkably, the church has practically remained unchanged for over 500 years.

St Anne’s Church was a memorable stop in Vilnius, so don’t skip this one!

Bernardine Church

When visiting St Anne’s Church, you’ll get a 2-for-1 deal, as standing right behind it is the Bernardine Church (otherwise known as the St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church), which is another great example of Gothic architecture in Lithuania. 

The architecture of this church is a bit simpler than St. Anne’s Church, but it’s still a nice-looking church that’s worth a look.

Užupis

Užupis is a bohemian, free-spirited part of Vilnius that is totally unlike the rest of the city. In fact, with its designer boutiques, trendy cafes and whacky monuments, the locals in Uzupis see themselves as a totally separate republic from Lithuania. Similar to Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen, Uzupis even has its own constitution with declarations such as “Everyone has the right to die, but this is not an obligation” and “Everyone has the right to be misunderstood.” Pretty cool, right?

If you’re a fan of offbeat and quirky destinations, then you could probably spend a lot more time in Užupis. But for today, you’ll at least get acquainted with this eccentric area.

Užupis Angel

The Užupis Angel is a symbol of Uzupis and if you’re already exploring the district, then you should swing by to get a better feel of this ‘separate republic’.

Church of the Holy Mother of God

Close to Uzupis, the Church of the Holy Mother of God is another picturesque church worth passing by. If you’re sensing something Russian about this church – you’re right! This church also acts as the city’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

Towards the end of the 1860s, the façade of the church was altered to its current, more Georgian (as in, the country, not the American state) appearance.

Gates of Dawn

One of the prevailing symbols of Vilnius, the Gates of Dawn used to be a part of the defensive fortifications for Vilnius. Its origins trace all the way back to 1503.

If you visit, you should also check out the Chapel in the Gate of Dawn, as it contains an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy. The icon is said to have miraculous powers, so prepare for some blessings coming your way!

Church of St Theresa

The Church of St Theresa is closely located to the Gates of Dawn, and is another really attractive building worth taking a picture of.

Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit

This area of Vilnius Old Town is filled to the brim with gorgeous churches, and the Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit is yet another striking church worth a visit.

Holy Trinity Church & Basilian Gate

The Holy Trinity Church & Basilian Gate is actually a monastery that partly belongs to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. This structure is said to be a perfect example of Late-Baroque architecture.

Three Crosses Monument

After visiting a handful of churches, you’re going to see a few more crosses - but if you think you’re going to be all Church-ed out, don’t worry. The Three Crosses Monument stands out from the other religious sites as it is one of Vilnius’ most famous viewpoints due to the sweeping, panoramic views it offers.

You’ll have to hike up a little bit to get to the monument (trust us, if we did it in snow – you can do it too), and it will require some effort, but it’ll all be 100% worth it. 

The monument has a rather macabre past that you can look up if you’re interested, but for now, it acts as one of Vilnius’ best lookouts.

Gediminas Castle Tower

We didn’t have time to visit the Gediminas Castle Tower, but you might want to visit for even more great views of the city, especially during sunset time.

Another instantaneously recognisable structure, this tower is the remaining part of the Upper Castle in Vilnius. Its history traces all the way back to the 1400s, which is insane!

Church of Apostles St. Philip and St. Jacob

I didn’t find the Church of Apostles St. Philip and St. Jacob on any guidebook or blog post – but it really should have been included! I first stumbled upon this church as it was visible from the hotel I was staying at, and when I got to see it up close, I was even more impressed.

Just from the outside, I was transfixed by those deep red tones and unusual structures. Visually speaking, this was my favourite church in Vilnius.

Orthodox Church of Our Lady of the Sign

One last church for the day! To get to the Orthodox Church of Our Lady of the Sign, you’ll have to cross the scenic Žvėrynas Bridge, which is a worthy attraction in itself. 

The Orthodox Church of Our Lady of the Sign was built in 1903 and is yet another Orthodox church in the city. What’s unique about this church is that it actually remained open all through World War I and World War II.

Day 2 – Day Trip to Trakai Island Castle

Only a 45-minute train or bus ride from Vilnius, no trip to Vilnius would be fully complete without a day trip to Trakai Island Castle.

Like its name suggests, Trakai Island Castle is a castle island that stands royally over the Lake Galvė.

Looking like something out of Game of Thrones, works for the castle began in the 14th century, and it still retains that distinctively Gothic flavour. The castle was used as a royal summer residence for the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, but unfortunately, the castle fell in the 17th century and wasn’t rebuilt until 1951.

Visiting Trakai Castle is truly a special experience that you cannot miss. Especially in the winter, it’s seriously so epic!

Although the castle looks majestic, it won’t actually take that much time to roam the grounds, so you might not have to set aside a full day trip for this if you feel like exploring other places.

Entrance inside the castle currently costs 8EUR for adults and 4EUR for students and seniors, but please do your research beforehand. I wouldn’t say touring the interior of the castle is a must do, as I found the exterior to have much more of a ‘wow’ factor to it.

Other Day Trips from Vilnius

Have an extra day up your sleeve? You can also go on other fantastic day trips to nearby destinations such as Kaunas, the Hill of Crosses (not to be confused with the Three Crosses Monument) near Siauliai and Rumsiskes.

How to get around Vilnius

Vilnius is a very compact city, so you can get around by walking just fine. As previously stated, I also wouldn’t hesitate to use Bolt as a rideshare app if you’re tired of walking for the day. 

Having said this, Vilnius’ public transportation system is an efficient and affordable one, so this is another option for you.

To get to Trakai Island Castle, there are public transportation options, but I would probably recommend just taking a Bolt ride as the prices are quite affordable in Lithuania.  

Should I visit Vilnius?

Vilnius is now one of my favourite cities ever, so it’s a big yes! I was blown away with just how stunning Vilnius was, and how friendly Lithuanian people were. So yes, you should visit Vilnius – Europe’s most underrated capital.

Have you visited Vilnius? Do you agree with our opinion?

Thinking about visiting Vilnius or Lithuania? Let me know in the comments below!

I received some assistance from Go Vilnius on my trip, who so kindly arranged a city walking tour of Vilnius for me. I want to give a big thank you to them for making my visit so much more enjoyable.

Follow me on Instagram, @asherxtravel, to keep up with all my travels around the globe!