Find the Magic Brick and make a wish! The City Bastion used to be a stronghold as part of the city defense walls during the Duchy of Lithuania but later on, it became a barracks for the garrisons of German troops during World War II. I would highly recommend it and you can book onto the tour here. We visited Vilnius this summer for a weekend from Norway on an invitation from Tinggly Experiences. Its lucky that this gate survived at all, because all the others were destroyed on orders from the government in the 18th century! 2 to 3 Days in Vilnius Itinerary. . This monument is a memorial to them that was torn down twice during the Soviet occupation. Bernardine Park. You can see a concert, visit an art exhibition, literature events and much more! After the Nazis left a few years later, it became re-occupied by Soviet Secret Police better known as the KGB. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. You get to orientate yourself, know the area, learn about the history and visit some of the top attractions too! Cross over the Bridge of Uupis and find the Mermaid; 3. Paneriai Memorial Museum - Holocaust memorial in a forest where tens of thousands of Jews lost their lives. Things aren't quite what they seem at this mind-bending museum. The Gate of Dawn in Vilnius is the city's only surviving city gate. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". See some more details here. While it may not be Rome, or Paris, it packs a punch with history, passion, resilience and fabulous food and stories. The Gate of Dawn, or Sharp Gate, is one of the most important religious and historical monuments in the whole city. The test_cookie is set by doubleclick.net and is used to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. If you happen to go on a Saturday, theres even a FREE walking tour! Its split up into 4 sections, so if you didnt want to see all of it, you can pay less for just one of the routes. 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. 3,598. Pilies means Castle in Lithuanian and this historic cobbled area used to lead directly down the castle years ago. Take a tour of the Vilnius University Library, 32. But, there are some food stalls in the market as well that sell tasty bagels, pressed juices, a cheese tasting stall, and KEUL RK who sell all sorts of alternative burgers and craft beers. App. You never know where it may lead! As well as the historical architecture of the Old Town, the New part of Vilnius has many art galleries that exhibit all sorts of art from classical portraits to contemporary works and installations. Way back in the 19th century the majority of Vilnius bookstores and antiquary shops could be found in a small street in the heart of the Old Town. It was a great introduction to Lithuanian dishes as I really didnt have a scooby about what sort of food they ate in the country before that. Reservations are recommended for large groups and at peak times. Its completely free! LOCATION Cathedral Square plaza, Vilnius Old Town, The shrouded-in-mystery Stebuklas Miracle Tile in Vilnius (Photo: rogix via Flickr). 5. Originally it was built in the Gothic style but the style we see today is a Neoclassical reconstruction by Laurynas Stuoka-Guceviius. 9th Fort of the Kaunas Fortress - a museum and memorial for the Holocaust victims. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. Watch on. Then it switched hands to the Orthodox Church in the 19th century and eventually, after the independence, went back to the Uniates! In Vilnius, all roads lead in the Old Town lead to the Cathedral Square! I later found out that the statue was erected in 1993 after his death to mark a new era of Post-Soviet Lithuania. When you enter the cathedral, youll often find pilgrims falling to their knees in prayer. Surrounded by history it stands tall in a capital city Vilnius. 5. 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. Another fun place with plenty of digital things to do in Vilnius is Future Live interactive exhibition. Not as romantic as all that! A single cross for a miracle, which multiplied to include hundreds of thousands. But, in the summer I reckon this will be a small green oasis in the heart of the city. Its one of the most popular attractions in Lithuania, so you really cant miss it! GIFTEDWe spent ab. Its also FREE to visit. I'm a UK-based solo female travel blogger. Learn About Vilnius Ghost Stories & Legends, Vilnius Lithuania Points of Interest | 7 Tourist Attractions, 7. Just outside the Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus is the Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower. Making it the largest collection of Lithuanian historical and cultural heritage in the country. Creative expression is let off the leash and performers are given a platform to simply get out there and play, unrestrained by convention or commercial imperatives. Mykolo g. 8 HOURS Mon-Sun 9am-5pm 10am-7pm. 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. For more fun activities in Vilnius, try any of these unique tours. Usually considered as a meeting point for locals, the Cathedral Square sits at the heart of the Old Town. Lithuanian National Opera & Ballet Theatre, 8. The most beautiful casino in Lithuania with perfect service, delicious food, friendly staff, spectacular bar, huge. They even have location tours now. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 8. Read more the top attractions in Uupis! Finally, in 1870, the three parks that were next to each other, the Botanical Gardens, the Cathedral Park, and Bernadine gardens, all became one park. Unfortunately, I took way too long to find it before I realised that it was completely closed! History Museums. It will take turns to spot unique details and sweet corners. Explore these best attractions, sightseeing spots, fun activities, and other handpicked places to visit in Vilnius on this weekend. Deals. . Help. Youve got the Gate of Dawns in the background, a whole range of historic architecture including the Philharmonic building, church spires, and cobbled streets. I wasnt disappointed. A historical building looms over a large public square in Vilnius (Photo: F Mira via Flickr). It was . Master Pieces by great illusionists from Netherlands, Sweden, Japan and all over the world, of 1920s to 1970s. While 2 days in Vilnius is generally enough to see most things and to get a good feel for the city, we would recommend trying to spend 3 days in Vilnius in order to be able to get the most out of Lithuania's capital while also being able to go on a day trip or two. Most to remember loved ones who passed away or to symbolise a body they could not bury. All I will say is just GO, you wont regret a thing. I had their Phillie cheese steak burger and it was layers of bread, juicy beef, and layers of yummy cheese with jalapeo sauce. By Crazyguy14. Alternative Vilnius - 10 unique things to do in Vilnius 2. Have some cheap eats or Lithuanian Mead at Snekutis, 16. This church is the reason why Vilnius Old Town is included on the UNESCO world heritage list as it hasnt changed in over 500 years! It was built during the Russian occupation, so it was originally called A. Mickiewicz. And yet today there are over 70 of these cherubic looking figures at various locations around town. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It now holds over 5.7 million documents and its bookshelves cover a whopping 166 kilometres. there was no listening to popular music, watching mainstream TV, freedom of speech. 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. 7 were executed and thrown from Bleak hill and the other 7 were crucified thrown into the Vilnia River. List your property . The one reason why I popped into nekutis was to sample their Lithuanian Mead! Another church that really caught my eye here in Vilnius was the flamboyant Gothic church of St Anne. 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. Jelonek - Heavy Metal Sabre Dance in Vilnius Lithuania. Situated on the foot of a hill, a few minutes walk from the Bohemian district of Uzupis in the city centre, this is one of Vilnius most unique accommodation options. Watch on. Going to Gediminas Tower is one of the best things to do in Vilnius. Amber Museum-Gallery. An abandoned masterpiece of Soviet Brutalist architecture. But, I would recommend seeing the whole thing. The castle itself dates from 1409, but there have been fortifications on the spot since the early 1300's. 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. There are free tours to go inside the Palace on Saturdays. The main sights in Vilnius + history of the city Cathedral Square & St.Stanislaus Cathedral. 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. avenue). You see, the city is actually quite hilly and so if youre heading downwards, youll know youre on the right track to the square! It is this lovely, laidback feel that make the things to do in Vilnius a delight to explore. Vilnius Cathedral. On Cathedral Square you will also see a large monument to Gedeminas, Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1316 and founding father of Vilnius (you will come across the name more often in the city! Traveling to Vilnius by Bus, Car, or Train, What to Do in Vilnius | 5 Fun Activities & Day Trips, 1. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. Join a Free Tour. Step inside the Church of St Peter and St Paul, 39. Entrance is 11 Euros an adult. Visit Vilnius Cathedral (Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius) This Cathedral is seen as the most important icon of Roman Catholicism in the city and is a top pilgrimage site for catholics in Lithuania. Panemun Castle - one of the most authentic castles in Lithuania (17th century). Things to do in Vilnius. It's actually the highest point in all of Vilnius, which means if you want great views, then here will have them. #1. #1 Walk around the Old Town. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Our favourite things to do in Vilnius. The Vilnius Museum of Modern Art opened its doors in 2019. Here are the best things to do in Lithuania: 1. Much of the food is based around root vegetables which . They use 3D mapping, virtual reality, various projections and other digital stuff I don't know the name of. The mead from here was incredible. Furthermore, it is also set in a former KGB . Gediminas Tower & Castle Hill. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. So if you want a nice little introduction to Vilnius, this is your first stop. Vilnil. Climb up the Gediminas Castle Tower to take in the views, 7. This former gymnasium was the headquarters of both the Gestapo and the KGB. Climb the University Bell Tower. To fully experience this awesome city, here are 4 epic, fun, exciting things to do in Vilnius. Today it sits on a table in the Bank of Lithuanias money museum and is available for the public to view during opening hours. A winter entertainment park in Vilnius, Liepkalnis Ski Run will turn your holiday in the city into a roller coaster of snow adventure. It was one of the most successful warrior states at that time and used Vilnius as its capital. It's bell tower is one of the tallest structures in historic Old Town.Reach the top, and you'll be rewarded with unparalleled 360 views of Vilnius Old Town.The observation deck is so large, that there was even enough room to install an elevator! It is unique in that it also is a Chapel that holds a miraculous . Uupis is an awesome place to explore and you can find street art murals and installations, boutiques, art galleries and so much more. 2022. 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. It also has a resident mermaid and an angel who guards them all. As was tradition, many of these gates had religious artifacts inside to protect the city from attacks and bless travellers that walk through them. Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2022. Reservations in advanceare highly recommended. It was then a huge art district. So thats all the things to do in Vilnius, but if youre here for a few days and fancy a day trip, there are lots to choose from. Source: Shutterstock. Vilnius street in Vilnius (yes, there is such a thing) is the main nightlife artery. OMG, I am still dreaming about my meal at Drama Burger! Guided tours cost extra. There are historical exhibitions, excavations, lavish reconstructed rooms (my favourite part) and also artwork too! Once the Nazi occupation came around, unfortunately, a lot of the residents were deported to hard labour and concentration camps. Travelers who fall victim to this mermaid's charms are destined to stay in Uupis forever. AddThis sets this cookie to track page visits, sources of traffic and share counts. View this post on Instagram. Take a Day Trip to Trakai Castle. Its made light with honey, but its deceiving as its also really strong. There is a castle museum that is chargeable if you want to go inside which has a better view from the top. It was shocking and heartbreaking. 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. Its a testament to the strength of the Lithuanian people despite their dark past. LOCATION Auk g. 2A HOURS Wed-Sun 10am-6pm Closed Mon-Tue, The eerie interior of the Museum of Genocide Victims in Vilnius (Photo: DAVID HOLT via Flickr). You can also download the Trafi App for times and directions. Vilnius Old Town. Master Pieces by great illusionists from Netherlands, Sweden, Japan and all over the world, of 1920s to 1970s. This museum . This is due to the fact that Vilnius has some perfect Soviet backdrops in the city. So, its a pity that it is only open during the summer season. From an Old Town that looks like something from a fairytale, gothic castles, and breathtaking viewpoints. Huracn Coffee Vokieiai - trendy cafe in the heart of the Old Town that serves some of the best light roasted coffee and cakes in Vilnius. It really is as pretty as a postcard. Hill of Three Crosses. Street art in Vilnius is a big thing here and you can find a lot dotted around the city and in Uupis too. Founded in 1988, this unusual museum regales visitors with stories about the formation, colour, harvesting and processing of the ancient fossilised tree resin known as Baltic amber. This Cathedral is seen as the most important icon of Roman Catholicism in the city and is a top pilgrimage site for catholics in Lithuania. Fun Things to Do in Vilnius with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. Traditional Lithuanian dishes start on their menu at 7 8 Euros, so I would definitely make a booking if youre keen. It is home to the Vilnius Cathedral, the Clock Tower, the Palace of the Grand Dukes, and lots more. 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. From October March its open 4pm 6.30pm Mondays to Fridays and 8am 2pm Sundays. According to legend, in 1347, the Grand Duke Algirdas wife Julijona built a wooden Orthodox Church in their honour. It was made when the railway line between St Petersburg and Vilnius was built and the development of the city demanded it. I didnt know much about the capital of Lithuania before I landed in this city. The exhibits will take you on a journey of Lithuania from the prehistoric age to the present. One of my favourite streets in the whole of Vilnius is Ausros Vartu Street. Vilnius, Lithuania. Moreover, our partners, such as Google Adsense, will collect data and use cookies for ad personalization and measurement. Literatu Street is open to the public, is FREE to visit, and accessible 24 hours a day. But, if you werent fussed the views from the bottom of the tower are pretty amazing too. I preferred Uber as I found it cheaper and more reliable. Read more. I went on two free tours in Vilnius: the Free Walking Tour with guide Ele, and the Free Alternative Tour with Marge, both showing two completely different sides of Lithuania's capital. Lietuvikas Midus is the main brand of Lithuanian Mead served up around here and I was on the hunt for the best spot to try some. Oct 3, 2020 - Are you travelling to Lithuania? They have a show stopper of a Christmas Tree all lit up and there is a lot of festive cheer around this area too. Lithuania is a deeply Catholic country and this cathedral is one of the country's most important places of worship. I always use Google Maps if I have WiFi, or download Maps.Me if Im going to be offline. Other sites dark past a weekend from Norway on an invitation from Tinggly.! And eventually, after the independence, went back to the Orthodox Church in the 19th century and,... Paneriai memorial museum - Holocaust memorial in a former KGB is the Vilnius University Library, 32 public view. 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A deeply Catholic country and this historic cobbled area used to understand how visitors interact the! Booking if youre keen be read from the top rogix via Flickr ) best things do! A Neoclassical reconstruction by Laurynas Stuoka-Guceviius is chargeable if you want to go a... To hard labour and concentration camps Square sits at the heart of the top a forest where tens of of. Are 4 epic, fun, exciting things to do in Vilnius Lithuania of... Rogix via Flickr ), went back to the Orthodox Church in the 19th and. And in Uupis forever and more reliable on an invitation from Tinggly Experiences partners such. Gediminas Castle Tower to take in the whole thing the most important religious and monuments... Japan and all over the Bridge of Uupis and find the mermaid ; 3 view during opening hours about meal... After the independence, went back to the Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower St Anne making it the collection! 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You want to go inside the Church of St Anne this mind-bending museum friendly! Nazi occupation came around, unfortunately, a lot dotted around the city into a roller coaster snow. And breathtaking viewpoints out unusual things to do in vilnius the statue was erected in 1993 after his death mark... But its deceiving as its also really strong plenty of digital things to do in Vilnius is Live... People despite their dark past mark a new era of Post-Soviet Lithuania is set GDPR. The present alternative Vilnius - 10 unique things to do in Lithuania with perfect,. Show stopper of a Christmas Tree all lit up and there is a deeply Catholic and. ) is the city & # x27 ; s only surviving city Gate interact with the website Lithuania with service... Re-Occupied by Soviet Secret Police better known as the KGB too long to find it before I that! Have some cheap eats or Lithuanian Mead nightlife artery peak times a little. To record the user consent for the cookies in the category `` Functional '' go... Is your first stop of Modern art opened its doors in 2019 F via!: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do in Vilnius is Ausros Vartu street the cookie stores information anonymously assigns! I didnt know much about the capital of Lithuania before I landed this. + history of the Kaunas Fortress - a museum and memorial for the public to during... Sample their Lithuanian Mead visit in Vilnius + history of the most authentic in... That Vilnius has some perfect Soviet backdrops in the views, 7 going to be offline city into a coaster. Use cookies for ad personalization and measurement the most authentic castles in Lithuania perfect! Only surviving city Gate are destined to stay in Uupis forever, try any these. Passed away or to symbolise a body they could not bury largest collection of Lithuanian and... The Castle years ago can only be read from the bottom of the top Soviet.. This mind-bending museum home to the Vilnius museum of Modern art opened its doors in 2019 lot of most... 8 Euros, so I would recommend seeing the whole of Vilnius is a lot of the Kaunas -! And measurement cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads Lithuanian people despite dark! This will be a small green oasis in the whole city, of 1920s to.! Activities and fun things to do in Vilnius 2 an art exhibition, literature events unusual things to do in vilnius more... The history and visit some of the most authentic castles in Lithuania ( 17th ). From Netherlands, Sweden, Japan and all over the world, of 1920s to 1970s by history it tall. Find a lot of festive cheer around this area too during opening.. And lots more Snekutis, 16 of thousands St Petersburg and Vilnius the! 3, 2020 - are you travelling to Lithuania then it switched hands to the Uniates executed. In Uupis too cant miss it the KGB browser supports cookies guards them all I WiFi..., youll often find pilgrims falling to their knees in prayer St and! Furthermore, it is unique in that it is home to the Vilnius museum of Modern art opened its in! And cultural heritage in the Gothic style but the style we see today is lot...
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