15 reasons why Vilnius is amazing

Make sure your camera is fully charged because you're in for a treat in Vilnius! From stunning panoramas to the urban jungle and modern art – it's all there, ready for a picture perfect shot any time of the day. What are you waiting for?

Calling all curious travellers! Vilnius will tickle your brain and inspire you to explore history, art, culture, contemporary ideas and the old days alike. Even on the shortest getaway to Vilnius, you can find time to squeeze in a museum or two and learn something new.

Vilnius offers an oasis of greenery wherever you look – almost half the city is filled with parks, squares and forests. So you can always be in nature without leaving the city or even the Old Town. Embrace the gifts of nature – go hiking or jogging in the fresh forest air, or take your time to relax surrounded by greenery.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a history buff or more of a contemporary soul; Vilnius will feed your curiosity either way. The city is celebrating its 700^th anniversary in 2023, but you don’t have to wait for the official celebrations to start. Celebrate every day! The past blends in harmony with the present here, and Vilnius remains a vibrant and modern city that’s always curious to share and test new ideas. So travel through time in Vilnius and enjoy every bit of it.

Learning about and appreciating Vilnius’ past is a must when visiting the city, but sometimes you just need to jump right into the contemporary cultural mosaic and be part of the scene and its trends as they evolve in real-time. We all know Vilnius has a creative and storied past, so why would the present be any different? Check out these places to see what makes Vilnius tick these days and soak in all the little gems before it becomes the cool thing to do.  

Vilnius never takes a break, so when it comes to arts and culture, there’s always something going on. On top of that, you don’t have to break the bank, because there are plenty of free events and festivals. Isn’t Vilnius just a perfect spot for a getaway?

Over the years, hot air balloons have become a real signature sight in Vilnius, especially since it's the only capital city in Europe that allows these aircraft to float in its airspace.

Vilnius is so much more than its famous UNESCO-listed Old Town – trying out some outdoor activities is always a must. With the Neris River flowing right through the city centre and numerous lakes nearby, taking an adventure on the water is easy. You can also head to the lush forests and meadows surrounding the city to breathe in the fresh air and spend the day outdoors. Ready to explore?

What trip is complete without tasting the local food? The unique architecture of Vilnius is also accompanied by a tasty collection of top restaurants and cafes. With 19 of the country’s top 30 restaurants located in Vilnius, the food scene is thriving and currently obsessed with local products, new Nordic cuisine and flavour adventures. Historic recipes are now served with a modern attitude, so even the most traditional of Lithuanian dishes are getting contemporary makeovers. Oh, and locals are super proud of their craft beer culture – everyone has their favourite.

This guide is for coffee lovers who make a ritual of their favourite warm drink and care about where and what kind of coffee they drink.

Ready for a beer adventure? Beer lovers are in for a paradise of ales in Vilnius. Craft beer from local microbreweries is everywhere. The difficulty is not finding beer, but choosing from hundreds of local flavours. It’s impossible to try them all in one trip…or is it?

No matter which of the 35 ways of moving around the city you prefer, we love them all. And you’ll love them, too. Bus, trolleybus, different taxi applications, shared cars, electric scooter, bicycle systems…even by Uperis, a floating platform to cross the river.

Vilnius never sleeps, so join the party. Once the sun goes down, the stage for nightlife is set. Be it a pub-crawl, dancing until dawn or just a chill night out on the town, Vilnius is a city buzzing with people, chatter and fun.

Visiting Vilnius as a tourist can be fun, but it’s always more exciting to experience it like a local. Meet friendly people who will show you around the city or find new friends in the local hotspots. Lithuanians speak English well, so get ready for some tall tales and insider tips.

The notorious prison in the centre of Vilnius has been reborn as Cultural Hub. Although the building complex stopped functioning as a prison in 2019, now it is inhabited by 250 artists, and has been repurposed for artistic and cultural events as “Lukiškės Prison 2.0” to host concerts, festivals, and exclusive tours.