Forget the Guidebook: Discover Vilnius Through the Eyes of a Local

Why follow the usual tourist trail when you can explore a new destination with someone who calls it home? In a bid to promote sustainable tourism and offer visitors a richer, more meaningful experience, Lithuania’s capital Vilnius is running the Meet a Local program - a unique initiative that’s transforming the way travelers connect with the city.

Since the pandemic, Vilnius has seen a steady rise in visitors. As the Green Capital of Europe 2025, the city is committed to ensuring that tourism grows hand-in-hand with local culture and community values. That’s where Meet a Local, a project by Go Vilnius, comes in.

Instead of traditional tours, visitors are invited to meet Vilnius residents eager to share their favorite corners of the city - be it through a leisurely walk, a casual café chat, or a spontaneous activity. The locals aren’t professional guides, and that’s exactly the point. What they offer is something guidebooks can’t: genuine connection, personal stories, and insider tips that bring the city to life in unexpected ways.

Conversations about life and Eurovision

The program's volunteers, or ambassadors, meet guests with a goal to expand their horizons and introduce their home city. Agnė, one of the program’s ambassadors, says that Meet a Local has become one of her favorite things to do.

“It's so fun learning unexpected things from tourists. We end up chatting about everything—from politics and history to Eurovision and animals. Some meetings even leave me with a real ‘wow’ feeling,” she shares.

Kristina, another ambassador, loves that Meet a Local creates a two-way exchange. “One of my favorite encounters was with Bonnie from Los Angeles. She came to Lithuania to trace her family roots, and we had a deep, open conversation that lasted five hours,” Kristina recalls. “It was amazing to share stories and answer her questions.”

Foreign visitors: seeing the city through a completely different lens

Visitors who’ve met Meet a Local ambassadors rave about the city’s food, public spaces, history, and, its warm-hearted people.

Eva, a visitor from Germany, says: “We had a lovely walk through the old town. Aušra showed me so many things that interested me and patiently answered all my questions. I saw Vilnius through a completely different lens. It really touched me that someone I didn’t even know would give me their time to show me their city. Such a great idea and a fantastic experience.”

Sheena, a tourist from the Philippines, adds: “It was time well spent. Kristina made an amazing personal guide. Not only is she knowledgeable about history, but she’s lived it herself. We shared a local meal, explored the university, and saw the cathedral. It really gave me a sense of Lithuania’s love for architecture, its cultural heritage, and its drive for education.”

Want to meet a Vilnius local? Here’s how

Visitors can easily join the program by filling out a short form on meetalocal.lt, where both tourists and locals who want to become ambassadors can sign up. The system helps match tourists with ambassadors based on shared interests, hobbies, and availability.

The adventure always begins at the Vilnius Tourist Information Centre in the heart of the Old Town, on Pilies Street, where participants meet for a coffee and get to know each other before setting off on their exploration of the city.

A city that’s open and welcoming

Meet a Local is just one of the many initiatives making Vilnius more connected to its international visitors.

● International House Vilnius is a service center that helps hundreds of relocated foreigners every month.
● The Vilnius is My City festival, happening in August for the third year, brings thousands of relocated foreigners and locals together for a fun and friendly exchange.