Book Olympic Air Flights to Vilnius

The best things to do in Vilnius

Wander around the winding cobbled lanes of the medieval Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, like something straight out of a fairy tale, with atmospheric porticoes and arches. Irresistible features of the region are the dozens of Orthodox and Catholic churches and the exquisite examples of baroque architecture. This is where the city’s most important sights are located, such as the impressive building complex of Vilnius University, the Cathedral and the Gates of Dawn.

Climb up the hill with Gediminas Castle Tower, the historic symbol of the city and only remnant of the castle that stood here from the 10th to the 14th century. Inside its museum, numerous archaeological treasures narrate the history of the foundation of Vilnius by Gediminas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania. Enjoy the magical view of the roofs of the Old Town.

Take a tour of the district of Užupis. Known as the “Montmartre of Vilnius”, it is also an independent republic with its own constitution, flag, national anthem and president. The “Republic of Užupis” was founded in 1998 by the city’s artistic community as a gesture of genuine revolutionary humour. This is where the bohemian heart of Vilnius beats, with dozens of art galleries and handicrafts workshops. In any case, Užupis means creativity and uniqueness.

Visit the National Museum of Lithuania, housed in a wonderful 15th-century palace. It offers the best window onto the daily life of the Lithuanian people from the 13th century until the Second World War.

Day trips from Vilnius

There are any number of reasons to find yourselves in the magical town of Trakai, just 28 km from Vilnius. The royal palaces, the spectacular coastline, the impressive blue lakes in the Trakai Historical National Park, the redbrick castles and the elegant wooden houses of the region create a landscape that is just captivating.

You must definitely visit Trakai Island Castle (15th century), built on one of the 21 islets of Lake Galvé.

Shopping in Vilnius

The pedestrianised Didžioji Gatve and the cobbled Pilies Gatve, with the scattered stalls selling various handicrafts and works of art is an essential stop for all those seeking the elegant shops and glamorous boutiques of local designers. Here you will everything, from clothes and antiques to jewellers, old books and paintings.

Lithuania is famous for amber and linens. In Vilnius you will find a unique range of shops that specialise in creations made using these two materials.

For pricier shopping excursions, head for the city’s main shopping street of Gediminas Avenue, where you will find many fashion shops and the recently renovated shopping centre GO9.

A little outside the city centre is the popular Akropolis, which combines hardcore shopping with recreational activities of every kind, from the cinema and bowling to an ice rink.

Take a stop at the covered Halės Market and the glass-roofed building from 1900 that houses it. Buy some excellent local honey.

The city’s central open-air food market is the atmospheric Kalvariju Market, which bustles with life every Saturday. Here you will find everything for sale, from clothes and old records to bicycles and cameras.

Eating in Vilnius

The queen of the national flavours of Lithuania and the basis for an inventive variety of local dishes is the potato. You will find the potato cooked in an infinite number of ways, from cepelinai (large boiled dumplings shaped like a zeppelin and filled with mince or cottage cheese) and potato salad, to various types of potato bread (kugelis), fries made with grated raw potato and potato dumplings filled with mushrooms or berries. The most exotic dish you can try is vėdarai (potato sausage) cooked in a wood oven.

The Lithuanians also love cold soup, especially šaltibarščiai (cold beetroot soup). Accompany it with kepta duona (fried bread rubbed with garlic).

If the local cuisine does not whet your appetite, do not despair. Vilnius has a wide range of international restaurants, taking you on a gastronomic journey from the Mediterranean to Japan and from India to Brazil.

The nightlife of Vilnius ranges from classic music bars to dance clubs. The centre of the action is around Vokieciu gatve, where most of the city’s pubs are to be found. In the summer the street is buzzing with life while bar hopping is a popular practice here.

How to get to Vilnius

Take the train (Oro Uostas line - Stotis), which connects the airport directly with the central railway station of Vilnius, near the old town. The train departs approximately every 40 minutes and the journey time is 8 minutes.

Alternatively, take public transport bus 1, which connects the airport with the main bus station in the city centre. Buses depart every 30-40 minutes and the journey time is between 15-20 minutes.

Thanks to the city’s rich cultural life and its vibrant nightlife, Vilnius is the ideal destination throughout the year. Book your flights for Vilnius with Olympic Air and discover a city that is bursting with creativity, from the famous Christopher Summer Festival (July – August) to the international Sirenos international festival for innovative theatre (early October).