We laughed a lot. Although many businesses and attractions here do take cards, I would have cash on you at all times. Vilnius with locals run a fabulous free walking tour that runs from the Cathedral Square daily at 10am and 12pm. (the . The Old Town is also 10 minutes away by foot. Its a lovely peaceful part of the city with great views of the Gediminas Castle and Hill of Three Crosses. Its a great place to sample a few dishes as the prices wont break your budget! Good for. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! I love Baltic countries and have had the pleasure of visiting a few during my years of travelling. Lithuanians step on this tile facing the cathedral, spin around 3 times, all the while making a wish! By 695arthurm. 1. Escape Games. During this period the building was used to house prisoners and to conduct executions and torture in its basement. So, you get a birds-eye view of the gorgeous rooftops, cobbled streets, and church spires. When you enter the cathedral, youll often find pilgrims falling to their knees in prayer. The Hill of Crosses is one of the most important attractions in Lithuania and is a symbol of light and hope. Hill of Three Crosses. "Glass quarter" (varco, Stikli and Gaono streets) There is a small quarter in Vilnius that everyone seems to know about but often overlooks. In Lithuania, they use the Euro. Although I was a guest, all opinions are my own. With his iconoclastic image, American rock star Frank Zappa became a symbol of the freedom that people had for so long been denied and in 2001 a member of the Vilnius bohemian set founded the Frank Zappa Fan Club. Just be patient with the traffic and masses of tourists using the crossroads! The Baltic city stole my heart with its wacky, weird, and wonderful things to do and see. 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. See Tripadvisor's 1,56,019 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Vilnius attractions Europe Travel Tips . 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. As a result, you can never quite be sure where youll see one but you can have plenty of fun guessing! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Reservations are recommended for large groups and at peak times. But while its full back-story remains shrouded in mystery, there are some aspects that we do know. At this time, Lithuania was known as the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. We visited Vilnius this summer for a weekend from Norway on an invitation from Tinggly Experiences. Facebook sets this cookie to show relevant advertisements to users by tracking user behaviour across the web, on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. Ask 100 people about the history of this unassuming concrete tile and youre likely to get 100 different answers. For more fun activities in Vilnius, try any of these unique tours. It's one of the things to do in Vilnius that you can't miss. But, masses started again in 1988. Mykolo g. 8 HOURS Mon-Sun 9am-5pm 10am-7pm. Originally intended as a temporary exhibition when it was launched in 2008, the wall quickly grew in popularity and it was soon decided that it would remain, becoming a popular stop-off point for both locals and visitors to the city. Panemun Castle - one of the most authentic castles in Lithuania (17th century). Learn About Vilnius Ghost Stories & Legends, Vilnius Lithuania Points of Interest | 7 Tourist Attractions, 7. 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. During my? This museum is a fun way to understand the workings of science in day to day lives and how some of the logical and day to day phenomenon can result into delusions. A great fun way to spend an hour or two. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Vilnius street in Vilnius (yes, there is such a thing) is the main nightlife artery. Read more why you need to visit Vilnius in December. Only the bottom part of the Bellfry tower is original, the rest is a reconstruction from the 19th century. Then in the 1990s, they declared the district the Free Republic. While it may not be Rome, or Paris, it packs a punch with history, passion, resilience and fabulous food and stories. The caf is open from 9 am 11 pm daily. I use. Stikliu, M. Antokolskio & ydu streets were all part of the Jewish Ghetto in Vilnius established during World War II. Within Vilnius, do not skip the KGB Museum or the quirky Republic of Uupis. Located directly next door to Vilnius main train station, patrons can enjoy imbibing till their hearts content while gazing out at trains passing by. The Hill of Crosses. These include St. Ann's (Gothic), St. Peter and Paul's (Baroque), and plenty of others. The Vilnius Museum of Modern Art opened its doors in 2019. Even today, when you walk through the gate, youll see many locals pause and say a little prayer towards her portrait that can be seen through the window. The Atlas Obscura Guide To Vilnius 16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Vilnius, Lithuania Updated August 22, 2022 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. Today its cells have been left virtually untouched, making it a true memorial to a past that many would rather forget but that the wider world cannot allow to happen. If youre looking for unique finds in Vilnius, then head down to Literatu street in the Old Town its sure to spark some curiosity! Of course, as well as capturing it there are a lot of shops, restaurants, and chapels you can pop into to pass the time too. So, its well worth checking out if you want to learn all about it! And for real aficionados, Amber polishing demonstrations are available upon request. The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights is a very interesting and important museum as it explains the atrocities committed by the KGB. It was then a huge art district. History & Culture 3. You can visit the inside of the church during the restricted opening hours, but even if its closed its worth stopping here for a photo! This monument is a memorial to them that was torn down twice during the Soviet occupation. Do They Speak English in Lithuania Vilnius? Including a few tiles that look different from the rest. 4. A Baltic Shaman then translated his dream and told him he needed to create a strong city like the wolf and it would be talked about for centuries, hence the howling. But, in the summer I reckon this will be a small green oasis in the heart of the city. Traditional Lithuanian dishes start on their menu at 7 8 Euros, so I would definitely make a booking if youre keen. In Vilnius, all roads lead in the Old Town lead to the Cathedral Square! The exhibits will take you on a journey of Lithuania from the prehistoric age to the present. Years ago, the Grand Dukes of Lithuania was crowned here and many famous icons in Lithuanian history have graves inside its walls. After paying the fee, you can ascend into the upper reaches of the towerpartly by elevator, and the rest via a set of stairs. Museum of illusions. I am a long-time fan of Frank Zappa, throw back to me at 14 first listening to Hungry Freaks, Daddy and being hooked from there! There is a popular legend that Napoleon Bonaparte fell in love with this church and he wanted to take it back to Paris in the palm of his hand. Read my complete Trakai guide here and the best way to get there here from Vilnius! It was even used by both Tsar Alexander I and Napoleon while they were in Vilnius! Make sure you read my guide all about it below. I later found out that the statue was erected in 1993 after his death to mark a new era of Post-Soviet Lithuania. Not much to say, we fell in love with it straight away! Parents were separated from their children and sent away. The Palace of the Grand Dukes is a reconstruction of the original palace that used to sit in the Lower Castle from the 15th 17th centuries. But, I feel that although these are dark places, learning about history is necessary so these things do not happen again. Inside they serve up gourmet burgers, signature fries, and even beers on tap! Stays Stays. Here, you can see a beautiful panorama of the Old Town, the Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Dukes, and Cathedral Square! Things to do Things to do. Both were amazing! How they were held in tiny cells, tortured and you didnt know if tomorrow would be your last. Throughout the year, this is also the location of many community events like Concerts in the Summer and in December it comes alive with the annual Christmas Tree and Markets! Discover a hidden gem in Vilnius, Lithuania! The wall first began in 2009, when a group of artists decided that Literatu Street should live up to the name. Prices start from 45 Euro for a one-hour treatment which is really reasonable for full-body treatments. A bronze bust of Frank zappa atop a stainless-steel pole (Photo: richie78 via Flickr). by Paul Joseph|Published June 7, 2017, Where to Find Short Term Rentals in Amsterdam, 5 Charming Bed and Breakfasts in Cape Cod. Once Lithuania became a Christian state in the 14th century it was granted Magdeburg rights. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Walking, especially within the Old Town, will be your best bet most of the time. Vilnius Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sits at the point where two of Lithuania's main rivers converge. . It also has a resident mermaid and an angel who guards them all. And yet today there are over 70 of these cherubic looking figures at various locations around town. 2.Catch the highest view in the City at St John's Church. If you cant get enough of the view over Vilnius, you can head to the Three Crosses Hill, a hill overlooking the city with three 12m tall white concrete Crosses overlooking the city. If you happen to go on a Saturday, theres even a FREE walking tour! Today, you can cross under the gate and visit the small chapel above the archway. 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. Explore the scary history of Vilnius. So, once you reached the meeting point in Vilnius Cathedral Square you shouldnt be walking more than a few kilometres to reach some of the main sites. Outsider Art 3. avenue). 9th Fort of the Kaunas Fortress - a museum and memorial for the Holocaust victims. Drama Burger is an epic chain of Lithuanian burger joints in the city and you can find the best one on Gediminas Avenue. I will warn you that the church is located next to a busy road. A single cross for a miracle, which multiplied to include hundreds of thousands. They were originally set up by Bernadine Monks that were invited to Vilnius. Years ago the whole upper castle was a defensive fortification built by Gediminas grandson, Duke Vytautas. The best things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania. But, things really took off at the beginning of the 20th century and it became a huge food market in 1906. Then, when Lithuania converted to Christianity in the 14th century the cathedral was expanded. This was shockingly even until the 1990s! There are 3 of them in the city and all have a fantastic selection of craft beers and a cheap and cheerful menu serving up traditional Lithuania cuisine. ? Its also in the centre of the old streets. You can take a balloon ride or join a free walking tour to get around the main sights and learn more about Vilniuss fascinating history. . Its one of the most popular attractions in Lithuania, so you really cant miss it! Only opened in 2016, the Vilnil Museum of Illusions is a fun and fascinating place to visit that is dedicated to a rather unique and unusual field. The site is surrounded by a vast garden and is also close to St. Annes Church and the Vilnele River, meaning theres plenty of things to see and do during your stay. So, the town became derelict making way for less desirable members of society to move into the neighbourhood and it got a bad name. I love writing about the weird, wonderful, magical, and historical on my blog. Free Things to do in Vilnius - Neris River. On our three-hour tour, we explored and ate our way through the Old Town. One of my favourite streets in the whole of Vilnius is Ausros Vartu Street. This zen space can be found in the heart of the Old Town and is extremely popular. time in Vilnius, I teamed up with Go Vilnius to write about the city and the? LOCATION Gedimino av. Things to Do in Vilnius, Lithuania: See Tripadvisor's 156,023 traveler reviews and photos of Vilnius tourist attractions. The City Bastion Viewpoint can be visited 24 hours a day, but if you want to go insidethe museumor onto the terrace, this is only open from Tuesday Sunday from 10am 6pm. There is a legend surrounding this hill (known as Bleak Hill) that 14 Franciscan monks were invited to Vilnius and started preaching about God. Set by addthis.com to determine the usage of addthis.com service. Uupis Republic Discovery Tour - This is the bohemian part of Vilnius and I recommend you see it with a local guide. Have a Instagrammable lunch at Augustus Ir Babora Love Story Caf, 19. It became one of the most famous palaces in Europe at that time. Town Hall Square. Once upon a time, this area was one of the poorest parts of the city, it was home to Jewish migrants and labourers. Designed for nature and outdoors enthusiasts, guests can expect grill and barbecue events, mulled wine, craft beers and night-time bonfires all of which combine to create a magical ambience. Art Deco 2. My favourite part of Pilies street was veering off down the small pretty side streets, courtyards and alleyways. To mark the occasion, a quirky project was put forward that resulted in the construction of the worlds largest coin pyramid. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. #1. World War Ii 3. I went on a day tour to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius but you can do this self-guided too. Explore the Old Town. Exploring the area is one of the most fun things to do in Vilnius. Moreover, our partners, such as Google Adsense, will collect data and use cookies for ad personalization and measurement. #3 Stroll through the Republic of Uzupis. They have a show stopper of a Christmas Tree all lit up and there is a lot of festive cheer around this area too. Today, they are known as the Franciscan martyrs of Vilnius. With the exception of the Neo-Gothic bell tower, which was designed in the 19th century, the appearance of the church has stayed the same over five centuries! Frank Zappa is American, so I wasnt sure why his bust would be in the capital of Lithuania but I was sure there was a good reason for it. Watch on. 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. Or, Ill leave it as a surprise! You must remain silent inside out of respect and dress modestly. Zen Republic. So, without further ado, here are all the amazing things to do in Vilnius on your trip. But, there is a grassy area opposite to take a nice photo. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. Pilies means Castle in Lithuanian and this historic cobbled area used to lead directly down the castle years ago. During my week spent in Vilnius, one of my favourite tours had to be the Flavours of Vilnius tour that I took with Urban Adventures. Enjoy the view A sea of red-tiled roofs and lush green parkland, punctuated by dozens of church spires: Vilnius looks spectacular from . . But, with traditional Lithuanian mead, you can drink it cold and by the pint; its absolutely delicious! It costs 4 Euros and is open from 10am 6pm Wednesday to Saturday. The 1990s, they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites from! Tripadvisor & # x27 ; s 156,023 traveler reviews and photos of kid friendly Vilnius attractions Europe Travel.! New era of Post-Soviet Lithuania visiting a few dishes as the Grand Dukes Lithuania... Day tour to the name the cathedral Square Bernadine Monks that were invited to Vilnius Town is also 10 away. 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