48 Hours to Fall in Love with Vilnius

Vilnius stands apart from the other Baltic capitals. It has distinct architecture, topography and colour schemes. The first thing that catches your eye is the skyline dominated by towering Catholic church spires. Many of these churches are built in the lavish Baroque style, with intricate decorations and frescoes. Their facades are painted in delicate, joyful colours such as pinks, peaches, greens and lilacs.

Overall, everything in Vilnius seems cheerful and easy. The city is covered in trees—more than 60% of the land is green—so the air is fresh and the streets do not overheat in summer. The winding streets of the Old Town wind through the hills and alongside the shallow Vilnia River, which is lined with rippling emerald algae. The Neris River, navigated by kayaks and pleasure boats, is where it flows into. Starting from July, river trams operate on it as public transport.

Vilnius has always been a multicultural and multilingual city, and this is its greatest strength. The city is home to Lithuanians, Poles, Belarusians, Ukrainians, Russians and Tatars, the latter of whom settled in Lithuania as early as the 14th century. Before the Second World War, the city was known as the ‘North Jerusalem’ because almost one third of its inhabitants were Jewish families, and there were around 100 synagogues. Alongside Catholic, Orthodox and Jewish places of worship, there are many reminders of Lithuania’s rich pagan heritage. The whole city celebrates solstice and equinox days.

Discover how not to get lost in this diversity, understand and love this city—and find yourself coming back again and again.

What to see and discover 

The Old Town of Vilnius ranks among the largest in Eastern Europe. However, it never feels artificial or overwhelmed by tourists—locals live and spend time here too. They often come to street concerts in the courtyard of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania on Cathedral Square, for example. The palace itself, which was restored after independence, often hosts temporary exhibitions of world masterpieces.

The most famous museum in Vilnius is Мо. Housed in a minimalist white building designed by the renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, it is a collection of contemporary art. The museum has an extensive collection of over 6,000 works and takes a progressive approach to exhibitions. It also has pleasant indoor and outdoor spaces, including a sculpture garden and a pedestrian zone with observation decks and views of the city centre.

Learn more about this place and its story here.

The town was formerly surrounded by a fortress wall, but by the 20th century, only fragments remained in some courtyards, along with the sole surviving gate, Aušros Vartai (known as Ostra Brama in Polish). The gate is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims, who flock to the chapel above it to see the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is considered one of the most important places of pilgrimage for Catholics in Vilnius, Poland, Lithuania and Belarus.

Just a few steps away from the Aušros Vartai is the Holy Trinity Uniate Church, which has ancient frescoes and decorative details that blend Baroque and Rococo styles. On the next street is the Church of All Saints, which has many colourful Baroque sculptures. On the other side of the Old Town, closer to the Užupis district, is the Bernardine Church, which has luxurious carved wooden decorations. 

Another notable cathedral is located within the grounds of Lukiškių Prison, near the central Gedimino Avenue. This is the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Unlike other places of worship, it is only accessible during tours, day or evening. As well as showing you the temple, guides will also take you to see the former cells where prisoners were held from the early 20th century until 2019. The prison itself has recently been transformed into a creative space complete with a café and bar. The area hosts concerts and parties, while creative individuals rent workshops and rehearsal spaces.

One of the many parks and forests surrounding the city centre is the perfect place to take a break from the busy urban context. The closest are Vingis Park, Bernardine Garden, and the grove on Three Crosses Mountain. Whether intentionally or not, many Vilnius residents engage in forest bathing—a meditative practice inspired by Japanese tradition. The practice involves walking through the forest, immersing yourself in its sights and sounds, and finishing with a cup of herbal tea. It’s said that just a few hours of this can recharge you for an entire week.

Where to Eat and Drink 

Historical records show that Vilnius residents have been enjoying coffee since the 17th century—back when Lithuania was part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. At that time, however, coffee was a luxury that most people couldn’t afford.

Today, Vilnius boasts a vibrant coffee scene, with coffee culture firmly established as one of the city’s defining features. Alongside popular local chains such as Caffeine, Huracan Coffee, Vero and Caif Café, there are also unique, atmospheric venues. One standout is mon. cafe, which opened last year and offers specialty coffee, generous breakfasts, pastries and desserts (don’t miss the signature pistachio doughnuts and crème brûlée!). When the weather’s warm, grab a seat in the cozy back courtyard, nestled next to the temple wall. 

The charming verandas of Vilnius’s courtyards are some of the city’s most captivating features. Take, for example, Strange Love, a popular coffee shop near Bernardine Garden with a welcoming veranda perfect for relaxing. 

In the fine dining scene,  Augustin restaurant stands out. Featured in the Michelin Guide for the past two years, its chef was recently honored as Best Young Chef 2025. The menu offers cold and hot starters that feel like full meals, including standout dishes like exceptionally flavorful bread with airy butter, tartare served on potato bars, and kohlrabi paired with prawns.

If you’re a fan of natural wines, be sure to spend an evening in the courtyard of the Vištidė wine bar. The owners, Emilia and Alessia, curate their wine selection exclusively from trusted small-scale producers in Italy and France. They also serve excellent cheeses and the freshest bread, sourced from a local Lithuanian smallholder.

If you’re looking for authentic kosher style food, head to the Baleboste Café in Hales Market, Vilnius’s oldest market, located near the main railway station. There, traditional dishes like shakshuka, hummus, and babaganoush are served on colorful plates, accompanied by lively Jewish folk music. The food is simple yet incredibly flavorful, with generous portions often accompanied by a homemade bagel—slightly sweet and generously topped with sesame seeds.

Just one floor above in the same market, there is another place selling traditional Jewish bagels: a small café called Beigelistai. They also offer seasonal specialties like pumpkin bagels for Halloween and pink bagels for the Pink Soup Festival. Beigelistai has a second location on Literatų Street in the Old Town.

For a taste of traditional Lithuanian cuisine away from tourist traps, visit Burna House. Here, you can sample cold borscht, zeppelins, and various other combinations of potatoes and meat, such as duck meatballs served with mashed potatoes and chanterelle sauce. It is located in the Paupio Turgus food hall in the popular new Paupis neighbourhood. Once an industrial zone, the area now features restrained modern architecture, bike lanes, and multi-level pedestrian zones with fountains and seating areas. You get a sense of Scandinavia, with a touch of Stockholm and Copenhagen.

In the same part of the city, check out one of Vilnius’s two Raštinė stores (the other is next to the Mo Museum): it’s a bookshop combined with a coffee shop. Besides expertly brewed coffee, they serve cult matcha with strawberries and traditional Lithuanian pastries called ‘shakotis’, which, as it turns out, go well with cold coffee. You can relax inside or outside, soaking up the sun while watching the city buzz around you.

Find even more interesting places in Vilnius here.