How to spend a weekend in Vilnius, Lithuania

Lithuania came second in the Top Country category of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025. The beautiful and historic capital Vilnius is the gateway to the country and the perfect city for a long weekend getaway.

I have long been fascinated by the Baltics, but this was my first visit to Vilnius and I was not disappointed. I was keen to learn about the city’s history and delve deep into its thriving food scene at some of the city’s recently Michelin-starred restaurants.

There’s a lot to take in, so let’s dive right in.

• When you arrive: Fly into Vilnius International Airport, just 30 minutes outside the city, and take a moment to admire the beautiful architecture of the arrivals hall. It is also possible to arrive by train from Krakow and Warsaw or by intercity buses from Riga and Tallinn.

• Directions from the airport: If you’re staying in the Old Town, take the 3G bus in front of the new departure terminal (€1/US$1.08; every 10 minutes). You can also take a train from the train station right next to the arrivals hall. Trains run approximately twice an hour (€0.80/US$0.84 each way).

• Getting around the city: Vilnius is compact and walkable, so you’ll spend most of your time on foot. For scooters and taxis, it’s worth downloading the Bolt app to reach attractions further outside the Old Town.

• Where to stay: Stay in the Old Town to enjoy the most character and proximity to major attractions. The design hotel Artagonist is centrally located on Pilies gatvė and features spacious rooms with original, huge murals by Lithuanian artists.

• What to pack: Bring smart casual clothing so you fit in with the locals. Pack layers in fall and winter and prepare for hot weather in summer.

Day 1

How to spend the day: Visit Cathedral Square to see some of the city’s top attractions, including Vilnius Cathedral and the Cathedral Bell Tower. After exploring the interior and admiring the architecture, linger in the square and look to the ground to find the Stebuklas “Miracle” tile, where you traditionally make a wish while rotating 360 degrees must be carried out clockwise. It is located on the spot in Cathedral Square that marks the end point of a human chain formed in 1989 by two million people in the Baltics protesting against Soviet occupation.

We continue to the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, also on Cathedral Square. Divided into four “routes,” you can easily spend half a day here learning about Lithuanian history, traditions, and more. But you can also opt for a discounted ticket and focus on just one or two routes.

If you walk further into the Old Town and follow Pilies gatvė, you will come to the House of the Signers, which offers important insights into Lithuania’s 1918 Declaration of Independence. Turn off Pilies gatvė and stroll along the ornate Literatų gatvė. The pretty, winding street is lined with plaques of all shapes, sizes and materials dedicated to writers with ties to Vilnius and Lithuania.

For lunch, head to Lokys, where the menu includes traditional Lithuanian dishes such as delicious pink and refreshing cold beetroot soup and roast game. Then walk across the Užupio Tiltas Bridge to explore the ornate, self-proclaimed “Republic” of Užupi. Stop at the Užupis Art Incubator and tour the riverside open-air gallery before reading the short and succinct 2001 Constitution, engraved in several languages ​​on plaques along Paupio gatvė.

Dinner: Book early to secure a table at the Michelin-starred Nineteen18. Chef Andrius Kubilius and his team create tasting menus that showcase modern Lithuanian and Baltic cuisine. A special highlight are the exciting local variations of tacos and dumplings. For an unforgettable experience, reserve a seat at the chef’s table, learn about Chef Andrius’ ingredients, ideas and menus, and watch the sophisticated kitchen team in action.

Day 2

Morning: Grab your breakfast to go at the Halės Turgus Market, which is full of traditional stalls and has plenty of things to try.

How to spend the day: Gediminas Castle towers over Cathedral Square and a short funicular ride or hike up the steps behind the cathedral will take you to the top of the hill where you can enjoy a fantastic panorama over Vilnius. Visit the museum in the tower to view the medieval treasures.

If you only enter one church in Vilnius, choose the Church of St. Peter and Paul. The stunning Baroque interior is filled with over 2,000 pieces of stucco work by Italian sculptors. Next, visit Sapiegos Palace, which reopened in spring 2024 after extensive renovations. Learn about the Sapieha family, a noble family of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, admire the palace’s architecture, and explore the works of bold contemporary art now on display in the palace rooms. For lunch, try Baleboste for delicious Jewish cuisine that follows traditional recipes.

If you’re interested in a prison experience with a difference, book a tour of Lukiškės Prison. The prison operated from 1904 to 2019, including during the Nazi and Soviet occupations, and on tours of the complex, guides tell spooky stories. However, not everything is dark. Some parts of the prison have now been converted into an artistic space for workshops, creative spaces and events. Scenes from the fourth season of the TV series Stranger Things were also filmed here.

Dinner: For dinner go to Pas Mus on Pilies gatvė in the Old Town. The warm glow of the candles creates a cozy atmosphere in which you can immerse yourself in the delicious tasting menu. Chef Vita Bartininkaitė and her team specialize in local, seasonal and fermented foods, with an emphasis on sustainably prepared dishes. Everything is served on beautiful antique plates. Forget all your preconceived notions about fermented foods and see them in a whole new light. Together with Chef Vita, aim for a place at the Chef’s Table for as long as possible.

Day 3

Morning: Head out of the Old Town today and grab a coffee and pastry at Taste Map Coffee Roasters in western Vilnius – one of the best coffee spots in the city.

How to spend the day: Visit the Occupation and Freedom Struggle Museum to learn about the horrors Lithuania suffered during World War II and the Soviet era. Located in the former KGB headquarters, the museum is packed with photos and objects that tell the story in detail. So plan a few hours. The basement prison cells are frosty and have remained unchanged since the KGB left after the fall of the Soviet Union.

The nearby Museum of Culture and Identity of Lithuanian Jews, which opened in early 2024, aims to give visitors a deep understanding of Lithuanian Jewish history and culture and is also worth a visit. Other must-visit Jewish attractions include the Holocaust Museum and the city’s only surviving Jewish place of worship, the Choral Synagogue.

Dinner: Continue to discover Vilnius’ best gourmet restaurants with dinner at Ertlio namas, listed in the Michelin Guide for Lithuania. The focus here is on modern interpretations of traditional Lithuanian cuisine. Choose either the four or six course tasting menu to enjoy the most interesting flavors, with the bread soup with beer being the highlight for me.