Location: Vilnius
Top Things to do in Vilnius
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Top 10 Architectural Buildings in Vilnius, Vilnius County
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, contains one of the largest surviving medieval quarters in Europe. Included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Old Town contains almost two thousand medieval, gothic, renaissance, and baroque buildings, all centered on the neo-classical cathedral and town hall. Other popular attractions include the KGB Museum, located in a former Soviet prison, and the 13th century Higher Castle, which affords a glorious view of the city center.
Restaurants in Vilnius
1. Church of St. Francis and St. Bernard
2. Kenessa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By RJBLH - South Ozone Park, United States
Cross the river for this little gem. Unfortunately it was closed. It belongs to a dwindling sect of Turkic Jews brought to Lithuania in the 14th century from Crimea. I was hoping to get a look inside and perhaps speak to someone - no luck. Their museum was also closed in Trakai earlier in the week. It is still worth seeing from outside and the neighborhood is interesting for a stroll. Lots of wooden houses.
3. Orthodox Church of St. Michael and St. Constantine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By UriusT - Vilnius, Lithuania
In the mornings the way the sun shines off the golden domes is truly pleasurable. The church is landmark of Naujamiestis and we treasure it's simple curved beauty.
4. Vilnius Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,864 reviews
Vilnius Cathedral is one of the oldest Lithuanian churches. It was mentioned for the first time in recorded history in 1387, the same year as the Christianization of Lithuania. The Cathedral received the title of St. Vladislaus, because it was the baptismal name of Jogaila, the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland. The main altar features a painting portraying the death of St. Stanislaus, the patron of Vilnius Cathedral and the Bishop of Krakow. St. Stanislaus chastised the Polish King Boleslaw II the Bold for his cruelty and injustice, and eventually he excommunicated the King. In retaliation the King murdered St. Stanislaus during a Holy Mass. The painting was done by Pranciskus Smuglevicius, a famous Lithuanian artist.
Reviewed By Phil90TA
Every time I pass by this impressive building, I am in awe. It's incredible to stand in front of this massive, beautiful structure. The cathedral is as stunning on the inside as it is on the outside - you can even book a tour to go inside its crypts underground for a fee while the entry to the cathedral is free of any charge. You can't miss this gem in the northern heart of Vilnius Old Town - make sure to stop by!
5. Vilnius TV Tower
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 830 reviews
In 1991, over a dozen Lithuanians were killed by Soviet tanks on this spot as they demonstrated for independence.
Reviewed By Cowlamprincess - East Riding of Yorkshire, United Kingdom
This is a real treat in Vilnius, a little difficult to get to, (we used a very friendly Taxi) but so worth it! The revolving restaurant means there is always something new to see, with the changing light it looks different every time! If you find yourself in this gorgeous city, do go here at least once!!
6. National Museum of Lithuania
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By Ina5555 - Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine
I think even in our part of the world many people tend to lump all the three Baltic states into one "the Baltics" entity (especially for tourism purposes). I was guilty of it too. But this Lithuanian National Museum visit, after having recently visited its Estonian counterpart, was instrumental to spot several striking differences: 1) After the Danish and following conquests Estonians were mostly relinquished to subordinate citizens in their own country from medieval times till XX century, when Baltic Germans as a ruling class were eventually driven away by Russians. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL) in medieval time once was a big mighty state, with Lithuanians being a master class having conquered vast Ruthenian lands (all modern Belarus and part of modern Ukraine), later Lithuania became a junior willing partner in the commonwealth with Poland. Thus Lithuania's religion, culture and arts are heavily influenced by a centralized aristocratic catholic Poland, while Estonia's arts have evolved within the Hanseatic league (German-led decentralized merchants' union of self-governing cities), with Reformation as a religous force, merchants and artisans guilds being important societal actors. A striking difference reflected on the arts of the corresponding societies! 2) Lithuanian art (as expected from its relation to the Polish one) is extremely rich in portraits of aristocracy, clergy and statesmen (GDL within the Commonwealth was an aristocratic oligarchy of four noble rich families, it's natural if they were constantly commissioning their portraits thus stimulating a local painters market), Estonian National Museum has next to zero portraits of anyone. Estonian applied art in terms of splendid ceremonial cups of medieval artisans guilds and merchants could sit proudly in any emperor's collection, while the crockery of the medieval Lithuanian aristocracy honestly would have hardly impressed even my grandmother. Lithuanian applied art is unique for and excels in lovely carved wooden crosses (and the saints' sculptures) made to be erected on roads, fields, crossroads, riverbanks (must be the Catholic church influence). 3) Unrequited love. It was almost that Eternal-Shining-of-the-Spotless-Mind feeling as if you had been in love with someone many years ago, now with those sweet memories you visit them only to find out they don't know you, don't remember your face and your name, but moved on, happily in love with their significant other so you could only quietly retreat so as not to disturb the happy couple with your unwanted presence. I had that unrequited love feeling looking back at what we were taught at school, Ukrainian historians were in love with and praized GDL for being a (probably unfathomable for a medieval Europe) religiously tolerant society were some/many Lithuanians stayed pagans while conquered Ruthenians (back then Belarus and Ukrainian people were almost one entity, barely started to differentiate) were free to exercise their faith (Orthodox Christians), their ethnicity didn't make them second-degree citizens in the society (this paradise had gone for Ruthenians when GDL entered a state union with Poland which was the start of state-sanctioned Catholicism conversion and Polonization politics). But this is what I learned back into a Ukrainian school, here in the Lithuanian History Museum I discovered that these several centuries of Ruthenian-lands-within-GDL history were entirely erased, invisible and non-existent in Lithuania; few maps, no artefacts, no mentions of Ruthenians' lands, people and their life within GDL. Getting accustomed to Lithuanian National Museum's totally ghosting Belarus and Ukraine, I found probably one and only mention of Ruthenians' existence within GDL in the Grunwald battle exposition (when united forces of Poland, GDL and Tatars defeated the Teutonic Knights - Germans, sanctioned by the Pope to conquer infidels, basically a sanctioned land grab, because the Polish being Catholics hardly were infidels for the Holy See). In line with its ghosting politics, the museum even didn't employ proper historical terms (Rus or Ruthenians) for the warriors from Ruthenian lands within the GDL's army but instead unexpectedly referred to these medieval people from Lviv or Polotsk in year 1410 as to "Russians". Beam me up, Scotty. But you get that genuine cordial feeling of a happy GDL's marriage to Poland, being together throughout centuries in sickness and in health (several XIX century anti-Russian empire uprisings, after the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was partitioned between the three neighbouring empires; many of interesting touching artefacts pertaining to these uprisings). I think that for many tourists from other parts of the world this traditional history museum with a rather big versatile collection of artefacts (taking into account that many valuable artefacts were taken to and never returned from Russia in early XX century in order to stop inspiring national feelings in locals), among them a few old maps, plenty of portraits of aristocracy, wooden folk toys, nice wooden cross crafting, national dresses, rooms of a traditional farmhouse, my favs - a piece of XIX century transatlantic telegraph cable, pen-and-ink drawings on playing cards, a giant XIX century PhD diploma awarded by Vilnius university, plenty of moving artefacts of the XIX uprising (from portraits in shackles to a wooden violin hand-made by a political prisoner) and its harsh suppression, medieval Vilnius executioner's swords and superstitions (very similar to Estonian ones (((((spoiler!!!!!!, don't read if you are going to rent an audioguide - probably because the executioner's profession was taught only in Germany, one couldn't apply for this position in a medieval GDL unless they were qualified in Germany!!! End of spoiler))))) the museum may seem something distant, but it is not to be missed for everyone interested in Eastern European history. Practicalities: admission 3 euro (a big stately collection of artefacts to enjoy several hours which I love and specifically was looking to, meanwhile the Estonian museum charges almost three times more for a miniature collection, which is probably great for most cruise tourists doing the city in a day or less, but unfortunately that felt as not stately enough for me, still cannot get over), an English audioguide to rent for 1 euro (the informativeness from 4 to 6-7 out of ten for different rooms and exhibits, it could give more historical and art background info), a manned cloakroom, two-storied building, all the captions are in English next to Lithuanian.
7. Town Hall (Rotuse)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By petermY2777LY - Melbourne, Australia
This is in the old Town in Town Hall Square. It was in Gothic style but now in classical style. It was transformed into a city theatre in the 1800s and also has the Vilnius Tourist information centre.
8. Vilnius Choral Synagogue
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By Hawk470 - Baltimore, United States
Built in 1903 in a Romanesque-Moorish style, the Choral Synagogue is the only active synagogue in Vilnius. More than 100 others were destroyed during the Nazi and Soviet occupations. Under the Nazis, the synagogue was used as a storage depot for medical supplies. Under the Soviets, the synagogue was nationalized and became a metal workshop. After Lithuanian independence, the synagogue was repaired and reopened. It holds daily, sabbath and holiday services for the Vilnius community and visitors. The synagogue is quite beautiful inside and out. The exterior combines an overall Romanesque form with very eclectic decorative elements. The stately blue and white interior, includes a lovely dome, attractive balconies and an Aron Hakodesh (where the Torah is kept at the front of the sanctuary) that has an almost biblical-era style with its columns, levels and curves. The balconies hold several items of interest, as well as a stunning view of the sanctuary. Perhaps most unique is the matzo making machine which was used secretly during the Soviet occupation. (Imagine that, samizdat matzo!). You can easily visualize each stage of the matzo creation process. In addition, they have a fascinating map showing the huge number of Lithuanian towns and shtetls with Jewish populations in the early 20th century with each town depicted by size and Jewish percentage of the population, as well as historical photographs of Lithuanian synagogues. An important stop on any visit to Vilnius – to commemorate and, if applicable, to worship.
9. Orthodox Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos
10. Monastic Cell Konrada
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