Things to Know Before Visiting Vilnius 🇱🇹

Vilnius is one of those cities that quietly sneaks up on you. It doesn’t scream for attention — it wins you over with cobblestones, cosy courtyards, and a skyline punctuated by church spires instead of skyscrapers. A mix of baroque beauty, bohemian soul, and a dash of post-Soviet grit, Lithuania’s capital is quirky, creative, and completely underrated. 

Where Is It?

Vilnius is the southernmost and largest of the three Baltic capitals (with Riga and Tallinn to the north), and often the warmest — though “warm” is relative when you’re this close to the Arctic breeze. It sits tucked into eastern Lithuania, surrounded by rolling forested hills and rivers that glow gold at sunset.

How to Get There & Get Around

Getting to Vilnius is easy. Vilnius International Airport (VNO) offers numerous low-cost direct flights across Europe, including to Poland, Italy, and the UK.  

If you’re planning a “Visit the Baltics” trip, Vilnius has regular bus services to Latvia and Estonia that are smooth and picturesque. We arrived in Vilnius the best way (in our humble opinion) — by FlixBus from Riga; a smooth ride of about 4 hours and enough scenic views to keep our eyes glued to the window.

Once in Vilnius, walking is the best way to see it, but if your mobility is challenged, no worries, try one of these transport options instead:

🚌 Trolleybuses, or buses — cheap and part of an easy-to-use public transport system. 

🛴Scooters: in summer, e-scooters are everywhere — fun, until you hit the cobblestones.

Seasons & Best Time to Go

Vilnius has a continental climate — think warm summers, colourful autumns, and cold, snowy winters. 

We visited Vilnius in June, and were greeted with nearly perfect weather — long, sunny days and a ton of summer events happening. Here’s what to expect through the year:

Spring (Apr–May): the city wakes up, flowers bloom, cafés spill back outdoors, and prices are lower.

Summer (Jun–Aug): warm, lively, and full of events — but accommodation costs rise.

Autumn (Sep–Oct): crisp, cool air, golden leaves, and fewer tourists.

Winter (Nov–Mar): pretty snow-dusted streets and Christmas markets — just pack layers to keep warm.

🔆 Best for weather: June to early-September.

💸 Best for budget: November to March.

How Long to Stay

We stayed 10 days — long enough to see the main sights and still have lazy mornings over coffee. If you’re not slow-travelling like us, 4–5 days will do it justice. But, if you’re short on time and don’t want to miss Vilnius (trust us, you don’t want to miss it), you’d get away with just 2-3 days.

Best Area to Stay

Vilnius’ districts all have their own personality — from cosy local neighbours to trendy modern neighbourhoods. Here are our top recommendations:

Senamiestis (Old Town): the heart of it all — cobbled streets, baroque churches, and atmosphere for days.

Užupis: the bohemian quarter — full of art, murals, and free spirits.

Naujamiestis (New Town): shopping, dining, and modern comforts.

Paupys: sleek, trendy, and just a short stroll into Old Town.

We stayed in the Old Town and loved being close to the central shopping district, but Paupys stole our hearts. Next time, that’s where we’ll be. For first-timers, you honestly can’t go wrong with any of those districts — pick one based on your budget.

What to Do

There are plenty of activities to keep you occupied whilst in Vilnius — from exploring every crevice of the Old Town to snacking on hearty Lithuanian cuisine. Here are a few of our fav’s to get your planning started:

Vilnius Old Town: wander and get lost in this UNESCO site, full of baroque beauty and secret courtyards.

Užupis: cross the old stone bridge into Vilnius’s self-declared “independent republic” full of quirky art and street murals.

Vilnius Cathedral: a grand, peaceful, and free-to-enter site.

Gediminas Hill: climb the hill (or take the funicular if your legs protest), and awe at the panoramic views across the city. 

Three Crosses Hill: a short hike uphill (we know, more climbing!), with more incredible panoramic views of the city.

Hales Market: snack your way through local bites — don’t miss the cepelinai (Lithuanian potato dumplings).

Useful Tips

🗣️ Three words to learn: Labas = hello || Ačiū = thank you || Prašau = please

💳 Money: cards are accepted everywhere. We didn’t use cash once. Stash a few Euros if you do want cash on hand.

📱eSIM: Airalo offers easy-to-use eSIM plans.

💡 Bonus tip: Užupis has its own “Constitution” — check it out on Paupio Street, it’s worth a read.

Our Real Costs

($AUD based on two people over 10 days — 2025)

🚌 Getting there: $42 (one-way from Riga)

🏠 Accommodation: $124 per night (Airbnb)

🍽 Food: $26 per day

🚇 Transport: $0 (we walked everywhere)

🎟️ Activities: $22 total

📱 Data: $6 total (eSIM)

Our Thoughts

Vilnius is a city that slowly grows on you until you find yourself completely hooked. It may seem undiscovered, but it is rich in history and culture, and perfectly blends modernity with old-world charms. 

The people are friendly, the food comforting, and the pace wonderfully relaxed. If you’re chasing a European city with soul but without the crowds, Vilnius is it. We’ll be back, no doubt — though, probably for longer.