A day in Vilnius

Here’s how to spend a day in Vilnius if you are visiting Lithuania.

I suggest stopping there for a whole day because there are many things to see, plus the atmosphere is really enjoyable, you will spend hours wandering in the charming little streets.

Vilnius is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, located in the southeast of the country. Known for its Baroque architecture and UNESCO-listed Old Town, it is Lithuania’s cultural and historical hub.

Here’s the ultimate itinerary around Vilnius, from the iconic Gediminas Tower to the stunning Gates of Dawn, including Vilnius Cathedral Square !

Vilnius circuit : 1h10 walk, 11 stops

Start your day at the Gate of Dawn, a historic city gate famous for its chapel housing a revered icon of the Virgin Mary (see picture 3 below).

60 meters from the Gate of Dawn is the Church of St. Theresa, a stunning Baroque church built in the mid-17th century (see picture 1 below).

After 4 minutes you will reach the Church of St. Casimir. Built in 1618, it is Vilnius’ first Baroque church, dedicated to Lithuania’s patron saint. It has an absolutely beautiful dome (pictures 2 and 4) :

Dating back to the 14th century, Vilnius Old Town is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. It is really enjoyable to wander in the little streets and discover this beautiful area :

A 14 minute walk will take you to the Constitution of the Republic of Užupis.

Užupis is a bohemian and artistic district, which declared itself an “independent republic” on April 1, 1997, as a symbolic gesture of freedom and creativity. It has its own flag, anthem, president, and even a funny “Constitution,” displayed on a wall in multiple languages with principles such as :

• “Everyone has the right to make mistakes.”
• “Everyone has the right to be unique.”
• “Everyone has the right to be happy—or unhappy.”
• “A dog has the right to be a dog.”

An additional 8 minute walk and you will arrive to Saint Parasceve Orthodox Church. This church was built in the early 20th century and has a distinctive Russian Orthodox architecture.

I think this was my favorite monument in Vilnius, plus the area is really nice in the evening :

After walking for 8 more minutes, you will see the beautiful St. Anne’s Church. It is a stunning brick Gothic church built in the late 15th century :

After walking for 15 minutes you will reach Gediminas Castle Tower. Dating back to the 14th century, it used to serve as a defensive monument and is now the last remaining part of the Upper Castle in Vilnius. As it is located on a hill overlooking the city, you get to enjoy nice views of Vilnius.

Next stop is 8 minutes away and it is the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Built in the 15th century as a royal residence, it is now a museum showcasing Lithuania’s royal history.

A few meters away is Cathedral Square, a historic and popular gathering place, surrounded by the impressive Vilnius Cathedral (built in 1387, but has undergone many reconstructions) and its bell tower.

After a 9 minute walk you will discover Bernardine Garden, a peaceful park located along the Vilnia River (see picture 1 below).

You can also do a short 15 minute hike to the Three Crosses Monument, located on a hill in Kalnai Park and offering stunning views of the city :

That’s it for my Vilnius recommendations !

I hope this article gave you a better idea of what to expect from a day in Vilnius, it’s definitely worth to stop by if you are coming to Lithuania !

If you plan on coming to Lithuania soon you can check out my other article about the top places to see in Lithuania. 

If you need more information about what to know before going to Lithuania, you can check out this article.

If you need a custom itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll make your own personalised itinerary.