Beautiful Baltics: Why Vilnius should be on your travel bucket list
| 5th June 2024
Lithuania’s charming capital, Vilnius, is enchanting visitors with its unique blend of history, culture, and affordability. Often described as a supersised village, this captivating city offers an array of experiences that appeal to any traveller. Just over two hours away from the UK, Vilnius is a perfect destination for your next city break when it comes down to value for money.
Step beyond its ancient fortresses and weathered city walls, and you’ll encounter vivid reminders of Vilnius’s tumultuous past. From Soviet-era architecture to numerous historic sites, many of which have only recently opened to the public, the city provides a compelling insight into its complex history.
Vilnius’s Old Town is a delightful maze of convivial taverns, indie shops, and quirky attractions. Discover art in an ex-prison, wander through a village-sized republic, and savour hearty Lithuanian cuisine.
Celebrating its 700th anniversary, the city is marking the occasion with vibrant festivities and cultural events. In fact, it recently won several Guinness World Breaking records for its regional events. And, according to the Post Office’s latest Travel Money City Costs Barometer, it has been ranked as Europe’s best-value city hotspot for 2024. This makes it the top European destination where Britons’ pounds will stretch the furthest.
Add to that, Lithuania has recently topped the rankings in this year’s World Happiness Report where its twenty-somethings are among the happiest in the world because of what the country has to offer.
Whether you’re a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply looking for a picturesque and budget-friendly getaway, Vilnius promises an unforgettable experience. This beautiful Baltic city might steal your heart away.
Vilnius: Top Attractions & Culture
Supermoon at historical Gediminas Castle Tower, @Go Vinlius.
Known for its picturesque Old Town, Vilnius is quickly becoming a sought-after destination. The UNESCO-listed Old Town, one of the largest and best-preserved medieval old towns in Central and Eastern Europe, is a treasure trove of architectural wonders and historical landmarks.
Highlights include the stunning Vilnius Cathedral, the historical Gediminas Castle Tower, and the beautifully intricate St. Anne’s Church. Visitors can also explore the Hill of Three Crosses, the Baroque Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, and the iconic Gate of Dawn. The Uzupis Statue and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania further enrich the cultural tapestry of the city.
For a truly unique perspective, hot air balloon flights offer breathtaking views of Vilnius from above. The city is one of the few capitals in the world that allows balloon flights directly over its historic centre, providing an unparalleled vantage point. Flights are available from April to October and should be considered a part of a city break given that the experience offers stunning views of the Old Town and the nearby lake resort of Trakai.
Town Hall at @Go Vilnius.
A day trip to Trakai and the enchanting Trakai Island Castle provides a serene escape from the city itself, which is perfect for enjoying slow living amidst picturesque scenery.
Vilnius also boasts an impressive reputation for its environmental quality. As one of Europe’s greenest capitals, it often feels like an expansive, lush forest. Vingis Park, the city’s largest, offers a network of walking and cycling paths that meander through verdant landscapes, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in nature whether you’re in the city or exploring the suburban areas.
Beyond its natural beauty and historical sites, Vilnius also offers a variety of unique attractions. Lukiškės Prison, a historic landmark that served as a prison until 2009 and was featured in Stranger Things 4, provides a fascinating glimpse into the city’s past.
For a more sombre reflection on history, the museum situated in the former KGB building is something that might not appeal to everyone. Here, the crimes of the Soviet regime were planned and executed for fifty years. Visitors can tour the former KGB prison, the rooms where death sentences were carried out, and modern exhibitions detailing the loss of independence in the mid-20th century, Soviet repressions, and the determined fight for independence.
For a taste of modern culture, the MO Museum stands as Vilnius’s contemporary art and cultural hub, showcasing an array of innovative exhibits. Adventure seekers can experience the thrill of the Edge Walk, 170 meters above the ground, for a heart-pounding view of the city. Food enthusiasts should not miss a guided tour of Vilnius’s New Town, which includes a visit to the bustling Halės Market food court, offering a delicious array of local and international cuisine.
Food & Drink
Pink Soup in Lithaunia. Shutterstock.
Its food & drink scene is also bustling with a wide choice of options for travellers to choose from whatever the budget. It’s of no surprise that several new restaurants are set to secure a Michelin star this year, adding to the city’s culinary appeal.
Augustin
Augustin is the first non-vegetarian but vegetable-focussed restaurant in Lithuania where the menu is designed for sharing. It’s an interesting concept where meat is the side dish, and vegetables take centre stage. All the dishes are delicious and mind-blowing. Prices start from a very reasonable €10 per dish, but be quick, it’s likely the prices will go up given the highly rated reviews of the restaurant.
Nineteen 18
Immerse yourself in a gastronomic journey of flavours inspired by local products and Lithuanian people at this restaurant, which offers a tasting menu with optional wine pairings priced at €94 for 11 courses. The menu changes in line with the seasons, featuring ingredients sourced straight from the restaurant’s farm or nearby foraging. The impressive location and slick service by chef Andrais Kubiliaus and his team make Nineteen 18 a top contender for a Michelin star.
Amandas
Combining Lithuanian and Nordic cuisine, Amandas is a great spot where you will be treated well and eat well too. Chef Deivydas Praspaliauskas is a dedicated Lithuanian chef flying the country’s gastronomic flag with a showstopping menu that incorporates plenty of theatre at the heart of service.
Lokys
For traditional Lithuanian cuisine, Lokys is a favourite among locals for home-cooked meals. Tucked into a medieval merchant’s house, it specializes in “hunters’ dishes” – think venison roasts, wild boar, and beaver meat stew. Yes, you read that right: beaver!
Eating on a budget? Vilnius is famous for its canteens – cheap and cheerful restaurants serving the same dishes they served during the Soviet era – where a bowl of delicious borscht (a beetroot pink soup popular in eastern Europe) will set you back €2.50.
For stylish surrounds, try Paupys Market – an airy, fern-filled food hall where you’ll find everything from Japanese delicacies to dishes from Lithuania’s neighbors.
Hotels & Accommodation
Hotel Pacai, a Member of Design Hotels set in the heart of Vilnius’ Old Town.
We stayed at Hotel Pacai, a Member of Design Hotels set in the heart of Vilnius’ Old Town. Hotel Pacai boasts all the amenities that you would expect of a five-star hotel and perfectly echoes this quarter’s 17th-century Baroque grandeur yet augments it with a contemporary twist.
Famous for being the most magnificent mansion in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the stately building has been reborn thanks to the inspired efforts of a passionate team of local architects and designers.
The 104 rooms and suites, the inviting restaurant and bar, and the three meeting rooms all celebrate Lithuania’s rich past and Baltic culture, while also pointing it forward in a direction that is young and vibrant in spirit. Rooms start at €190 for one night based on a standard room.
Fly to Vilnius with Finnair
Finnair A350 Premium Economy @Mikko Ryhanen.
Finnair flies from the UK: with routes from Heathrow to Helsinki up to five times per day and direct flights are also available from Manchester, Edinburgh, and Dublin. Flights from Helsinki to Vilnius operate up to four times per day and are timed to allow smooth connections to and from the UK.
With unrivalled connectivity throughout the Nordics and Baltics, Finnair offers customers seamless connections through its Helsinki hub from as little as 35 minutes. The airline is also celebrating 30 years of flights to Lithuania, making it one of the region’s most established airlines.
A return flight from the UK to Vilnius starts from £216 including all taxes and charges.