Top 5 things to do in Vilnius

1.       Get Lost in Vilnius’ Old Town

Standing at the Gates of Dawn, the entrance to the UNESCO heritage site, Vilnius Old Town, you are about to enter one of the best preserved medieval cities in Northern Europe.  As a plethora of Baroque, Neoclassical, Gothic and Renaissance architecture, this 900 acre maze of over 70 streets and 1200 buildings is a living museum. 

Some places to not miss are:

Cathedral Basilica and Bell Tower

This quintessential Vilnius Old Town monument was first built in 1251 and reconstructed in 1801.  Home to grand coronation and funerals of the lords and rules of Lithuania, the Cathedral and Bell Tower were once the center of religious life in Vilnius.

Gates of Dawn

The entrance to the Old Town, these gates were once pillars that marked the capital trading center on the routes to Moscow and Minsk.

Pilies Street

Pilies Street is the center of action in the Old Town, the place to shop, eat or take in the one of the numerous festivals taking place here.  Nearby are also two prominent ‘Squares’, Cathedral Square and Town Hall Square, both gathering points for artistic and national celebrations.

2.       Relax in Trakai

Only 28km from Vilnius, Trakai is a popular vacation spot for travelers and locals looking to get away from the bustle of the city.  Trakai is the place to see beautiful lakes and outdoor music concerts, but perhaps most famous of all is the six century old castle: Trakai Island Castle.

Trakai Island Castle was once a key strategic defense post in the region that gradually fell into disrepair as it passed from leader to leader, acting as a residence for important figures in the Renaissance. Later, in the 19^th century, the Castle was reconstructed finishing in the 1960s, turning the towering castle into a traveler's attraction.

Today you can explore the massive courtyard, get lost in the inner galleries and stone passageways and stand on the battlements that withstood attacks from the Teutonic Knights hundreds of years ago.

3.       Sample Some Local Cuisine

Lithuanian cuisine is a mouthwatering mix of Scandinavian, Eastern European and Jewish. You can expect to find hearty dishes, especially hot, thick soups, smoked sausage, heaps of wild berries and mushrooms and the staple of every table, dark rye bread.

Make sure to try:

Cepelinai: Widely regarded asthe national dish of Lithuania, these meat stuffed potato dumplings can be served with sour cream or mushrooms.

Duona: Traditional dark rye bread, the centerpiece of Lithuanian cuisine and oldest Lithuanian food.

Šaltibarščiai: Otherwise known as cold borscht or beet soup, this soup is the perfect summer meal.

Skilandis: Feeling adventurous? Take a slice of pig stomach, stuffed with meat and smoked to become a Lithuanian for a while :)

Bulviniai blynai: Potatoes, potatoes, potatoes – they’re the staple of Lithuanian cuisine, and after thousands of years, they’ve perfected the art of cooking them.  These potato pancakes, served with any variety of sides, are a testimony to this tradition

4.       Explore Europos Parkas

This open air museum settled in georgaphical center of Europe (!) is one of the largest of its kind in the region and receives over 60,000 visitors each year. By incorporating the sculptures and art into the surrounding area, the curators have formed a symbiotic relationship between art and nature.

Representing over 20 countries and 90 artists, the park is home to some of the most renowned contemporary artists working today. 

Magdalena Abakanowicz’s ‘Space of Unknown Growth’ features massive boulders scattered over the landscape while Sol LeWitt’s ‘Double Negative Pyramid’ uses geometry and reflections to play with the eye. Here you will also find one of the largest sculptures in the world - sculpure of TVC sets is included into Guiness World Records Book.

The Park also houses an artist’s residency program, using Lithuania’s geography in the center of Europe as a metaphor for the meeting and conference of cultures and ideas.

5.       Relieve Cold War Conditions inside an Old Soviet Bunker

Ever wonder what it was like inside a Soviet Bunker?  Only in Lithuania can you not only visit and tour an existing bunker, but relieve the drama of living in one.  It’s a no holds bar performance, showcasing the cruelty and rough conditions of the Soviet Era. Brought to international acclaim by new sources such as Reuters, the London Times, Der Spiegel and the Daily Telegraph, this is one reenactment you don’t want to miss. All attendants must sign an agreement stating that they are in good physical and mental health in order to participate in the performance.

Too much? Take a day tour and explore the ins and outs of the bunker at your own pace.