Vilnius: Take a trip to the capital of Lithuania

Vilnius: Take a trip to the capital of Lithuania is written by Jacob Gowland Jørgensen

Vilnius is ideal for a deprivation. It is a really nice city with a nice historic center, and quite surprising with a wealth of good places to eat at very reasonable prices. Vilnius is part of the editorial staff's own city guide: 6 cities you should visit in Europe.

Higher level than with 4-star

The level was set a little higher than usual with the 4-star Moon Garthe Art Hotel's best room with balcony, and it can be clearly recommended, both location and breakfast kept, and then it was a well-functioning hotel with many fun details. 

See a good offer on hotel Here!

Places to visit in Vilnius

We spent most of the time walking around and experiencing the different neighborhoods. It was freezing cold, even though it was the beginning of June, but that was also the case in Copenhagen, so it was just on with the duvet jacket and walking in the fuss, and then getting warm.

Travelmarket has good flight offers from Kastrup to Vilnius

When we lived at the end of the main street, which was mostly for pedestrians, we got to see the many churches, gates and historic houses there quite a few times, so we quickly came to feel at home in the small big city.

Click here to read about the editors' suggestions for a different friend trip

The most interesting places in Vilnius

The Genocide Museum / KGB Museum, which was very informative and housed in the former KGB headquarters. Although it was not for the faint of heart, it was not overly dramatic in relation to the otherwise rather dramatic history that has taken place in that house. It is located in a classy neighborhood on the edge of the old city

The small streets on both sides of the main street, especially Saviciaus & Literatura, where small shops, local restaurants and quaint houses provided a cozy atmosphere

The trip up to Vilnius landmark, the Three Crosses via the krea district Uzipis, which is a bit Christianshavn-like and the forest path by the canal behind

Here is a good flight offer to Vilinius - click on "see offer" on the page to get the final price

Half-day trip to Trakai Castle

After two days, we felt like we had seen the most important thing, so we took a half-day trip to Trakai Castle immediately outside the city. You can probably take both the local bus and train there, but we jumped on an organized excursion, because sometimes a good guide can give a lot of extra info about the country, and it can be worth paying for. And luckily it was this time. We got a handsome, slightly confused guide who with a thick accent gave us an interesting insight into Lithuania as a modern country and as a historical battlefield.

Trakai was a hit. The sun was peeking out, and all the locals were visiting that Saturday, so the stalls were busy (including Lithuanian pies!), cool folk music with full equipment and lots of boats on the lake that surround the fortress. The castle itself was partly rebuilt and was fine and castle-like.

Vilnius is not Tallinn's medieval city, but it is at least as interesting and fine as Riga, so finally set off on an extended weekend.

Have a good trip to Lithuania!