After a bizarre first half of 2020 it’s lastly attainable to journey once more. I had a number of cancelled journeys (to 9 new international locations!) however lastly it was attainable to hit the highway once more. Vilnius, Lithuania, was my the primary vacation spot of 2020. I went there mid-June with my daughter. The Baltic international locations are new for me as I solely visited Riga just a few years in the past. I used to be desperate to lastly comply with my Lithuania itinerary together with a Vilnius metropolis journey I compiled over two years in the past.
On this Lithuania itinerary I’ll first share my prime 12 Vilnius locations of curiosity for a Vilnius metropolis journey. They’re all a should see! I additionally did 3 day journeys from Vilnius with my daughter which I extremely suggest doing as properly. These locations are near Vilnius which was my base for this Lithuania itinerary. Be part of me on this journey and let me amaze you with all the wonder Lithuania has to supply.
Planning a Lithuania itinerary
Lithuania is in north japanese Europe and is certainly one of three Baltic states. Latvia and Estonia being the opposite two. Until you reside in one of many surrounding international locations one of the simplest ways is to fly into Vilnius.
Flights to Vilnius
Vilnius airport isn’t a serious hub however has good connections to all main airports in Europe. Inside Europe it’s simple to get a direct flight however from outdoors you most likely want a connection. To save lots of prices attempt to search for main hubs in Europe and fly there first and proceed on a second ticket to Lithuania. I wrote about cheaper (enterprise class) tickets earlier.
Vilnius inns
Vilnius has loads of inns from finances to luxurious. Main lodge chains are additionally represented. As I’m Titanium Marriott member on the time of writing I, logically, stayed on the Courtyard by Marriott. An incredible lodge and good worth for cash.
Visa necessities
For Europeans, no visa is required as Lithuania is a part of the Schengen settlement. If you’re from outdoors the Schengen space you would possibly want a Schengen visa. Verify with the embassy in your nation. Do be aware {that a} Schengen visa from any nation will do as you may journey freely between Schengen international locations.
Be mindful
Lithuania makes use of the Euro as foreign money. If in case you have different foreign money, then ensure that to change it within the metropolis and never on the airport. The charges are a lot better on the town. Playing cards are accepted in most locations besides American Specific which isn’t broadly accepted.
For those who make the three day journeys as I did, I extremely suggest hiring a automotive immediately on the airport. Rental automobiles are low cost and cheaper as a taxi to the town. The times you don’t want the automotive you may simply park it at your lodge.
Take a look at my Vilnius eating places and craft beer bars information as properly. It has some nice suggestions on the place to eat and have a chilly one.
Lithuania itinerary day 1-3: Vilnius metropolis journey
Vilnius has a lovely outdated city which is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. It isn’t big however from north to south and in addition east to west it’s a 30-minute stroll. Until you need to run from place to put, I like to recommend splitting a Vilnius metropolis journey itinerary into two days. Begin the primary day on the Gediminas tower and discover the north japanese components to Uzupis and the bastion (objects 1-6 from the listing). If in case you have time left stroll in the direction of the Gate of Daybreak to complete the day and begin there once more the following day to discover the remainder of city.
Prime 12 issues to do and see in Vilnius
Within the following listing I listing the highest 12 locations in Vilnius in chronological order of go to. This listing doesn’t comprise all locations of curiosity simply the highlights. I’ll cowl extra in an in-depth information abouy Vilnius later. Make certain to select up a map on the Vilnius Vacationer Workplace to see what different locations of curiosity you go (primarily church buildings and structure) between the highest 12 locations of curiosity in Vilnius. Be mindful museums are closed Mondays, so it’s greatest to not go to Vilnius on a Monday. Exit into nature on Mondays.
Gediminas tower & museum
The Gediminas tower is situated on the northern tip of Vilnius outdated city. You may both stroll as much as the outdated fort or take the funicular up. The views are breathtaking!
Nationwide Museum of Lithuania & Palace of the Grand Dukes
The Nationwide Museum of Lithuania is a fairly small museum however a should see. It incorporates numerous essential relics. The Palace of the Grand Dukes is a reconstruction from 2018 however price visiting. You may see the outdated foundations, archeological finds, and reconstructed rooms of the unique palace.
Vilnius Cathedral & Bell tower
The Vilnius cathedral is an imposing constructing and never your typical cathedral. From the skin it form of appears to be like like a Roman temple to me. In entrance of it’s the bell tower which may be climbed however views aren’t nice on the prime.
St. Anne’s and Bernadine church buildings
The St. Anne’s church and Bernadine church are two interconnected church buildings constructed from pink bricks. They actually stand out with their separate bell tower. The inside of each are fully totally different. I personally liked the picket inside of the Bernadine church essentially the most.
Republic of Uzupis
The Republic of Uzupis can also be referred to as the “Montmartre” of Vilnius. It’s an element Vilnius outdated city however throughout the river. You’ll discover there writers, artists, and the like. In 1998 on April 1st they “declared” independence and even have their very own structure. An incredible space to walk for an hour and have lunch.
Bastion of the Defensive Wall Museum
The Bastion of the Defensive Wall Museum was as soon as a part of the fortifications of Vilnius. From the Bastion you have got good views over Vilnius outdated city. An extended hall descends from avenue stage into the fortifications the place the museum is situated.
Gate of Daybreak & St. Theresa’s church
The Gate of Daybreak is the final remaining metropolis gate of Vilnius. It was as soon as a part of the defensive wall. Most gates typically had spiritual artifcats to assist defend the town. Within the Gate of Daybreak is an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mom of Mercy. It’s an essential relic in Christianity and many individuals go right here for pilgrimage. A go to is greatest mixed with the St. Thersa’s church subsequent door.
City Corridor
Vilnius City Corridor is a should see. It’s a lovely neoclassical constructing but it surely wasn’t at all times in that fashion. You may go to the older Baroque cellars that remind of the previous nonetheless at this time. Across the city corridor you discover loads of eating places and outlets. An incredible place for lunch.
Literary Road
Literary Road is a beautiful avenue in Vilnius. For these it’s additionally a fantastic spot for an Instagramable photograph! The road is filled with plaques of Lithuanian writers.
Vilnius College
Within the historic outdated city of Vilnius, you discover numerous college buildings. It’s one of many oldest universities within the space over half a century outdated!
Presidential Palace
The presidential palace is simply across the nook of the college. Its interiors are usually open for a tour however on the time of my go to I couldn’t discover any possibility to go to. Attempt to ask on the tourism workplace for extra info because it is perhaps associated to the worldwide pandemic it was closed.
KGB Museum
The KGB Museum, though not the perfect KGB Museum on the planet, is a should go to in Vilnius. It has a small exposition in regards to the former prisoners, however the spotlight are the jail cells. You may see how small these cells had been and even go to the chamber of dying. Don’t miss this museum. Close by is a beautiful sq. filled with actions in summer season to calm down the remainder of the day.
Lithuania itinerary day 4: Trakai day journey
A Trakai day journey from Vilnius might be essentially the most well-known day journey you are able to do. Trakai is situated simply half-hour from Vilnius by bus or automotive. I mixed a go to with a go to to the ethnographic Zervynos village. A small city with unique picket buildings and three crosses in its middle. Zervynos is in Dzukija Nationwide Park which is legendary for its pine forest and land dunes. I didn’t have time to hike or go kayaking however a stroll via Zervynos gave a very good understanding how folks have lived there for hundreds of years.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP: Break up at the present time into two: A day journey to Trakai together with water actions and one to Dzukija Nationwide Park the place you may hike or go kayaking within the afternoon and go to Zervynos within the morning.
Trakai is situated between lakes and most well-known for its fort on an island within the lake. For those who see the fort you most likely acknowledge it because it’s Lithuania’s most well-known landmark. It was constructed within the 15th century by the Dukes of Lithuania. At the moment it’s a part of the Trakai Historic Nationwide Park which features a few different options as properly. The small outdated city is simple to stroll because it’s just some buildings however choose up a map on the Trakai Vacationer Workplace to plan your stroll effectively.
A go to doesn’t take extra as 2-3 hours except you go swimming or take pleasure in one of many many water actions in summer season. In winter, the lake is frozen however there are additionally loads of winter actions to do. If you wish to get out of Vilnius for sooner or later that is the day journey you need to do. I had a good time with my daughter and even time left for an hour for swimming!
SHORTEN YOUR TRIP: If you could shorten your journey by a day you possibly can do a morning Trakai go to and make the Vilnius metropolis journey simply 1.5 days and never two full days. After all it’s important to skip Zervynos as properly.
Lithuania itinerary day 5: Kaunas day journey
Kaunas is the second largest metropolis in Lithuania and as soon as served because the capital for a quick interval. It may be reached from Vilnius by practice or automotive in simply over an hour. I extremely suggest a Kaunas day journey from Vilnius if in case you have the time! It’s nevertheless the primary day journey I counsel skipping from this Lithuania itinerary in case you don’t have a day for it. You would shorten the Vilnius metropolis journey from 2 days into 1 as properly in case you hurry via the town. It’s not equivalent as Vilnius in fact however is analogous. For those who’re coming by automotive, I like to recommend parking on the fort and stroll to the city corridor first to pickup a map on the Kaunas Tourism Workplace.
For those who have a look at the map of Kaunas, you’ll discover that every one locations of are between the fort and the Orthodox cathedral (a 30 minute stroll). I like to recommend strolling first to the outdated Presidential Palace Museum passing numerous locations of curiosity. From there make your method to the Orthodox cathedral. You’ll go loads of cafes for a morning espresso.
Proceed up the Žaliakalnis funicular to the church and again down. Make your method to the Vytautas the Nice Conflict Museum. Again on the primary avenue discover a restaurant for lunch. After lunch end the rest of the sights (that are all on the map which I’ll clarify in additional element in a Kaunas metropolis journey article later). End on the fort and the city corridor for a day drink or dinner!
One other should do day journey from Vilnius is one to Kernave archeological website mixed with a hike in Neris Nationwide Park. I didn’t know what to anticipate from Kernave archeological park as most opinions simply say it’s just a few “hills”. That is partly true and a very powerful function. These had been hill forts. The museum on website explains the location from prehistoric instances till the late Iron age. There may be even a reconstructed picket village on prime of one of many hills. A go to takes about 2 hours so go early morning after which drive again (10 kilometers) to Neris Nationwide Park which you already handed coming from Vilnius.
Neris Nationwide Park is a lovely nautre park simply north east of Vilnius. I extremely suggest going because the pine forest air is so recent and the views superb. The Neris river meanders via it. There may be one hike close to the Neris Park guests middle which is most advisable because it has signage in regards to the nature and cultural historical past of the forests. Take lunch with you as there are locations alongside the path to picknick. The path is 5 kilometers and may take round 2 hours excluding lunch. After lunch go the Neris river by automotive to the left financial institution and drive the 25-kilometer route alongside the river for magnificent views!
If you don’t want to make a 2-3-hour hike, then drive the 25-kilometer route solely. If in case you have time left on the finish of the day think about visiting some geographical factors of curiosity (see under) in your manner again to Vilnius.
Bonus: Geographical factors of curiosity
Simply north of Vilnius is the geographical middle of Europe. I’m not positive if the small museum is closed completely because it seemed abandoned however standing on the actual middle of Europe is price going. A kilometer north of it it’s also possible to go to a marker of the Struve Geodetic Arc which is a UNESCO World Heritiage Web site. Within the arc had a whole bunch of factors from Hammerfest to the Black Sea however simply 36 are left at this time. These factors had been used to calculate the meridian of earth and its dimension. Each websites are open 24 hours and greatest visited after the day journey to Kernave and Neris Nationwide Park described above. It’s only a 45-minute detour together with visits.
Departure on day 7
I travelled to Lithuania in June 2020 and flights the place simply restarting after the Pandemic. The one flight again to Amsterdam was at 07:30. Too early for me on a standard day! I might change a direct flight for one with a stopover and fly later in a heartbeat however throughout a Pandemic a direct flight was my first selection.
I used to be at all times instructed Vilnius didn’t have a lot to supply in comparison with Riga and Tallin. I have no idea about Tallin, which I go to in August 2020 however in comparison with Riga it for positive has quite a bit to supply. They’re totally different however for positive price going. Vilnius, for positive now, however normally sees much less guests and continues to be extra genuine. I actually loved my Vilnius metropolis journey! It’s additionally a fantastic vacation spot for an extended weekend. Most locations of involved in Lithuania are inside a day journey from Vilnius so it’s additionally a fantastic place to make use of as a base for a Lithuania itinerary. There are some stunning locations on the coast however for per week it’s to a lot driving. I’ll return to the Lithuania coast both from Latvia or Kaliningrad (Russia) later.
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Gallery Lithuania itinerary
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