Things to Do in Vilnius

Discover the old town of VILNIUS with me! (tour – 2:15 hours)

The capital of Lithuania and its historical center are fully part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site! From the Gate of Dawn to the Cathedral (or vice versa), I will take you to the heart of this fabulous city!

As we explore together, you can always ask me questions and learn more about my culture and personal experiences . I look forward to making your visit to my city unforgettable!

Oh, welcome to a magical Vilnius old town! Narrow, winded streets, cozy courtyards, rich history, diverse architecture, and cheerful legends, Vilnius has it all for a nice stay.
In this guided tour, we will present you the history of the city from the wild pagan times and glorious battles to the Soviet times and current days. You will get to know the most famous Grand Dukes, influential Duchess, cruel conquerors, brightest minds, and different cultures that shaped the architecture and the history of the city.

The free old town tour covers:

• The Cathedral square 
• The Presidential palace
• Vilnius University
• The Jewish Quarter
• The Town Hall and its surroundings
• The Bastion and panoramic views to the old city
• The Republic of Užupis that is the “separate country” close to the Old Town
• St Anne’s and Bernardine churches, the gothic corner of Vilnius
• And plenty of secret courtyards and passages!

Endpoint: Literatu Street is about 5 min by walk from the meeting point

Welcome to the enchanting Old Town of Vilnius! I’d be thrilled to be your local guide and share the history and daily life of this city.

Our journey begins at the Church of St. Anne, which’s allure whispers tales of the medieval past. It’s located on the right bank of Vilnia River, or, as we say in Lithuanian, Vilnelė (we love using diminutive forms in Lithuania). Its name derives from the word vilnis – a surge. You’re right – that sounds like the name of the capital city. 

Let’s stroll along Pilies Street, a vibrant thoroughfare of the Old Town adorned with captivating facades that echo centuries of rich heritage. Here, the past and present intertwine seamlessly, painting a vivid tapestry of Vilnius’ evolution throughout the ages. Pilies Street takes us to the majestic Vilnius Cathedral and Gediminas Tower, one of the main symbols of our capital. Their imposing presence not only affords breathtaking panoramic views but also reveals the stories of our grand dukes, and brave warriors, as well as the origins, and hardships of Vilnius. 

As the capital reveals itself with every step, we walk past the Presidential Palace and Vilnius University, established more than four centuries ago. Two major institutions are closely located, separated only by a narrow street that surges up towards a peaceful square of Konstantinas Sirvydas. In the presence of the Presidential Palace, we have a chance to talk about the present-day government in Lithuania. Are we lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the president of Lithuania? Fingers crossed!

Later on, we venture deep into the labyrinthine streets of the Old Town, uncovering the history of Jewish Quarter. You may easily imagine the timeless melodies of Yiddish songs softly drifting among the surrounding walls, the everyday life, and the hardships the Jewish community has endured throughout the ages. The traces of their presence are inseparable from the spirit of Vilnius – the Jerusalem of the North. 

Falling in love with the city we stop at the Town Hall Square, recounting tales of celebrations, meetings, fairs, and theatre. Here you may feel the optimistic aura of present-day Vilnius, with a little rush, and another story that awaits you just around the corner. 

Join me on this two-hour tour and let’s unlock the secrets of Vilnius together!

Looking for a unique experience in the capital of Lithuania? Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the Vilnius forests with this private sauna experience!

Free Walking Tour: Undiscovered Vilnius  
Have you already seen the main treasures (Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, St Ann's Church, university )of Vilnius old town? Then, this tour is just right for you! It is a great option if you would like to get the full perspective of nowadays Vilnius as we will show you lesser-known areas off the beaten highlights, cobblestones streets, and churches.

During this tour, we will take you to the other side of the river a little further away from the old town where the most contrasting, rural area of Šnipiškės is hiding. This place is a heritage of Soviet urban planning when the new districts were created while some places around were completely untouched. Šnipiškės was somehow forgotten, so here you can still witness how a 19th-century wooden suburb of Vilnius looked like. Surprisingly, this unique area is just meters away from soaring skyscrapers, the most modern part of the city. Join us on this mind-blowing journey to the past and the future at the same time.
The 2-2.5 hour tour covers:

• Art that lines the riverbank together with perhaps the most scandalous art piece in Lithuanian history
• First power station in Vilnius
• Wooden houses of Vilnius - the best -kept secret of the city
• The modern center of Soviet Vilnius - the signs of the recent history
• Europe square - the current, hustling business center
• The panoramic views from the hidden spots  in the modern city
• Personal family stories
• All this and much more

Endpoint: Next to Radisson Blue hotel (Konstitucijos avenue 20) or Swedbank terrace that is about 20 min by foot from the meeting point

Meeting point: the King Mindaugas monument.
The first and the last King of Lithuania. We will continue toward the Cathedral square, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, the Bell tower and the best photo spot of the place. We will visit Simonas Daukantas square, from where you will be able to enjoy one of the most beautiful Empire style buildings in Lithuania – the Presidential palace. We will also get acquainted with Vilnius University history and some interesting facts about the Lithuanian language. We will continue our trip toward the Glass Quarter of Vilnius to uncover Jewish heritage. Wandering the Town Hall square we will learn about Vilnius baroque, local festivals and UNESCO tangible and intangible cultural and natural heritage. We will continue our tour to find out about market traditions, will search for a Golden mouse and will learn why only the City Gate survived till today and why this place for us is so important. By showing some beautiful photo spots, we will continue our trip towards Užupis Republic. Keep your passports or notebooks with you – you will be able to get an official Užupis Republic stamp. After visiting Užupis, we will continue our tour to one of the most iconic places in Vilnius – the Gothic triangle with a smell of amber dust. If you want to discover Vilnius with me, feel free to join my tour! 

Travel from Vilnius to Tallinn via Riga on this 8-day tour of the Baltic States. Discover the three capitals and their medieval history!

Looking for a tour that goes beyond the usual tourist sights?
'Vilnius: From the ‘90s to Now' takes you through the Stotis district, a once-rundown area now undergoing a major transformation.

Unlike other tours, we explore the last 35 years of Lithuania's history, focusing on both modern hotspots and the social and economic changes shaping our people. We also tackle important topics—at the Open Gallery, filled with thought-provoking street art, we’ll discuss social issues like exclusion, poverty, and alcoholism. 

Join us on the 2.5-hour 'Vilnius: From the ‘90s to Now' tour and discover contemporary Vilnius through its changing society and culture.

Our journey begins in the bustling Hales Market, a place representing both tradition and transformation. Here, we’ll talk about the country’s shift from a planned economy to capitalism. We’ll then walk through the unpolished Kaunas Street to explore community changes and their broader impact.

Additionally, we’ll discuss migration and its role in shaping Lithuanian identity.

Meet our local guides, who grew up in independent Lithuania and have experienced these shifts firsthand. Engage in discussions with us and fellow travelers about the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s communities.

Join the 'Vilnius: From the ‘90s to Now' tour if you want to explore modern Lithuania and its cultural transformation.

Discover the medieval town of Trakai from above on this aircraft flight. Fly over the lakes of Lithuania and Trakai Castle - an unforgettable experience!

The BEST tour in town, everything concentrated in a fun morning (or afternoon). From Cathedral square to Gate of Dawn and Republic of Uzupis - there is 3 kilometers of histoy where all the main monuments from the foundation of the city are. The tour, very complete, includes these 10 spots: - Cathedral square - Presidential Palace - Vilnius University - Former Jewish Quarter - Townhall (Rotuse) - Ausros Vartu, Didzioji, Pilies str. - Gates of Dawn - Artistic district Uzupis - St. Ann church Church - OPTIONAL: Amber museum with explanation about this "yellow gold" of Lithuania This tour can be tailored due to your preference and I promise to visit an unexpected places while having a regular city tour.

We will start our walk in the heart of Vilnius at the Cathedral Bell Tower. It was here, at the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers, at the crossroads of the most important trade routes, that the city of Vilnius was founded, which was first mentioned in written sources in 1323, which means that in 2023 Vilnius will have celebrated a very happy birthday - 700 years! We will also visit the Presidential Palace (from the outside) and the Old University, which will be 445 years old in 2024. We will walk through the Glass Quarter (the name of the former Jewish quarter today) to Town Hall Square. We will then explore the Gothic corner - the most beautiful architectural ensemble in Vilnius: St. Anne's Church and Bernardine Church, and of course we will stop near the "Užupis Republic", which is often compared to Montmartre in Paris or Christiania in Copenhagen. Then you can decide for yourself where and what delicious things you would like to try with us!

Meeting in Gediminas Avenue we will continue toward the Cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania getting in touch with pagan and catholic history.
Walking towards Town Hall we will learn medieval laws and intrigue legends about St. Anne Church, Vilnius University or even President Palace.
Crossing the Little Jewish Ghetto will be surrounded by beauty and actual glory, but on the same time touching by sadness and tragic facts.
Keeping toward the only one survived City Gate, will play the game ¨spinning around completely once to find as many churches as possible".
And of course, don´t forget your passport or better your big smile entering to Užupis - one of the smallest republics in the world!
If you have more curiosity about Vilnius, order this tour!