This guide also includes a day trip to the city of Trakai and its island castle, a must-see when traveling to Vilnius. Hope you will enjoy this travel guide! Bon voyage!

Vilnius has an international airport connected to the main European cities. We got there with a direct flight from Dublin with Ryanair.

Although Vilnius is a capital city,  it is very walkable.  It is possible to visit the main attractions on foot (without getting too sore feet by the evening). The public transport network is highly developed and reliable. Getting around Vilnius by bus is very easy and affordable.

The most used taxi apps are also available in Lithuania, so don’t hesitate to use a taxi if it is more convenient. We took a taxi to the train station from across the city for only 3 euros.

It is super easy to reach the city center from Vilnius airport. The city buses 3G and 88 have a stop right in front of the airport and drop you off in the city center in just twenty minutes, for the price of a simple bus ticket (which costs less than two euros).

Lithuania has been using the Euro since 2015. The cost of living is very affordable in Vilnius. We stayed 2 nights in a hotel in the city center for a total cost of about 60 euros (for both nights in a double room). It is possible to have a hearty restaurant dinner for less than 15 euros per person. In short, do not deprive yourself and test as many cafes and restaurants as possible! Several nice places are recommended in this itinerary.

This first day is dedicated to the discovery of Vilnius and its main districts and attractions.

This itinerary begins with the highest point in the city, the Gediminas Tower. The tower stands in the city center and is the only remaining part of  Vilnius Castle. From the tower and its hill, there is  a panoramic view of Vilnius.

Continue towards Pilies Street. This street once led to the castle and is now the oldest street in Vilnius. Pilies street was destroyed and then rebuilt over the ages. As a result you can now find different architectural styles such as Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance in the same street. In summer, the restaurants and shops of Pilies street spread out their terraces and decorate the storefronts with flowers. We were there the weekend of the Christmas market opening and the shops of Pilies street displayed their most beautiful Christmas decorations.

While in Pilies street, take a coffee break in the lovely Pilies Kepyklėlė café. I loved this café with its delicate crockery and beautiful cake counter. This is the perfect place for a treat while doing a bit of people watching.

Continue towards Vilnius University. It is one of the oldest universities in this part of Europe, after Prague and Krakow. Go inside the University enclosure to see the Baroque-style facade of St John's Church. It is possible to climb to the top of the bell tower for a panoramic view of Vilnius.

After the University, explore the Jewish quarter of Vilnius by walking through Stiklių Street. This is a very narrow street that was once home to glass workshops. The Synagogue of Vilnius is located on this street. Stiklių street is always very lively with its many cafés, restaurants and independent shops.

After discovering the Jewish quarter, continue towards the Gate of Dawn. On the way, make sure to check the Church of St. Casimir and its Baroque-style pink facade.

The Gate of Dawn (what a beautiful name isn't it?) was once part of the fortifications that surrounded and protected Vilnius. Centuries ago, there were ten gates like this one around Vilnius. The Gate of Dawn is the only one still standing today. It is now mainly a religious building.

Continue towards the district of Užupis. 

More than a district, Užupis is actually an independent republic in the heart of Vilnius. Separated from the rest of the city by the Vilnia River, Užupis is where artists, entrepreneurs and dreamers meet. The independence of Užupis was ironically declared on April 1, 1997. Since then, this republic has had its own currency and the most curious constitution. Make sure to check it out while in Užupis as it is displayed on one of the district’s walls.

Be sure to greet not only the Užupis Mermaid, who sits under the Užupis Bridge, but also the Užupis Cat, who perches in front of the Paveikslai Art Gallery.

Continue toward St. Anne's Church, a magnificent Gothic style church made of red brick, and the symbol of Vilnius. Aside from its bell tower which was built in the 19th century,  St. Anne’s church has remained unchanged for the last five centuries. The entry to the church is free.

From St Anne Church, walk back toward the old town to check out Literatai Street. The walls  along this street are beautifully decorated with small pieces of art made of wood, steel and glass. Each pays homage to the works of the Lithuanian poet Adomas Mickevičius who is said to have lived on this street.

To finish this loop around the old town, check out St. Stanislaus cathedral. This large classic-style building has been rebuilt several times following the many fires and wars that have damaged it over the years. Its bell tower is detached from the rest of the cathedral. It stands 57 meters high and served as a  guard tower for several centuries before being converted into the Cathedral’s bell tower.

It is now time to exit the old town and discover the district of Žvėrynas which is only a 20 minute walk from the cathedral. Cross the Žvėrynas Bridge towards the Orthodox Church of Our Lady of the Sign, built in 1903. This district is known for being close to nature and for its 108 colorful wooden villas. You can see some of them next to the Orthodox Church.

For dinner, go to  Žemaičių ąsotis. It serves traditional Lithuanian specialties such as Šaltibarščiai (a cold, pink beetroot soup), Cepelinai (a hearty potato dumpling stuffed with mushrooms or meat) which is also called Potato Zeppelin due to the dumpling’s shape.

After dinner, why not have a cocktail at Lukiškės prison? You read that right,  you can have a drink and test out your dance moves in this former prison! After 115 years of housing criminals, the space was converted into a gallery, bar and concert venue in 2019. Today, the prison is called Lukiškės Prison 2.0 to mark this new era.

The prison was also used in the filming of season 4 of Stranger Things.

Finish the day with a drink on the rooftop of the Opera Social House. A small and cozy pub where you can grab a beer and admire the view over Vilnius.  

Trakai is only 40 minutes by train from Vilnius. This is the perfect day trip from Vilnius but also from the city of Kaunas if you are in Lithuania for several days.

Trakai is famous for its medieval castle built on one of the many islands of Lake Galvé.

We traveled to Trakai by train from Vilnius train station early enough in the morning to make sure we would be in Trakai by 9am. The journey is only about 40 minutes long and the train service between the two cities is very good. 

The castle is about a 35 minute walk from the train station. To get there, it is possible to follow the main road, however, it is so much more pleasant to follow the path that runs along the shores of Lake Galvé. Follow the water's edge until you see the castle.

We were there in winter and Trakai was covered with a white coat, a true winter wonderland!

For a long time, Trakai Castle was  the main residence of the Dukes of Lithuania. 

The castle was built in the 15th century.

Even if you're not a castle buff, Trakai Castle is worth visiting. Built of red brick, the castle is majestic and clashes with the tranquility of the lake and its surrounding islands. Upon entering the enclosure of the castle, you’ll first see a set of buildings with a large interior courtyard. Beyond this first enclosure stands the palace, with its 35 meter high keep. From the palace’s interior courtyard, you can admire the impressive height of the keep. From here you can also observe the gallery of wooden stairs which allows people to walk from one place to another in the Palace without going inside. Admission to visit the castle costs 8 euros for an adult and 4 euros for students and seniors.

After visiting the castle, stroll through the town of Trakai. Here you will see colorful wooden villas like in the Žvėrynas district of Vilnius.

For lunch or dinner, go to Kiubété. This cozy restaurant is located in a cabin by the lake, and serves Kibinai (small, savory pastry stuffed with meat or cheese) and pies with a wide choice of fillings (cabbage, cheese, meat).

These traditional pies are also on the dessert menu! Make sure to try the sweet version too.