Vilnius & Trakai Castle, Lithuania
A few years ago, I did a backpacking trip through the Baltic States and Helsinki. My first stop was Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, from where I also went on a day trip to the fairytale Trakai Castle Island. Here's how to spend a few days discovering Vilnius and its historical buildings!
If you are a visual person and like watching videos, you might want to check out my YouTube vlog on Vilnius. This is one of my oldest videos, so it is very different from what I am currently creating but I am very fond of it!
Gate of Dawn (Aušros Vartai) in Vilnius
And if you are interested in an easy to read 3 days itinerary that you can personalise and use to book your trip, check this link to my itinerary on the Boop app.
I visited Vilnius during a backpacking trip of the Baltic States and Helsinki. If you are planning to do the same, check the other related articles.
Table of contents:
Where to Stay in Vilnius
Vilnius City Highlights
Užupis: The Artist Republic
Where to Eat & Drink in Vilnius
Trakai: A Day Trip Escape
Useful Links for your Trip
Where to Stay in Vilnius
The Ivolita Vilnius Hotel is located in the beautiful Old Town of Vilnius, just a five-minute walk from the famous Gate of Dawn. All rooms feature private bathrooms (equipped with either a bathtub or a walk-in shower and a hairdryer), free Wi-Fi, cable/satellite TV, sound-insulated walls, and a desk. I had a really good stay in this hotel. This was a very good starting point for my exploration of Vilnius.
Vilnius City Highlights
Start at the Gate of Dawn (Aušros Vartai), arguably the real soul of the city. It's technically just a 16th-century entrance to the old town, but the chapel inside is intimate and far less crowded than you'd expect for one of Vilnius's most significant religious sites.
From there, wander into the Old Town (Senamiestis) itself: a medieval maze of narrow, curving cobbled streets. Where a lot of UNESCO-listed old towns feel manicured for tourists, Vilnius's still feels like people actually live there.
Along the way, the architecture keeps shifting on you. The Church of St. Theresa is baroque done right with all its beautiful curves and drama. Tucked into the cathedral complex, the smaller Chapel of Saint Casimir is easy to miss. It is a Renaissance chapel set inside a Gothic space, creating that interesting architectural variety typical of Vilnius.
For something less monumental, duck into Amatu Namai, a local shop where you'll find things made by locals like linen and traditional crafts, the kind of items locals give as gifts.
Town Hall Square is the heart of Vilnius Old Town. Just off the main road, St. Nicholas' Church offers Gothic simplicity, solid and beautiful. Further along sits St. Anne's Church, a UNESCO-listed site and the building that stops people in their tracks: its brick Gothic facade uses more than 30 varieties of brick pattern, intricate enough that it looks almost impossible to have been built by hand.
St. Anne's Church in Vilnius
Finish the day's sightseeing at the Cathedral and its Bell Tower, the highest viewpoint in the old town. The cathedral itself is neoclassical but the climb up the bell tower is worth it for a proper understanding of the city's geography, with Vilnius spreading out in every direction below you.
The New Arsenal Museum tells Lithuanian history from inside a building that's actually part of that history. By going to this museum, you will learn the context and history behind everything you've already walked past. For the best view in the city, climb Gediminas Tower: from here you see exactly how Vilnius sits across its hills, how the Neris River winds through it, and how small the old town actually is compared to the modern city spreading out around it.
For breathing room between all that history, go for a walk along the Neris River. If the weather is nice, you could walk along the river. If you are into sports, check out this Neris River Night Kayaking Tour. It sounds like an amazing experience!
Nearby, Bernardine Garden houses a musical fountain. I loved this park! It is nestled between the river and the old town; the whole space feels almost hidden.
Užupis: The Artist Republic
Just across the river sits Užupis, the artist quarter that declared its own independence, complete with a constitution posted publicly on the street. Street art covers nearly every surface, and it's where Vilnius's creative community spends its time. To learn more about Užupis, get this audio guide!
Walk Kazimiero Gatvė slowly; this is the actual heart of the neighbourhood, lined with bars, galleries, and street musicians. Along the way, stop at Portal,. This is a pretty cool street art piece. It provides a 24/7, real-time visual livestream connecting Vilnius to a growing global network of sibling portals in cities like Lublin (Poland), Dublin (Ireland), Philadelphia (USA), and Manila (Philippines)!
The Užupis Angel statue, the neighbourhood's unofficial mascot, is worth tracking down too.
Where to Eat & Drink in Vilnius
Casa La Familia is a cosy, unpretentious pizzeria with locals eating there all the time. Good pizza and lovely atmosphere. A perfect way to decompress after a day spent moving between so many churches!
If you're up for something livelier afterward, Who Hit John is the spot for live music in a tiny old-town venue. This is an especially good stop if you like rock music.
In Užupis, One for All serves contemporary Lithuanian cuisine. If you're eating modern food anywhere in Vilnius, this is where to do it.
Back near the old town, save room for Lokys, a traditional Lithuanian fine-dining spot built around game meat, like venison, wild boar, elk. This is a dining experience not to miss!
To properly taste the city beyond restaurant menus, book a Vilnius Food Tour. Led by a guide, you will also hear the stories behind the ingredients that a menu alone won't tell you.
If you would like to explore more available tours, don’t forget to check this link!
Trakai: A Day Trip Escape
If you truly want to walk into a fairytale, dedicate one of your days in Vilnius to visit Trakai Castle. Just outside the city, Trakai Castle sits on an island in Lake Galvė, giving you both the postcard photo and the reality of just how stunning the setting actually is in person. Built in the 14th century, it's one of those rare historical sites where the past feels alive. Walking along the lake is such a peaceful experience! I advice you make sure you check the castle opening times before you go. You can go by train from Vilnius Central Train Station or you can book this Trakai Tour with Audio Guide and Minibus Transfers.
For lunch, Kybynlar serves Karaim cuisine; food from the Karaim people, a Turkic ethnic and religious minority originally from Crimea. The food is unique and delicious, reason enough on its own to make the day trip!
View of Trakai Castle, Lithuania
Additional Useful Links for your Trip
Maya Mobile eSims for steady internet connection for the whole length of your trip. Use code BETHANY for 10% off your first purchase
Travel experiences I recommend
Travel Essentials and Content Creation products I use
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If you enjoy travel videos, below you find one of my first YouTube videos ever! If you follow this link, you will be redirected to another video on Trakai Castle Island. Click the image below to watch it. It might be your cup of tea!
