Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania, is often overshadowed as a destination city by Krakow, Prague, and Budapest in the central part of Eastern Europe and St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia. But Vilnius will impress even hard-to-please travelers and give those looking for an authentic experience a trip to remember. Consider these reasons to visit Vilnius:
Old Town Vilnius Is a World Heritage Site
Old Town Vilnius is one of Europe’s largest old towns. It is a mix of many different architectural styles, including Baroque, Classicism, Gothic, and Renaissance. It even has a medieval tower from the time of the great Lithuanian dukes who helped Lithuania become powerful and Vilnius develop into an international city. Old Town is full of side streets, parks, monuments, as well as cafes, shops, museums, galleries, theaters, and squares.Vilnius Events
There is always something going on in Vilnius, from large holiday festivals to small events celebrating music, culture, art, or literature. Gediminas Prospect is a major venue for parades and fairs, and Vilnius’ churches and concert halls host performances and musical ensembles throughout the year. Also find live music in pubs, art shows, special exhibitions, and wine and beer celebrations.Lithuanian Souvenirs
Souvenirs that travelers find while visiting Vilnius range from hand-carved wooden figures, to quality linen table runners, to heirloom pieces of jewelry. Gintaras, or amber, is worked into pieces as simple or as elaborate as the imagination allows. Natural fibers such as wool, linen, and mohair are hand-woven into scarves, sweaters, shawls, and socks. Ceramic ware is also easy to come by, and Lithuanian ceramic artists create delicate, whimsical, or utilitarian pieces that make pleasing gifts or conversation pieces.Food, Drink, and Nightlife
Those familiar with Eastern European food consistently emphasize the particular deliciousness of Lithuanian cuisine. Heavy on potatoes, bacon, and dairy, traditional Lithuanian food fills you up and is best washed down with a local beer, a product of which Lithuanians are particularly proud. Dining out in Vilnius is relatively inexpensive compared to the rest of Europe, and a visitor can eat well without going broke. Additionally, all kinds of restaurants can be found in Vilnius, from French, to Italian, to vegetarian.Café culture in Vilnius is vibrant. While the coffee-to-go trend has infiltrated the city, visitors who want to sit down and rest their feet will find plenty of cozy cafes in which to order a cappuccino and something sweet or a light snack. In addition, tea is popularly drunk in Lithuania, and herbal, green, black, and other teas are regularly found on café menus.
Vilnius is active at night, when karaoke venues, wine bars, pubs, and clubs open their doors to night owls. Take in a jazz concert, sample locally produced beverages, enjoy a cocktail on a terrace, or discuss philosophy and literature over glasses of red wine—it’s your choice.
