Vilnius

Airport transfer to Old Town(20 minutes)

Bus 1 or 2 from outside arrivals to the Old Town (1 EUR with Vilniečio Kortelė transport card, buy at airport kiosk). Bolt taxi is ~8 EUR. The Old Town is compact — walk everywhere once you arrive

Check-in and Old Town orientation(1 hour)

Stay in Old Town — Shakespeare Boutique Hotel for charm, or Downtown Forest Hostel for budget. Over 1,500 buildings span Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles within walking distance

Pilies Street and Cathedral Square(1.5 hours)

Walk down Pilies Street (Castle Street) — Vilnius's main pedestrian artery lined with amber shops, cafes, and street musicians. It ends at Cathedral Square with the neoclassical Vilnius Cathedral and its freestanding bell tower. Find the 'Stebuklas' (miracle) tile in the square — step on it, spin, and make a wish

Dinner at Etno Dvaras(1.5 hours)

Traditional Lithuanian restaurant near the cathedral. Cepelinai (giant potato dumplings stuffed with meat, 7-10 EUR for a plate of two) are the national dish — one serving is usually enough. Cold beetroot soup (šaltibarščiai) is refreshing in summer. Beer from 3 EUR

Gediminas Tower(1.5 hours)

The remaining tower of the Upper Castle. Climb the hill (free) or take the funicular (2 EUR). Tower museum entry: 6 EUR. Open daily 10AM-7PM (summer). The panoramic view from the top is the best in Vilnius — bring a camera. Early morning or sunset is ideal for photography

St. Anne's Church and the Bernardine complex(45 minutes)

Gothic masterpiece from 1500 — Napoleon reportedly wanted to carry it back to Paris. Free entry. The flamboyant Gothic facade uses 33 different types of bricks. The adjacent Bernardine Church and gardens are peaceful

Gate of Dawn (Aušros Vartai)(30 minutes)

The only surviving gate from the original city wall. The chapel above houses a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary venerated by Catholics and Orthodox alike. Free entry. One of Vilnius's most sacred sites — observe the prayers from the street below

Lunch at Šnekutis(1 hour)

The most authentic Lithuanian pub experience. Home-brewed beer (2.50 EUR), cepelinai, and kibinai (Karaite pastries). Tiny, usually packed with locals. Two locations — the one near Užupis is better. No-frills, genuine, and cheap

Church of Sts. Peter and Paul(45 minutes)

The interior of this church will stop you in your tracks — over 2,000 white stucco figures cover every surface. Free entry. Located slightly east of Old Town. Often called the most beautiful church interior in the Baltics. Allow time to discover the hidden details

Evening walk along Vilnia River(1 hour)

Follow the river from the Old Town toward Užupis. The riverside path passes under old bridges and through quiet neighborhoods. Stop at Café de Paris on Vokiečių Street for people-watching and a glass of Lithuanian wine

Bus to Trakai(40 minutes)

Buses from Vilnius bus station every 15-30 minutes (2 EUR). Or take the train. Arrive before 11AM to beat tour groups. The walk from Trakai bus station to the castle takes 25 minutes along the lake

Trakai Island Castle(2 hours)

A stunning 14th-century red-brick castle on an island in Lake Galvė. Entry: 12 EUR adults. Open daily 10AM-7PM (summer). The museum inside covers the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The castle's reflection in the lake is the classic photo — best shot from the footbridge approach

Kibinai at lakeside stalls(30 minutes)

Trakai's Karaite community (Turkic people settled here in the 14th century) makes kibinai — crescent-shaped pastries filled with lamb or chicken (2-3 EUR each). The stalls along Karaimų Street are the best. This is one of Lithuania's most distinctive foods

Lake Galvė kayaking or swimming(1.5 hours)

Rent a kayak or paddleboard (~10-15 EUR/hour) to paddle around the castle. In summer (June-August), Lake Galvė has swimming spots on the southern shore. The water is clean and warm enough by July

Return and dinner at Sweet Root(2 hours)

Back in Vilnius. Sweet Root is Lithuania's most innovative restaurant — a tasting menu (~55 EUR) using 100% Lithuanian-sourced ingredients, many foraged. Reservation essential. Located in a quiet Old Town courtyard. A revelatory dining experience

Užupis Republic exploration(2.5 hours)

A neighborhood that declared independence on April 1, 1998. Read the constitution displayed on a wall in 23+ languages (including a mirror for narcissists). Find the Angel of Užupis statue, the mermaid, and the guerrilla art installations. Visit the galleries and artist studios along Užupio Street

Street art walking tour(1.5 hours)

Vilnius has an emerging street art scene. The mural of Trump and Putin kissing (near Pylimo Street) went viral. Walk through the Halės Market neighborhood and Naujamiestis for the best murals. Self-guided using the Vilnius Street Art Map app (free)

Lunch at Meat Lovers Pub(1 hour)

Despite the name, it's a proper pub with excellent burgers and local craft beer. Located in Užupis. Burger and beer combo ~10 EUR. The terrace overlooking the Vilnia River is lovely in summer

Literatų Street (Literature Street)(45 minutes)

A narrow Old Town street where over 200 small art plaques honor Lithuanian and international writers. Each piece is unique — from ceramics to metalwork. Free. Created by local artists. Walk slowly and read the names — you'll recognize many

Sunset from the Hill of Three Crosses(1 hour)

Three white crosses on a hill east of Old Town — a powerful monument and one of the best sunset viewpoints. Free. A 15-minute uphill walk from Gediminas Tower. The city spreads out below with church spires catching the last light

Halės Market(1.5 hours)

Vilnius's main indoor market — renovated but still authentic. Local cheeses, smoked meats, fresh produce, and Lithuanian honey. The recently opened food court section has excellent lunch options. Cheaper than Old Town restaurants

Naujamiestis neighborhood walk(1.5 hours)

The 'New Town' south of Old Town. Tree-lined streets, independent bookshops, vintage stores, and the Lukiškės Square (formerly a Soviet parade ground, now a public space). The craft coffee scene here rivals Berlin

Lunch at Bistro 18(1 hour)

Modern European cuisine with Lithuanian ingredients. Daily lunch specials from 8-12 EUR. Fresh, seasonal, and popular with local office workers. Located near Gediminas Avenue

Free afternoon — Bernardine Garden or spa(2.5 hours)

The Bernardine Garden (free) near Gediminas Tower is perfect for a lazy afternoon — rose gardens, fountains, and a small music pavilion. Or treat yourself to a spa session at Skylight SPA (from 25 EUR) in the Grand Hotel Kempinski

Drive or bus to Kernavė(45 minutes)

Rent a car or take a bus from Vilnius bus station (limited schedule, check ahead). Kernavė is 35 km northwest on the Neris River. Having a car allows stops along the way

Kernavė Archaeological Site(2.5 hours)

Five hill forts overlooking the Neris River — the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania before Vilnius. UNESCO World Heritage since 2004. Free to walk the mounds. The museum (4 EUR) displays artifacts spanning 10,000 years. The panoramic views from the highest mound are sweeping

Lunch at a countryside restaurant(1 hour)

Try Kaimas restaurant near Kernavė for rural Lithuanian food — potato pancakes (bulviniai blynai) with sour cream, smoked pork, and forest mushroom soup. Mains 7-12 EUR

Paneriai Memorial (en route back)(1 hour)

A somber Holocaust memorial 10 km southwest of Vilnius. 70,000 people — the majority of Vilnius's Jewish population — were murdered here. The museum (free, open Wed-Sun) provides context. The forest setting makes the scale of loss more visceral. A necessary visit for understanding Vilnius's full history

Farewell dinner at Gaspar's(1.5 hours)

One of Vilnius's best restaurants. Modern Lithuanian cuisine in a converted Old Town courtyard. Tasting menu from 45 EUR or mains from 14-22 EUR. Their fermented preparations and smoked dishes are outstanding. Book ahead

Breakfast at Crêperie(45 minutes)

French-Lithuanian breakfast spot on Didžioji Street. Crepes from 5 EUR, excellent coffee. Sit outside and watch Old Town wake up — the cobblestone streets are quietest before 10AM

Last Old Town walk and souvenirs(1 hour)

Pick up Lithuanian amber jewelry (Pilies Street has dozens of shops — compare prices, ~10-50 EUR for earrings), linen products (Lithuania is famous for linen — Lino Namai shop), and Rūta chocolate (Lithuanian chocolate since 1913)

Airport transfer(20 minutes)

Bus 1 or 2 to Vilnius Airport (1 EUR, 20 min) or Bolt taxi (~8 EUR). The airport is modern and efficient. Allow 2 hours before international flights. The airport duty-free has a good selection of Lithuanian spirits

Pilies Street and Cathedral Square(1.5 hours)

Main pedestrian artery, Vilnius Cathedral, Stebuklas miracle tile

Dinner at Etno Dvaras(1.5 hours)

Cepelinai 7-10 EUR. Šaltibarščiai in summer. Beer 3 EUR

Gediminas Tower(1.5 hours)

Funicular 2 EUR or walk. Museum 6 EUR. Best views in Vilnius

St. Anne's Church(45 minutes)

Gothic masterpiece. 33 brick types. Napoleon wanted it for Paris

Gate of Dawn(30 minutes)

Only surviving city gate. Miraculous icon. Free

Lunch at Šnekutis(1 hour)

Home-brewed beer 2.50 EUR. Cepelinai. Most authentic pub

Church of Sts. Peter and Paul(45 minutes)

2,000+ white stucco figures. Free. Most beautiful interior in the Baltics

Bus to Trakai(40 minutes)

Every 15-30 min, 2 EUR. Arrive before 11AM

Trakai Island Castle(2 hours)

14th century. 12 EUR. Grand Duchy museum. Classic reflection photo from footbridge

Kibinai at lakeside stalls(30 minutes)

Karaite pastries 2-3 EUR. Lamb or chicken filled. Karaimų Street

Lake Galvė kayaking(1.5 hours)

~10-15 EUR/hour. Paddle around castle

Return and dinner at Sweet Root(2 hours)

100% Lithuanian-sourced tasting menu ~55 EUR. Reserve essential

Užupis exploration(2.5 hours)

Constitution wall in 23+ languages. Angel statue. Galleries, studios

Street art walking tour(1.5 hours)

Trump/Putin mural. Halės Market area. Vilnius Street Art Map app

Lunch at Meat Lovers Pub(1 hour)

In Užupis. Burger + beer ~10 EUR. River terrace

Literatų Street(45 minutes)

200+ literary art plaques. Free

Sunset from Three Crosses Hill(1 hour)

White crosses monument. 15-min uphill walk. City panorama

Halės Market(1.5 hours)

Indoor market. Local cheeses, meats, honey. Cheaper than Old Town

Naujamiestis walk(1.5 hours)

Tree-lined streets, bookshops, Lukiškės Square, craft coffee

Lunch at Bistro 18(1 hour)

Daily specials 8-12 EUR. Popular with locals

Bernardine Garden afternoon(2 hours)

Free. Rose gardens, fountains, music pavilion near Gediminas Tower

Drive to Kernavė(45 minutes)

35 km northwest. Five hill forts on the Neris River

Kernavė Archaeological Site(2.5 hours)

UNESCO since 2004. Free mounds. Museum 4 EUR. 10,000 years of artifacts

Lunch at countryside restaurant(1 hour)

Potato pancakes, smoked pork, mushroom soup. 7-12 EUR

Paneriai Memorial(1 hour)

Holocaust memorial. Free museum (Wed-Sun). 70,000 murdered. Essential but somber

Farewell dinner at Gaspar's(1.5 hours)

Modern Lithuanian. Tasting menu from 45 EUR. Fermented and smoked dishes

Drive or bus to Šiauliai(2.5 hours)

220 km north. Direct buses from Vilnius (~14 EUR, 3 hours). Worth the journey

Hill of Crosses(1.5 hours)

Over 200,000 crosses planted since the 1830s. Free. Open 24/7. Profoundly moving. The Soviet regime bulldozed it three times; people rebuilt it each time. Bring your own cross to add if you wish

Šiauliai city center(1 hour)

Lithuania's fourth-largest city. The Sundial Square has the tallest sundial in the world. Cat Museum (3 EUR) is charmingly quirky

Lunch in Šiauliai(1 hour)

Regional Lithuanian cuisine at Rotušė restaurant. Mains 8-14 EUR

Drive to Druskininkai(2 hours)

130 km south of Vilnius. A charming spa town on the Nemunas River surrounded by pine forests

Grūtas Park (Stalin World)(2 hours)

An open-air museum of Soviet-era statues removed from Lithuanian cities after independence. 9 EUR. Lenin, Marx, and Lithuanian communist leaders in a forested park. Dark humor and serious history mixed. Unique in Europe

Druskininkai Aqua Park(2 hours)

One of the largest water parks in the Baltics. 15 EUR for 3 hours. Spa, pools, waterslides, and mineral baths

Lunch at Sicilia(1 hour)

Italian-Lithuanian restaurant. Pizza and pasta 8-14 EUR. Nemunas River views

Revisit favorites(3 hours)

Return to Užupis, a favorite cafe, or a church you want to see again

Dinner at Nineteen18(2 hours)

Named for Lithuanian independence year. Creative Lithuanian-Nordic cuisine. Tasting menu ~50 EUR

Train to Kaunas(1 hour 15 minutes)

Direct trains every hour (~8 EUR). Kaunas is Lithuania's second city — more compact and less touristy than Vilnius

Kaunas Old Town and Castle(2 hours)

13th-century castle ruins, Town Hall Square, and the Basilica Cathedral. Free to walk. The confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers is dramatic

Ninth Fort Memorial(1.5 hours)

A 19th-century fortress converted to a Holocaust site during WWII. 4 EUR. The museum and memorial are powerful. 50,000 people were killed here

Lunch at Uoksas(1 hour)

Modern Lithuanian in the Old Town. Lunch menu 10-15 EUR. River views

Laisvės Alėja (Liberty Boulevard)(1 hour)

Europe's longest pedestrian street at 1.6 km. Lined with interwar architecture, cafes, and shops. The interwar Art Deco buildings are Kaunas's distinctive feature

Drive to Aukštaitija National Park(1.5 hours)

100 km northeast of Vilnius. Lithuania's oldest national park (1974). Free entry

Ancient Beekeeping Museum(1 hour)

In Stripeikiai village. Traditional Lithuanian beekeeping in carved tree trunks. 3 EUR. Unique and fascinating

Lake canoeing(2 hours)

Canoe or kayak rental from Palūšė village (from ~15 EUR/hour). Paddle through pristine lakes connected by narrow channels. The water clarity is remarkable

Lunch at a lakeside cafe(1 hour)

Grilled fish, forest mushroom soup, and dark rye bread. 8-12 EUR

Ladakalnis viewpoint(30 minutes)

A hilltop overlooking six lakes simultaneously. Free. 20-minute walk from the road. One of Lithuania's most scenic viewpoints

Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum(2 hours)

Multiple locations. The Tolerance Center (5 EUR) on Naugarduko Street covers Jewish life in Lithuania before, during, and after the Holocaust. Deeply informative

Former Jewish Quarter walk(1.5 hours)

Walk through what was the Great Synagogue area (now Vokiečių Street neighborhood). Plaques mark former sites. The Jewish ghetto occupied parts of the current Old Town

Lunch at Lokys(1.5 hours)

Medieval-themed restaurant in a 16th-century cellar. Game dishes — wild boar, venison, beaver tail (yes, really). Mains 12-20 EUR. Atmospheric with candlelight and stone walls

Vilnius University and Bookshops(1.5 hours)

One of Eastern Europe's oldest universities (1579). The ensemble of courtyards is architecturally stunning — some with 16th-century frescoes. 5 EUR. The university bookshop is excellent

Europos Parkas(2.5 hours)

An open-air museum of modern sculpture 19 km north of Vilnius. 12 EUR. Over 100 works by artists from 35 countries, spread across 55 hectares of forest. The Europe's geographic center marker is here

Lunch at Amandus(1 hour)

Lithuanian-French cuisine near the park. Seasonal menu. Mains 12-18 EUR

Final Old Town walk(2 hours)

Revisit favorite spots. Last coffee at any of the dozens of excellent cafes on Pilies Street

Farewell dinner at Telegraph(2 hours)

In the renovated Central Post Office building. Modern European. Cocktails and tasting menu from ~55 EUR. Vilnius's most stylish dining room

Breakfast at Crêperie(45 minutes)

Crepes from 5 EUR, coffee. Watch Old Town wake up

Last shopping(1 hour)

Amber, Lithuanian linen, Rūta chocolate

Airport transfer(20 minutes)

Bus 1/2 (1 EUR) or Bolt (~8 EUR). Allow 2 hours for international flights

Castle(2 hours)

12 EUR

Grūtas Park(2 hours)

9 EUR

Lunch at Lokys(1.5 hours)

Medieval. Wild boar, beaver tail

Europos Parkas(2.5 hours)

12 EUR

Drive to Nida (Curonian Spit)(4 hours)

330 km west via Klaipėda. Ferry crossing to the spit (~13 EUR for car). Or bus from Vilnius to Klaipėda (4 hours) then local bus to Nida

Check-in in Nida(1 hour)

Stay in a traditional fisherman's cottage or guesthouse. Nida is the main village on the Lithuanian section of the spit

Parnidis Dune sunset(1.5 hours)

A 52m sand dune with a sundial sculpture at the summit. Free. The view across the Curonian Lagoon to the dune landscape is otherworldly. Walk the marked path — the dunes are fragile

Dinner at Nidos Seklyčia(1.5 hours)

Traditional Curonian cuisine. Smoked fish (the spit is famous for it), fish soup, dark bread. 12-18 EUR

Thomas Mann House(1 hour)

4 EUR. The German Nobel laureate spent summers here 1930-1932. The wooden house is now a cultural center. Views over the lagoon

Bicycle the spit(3 hours)

Rent a bike in Nida (~5 EUR/half day). Cycle the flat forest path northward toward Preila and Pervalka. 30 km round trip through pine forests along the lagoon

Baltic beach swimming(1.5 hours)

The Baltic side of the spit has wide, clean beaches. Water reaches 20°C in July-August. Often deserted even in summer

Lunch at Ešerinė(1 hour)

On the lagoon in Nida. Fried bream, smoked eel. 10-16 EUR. The smoked fish here is the best in Lithuania

Dead Dunes Trail (Naglių cognitive trail)(1.5 hours)

A boardwalk through shifting sand dunes. Free. The landscape resembles a desert — sand stretching to the horizon. Rare flora and fauna

Ferry from spit to Klaipėda(10 minutes)

~1 EUR foot passenger. Ferries every 30 minutes

Klaipėda Old Town(2 hours)

Half-timbered houses, the Theatre Square with its fountain, and the Blacksmith's Museum. Free to walk. The maritime culture is different from inland Lithuania

Sea Museum and Aquarium (Smiltynė)(1.5 hours)

11 EUR. In a 19th-century fortress on the spit. Dolphins, seals, and Baltic marine life

Lunch at Friedricho Pasažas(1 hour)

In a renovated Old Town passage. Modern Lithuanian. 10-16 EUR

Dinner at Džiaugsmas(2 hours)

Natural wine bar and kitchen. Small plates, fermented preparations. 8-14 EUR each. Vilnius's coolest new restaurant

Drive to Anykščiai(1.5 hours)

100 km north. A small town in the Lithuanian highlands

Treetop Walking Path(1.5 hours)

8 EUR. A 300m elevated pathway through the forest canopy, rising to 21m height. The observation tower offers panoramic views. Unique in the Baltics

Anykščiai Narrow-Gauge Railway(1.5 hours)

6 EUR. A heritage railway through forest and countryside. One of the last narrow-gauge railways in Europe

Horse Museum(1 hour)

5 EUR. Open-air museum celebrating Lithuania's equestrian heritage. Horse riding available

Lunch at Mindaugo Dvaras(1 hour)

Country estate restaurant. Traditional Lithuanian feast. 12-18 EUR

Sapieha Park and Palace(1 hour)

A hidden baroque palace and park in the Antakalnis district. Recently restored gardens. Free

Belmonte market(1 hour)

Saturday flea market near Halės. Antiques, Soviet memorabilia, vinyl records. Free to browse

Lunch at Prie Katedros(1 hour)

Near the cathedral. Traditional Lithuanian set lunch. 8-12 EUR

Vingis Park walk(1.5 hours)

Vilnius's largest park. 162 hectares of forests, meadows, and the open-air stage where Lithuania declared independence through song. Free

Morning at MO Museum(1.5 hours)

8 EUR. Modern art museum designed by Daniel Libeskind. Lithuanian contemporary art from the 1950s onward. The building itself is a landmark

Farewell dinner at La Bohème(2 hours)

French-Lithuanian fine dining. Tasting menu ~60 EUR. Romantic candlelit cellar. A fitting farewell after three weeks