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