2 to 3 Days in Vilnius Itinerary: Things To Do in Lithuania’s Capital

Are you planning a long weekend in Lithuania’s vibrant capital and looking for the ideal 2 to 3 days in Vilnius itinerary?

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has often been ignored when it comes to Baltic tourism. While it tends to be overshadowed by the medieval charms of Tallinn or the vibrant nightlife of Riga, Vilnius in itself is a bustling capital with an incredible history, beautiful baroque architecture, and many points of interest for visitors.

Though it doesn’t share a proximity to the Baltic coast, Vilnius is an incredible city that deserves to be explored!

How Many Days in Vilnius?

Before visiting Lithuania’s capital, many people may ask themselves how many days in Vilnius is enough to get the most out of the city. Well, Vilnius’ city centre is fairly compact and you can get a good feel for the city with only a short weekend in the city or about 2 days in Vilnius.

However, if you can spend 3 days, this is far preferable as you will be able use Vilnius as a base and take some day trips to the surrounding area.

Getting Around Vilnius

Vilnius actually has one of the largest old towns in all of Europe and most of the city’s points of interest for tourists lie either within or in easy reach of the historic centre. This means that most of Vilnius is largely accessible on foot.

If you want to visit some sites that aren’t within walking distance, then you will be pleased to hear that Vilnius has an extensive and efficient public transport system that consists of both buses and trams.

It is possible to purchase longer travel cards if you believe you will be making more than a few trips on public transport.

Taxi fares in Vilnius tend to be affordable, but it is worth knowing that it is not typical to hail a taxi off of the street in the city and if you do end up doing this, your fare will most likely be inflated. A much easier solution to this is to either use Uber, which is prevalent in Vilnius, or the Bolt app, particularly if going to or from Vilnius Airport.

2 to 3-Day Vilnius Itinerary

Day 1 – Old Town & Uzupis

The first day of this itinerary sees you mostly exploring the lovely UNESCO-listed Old Town. All of the attractions and activities on this day can easily be reached on foot, which is great to help you get the lay of the land and begin to explore this wonderful city.

Hales Turgus

Hales Turgus is the central market hall in Vilnius. While not nearly as vast as the Riga Central Market in neighbouring Latvia, Hales Turgus is a great place to browse if you want to check out some local Lithuanian produce, are curious about the cuisine, or just want to pick up some great fresh fruits and vegetables.

There are numerous stands in the covered hall selling everything from fresh sausages and seafood, delicious sour pickles, sweet Lithuanian honey, and fantastic Baltic pastries.

There are also a couple of trendy coffee shops and trendy fast food stalls in the market, so it is also a great place to start your day and grab a small bite to eat. It’s also worth making a short detour to the Gate of Dawn – a city gate built in the 1500s that has a chapel inside it.

Free Walking Tour of Old Town

After exploring the market, join a free walking tour with Vilnius with Locals. Their main tour leaves daily at 11:00am from just outside the Town Hall in Vilnius’ main square.

The tour lasts about 2.5 hours (with a short break halfway through) and will give you a great introduction to Vilnius and its history and interesting sites. Note that you do need to book the tour in advance if you’d like to go on it.

The tour takes you past all of the main sites in the Old Town including the Town Hall Square, the old Jewish Quarter, St Anne’s Church, and the bohemian neighbourhood of Uzupis before ending in Cathedral Square in front of the Vilnius Cathedral and the Lithuanian Presidential Palace.

Not only does a free walking tour give you a good “first look” at the city, it is also a great way to speak with a local and get some good recommendations and come up with ideas for what you might want to do with your remaining time in the city.

It is worth noting that, while the tour itself is free, the guides do work only for tips so it is good practice to tip the amount that you feel the tour is worth.

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat after the walking tour, consider Mason Gastropub for modern Lithuanian cuisine or Chačapuri for budget Georgian food!

Užupis

After the walking tour, take the time to head back to the cool and trendy neighbourhood of Uzupis. Located on the other side of the Vilnia River (that’s what Uzupis means!), this neighbourhood was at one time derelict and crime-ridden.

However, it became a haven for artists and creative types due to the cheap rent prices and low cost of living compared to the rest of the city and in 1997, they declared themselves an independent republic.

While this status is entirely ceremonial, the “Republic of Uzupis” mimics other independent republics within cities, most notably Christiania in Copenhagen. Though on a typical day there is no “border control,” they will stamp your passport as you cross the bridge on their independence day: the 1st of April.

They also have their own constitution which is displayed on plaques in numerous languages on Paupio Street. They release new plaques of the constitution in a different language each year and the flag of the country whose language has been printed is hanging in front of the building just opposite the constitution.

Take the time to read through the whole constitution because there are some amusing “rights” that have been stated here.

There are also numerous great restaurants and cool bars, cafes, and shops in Uzupis along with some of the city’s best street art.

Day 2 – Museums & Gardens

The second day of this itinerary sees you digging deeper and exploring the city further. Head to a museum or two and take some time to get lost in winding cobbled streets. Vilnius has a wonderful laid back atmosphere and today is the day to take advantage of it!

Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights

Formally called the Museum of Genocide Victims, a visit to the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights may not be the most uplifting of experiences, but it is still one of the best things to do in Vilnius, especially if you want to learn more about both the Soviet and Nazi occupations of Lithuania and the resistance movements.

The museum is a bit outside of the Old Town but is easily reached by bus or an inexpensive uber ride and entry costs €6 for an adult ticket and €3 for a student/concession ticket.

The museum is excellently curated and really puts into perspective the horrors that Lithuanians had to live through in the not so distant past. It also gives some horrible insight on the effect that the Nazi occupation had on the Jewish population of Vilnius, which was once one of the largest in Europe.

Housed in the former KGB headquarters, there is also a former Soviet jail in the basement of the museum where you can tour the cells and learn more about what being a prisoner during occupation would have been like.

It is not a happy museum to go to, but it is an incredibly important look into Lithuania’s troubled history. Expect to spend at least 1.5-2 hours here in order to see and learn everything. Travellers interested in Vilnius’ Soviet history should also consider joining a Soviet walking tour.

Bernardine Garden & Gediminas Tower

After a chilling morning at the museum, take the time to stroll through the picturesque Jewish Quarter, which was a former ghetto during the Nazi Occupation, and spend some time relaxing in the tranquil Bernardine Garden.

There are many lush, green spaces in Vilnius and if the weather is fine, many locals and tourists alike like spending time in them.

Bernardine Garden is also very close to the Bell Tower in Cathedral Square and the Gediminas Tower, both of which you can climb for fantastic panoramic views of the city.

This area is also home to the National Museum of Lithuania located in the Palace of the Grand Dukes. This museum focuses on Lithuanian history and culture and you’ll need at least 2 hours here if you want to explore many of the exhibitions and collections that it houses.

Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum

If you are curious to learn more about the Jewish population of Vilnius, then a visit to the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum is a great idea. The museum has a number of permanent exhibitions in place that will give a lot of insight into why Vilnius was once referred to as the “Jerusalem of the North.”

Before WWII, Vilnius has one of the largest Jewish populations in all of Europe and was also the capital of the Yiddish language (the language that was once commonly spoken by Ashkenazi Jews).

Almost the entirety of Lithuania’s once-strong Jewish population was wiped out during the Nazi Occupation and this museum does an excellent job of preserving the culture and traditions of Lithuanian Jews.

Although the museum might seem small from the outside, there are several exhibitions so allow at least 1.5 hours to see everything. For those wanting to learn more about Jewish history in Vilnius, consider taking this walking tour.

Day 3 – Trakai Day Trip

If you are only spending two days in the Lithuanian capital, then the first two days of this itinerary are going to be a perfect introduction to the city. However, if you have three days to spend in Vilnius, then the last day should be spent on a day trip exploring some of the Lithuanian countryside outside of the capital.

Trakai

The lakeside town of Trakai is one of the most popular day trips from Vilnius for both locals and tourists alike. Located only about 30 kilometres from the city centre, this charming area is a fantastic escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Trakai’s biggest selling point is the lovely Trakai Island Castle, a beautiful red brick medieval fortress situated on an island in the lake.

This attraction can get very busy during the summer months with eager day-trippers and tour groups keen to pretend they are in Game of Thrones, but it is still very much worth visiting as the scenery surrounding it and the castle itself is idyllic.

There are several nice lakeside restaurants and cafes around the town and there is also ample opportunity to hire a paddleboat or take a sailing trip on the lake. The water is also quite warm in the summertime and it’s a popular spot for swimming, so be sure to bring your bathers on a hot day!

Though the grounds and the perimeter of the castle are free of charge to visit, there is a €10-12 fee for entry for adults and €5-6 for students depending on the season if you want to have a look inside the castle.

It is possible to visit Trakai by taking a guided half-day tour or you can travel there independently.

Where to Stay in Vilnius

Hotel Rinno – Located close to Cathedral Square and Bernardine Garden in the Old Town, this boutique hotel is one of the top places to stay in Vilnius. They have a range of rooms on offer and also have breakfast included in the room rate.

Old Town Trio – If you’re looking for a great hotel located at the edge of Vilnius’ Old Town, then this is a great choice for you. They have stylish and modern rooms to choose from and there is even an option to include breakfast!

Jimmy Jumps House/Hostel – Located just off of the Town Hall Square, this small hostel with a lively atmosphere is the perfect place to stay if you’re travelling on a budget. They have both dorm and private rooms at affordable prices and also include breakfast in the room rate. They also organise social events in the evening.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Vilnius!

Vilnius is a lively city with a lot to offer travellers. With many interesting places to visit and things to do, spending 3 days in Vilnius will certainly be a great addition to any trip through the Baltic States!

Are you planning a trip to the city of Vilnius? Have you been? Let us know in the comments!