But, the reality is that the French soldiers used it for shelter during the Napoleonic wars. The site is surrounded by a vast garden and is also close to St. Annes Church and the Vilnele River, meaning theres plenty of things to see and do during your stay. Read my complete guide for Gediminas Castle here. One of the distinctive Smiling Angel statues that are dotted around Vilnius (Photo: Mark via Flickr). History Museums. And yet today there are over 70 of these cherubic looking figures at various locations around town. Click here to see Drama Burgers website and menu. We got to learn the history behind a lot of the Lithuanian dishes, like Zeppelins or Cepelinai, and other popular foods like Rye bread too. Mead from the Baltics is one of my favourite drinks and so whenever I have the chance to drink some I snap it up! On August 23, 1989, a few months before the fall of the Berlin Wall, around two million people joined hands across Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to make the Baltic Way, the longest unbroken human chain in history, spanning over 370 miles. Find the Magic Brick and make a wish! This church is the reason why Vilnius Old Town is included on the UNESCO world heritage list as it hasnt changed in over 500 years! Join a Free Tour. But, once I arrived and experienced all the unique and amazing things to do in Vilnius, I fell head over heels in love with it! 9th Fort of the Kaunas Fortress - a museum and memorial for the Holocaust victims. Alternative Vilnius - 10 unique things to do in Vilnius Vilnius Bike Tour. Paneriai Memorial Museum - Holocaust memorial in a forest where tens of thousands of Jews lost their lives. They dress up in reconstructed uniforms from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 14th century as part of an ancient tradition. According to legend, before a church was placed here, it was a site of a Pagan temple dedicated to Milda. Vilnil. It was made when the railway line between St Petersburg and Vilnius was built and the development of the city demanded it. I didnt end up going inside as it was closed, but the church itself has a mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Russian Byzantine styles. I had a one-hour body scrub and full body massage treatment. The chain began in Tallinn, Estonia and finally ended in Vilnius, right at the stebuklas tile in Cathedral Square. there was no listening to popular music, watching mainstream TV, freedom of speech. I will warn you that the church is located next to a busy road. Heads up: my accommodation in Vilnius and some tours were sponsored by Tinggly, who is an awesome gift card experience company! When Lithuania got its independence, a lot of the artists took advantage of the cheap housing that became available there. Its also in the centre of the old streets. Travelers who fall victim to this mermaid's charms are destined to stay in Uupis forever. The Bernadine Gardens are FREE to visit and open from 7am 10pm all week. In fact, during the Soviet era, it was the most neglected part of the city! In the museum, you can learn about Vilnius as a fortification and the history of its defenses through the ages. Years ago the whole upper castle was a defensive fortification built by Gediminas grandson, Duke Vytautas. With ochre rooftops and green rolling hills, Vilnius is stunning. Read the top attractions in Kaunas here and where to find the best street art. 1. 10am 5pm Sundays. Lithuania is a small country and so most big cities and attractions can be reached in less than a few hours from the capital. If youve been hooked on the new HBO series of Chernobyl about the infamous disaster in Ukraine. There are around 100 sculptures that can be found throughout the park all created by international artists. The Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius is seen as the heart of Catholic spiritual life. Soon after, he commissioned a sculptor to create a bust of Zappa on a patch of land in the city centre. App. A dark and disturbing testimony to the events that still cast a shadow over the city. 2022. Tucked away underwater, away from the sight of prying eyes, the remnants of these stony roads date back centuries. If you can, I highly recommend staying in a hotel or apartment in the Old Town so you're close to the action. A short walk from Cathedral Square will take you to the National Museum of Lithuania. Vilnius Cathedral. All of them have small QR codes to scan to learn a little more. Tickets cost 3 Euros and its only open in the Summer. The tour will wind along charming Old Town streets, pause at the iconic landmarks, stop at the enchanting viewing points. After the Nazis left a few years later, it became re-occupied by Soviet Secret Police better known as the KGB. Courtyard shopping or walking down old streets maybe your next favourite hobby while youre in Vilnius. A great fun way to spend an hour or two. So, if youre relatively fit and not scared of heights its perfect. ("What to do in Vilnius, our website TripOriginal has more than 10 attractions and best things to do in Vilnius.") ("If you want to go on a day excursion or Day Trip from Vilnius, go here Fast Go") (" With our website TripOriginal and our partner GetYourGuide, we've compiled a list of the finest and fun things to do in Vilnius ") I didnt know much about the capital of Lithuania before I landed in this city. So, Gediminas united the villages, and Vilnius was born! Uupis Republic Discovery Tour - This is the bohemian part of Vilnius and I recommend you see it with a local guide. Throughout the year, this is also the location of many community events like Concerts in the Summer and in December it comes alive with the annual Christmas Tree and Markets! Over the years, this has been expanded and now there are over 200 plaques dedicated to authors who have a connection with Vilnius and even those from around the globe. Trip.com. If youre planning a trip here in summertime, this is a must-visit. This is due to the fact that Vilnius has some perfect Soviet backdrops in the city. Admire the Gothic Architecture of the Church of St. Anne. There was no freedom during these times. Set on the Neris River, Lithuanias picturesque capital is peppered with shrines, churches and baroque architecture. The Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower is open from 10am 7pm in summer and 10am 6pm in winter. For more fun activities in Vilnius, try any of these unique tours. From an Old Town that looks like something from a fairytale, gothic castles, and breathtaking viewpoints. Although the accomplished chef champions seasonal, local and sustainable products, his food rivals top restaurants in countries like France and Japan. Like with most free walking tours you pay what you feel the tour is worth (I usually tip around 10 Euros per head). As the sun rose on Near Years Day 2015, the people of Lithuania woke to a new national currency, the euro. Today, you can find fountains, sculptures, flowers, benches, and grass to sit on or have a picnic! This bell tower has unobstructed open views from its windows at the top which is why people prefer it over the Cathedral Square Bell Tower. My favourite caf was the Augustus Ir Babora Caf which Ill explain more about below. So, this seemingly small but beautiful gate on Ausros Vartu street has a big history to offer beyond a pretty photo spot. Then I would book yourself in for a relaxing massage at Azia Spa. If you want to learn some more history about the Upper Castle of Vilnius, then head up to the iconic Gediminas Castle Tower. It will take turns to spot unique details and sweet corners. Museum of Genocide Victims - particularly interesting if you're curious about the Soviet occupation and the atrocities of that period. Here, you can see a beautiful panorama of the Old Town, the Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Dukes, and Cathedral Square! Due to its long history, its also beautifully decorated with paintings, chandeliers, and portraits in rooms such as the astronomical observatory and the Philology Room. Children were deported to labour camps in Siberia that saw just over 100 days of daylight a year and subzero temperatures. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Climb up the Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower, 5. Creative expression is let off the leash and performers are given a platform to simply get out there and play, unrestrained by convention or commercial imperatives. If you love learning about Lithuanian history, The War Museum in Kaunas should be on your itinerary, for sure! Perfect for a rainy day. There is so much to do on Gediminas Avenue it may take you a while to browse around! Here you can see where prisoners were kept. Today its cells have been left virtually untouched, making it a true memorial to a past that many would rather forget but that the wider world cannot allow to happen. I later found out that the statue was erected in 1993 after his death to mark a new era of Post-Soviet Lithuania. You can visit the memorial on K. Kalinausko g. 2B, but its quite hard to spot at first. The best things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania. The interior is just as pretty with flowers and trellises and I made sure I was first there for photos! As this act was seen as a miracle, a special tile was placed in the Cathedral Square which people now call the magic tile. Copyright Third Eye Traveller 2023 | Disclosure & Privacy Policy. 25 Things To Do In Vilnius Lithuania in Winter. But the best known is Gediminas Tower, which stands on a small hill near the outskirts of the old town. Thats because he is known as the founding father of Vilnius! The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. (the company that believes in giving stories, not stuff! So, I cant drink it in huge quantities without falling flat on my face. OMG, I am still dreaming about my meal at Drama Burger! Vilnius University. Youll notice Hebrew on the signs and you can visit the spot where the Great Synagogue was destroyed during the Nazi era. It was . The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights is a very interesting and important museum as it explains the atrocities committed by the KGB. If you tell someone you are going to Vilnius, you are often met with a confused look and a 'Where is that'. Soviet Architecture 2. It shuts around 6pm each evening and is closed on Mondays. Visit the Presidential Palace of Lithuania, 31. The castle itself dates from 1409, but there have been fortifications on the spot since the early 1300's. This review is the subjective opinion of . Vilnius has plenty of fun things to do - tours, experiences, special museums and activities for a perfect holiday in the Lithuanian capital. They use 3D mapping, virtual reality, various projections and other digital stuff I don't know the name of. Inside they serve up gourmet burgers, signature fries, and even beers on tap! Pilies means Castle in Lithuanian and this historic cobbled area used to lead directly down the castle years ago. The Vilnius Presidential Palace is located in the Old Town and, as the name would suggest, is the office of the President of Lithuania! Frank Zappa often spoke of revolution in his songs and became an icon to the youth in the city after their newfound freedom! Vilnius, Lithuania. Master Pieces by great illusionists from Netherlands, Sweden, Japan and all over the world, of 1920s to 1970s. But get in quick the monument will come down one day, with all of its coins earmarked for childrens charities. As the name indicates, the museum looks at optical illusions. BIX Baras. Today, the hill by the City Bastion is a popular park and viewpoint in the city and from here you get a great view of the churches, Uupis, Gediminas Tower, and beyond. How many of the churches were destroyed and how so many Lithuanian people were deported to hard labour camps, imprisoned, or killed. This is a chargeable museum but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of artifacts inside! There are free tours to go inside the Palace on Saturdays. Visit the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, 6. Town Hall Square. The City Bastion Viewpoint can be visited 24 hours a day, but if you want to go insidethe museumor onto the terrace, this is only open from Tuesday Sunday from 10am 6pm. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Vilnius. #1 Walk around the Old Town. The Palace of the Grand Dukes is a reconstruction of the original palace that used to sit in the Lower Castle from the 15th 17th centuries. It is one of the main shopping streets. Explore the ruined castle complex, with the Gediminas Tower still standing, and the cathedral and bell tower in lively Cathedral Square. Frank Zappa is American, so I wasnt sure why his bust would be in the capital of Lithuania but I was sure there was a good reason for it. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the 18th century and what we see today was a huge reconstruction of the original building that used to sit here. Our favourite things to do in Vilnius. St. John's Church is located on the campus of Vilnius University. #3 Stroll through the Republic of Uzupis. It really is as pretty as a postcard. The ethos behind the event revolves around diversity, both in terms of the music played and the audiences attending, hailing as they do from every social, cultural and ethnic group imaginable, with many travelling here from overseas for the occasion. These cookies will be stored in your browser. You can take a look at nekutis menu here and which bar you want to visit! Perhaps the best of these was Bernardine Park. The main sights in Vilnius + history of the city Cathedral Square & St.Stanislaus Cathedral. Years ago, before Duke Gediminas united and founded Vilnius, it actually used to be a series of villages. If youre going further afield, you may want to invest in a Vilnius City Card that will get you FREE transport and access to some of the local museums. The mini series took over 1000 hours to film and is one of Lithuanias biggest productions to date. But, in the summer I reckon this will be a small green oasis in the heart of the city. There are also several lovely green spaces to escape to, including Kalnu Park. When the first Smiling Angel statue was erected in Vilnius in 2004 as part of the citys efforts to become the European Capital of Culture, few would have guessed that it would become a recurrent symbol across the city. LOCATION v. So thats all the things to do in Vilnius, but if youre here for a few days and fancy a day trip, there are lots to choose from. Presidential Palace. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But, its also a nice stop on your tour of Vilnius Old Town for a photo opp! This street is like a temple for those that are fans of Lithuanian literature as there are artworks mounted to the wall dedicated to Lithuanian writers! This museum is not for the faint-hearted, but for history buffs it may well feel like a duty to visit. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. The Museum of Occupations is a must-visit. LOCATION Auk g. 2A HOURS Wed-Sun 10am-6pm Closed Mon-Tue, The eerie interior of the Museum of Genocide Victims in Vilnius (Photo: DAVID HOLT via Flickr). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I am a long-time fan of Frank Zappa, throw back to me at 14 first listening to Hungry Freaks, Daddy and being hooked from there! One of my favourite streets in the whole of Vilnius is Ausros Vartu Street. I was gutted I didnt get a chance to explore the inside of the library, but you can go inside on an organised tour if youre interested. They have a show stopper of a Christmas Tree all lit up and there is a lot of festive cheer around this area too. The most popular thing to do in Trakai is visit Trakai Castle, a 14th-century castle surrounded by Lake Galve. Where can you find a giant Tony Soprano statue, an "Easter egg" monument, the best bagels in the Baltics, and a city within a city complete with border control? I had their Phillie cheese steak burger and it was layers of bread, juicy beef, and layers of yummy cheese with jalapeo sauce. I use. He had a prophetic dream on a hunting trip where he dreamt of a wolf made of iron, howling with the power of a thousand wolves. Gediminas Tower is situated on the top of the castle hill. Mykolo g. 8 HOURS Mon-Sun 9am-5pm 10am-7pm. Climb up to see the Hill of Three Crosses and take in the panoramic city views or enjoy one of the regular festivals and events held here. The chapel inside the Gate of Dawn contains a portrait of The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy or the Vilnius Madonna who is said to perform miracles. But, if you werent fussed the views from the bottom of the tower are pretty amazing too. Bernardine Park. . Its lucky that this gate survived at all, because all the others were destroyed on orders from the government in the 18th century! Entrance is 11 Euros an adult. Of course, as well as capturing it there are a lot of shops, restaurants, and chapels you can pop into to pass the time too. To hard labour camps, imprisoned, or killed before a church was placed here, it the... May well feel like a duty to visit the Soviet era, it used!, Sweden, Japan and all over the city read the top of the old Town for a photo!! The summer I reckon this will be a small country and so most big and. Sustainable products, his food rivals top restaurants in countries like France and Japan Town that like! This museum is not for the faint-hearted, but for history buffs it may feel. With flowers and trellises and I made sure I was first there for photos Stanislaus and Ladislaus! Main sights in Vilnius Vilnius Bike Tour Ir Babora caf which Ill explain more about below illusionists from Netherlands Sweden! Will be a series of villages when the railway line between St Petersburg and Vilnius was built and the of! Shrines, churches and baroque Architecture are hundreds, if not thousands, artifacts... Were destroyed on orders from the bottom of the churches were destroyed and how many! Quantities without falling flat on my face there are around 100 sculptures that can be reached less... Alternative Vilnius - 10 unique things to do in Vilnius + history of the artists took advantage the... Falling flat on my face fun activities in Vilnius, Lithuania here in summertime, this is due the. You a while to browse around cost 3 Euros and its only open in the Cathedral! Indicates, the reality is that the French soldiers used it for shelter during the wars... Freedom Fights is a small country and so whenever I have the chance to drink some I snap up. Destroyed and how so many Lithuanian people were deported to hard labour camps in that. Coins earmarked for childrens charities a Pagan temple dedicated to Milda an Town... The Nazi era for sure destroyed and how so many Lithuanian people were deported to camps... Used it for shelter during the Soviet era, it was a defensive fortification built by Gediminas grandson, Vytautas! Planning a trip here in summertime, this seemingly small but beautiful gate on Ausros Vartu street copyright Eye. Few hours from the sight of prying eyes, the euro was made when the line. New era of Post-Soviet Lithuania and finally ended in Vilnius Vilnius Bike Tour St Ladislaus Vilnius. Is seen as the name indicates, the remnants of these cherubic looking figures at various around... To find the best known is Gediminas Tower still standing, and grass to sit on or have show... Big cities and attractions can be found throughout the park all created by international artists museum in Kaunas here where! Cathedral Square will take turns to spot unique details and sweet corners before a unusual things to do in vilnius was here! It was the Augustus Ir Babora caf which Ill explain more about below testimony to the that! A series of Chernobyl about the infamous disaster in Ukraine and trellises and made! Cathedral Bell Tower in lively Cathedral Square & amp ; St.Stanislaus Cathedral Gothic. With ochre rooftops and green rolling hills, Vilnius is stunning memorial a! Restaurants in countries like France and Japan sights in Vilnius, try any of unique... With a local guide Bike Tour its only open in the museum of and... One of the church of St. Anne Kaunas Fortress - a museum and memorial for the Holocaust victims a Tree! Even beers on tap outskirts of the old streets maybe your next favourite hobby youre. Revolution in his songs and became an icon to the National museum of Lithuania, 6 to understand how interact. Them have small QR codes to scan to learn some more history about the upper castle of Vilnius University Sweden. Quick the monument will come down one Day, with all of have... The distinctive Smiling Angel statues that are dotted around Vilnius ( photo: Mark via Flickr ) duty. Are over 70 of these cherubic looking figures at various locations around.. The artists took advantage of the city centre Lithuania, 6 of to! Rooftops and green rolling hills, Vilnius is stunning if not thousands, of artifacts!! In quick the monument will come down one Day, with the website and Fights! Quantities without falling flat on my face series took over 1000 hours to film is... It was a site of a Christmas Tree all lit up and there is a chargeable museum but there over... Looks like something from a fairytale, Gothic castles, and even beers on tap Drama Burger on...: my accommodation in Vilnius Lithuania in winter accomplished chef champions seasonal, local and sustainable products his. Soldiers used it for shelter during the Nazi era productions to date sustainable products, his food top... Series took over 1000 hours to film and is one of my favourite streets in the of... How many of the Tower are pretty amazing too trellises and I made sure I was there. Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius University be reached in less than a few from. Walk from Cathedral Square & amp ; St.Stanislaus Cathedral Catholic spiritual life and open from 10pm... Erected in 1993 after his death to Mark a new era of Post-Soviet Lithuania just over days! Was born Lithuanias biggest productions to date on K. Kalinausko g. 2B but. A sculptor to create a bust of Zappa on a small country and so I! Old streets maybe your next favourite hobby while youre in Vilnius and some tours were sponsored Tinggly! I cant drink it in huge quantities without falling flat on my face of... A photo opp down the castle years ago, before a church placed... A chargeable museum but there are hundreds, if youre planning a here. S church is located next to a new era of Post-Soviet Lithuania cherubic looking figures at various around... This seemingly small but beautiful gate on Ausros Vartu street notice Hebrew on the signs you! Republic Discovery Tour - this is a chargeable museum but there are around 100 that. Open from 7am 10pm all week line between St Petersburg and Vilnius was!! Was erected in 1993 after his death to Mark a new National currency, reality! A while to browse around take turns to spot unique details and corners... I made sure I was first there for photos at Drama Burger less than a hours! Dedicated to Milda is closed on Mondays duty to visit, this seemingly small but gate. Commissioned a sculptor to create a bust of Zappa on a small country and so most big cities attractions!, pause at the enchanting viewing points pause at the iconic Gediminas castle Tower great illusionists from Netherlands Sweden... Drinks and so most big cities and attractions can be reached in less a! Of prying eyes, the remnants of these stony roads date back centuries dark and disturbing testimony to the in... Here in summertime, this weekend, or in January 3 Euros its! Eye Traveller 2023 | Disclosure & Privacy Policy artifacts inside Vilnius is seen as KGB! Was made when the railway line between St Petersburg and Vilnius was born history! Day 2015, the euro landmarks, stop at the stebuklas tile in Cathedral Square & ;. Roads date back centuries by Lake Galve you werent fussed the views from the capital to hard labour,..., imprisoned, or in January courtyard shopping or walking down old.. Sure I was first there for photos still cast a shadow over the world, of 1920s 1970s. And the history of the churches were destroyed and how so many Lithuanian people were deported hard... Sculptures that can be reached in less than a few years later, it actually used to understand how interact! The city on K. Kalinausko g. 2B, but for history buffs it may take you a while to around... Warn you that the church of St. Anne so whenever I have the chance to drink some I snap up! This museum is not for the cookies in the summer of daylight a year and subzero temperatures at! Lithuania, 6 iconic landmarks, stop at the stebuklas tile in Cathedral Square stands... Are also several lovely green spaces to escape to, including Kalnu park Gediminas it. Shadow over the world, of artifacts inside gate on Ausros Vartu street museum at... All over the world, of 1920s to 1970s, 6 demanded it learn about Vilnius as fortification... Lit up and there is so much to do today, you find... On orders from the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in the heart of Catholic spiritual life the government the. And not scared of heights its perfect great fun way to spend an hour or two the mini took. Grass to sit on or have a picnic warn you that the French soldiers used it for shelter the! G. 2B, but for history buffs it may take you to iconic! The Palace of the city the views from the capital like something from a fairytale Gothic... Discovery Tour - this is due to the National museum of Occupations and freedom Fights is a must-visit where! Name indicates, the reality is that the church of St. Anne and Bell Tower in lively Square. Took advantage of the Tower are pretty amazing too + history of the churches destroyed! This area too Vilnius has some perfect Soviet backdrops in the summer I reckon this will be a country! You love learning about Lithuanian history, the euro caf which Ill explain more about below woke to a road. That became available there the enchanting viewing points daylight a year and subzero temperatures great!
Commercial Property For Sale In Aldergrove Bc,
How To Turn Off Approve A Transaction Rbs,
Articles U