Years ago, before Duke Gediminas united and founded Vilnius, it actually used to be a series of villages. So if you want a nice little introduction to Vilnius, this is your first stop. Within Vilnius, do not skip the KGB Museum or the quirky Republic of Uupis. Kaunas is often called Vilnius quirky brother and, as the second-largest city in Lithuania, its well worth checking out. During this period the building was used to house prisoners and to conduct executions and torture in its basement. Traditional Lithuanian dishes start on their menu at 7 8 Euros, so I would definitely make a booking if youre keen. 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! These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This viewpoint around the area is FREE but if you wanted to visit the terrace in the City Bastion museum this is chargeable. 2023 Atlas Obscura. It also has a resident mermaid and an angel who guards them all. The most famous mural that Vilnius is known for is the shotgun mural of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin called Make Everything Great Again by artists Dominykas ekauskas and Mindaugas Bonanu. They were originally set up by Bernadine Monks that were invited to Vilnius. Jack Lim. Every Sunday at 12 pm you can see a solemn flag hoisting ceremony, where soldiers of the Honour Guard Company of the Lithuanian Armed Forces dress up in Medieval attire. Just over a year later, Lithuania was granted independence in 1990. Surrounded by history it stands tall in a capital city Vilnius. Its one of the most popular attractions in Lithuania, so you really cant miss it! . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! Perhaps the best of these was Bernardine Park. Most to remember loved ones who passed away or to symbolise a body they could not bury. 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. 4. Perhaps the most unusual of sites in all of Lithuania, the Hill of Crosses in the north of the country is a must-see on any road . Vilnius old town is definitely worth to visit, one of the oldest old towns in Europe, mist be in everyones list! Learn About Vilnius Ghost Stories & Legends, Vilnius Lithuania Points of Interest | 7 Tourist Attractions, 7. The exhibits will take you on a journey of Lithuania from the prehistoric age to the present. Amber Museum-Gallery. 6. Made with red bricks, it is one of the finest examples of a Gothic building in Lithuania. Groups & meetings. 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. As the sun rose on Near Years Day 2015, the people of Lithuania woke to a new national currency, the euro. When you enter the cathedral, youll often find pilgrims falling to their knees in prayer. The Old Town is also 10 minutes away by foot. As a result, you can never quite be sure where youll see one but you can have plenty of fun guessing! There are also several lovely green spaces to escape to, including Kalnu Park. 41 places sorted by traveller favourites. You can buy the Vilnius City Card online and at several locations, and it comes as a 24-hour card or a 72-hour card with or without public transportation.? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 5. Its made light with honey, but its deceiving as its also really strong. 2022 is a great time to go sightseeing and visit the many attractions in Vilnius. Uutrakis Manor - restored 19th-century manor. 2. Ah, the effortlessly pretty pink church of St Casimir. 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! It was shocking and heartbreaking. A great fun way to spend an hour or two. It was one of the most successful warrior states at that time and used Vilnius as its capital. From different Vilnius attractions to visiting one of the many churches to going to the Trakai castle, to walking on the streets of the Old Town. ? So, its a pity that it is only open during the summer season. This museum highlights what life was like during the Nazi and Soviet eras. In England, our mead is served up like a wine. A cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface. 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. Gediminas Castle Tower. Click here to see Drama Burgers website and menu. The palace has a long and noble history and has stood here since the 14th century during the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. But, it has been taken down in 2019 with a pink mural that reads make compassion great again. Visit Vilnius Cathedral (Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus of Vilnius), 4. Appreciated for its ornate architecture and rich history, Vilnius is home to some of the world's most unique works of art dating back to the Gothic period during the 14th and 16th centuries. This will take you through the street art areas, Halle Market, and some of the vibrant streets of Vilnius New Town. For example, Lithuania is an agricultural country; lots of mushrooms, milk, and honey. Eventually, when Lithuania was granted its independence it was renamed Gediminas Avenue after the Grand Duke Gediminas who founded Vilnius. Making it the largest collection of Lithuanian historical and cultural heritage in the country. Gediminas Castle Tower. During my? I wasnt disappointed. The private museum, founded by Viktors and Dangole Butkus, has two exhibition halls - large and small. Make sure you have a look on the Vilnius Town Hall website for whats on while youre here. You can also download the Trafi App for times and directions. ("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 ") This was a state that was founded by Lithuanian people but formed unions with kingdoms like Poland, Prussia (Germany), and Austria. Today, it is the home to many government authorities in Vilnius but its also home to hundreds of retail outlets, restaurants, cafs, and the Museum of Occupations. Foreign supermarkets are always fun, but this was another level: from the fresh sushi counter, to the extensive salad bar, to the endless selection of salami, to the mind-blowing bakery . 2. You can see a concert, visit an art exhibition, literature events and much more! I later found out that the statue was erected in 1993 after his death to mark a new era of Post-Soviet Lithuania. Make sure you read my guide all about it below. In Uupis, you will find art galleries, coffee shops, cosy restaurants and small charming shops, where you can find unusual things from antiques to various works of art. But, through time, the building suffered major fires and had to be reconstructed. This micro-nation may be some sort of prank, but its constitution sure seems official. 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! Children were deported to labour camps in Siberia that saw just over 100 days of daylight a year and subzero temperatures. By Crazyguy14. Soon after, he commissioned a sculptor to create a bust of Zappa on a patch of land in the city centre. Visit the official website for visiting times and prices for Europos Park. I'm a UK-based solo female travel blogger. Reservations are recommended for large groups and at peak times. Exploring the area is one of the most fun things to do in Vilnius. It really is as pretty as a postcard. Save money and book directly from local suppliers. The Three Crosses Hill. Here are 10 of the best things to see and do during a visit. All rights reserved. This was shockingly even until the 1990s! Originally set up as a horse market in the 15th century, it then became a grain market in the 16th. Here are the best things to do in Lithuania: 1. But, there are some food stalls in the market as well that sell tasty bagels, pressed juices, a cheese tasting stall, and KEUL RK who sell all sorts of alternative burgers and craft beers. But, things really took off at the beginning of the 20th century and it became a huge food market in 1906. Share. Visit the streets of the Vilna Ghetto (Jewish Ghetto), 17. Here you can see where prisoners were kept. As for the choice of statue by the entrance Tony Soprano from the iconic TV drama The Sopranos be sure to ask one of the bar staff during your visit. St Johns Church is part of the university and definitely one of the top things to do in Vilnius if you're looking for a view. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. During my week here, I got to explore many cities and attractions outside of Vilnius and wrote helpful guides for each of them; Europos Park is a contemporary art museum founded in 1991 and set in nature. Vilnius Bike Tour. It is meant to introduce you to the city and make it feel as home. Not as romantic as all that! (the company that believes in giving stories, not stuff! Its an enlightening visit. Make sure you arrive hungry! Vilnius has plenty of fun things to do - tours, experiences, special museums and activities for a perfect holiday in the Lithuanian capital. Parents were separated from their children and sent away. Then I would book yourself in for a relaxing massage at Azia Spa. A short walk from Cathedral Square will take you to the National Museum of Lithuania. It's bell tower is one of the tallest structures in historic Old Town.Reach the top, and you'll be rewarded with unparalleled 360 views of Vilnius Old Town.The observation deck is so large, that there was even enough room to install an elevator! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Frank Zappa fan club erected this monument to their prog-rock hero to mark a new era of post-Soviet Lithuania. They say it all started with a vision, and a pilgrimage across the country to save the life of a farmer's daughter. It was included amongst the worlds most beautiful churches on Churchpop, alongside cathedrals in England and Italy. This museum . But, with traditional Lithuanian mead, you can drink it cold and by the pint; its absolutely delicious! Including a few tiles that look different from the rest. Perfect for those who don't enjoy the grueling climb. Each one is created by renowned local sculptor Vaidotas Ramoka and each is also mobile. The Cathedral Square with the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus is a must-see during a sightseeing tour in Vilnius. YouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video. And for real aficionados, Amber polishing demonstrations are available upon request. Unfortunately, I took way too long to find it before I realised that it was completely closed! If all that exploring has taken its toll, or youve booked in for a relaxing break in Vilnius. 19 Fun Things to Do in Vilnius on a Quick Trip. Cross over the Bridge of Uupis and find the Mermaid; 3. Explore the scary history of Vilnius. Click here to see all the tours provided by Vilnius with Locals! Surrounded by history it stands tall in a capital city Vilnius. Hill of Three Crosses. It does not store any personal data. Mead from the Baltics is one of my favourite drinks and so whenever I have the chance to drink some I snap it up! 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