Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Vilnius?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Vilnius?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Vilnius, Lithuania? Most people spend one to four days in Vilnius during their visit. After all, the authentic city will let you learn about the history of the town, enjoy the evening activities, admire the wonderful scenery, and tour the famous sights and museums.
Vilnius is the capital city of Lithuania and its a small but charming capital that's filled with baroque architecture and a medieval old town. It offers visitors a glimpse at an authentic European city with beautiful squares and lively cafes.
Do you have one or two days to visit Vilnius? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Vilnius?
One day is usually not enough time to experience the authentic city of Vilnius, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to learn about the history of the town, enjoy the evening activities, admire the wonderful scenery, and tour the famous sights and museums. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around one to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
How to spend a day in Vilnius
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old town is filled with history, architecture, and churches. It's also where you'll find Vilnius University. At the heart of the area is Pilies Gatve (Castle Street), which has shopping, cafes, and restaurants.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Regular walking tour of Jewish Vilnius ($19)
- Regular walking tour of Soviet Vilnius ($20)
- Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Vilnius Old Town ($191)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The large student population is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene. You'll find most of the activity centered around three streets - Vilniaus, Islandijos and Vokiečių. These areas have a number of bars and clubs, and they draw the biggest crowds.
Public transit in Vilnius is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. Bus and trolleybuses are available.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Vilnius?
Vilnius isn't a particularly popular city for tourists, despite having some sights and attractions worth seeing. A weekend is probably not enough. You'd feel rushed to see the main attractions of Vilnius such as the great charming old town along with the terrific nightlife. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more than just a 2 day trip. Most travelers schedule one to four days to fully experience this city. Nevertheless, if a weekend is all you can spare, we have some suggestions for your weekend getaway to Vilnius below.
Vilnius, Lithuania
How to spend 2 days in Vilnius
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Vilnius will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. The city has fascinating museums relating to Soviet times. These include the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights and the Lithuanian Diaspora Art Museum. Other notable sights include the Three Crosses Monument and the St. Anne's and Bernardine Church Complex.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bike Tour of Vilnius Highlights "Iconic Landmarks & Hidden Gems" ($32)
- Vilnius to Riga Day Trip: The Hill of Crosses, Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle ($219)
- Full-Day Vilnius City Tour and Trakai Castle from Vilnius ($197)
Vilnius is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city is less frequented by tourists than many in Europe, but much of its beauty comes from the hidden charm and undiscovered atmosphere.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Regular walking tour of Jewish Vilnius ($19)
- Regular walking tour of Soviet Vilnius ($20)
- Private Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour ($71)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Vilnius, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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