Are you thinking about visiting Vilnius, Lithuania? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Vilnius worth visiting?
Vilnius is worth visiting for one to four days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. We first visited in the spring 2011 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with the authentic old town. Vilnius is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including CNN's Places to Travel in 2023. 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.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Reasons to Visit Vilnius
Nightlife
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.
Historical Sights
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.
Museums
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.
Food
The food is hearty with plenty of meat and potatoes. There are also soups and herring dishes as well as great desserts. Popular dishes in the area include cepelinai (meat filled potato dumplings), kibinai (a pastry), and potato pancakes.
Shopping
For quaint shops, head to old town, particularly around Pilies Gatve. The city also has an open air market, Kalvarijų Turgus, that is popular on Saturdays. There are also a few shopping malls around town.
Authenticity
Vilnius has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Vilnius worth visiting in the Summer?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 18°C (65°F).
The peak season for travel is summer in Vilnius, so expect to see more tourists than usual. Even though this destination is not very touristy, in the high season it's busier than usual because this is when most visitors come here.
This is a great time of year to wander through the museums, admire the historic sights, and take advantage of the local nightlife.
Summer Weather in Vilnius
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 18°C (65°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| August | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| September | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
Is Vilnius worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Vilnius. This destination is not very touristy, and in the shoulder season it can become fairly quiet.
The weather in Vilnius can be quite cold during autumn, and averages around 8°C (46°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, browse around the old town, and browse through museums.
Autumn Weather in Vilnius
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| November | 2°C (36°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| December | -2°C (29°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Vilnius worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Vilnius. This destination is not very touristy, so in the low season it can become fairly quiet.
The weather in Vilnius can be quite cold during winter, and averages around -5°C (23°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the historic old town. Also, you'll be able to grab some drinks at a bar.
Winter Weather in Vilnius
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | -5°C (23°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| February | -4°C (26°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| March | 1°C (33°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
Is Vilnius worth visiting in the Spring?
The weather in Vilnius can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 7°C (45°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Vilnius, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is not very touristy, and in the shoulder season it can become fairly quiet.
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, browse the museums, and admire the wonderful scenery. Also, you can experience the historic old town and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Vilnius
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 7°C (45°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| June | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Vilnius
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
Not As Romantic
For couples, this destination does not have a great vibe for romance compared to other places.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Vilnius might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Vilnius here or see if Vilnius is expensive here.
Related
What is Vilnius most famous for?
Vilnius is most famous for its authentic old town and long running history. The city is very popular for its nightlife and historical sights. It's also known for museums, food, and shopping. It is often described as undiscovered, authentic, historic, religious, and surprising.
What is the most famous sight in Vilnius?
The most popular sight in Vilnius is Gediminas Castle Tower. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Vilnius on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Gediminas Castle Tower and other attractions here.
How touristy is Vilnius? Is it a popular city to visit?
Vilnius is an off-the-beaten-path city that many travelers overlook. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Tour out of Paneriai holocaust park, Trakai, Kaunas: $239
- Vilnius Old Town and Užupis Republic - Private Walking Tour: $103
- Explore Old Town and Uzupis Guided Walking Tour: $76
- Private Tour of Trakai from Vilnius: $141
- Soviet Times in Vilnius - Private Walking Tour with Lunch: $103
- Small-Group Vilnius Half Day City Tour: $136
- Day tour out of Paneriai holocaust park,Trakai castle, medieval Kernave: $206
- Regular Walking Tour of Vilnius Old Town: $20
How long should I spend in Vilnius?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Vilnius is one to four days. Since Vilnius has activities such as nightlife and historical sights, many visit for up to four days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Vilnius? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Vilnius?.
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