Vilnius, Lithuania’s vibrant capital, is packed with history, quirky neighbourhoods, and unique culinary experiences. Here’s a streamlined guide to the top 10 places you shouldn’t miss, with practical tips and a dash of local flavour.

Old Town Free Walking Tour

Start your Vilnius adventure with a free walking tour of the Old Town. Tours depart daily at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm from Cathedral Square. You can book online or just show up, and the tour is “pay what you feel”—most people tip €5–10 per person. In 2.5 hours, you’ll get a great overview of Vilnius’s history, architecture, and hidden corners, plus recommendations on where to eat and what to see next.

I love the walking tours, you’ll get all the important information and insider tips delivered efficiently, leaving you plenty of time to explore the other parts of your holiday that truly excite you.

Our tour also took us to the Presidential Palace in Vilnius, located on Daukanto Square in the heart of Old Town, which is the official residence and workplace of Lithuania’s president. Visitors can stroll around the palace grounds and admire the grand façade. Three national flags fly in front of the building, and when the president is in Vilnius, a special presidential flag bearing the coat of arms is hoisted above the palace. On Sundays at noon, a ceremonial flag-raising takes place, accompanied by soldiers in both modern and medieval uniforms—a colourful reminder of Lithuania’s long history.

Book online

2. Gediminas Castle Tower & Funicular

No trip to Vilnius is complete without a visit to Gediminas Castle Tower, the city’s iconic red-brick fortress. Ride the funicular up for €1 or take the scenic cobblestone path. The panoramic views from the top are unbeatable, spanning the Old Town, the Neris River, and even the contrasting Soviet-era districts.

3. Try Cheese Ice Cream at Dziugss Cheese

Yes, cheese ice cream is a thing in Vilnius! Džiugas Cheese combines their signature hard cheese with cranberries for a sweet-salty treat that’s surprisingly delicious. It’s a popular stop—don’t be shy about asking for a sample

When I travel overseas, I really have to try everything that we don’t have at home, and this was a must. Don’t be alarmed; it tastes like a raspberry ripple with grated cheese. The staff can tell what you’re after the moment you step in the door because it’s that popular. If you’re still not convinced, check out their TripAdvisor reviews.

Watch our honest reaction to Cheese Ice Cream!

4. Užupis – The Republic Inside Vilnius

Cross the picturesque Vilnelė River and you’ll find yourself in Užupis, Vilnius’s famously bohemian enclave and one of Europe’s quirkiest “micronations.” Užupis, which fittingly means “beyond the river,” is a self-declared republic that has become a symbol of artistic freedom and creative expression in Lithuania’s capital.

What makes Užupis truly unique is its playful sense of independence. Established by local artists on April 1st, 1997 (yes, April Fool’s Day!), Užupis boasts its own president, cabinet of ministers, a whimsical constitution (displayed on mirrored plaques in multiple languages), a flag that changes with the seasons, and even a tiny army and police force. The republic issues its own currency and, for an extra bit of fun, visitors can have their passport stamped at the Užupis Information Centre during opening hours—a favourite souvenir for travellers.

The neighborhood itself is a vibrant blend of cobbled streets, colorful street art, quirky sculptures (look out for the famous Užupis Angel and the bronze mermaid), and independent galleries.

5. KGB - Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights

The Soviet Union captured Lithuania in June 1940 and annexed it by August. Following the German invasion of Lithuania in 1941, the Germans took over possession of Lithuania. After the Battle of Memel ended on January 28, 1945, Soviet soldiers reoccupied Lithuania in the summer of 1944.

Years later Lithuania declared its pre-war independence in 1990, and the newly elected parliament declared that Lithuania was once again an independent state. The people of Lithuania suffered immensely during the occupations, and the KGB museum has presented a vivid image of their lives, tragedies, and how the building was used over time. The basement houses the KGB prison, while the first and second levels include exhibitions detailing the years of occupation.

The museum puts our daily lives into perspective, and it’s hard not to be moved by the loss of innocent life, especially when you consider how the same tactics are being used against them in Ukraine right now.

Located in the former KGB headquarters, this museum offers a sobering look at Lithuania’s Soviet and Nazi occupations. Exhibits include the resistance movement, the chilling basement prison, and stories of Lithuania’s struggle for freedom. Entry is €4, and it’s open from Wednesday to Sunday

6. The Best Meal In Town – Etno Dvaras

When locals recommend a place, you know it’s worth trying—and Etno Dvaras comes highly praised, even by the Culinary Heritage Fund. Located in the heart of Vilnius Old Town, this cosy restaurant specializes in authentic Lithuanian cuisine that’s both satisfying and reasonably priced.

Their signature dish, didžkukuliai, are large potato dumplings stuffed with meat and served with sour cream and crispy bacon bits—a perfect starter to warm you up. For mains, the classic Chicken Kiev and tender Ham Hock are popular choices, delivering rich, traditional flavours. Don’t miss finishing your meal with their homemade doughnuts, a sweet treat that locals rave about.

The atmosphere is inviting, with rustic décor and friendly service, making it a favourite spot for both locals and visitors looking to experience genuine Lithuanian flavours in a relaxed setting.

7. Hales Market

Hales Market is the place for fresh produce, clothes and cafes. The place is brimming with abundant fresh fruit, I’ve never seen so many strawberries in one place and very reasonably priced. If you want to stock up on snacks, fruits, veggies and meats, head here. We didn’t cook much while we visited, as we wanted to experience traditional dishes however, we did purchase salami sticks, halva made from nuts and seeds and many sweet treats. My favourites, labelled Paklava and Skaunus, meaning devious, are made with dried fruit and nuts and probably a lot of sugar and like the Turkish Lokum. If you like red liquorice, you’re sure to love these.

8. The Money Museum

This free museum chronicles the history of money in Lithuania and around the world, featuring fascinating coin and note collections. The Euro coin display is a highlight, showing designs from every EU country.

They have countless drawers filled with notes from all around the world. I enjoyed the Euro coin section the most, seeing the individual designs from each European country.

9. Girta Bite

Girta Bite is a tiny bar in the heart of Vilnius and offers outside seating. It specilises in local spirits with a tasting deal of 3 drinks costing just €10.

Girta Bitė is especially known for its selection of Lithuanian mead (locally called midus), an ancient alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey. Mead comes in a variety of styles here, from light and fruity to rich and sweet, and the knowledgeable staff can guide you through the different options, or dive straight in like we did. Many of the drinks are honey-based and naturally gluten-free!

You can also find honey whiskey and local craft beers on the menu. Sampling mead at Girta Bitė is a great way to experience a traditional Lithuanian drink that dates back centuries, long before beer or wine became popular in the region

It’s a little pricy on the snacks, but it’s an excellent place to try the local drinks.

Visit the Shooting Range

I convinced my nearly 70 year old mum to accompany my to the Saudykla shooting range. Although the ex-police instructor spoke little English, we managed with lots of pointing. We booked online to secure spots, which I recommend due to the language barrier.

For €35, we got the ‘standard kit’: 8 rounds with a Makarov pistol, 10 rounds with a Saiga 410K-02 shotgun, and 12 rounds with a Glock 17 pistol.

All in all, it was a blast—literally and figuratively. My mum may not be signing up for the next action movie, but she left with a grin (and a story to tell her friends back home).

If you’re up for a unique experience and don’t mind a few detours, the shooting range is definitely worth a shot! You also get to take home your paper target as proof of just how sharp—or not—your shooting skills really are!

Honourable Mentions

The Amber Museum

Although we never went because we’d seen enough amber by the time we’d wandered the streets of Lithuania for 5 days, it comes highly recommended by tour guides. Lithuania is well-renowned for its amber; after thousands of years at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, these bits of resin have transformed into amber, also known as Lithuania’s gold.

Although amber occurs in a variety of colours, the yellow/orange tones are by far the most common, accounting for two-thirds of all amber discovered worldwide. My favourite is the black amber, which is combined with the remnants of the tree from which it originated or it can be produced entirely of carbonised coal, also known as jet.

St. John’s Church Bell Tower

Climb the tallest building in Vilnius Old Town—St. John’s Church Bell Tower at Vilnius University. For €5, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views in the city, especially from May to October.

Bakeries and Sweet Treats

The coffee is strong and English tea is hard to find
Absolutely try the cannolis and other desserts visit a bakery and buy them all!
The lazy cake is called that as it made with few ingredients and is like a rocky road without marshmallows
Apple cheese is not cheese it dried apples and perhaps other fruits for a recipe twist.