Image: View of Old Town Vilnius from Gerdiminas Castle.
Highlights
– Vilnius is promoted by the city as the G-spot of Europe, meaning you may not know where it is but once you are there, expect to have an amazing time. It is one of many highly underrated cities in Europe.
Time of Visit: July 2025
Duration of Visit: Three Nights
Description
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania. It is a charming and underrated European gem with a rich tapestry of history, art, and culture. Spending two days here offers the perfect opportunity to soak in the character of its UNESCO-listed Old Town, one of the largest and best-preserved in Europe.
Visitors can wander its cobblestone streets, marvel at Baroque and Gothic churches like St. Anne’s and the Vilnius Cathedral, and relax in cozy cafes and restaurants that line the streets.. The cityscape is a colorful blend of pastel buildings, red-tiled roofs, and grand church domes, all nestled in a setting that feels both intimate and vibrant.
Activities
Old Town Vilnius is marketed by the city as the G-Spot of Europe implying that nobody knows where it is, but once found, you will have an amazing time. Indeed, Old Town Vilnius can compete with some well known European cities. Being an obscure but beautiful destination, Vilnius brings a level of experience that well known and overcrowded tourist places are unable to provide. And that is a more relaxed and unhurried pace. The experience then becomes more enjoyable. Here, you do not have to compete with anybody to take a photo or wait long to be seated in a bar or restaurant.
Drinking, Eating and People Watching
As a matter of fact, this is what most visitors do in Vilnius, especially in the afternoon. People watching while enjoying a snack, meal and/or drink is a common thing here – pretty much a ritual. There is no shortage of cafes and restaurants that set-up chairs and tables on the cobbled street to sweeten the experience. Add tasty food and a variety of drinks to choose from and you may not want to leave. Plus the prices are more down to earth compared to those famous tourist places.
Colorful Buildings and Old Churches
So what is there to see in Old Town Vilnius? Besides drinking, eating and people watching, Vilnius has no shortage of colorful buildings and many old churches. There are 28 churches densely packed in a small area. The churches were built in different times throughout the city’s history. Most churches are Catholic but there are Orthodox churches too.
The Catholic churches are mainly built in Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles. Notable Catholic churches include the Vilnius Cathedral, St. Anne’s Church and Church of St. Casimir while St. Nicholas represents one of the few Orthodox churches within the city.
History
For a deeper and more meaningful experience, dig into Vilnius history by joining a free tour organized by locals. We just typed “Free Walking Tours” in Google Maps and Yellow Vilnius Free Walking Tour popped up on the map which was closest to where we were staying. Our tour started at the Town Hall Square.
Some of the information that got stuck in our heads are:
- Vilnius was founded more than 700 years ago.
- Some streets have German names because in its early years, the city attracted German merchants to boost its economy.
- Some streets have Hebrew translations because as much as 43% of the population before WW II were Jews.
- As much as 25% of the population was killed during World War II.
- Most of the buildings in Old Town Vilnius were rebuilt after World War II because of indiscriminate bombing.
Discover Its Quirky Side
Uzupio and the Wall of Artists are probably the two quirkiest places in Vilnius.
The bohemian district of Uzupio is a thriving art community is a self-declared republic filled with street art, galleries, and playful philosophies about life and freedom. While in Uzupio, you can get your passport stamped at the Border Control bar (as a souvenir) and get your photo taken on the swing under the bridge. Uzupio even has its own currency and constitution which is translated in other languages that are prominently mounted on street walls.
Speaking of walls, it may be hard to find but the Artist Wall exists. Here you will find many displays mounted on a wall that give tribute to artists and writers that have connections to Lithuania. One particular display that caught our attention is a set of dentures. Our guide said that it is a symbol to silence the art critics.
Castle
At the edge of the Old Town is Gediminas Castle Tower. Most of the castle is long gone but the tower has been rebuilt to provide a panoramic view of the city. The tower is built on top of a hill. There is a fee to enter the tower but it is free to roam around its base at the top of the hill. You can either take a funicular to the top of the hill (for a small fee) or take the short trail to it. The place gets busy in the late afternoon as the sun begins to set.
If you like castles, Trakai Island Castle is another destination. This castle is about two hours away from Old Town Vilnius. The castle sits on one of the 20 islands in scenic Lake Galvė. The castle is connected to the mainland by wooden footbridges, making it one of the most picturesque and iconic landmarks in Lithuania.
How To Get There
Vilnius has an international airport, code VNO.
On land Vilnius is reachable by bus and trains. We came from Riga, Latvia and took the Lux Bus company that has several scheduled departures throughout the day. The journey takes approximately four hours. Some Lux buses have relaxed seating where the seats are wider and the legrooms are longer compared to Flixbus.
Old Town is a short walk away from the Vilnius Central Bus Station. It took us approximately 15 minutes to walk from St. Casimir Church to the station. If you prefer not to walk, take a Bolt rideshare or local Bus 89 that goes to Old Town.
Where To Stay
Old Town Vilnius is not big. You can walk from one end to the other in about 20 minutes. We stayed in St. Casimir Apartments which is just beside St. Casimir Church. Its location is perfect as it is near the main square. It was a short 10 minute walk to the Vilnius Cathedral and near shops and restaurants.
How To Get Around
Bolt (rideshare similar to Uber) is a common way to get around Vilnius. Buses and trams also go to different parts of the city. You can use your credit card to pay for the fare. Just simply tap the card on the card reader.
Expected Expenses
Other than accommodation and dining out, most of the churches in Vilnius are free to enter. There are fees for additional church tours such as the crypt under the Vilnius Cathedral or to get up on a church’s bell tower (that we did not do).
Besides being underrated, Vilnius is a budget friendly destination.
Summary
Vilnius boldly branded itself as the “G-spot of Europe” with the cheeky tagline, “Nobody knows where it is, but when you find it—it’s amazing.” The campaign playfully addressed the city’s obscurity on the European travel map while highlighting how unexpectedly delightful and satisfying a visit can be. The city’s off-the-beaten-path charm, rich culture, and welcoming atmosphere make it a memorable destination for those who venture here.
International tourists are drawn to Vilnius not only for its beauty but also for its authenticity. It lacks the overwhelming crowds of Western European cities, allowing for more meaningful, unhurried exploration. With its mix of historical intrigue, artistic flair, and a light-hearted spirit, Vilnius leaves visitors feeling like they’ve discovered a secret worth sharing.