10 Great Things to do in Vilnius

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Vilnius: The Forgotten City of the Baltics

People have been exploring Riga and Tallinn for a while now, but many have not chosen to make the journey to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. And they should! With a small city center, this city is easily discovered in a few days. And there are plenty of things to see and do for everyone. So here are some reasons why you should check out Vilnius.

Church of St. Anne

10. St. Peter and St. Paul Church: this beautiful church is worth the walk from the city center. With beautiful marbled and carved interiors, this is wort the trip to admire the beautiful craftsmanship. It was once a former monetary, so the location, and the church, are of great important to the Lithuanian religious culture.

9. Bernardinai Gardens: these public gardens in the city center is a great way to escape the busy city life. Vilnius is surprisingly a busy city, and although there are plenty of beautiful buildings in the city center, there are not many parks. Luckily these gardens are huge, with so many different paths, and it covers nine hectares.

8. Church of St. Anne: built out of brick in the 16th Century, this gothic church is not to be missed. The inside is a beautiful, simple design that showcases the beauty of brick. And don't miss the adjacent church that is practically touching its side.

Old Town

7. Gate of Dawn: this beautiful gate with a chapel above it is considered to be one of the most important religious monuments in Vilnius. Built in the 16th Century as part of the city's defense system, the religious artifacts in the chapel have become the symbol of the city. It is so famous that even Pope John Paul II came to say the Rosary there.

6. Vilnius Old Town: considered to be one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Northern Europe, Old Town is a treat for the eyes. With beautiful and colorful houses and buildings along the way, and cobblestone streets, the Old Town is actually quite large. So bring your walking shoes!

Museum of Genocide Victims

5. The Green House: this museum explains the history of the Jews in Vilnius as well as the Holocaust. A bit tucked away and hard to find, the Green House is worth it because it aims to set history straight and warn against the horrors of genocide.

4. Museum of Genocide Victims: this museum is a very important one to visit. Although you would expect it to be about the Holocaust, this museum tells the story of all Lithuanians who were targeted by the Nazis and the Soviets, and deported to camps. It also is above the basement of the KGB Museum, which was once a prison for suspected people and used for tortures and execution.

Old Town

3. Vilnius Cathedral: built in the neoclassical style, this cathedral in the city center is a unique beauty. With the coronations of the Dukes of Lithuanian taking place here, this cathedral is one of the most important in the city. And one of the most beautiful.

2. Three Crosses: on top of the hill stands the monument honoring the friars who were beheaded at that location. Three crosses were placed and overlook the city. You can climb up the hill to visit these crosses and admire the view of the city from a great vantage point!

1. Gediminas' Tower: this tower is what remains from the Vilnius Castle and dates back as early as the 15th Century. But what makes this tower so great is that you can climb to the top of this tower on a hill for a great view of the city.

Gediminas' Tower