Lithuania’s cute capital has the texture of a supersized village. Enterprise past the fortresses and weathered chunks of metropolis wall and also you’ll discover loads of reminders of its tumultuous previous, whether or not it’s the Soviet-era structure or the quite a few historic websites – lots of which have solely opened as much as the general public lately, and which give a captivating perception into its darker durations.

In addition to a captivating previous city of convivial taverns and indie retailers, there’s hearty Lithuanian delicacies to be discovered and loads of quirky sights (artwork in an ex-prison, a village-sized “republic”). You may even spot a well-recognized backdrop from the TV present Chernobyl, elements of which have been filmed right here. There’s by no means been a greater time to go, both – Vilnius celebrated its 700th anniversary in 2023.

When you’re planning a go to to the town, right here’s all the pieces you want to know.

What to do

Drop by Cathedral Sq.

For some self-guided exploration, kick issues off in Katedros Aikste (Cathedral Sq.), the place you’ll discover the Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus – a former Pagan temple and the burial web site of Lithuania’s patron saint, Casimir. Feeling fortunate? Set into the bottom close to Vilnius Cathedral is the so-called Stebuklas (“miracle” in English) tile. It marks the endpoint of a human chain shaped on 23 August 1989, when two million folks throughout Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined fingers to kind the Baltic Method – the longest unbroken human chain in historical past – as an act of protest at Soviet occupation. Legend has it that when you stand on the tile, spin round 3 times clockwise, leap up and clap as soon as, your needs will come true.

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Study concerning the Soviet period

The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights – generally known as the “KGB museum”, because of the reality it’s within the Soviet secret police’s former HQ – is a harrowing however important glimpse into the bleaker elements of the town’s historical past.  It was additionally used as a setting for Chernobyl. Head upstairs to take a look at exhibitions regarding the anti-Soviet partisans, who deliberate their resistance efforts whereas dwelling within the forests surrounding the town, earlier than heading downstairs to the cells the place the KGB interrogated those that rebelled in opposition to Soviet rule. The cells you’ll see embrace a terrifying padded one used for interrogation, and several other comprise grisly equipment comparable to straitjackets and tiny platforms that prisoners have been compelled to face on. The darkest spot is the execution room, the place 1000’s of prisoners have been shot.

Spend the day in jail

Lukiskes Jail, which was used as a setting for Stranger Issues, opened in 1904 and closed in 2019. It housed a variety of inmates, together with these imprisoned throughout two world wars, the Soviet invasion and after Lithuania’s independence. It was opened to the general public in 2021 and now you can take guided excursions round extremely well-preserved passages – you’ll see hiding holes utilized by inmates, the graffiti they scrawled and among the gadgets they made away from prying eyes, together with a home made gun. The central courtyard is now used as a efficiency area, and you’ll get pleasure from a cocktail in a “cellblock bar”. There’s a packed calendar of artwork exhibitions too, courtesy of the artists who now hire out former cells as studio areas.

Try Užupis

Near the town centre, Užupis is a bohemian riverside neighbourhood which declared itself a republic in 1997. It’s house to artists, writers and musicians, with an ethos that’s summed up in a structure you possibly can learn on Paupio Road – the important thing ideas have been translated into dozens of languages and engraved onto metallic plaques. You’ll discover a handful of cafes and craft retailers right here, however the primary draw is the neighbourhood’s common quirkiness. Swing by the Užupis Border Management constructing for starters – it’s an data level and memento store, and you’ll even have your passport graced by an Užupis Republic stamp.

The place to remain

Vilnius has some beautiful boutique inns, together with the attractive (however expensive) Lodge Pacai, set in a Baroque palace within the previous city, and with a spa, hammam and shiny marble interiors.

The Hilton Backyard Inn is a cool crash pad with a rooftop terrace and a slick inside. The design agency behind it has given varied nods to the nation’s previous, together with a hearth formed like a Pagan altar (Lithuania was the final Pagan nation in Europe, lastly accepting Catholicism within the 14th century).

The place to eat

For conventional Lithuanian delicacies, it’s acquired to be the previous city. Surprisingly, it not often will get crowded, and there are some implausible eating places right here. You’ll discover Restaurant Lokys tucked right into a medieval service provider’s home, specialising in so-called “hunters’ dishes” – suppose venison roasts, wild boar and beaver meat stew.

Consuming on a price range? Vilnius is legendary for its canteens – low-cost and cheerful eating places serving the identical dishes they served through the Soviet period. Strive Zilvino Restoranas, the place a bowl of scrumptious borscht (a beetroot soup standard in jap Europe) will set you again €2.50.

For fashionable surrounds, attempt Paupys Market – an ethereal, fern-filled meals corridor the place you’ll discover all the pieces from Japanese delicacies to dishes from Lithuania’s neighbours. The Georgian bites at Chacapuri Bistro are extremely really helpful – order the Georgian cheese bread garnished with an egg yolk.

The place to drink

Outdated city hangout Nick and Nora is a tiny cocktail bar well-known for its use of native elements. Strive the quince negroni, made with Lithuanian quince, or the penicillin highball, which makes use of the sweetness of Lithuanian honey to offset the heaviness of smoked bacon schnapps. Pub-lined Vilnius Road, within the metropolis centre, is the primary nightlife drag.

The place to buy

The large G9 procuring centre on Gediminas Avenue is the place you’ll discover excessive avenue manufacturers comparable to H&M, however our favorite retail-therapy spot is the previous city, which has a number of implausible boutiques. Terra Recognita has stunning jewelry and sculptures made by Lithuanian artist Saulius Vaitiekunas. A lot of his items incorporate stones fished out of the Baltic Sea.

Baltic amber, shaped from pine resin which has spent hundreds of thousands of years at sea being washed ashore, is named “Lithuanian gold” right here, and also you’ll see it in all places, often integrated into stunning items of jewelry. For the highest quality stuff, head to Gintraka (Ausros Vartu 13).

Nuts and bolts

What forex do I want?

Euros.

What language do they converse?

Lithuanian, though English is broadly spoken.

Ought to I tip?

Round 10 per cent is normal.

What’s the time distinction?

GMT+2.

How ought to I get round?

Vilnius is a walkable metropolis, however there are trams and buses to hop on, too. Vilniecio kortele is Vilnius’s model of the Oyster card. A Vilniecio kortele will value €1.50, and you’ll then load it up for sure time durations, which vary from 30-minute tickets (€0.65) to three-day ones (€8).

What’s the perfect view?

Summit the Hill of Three Crosses and also you’ll be rewarded with views of the previous city, the Fifteenth-century Bernardine Backyard and the town’s serpentine river. The hill’s three crosses have been erected in honour of Franciscan friars who died as martyrs within the 14th century when pagans tied them to crosses and threw them down the hill.

Insider tip?

Vilnius College is an explosion of Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque structure, however don’t simply admire it from the perimeter. On the finish of a hall within the college’s Lithuanian Philology Centre is a frescoed corridor painted by well-known Lithuanian artist Petras Repsys in 1986. The Dali-esque The Seasons of the Yr fresco covers the partitions and ceilings of a number of interconnected rooms and depicts scenes from Lithuanian mythology.

Getting there

There are direct flights to Vilnius from London Luton (Ryanair and Wizz Air), Stansted (Ryanair) or Metropolis airport (Lot).