Exploring Vilnius: A Perfect Itinerary with Day Trips to Trakai and Kaunas
When I went to Vilnius, I barely did any research and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by Lithuania’s Capital City. For a capital, I’d say Vilnius is really quiet and has a beautiful charm about it. Since I didn’t have enough time to go around the country I based myself in Vilnius and did a few day trips from there. So if you are like me and want to maximise your time as much as possible, here’s what not to miss on a short trip to Lithuania:
Top Things To Do:
1. Vilnius Old Town
Vilnius Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised for its rich history and vibrant atmosphere. Here you can stroll around the cobblestone streets and admire the beautiful architecture.
What not to miss:
Vilnius Cathedral – a cathedral that stands on the site of a previous pagan temple, reflecting Lithuania’s transition from paganism to Christianity. Entrance is free.
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania – located next to the Cathedral Square, the palace once served as the residence of Lithuanian dukes. Entry costs €11,50.
St. Anne’s Church – a beautiful Gothic church built in the late 15th century. Allegedly Napoleon Bonaparte was so fascinated by it that he wanted to take it back with him to Paris. Entrance is free.
2. Gediminas Castle Tower
Located on top of Castle Hill, the Gediminas Castle Tower offers a stunning panoramic view over the city. Built in the 14th century, most of the castle was destroyed during the wars, but the tower survived and remains standing till this day.
To get to the tower you can either hike up the hill or take the funicular for a more relaxed trip.
The Tower is open daily from 10 am – 8 pm and tickets cost €6,00 and the funicular costs €2,00 for a round trip.
Tip: Go up the Castle Hill for sunset and admire Vilnius bathed in stunning colours.
3. Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights
The Museum is located next to the Old Town in the former KGB headquarters. It features personal items and stories from the freedom fighters and you can walk through the actual cells where political prisoners were held.
Tickets cost €6,00 and it’s open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 AM – 6 PM.
4. Day trip to Kaunas
Kaunas is the second largest city and a day trip from Vilnius is the perfect way to explore more of this beautiful country. Here are the top things to do to fill one day in Kaunas:
Visit the Kaunas Castle which dates back to the 14th century and provides a glimpse into the city’s medieval past. Entry costs €4,00
Take a stroll along Laisves Aleja, the main pedestrian street lined with shops, cafes, and vibrant street art.
Visit the unique Devil’s Museum which showcases a unique collection of devil-themed art and artefacts. Entry costs €8,00.
You can easily take the train from Vilnius to get to Kaunas. The trip takes about 1:30 hours and a round-trip ticket costs €16,00.
5. Day trip to Trakai
You have to make time to go to Trakai to visit the beautiful Trakai Castle. The castle sits on an island in Lake Galve, making it one of the few island castles in Eastern Europe. The castle houses a museum that displays artefacts and exhibitions about Lithuania’s medieval history.
Tickets cost €10,00 and you can either book them online or just purchase them at the entrance.
Make sure you also take a stroll around the Trakai Historical National Park, the park that surrounds the castle.
Depending on how much time you have you can either spend a full day or just half a day here.
To get to Trakai from Vilnius you can either take a bus, or a train or if you have more time you can even cycle there. We opted for the train which takes around 30 minutes and it costs around €5,50 for a round trip. You can buy your tickets directly at the train station or online here.
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