Trip highlights
- 1Vilnius Old Town (UNESCO)
- 2Gediminas' Tower
- 3Trakai Island Castle
- 4Užupis artists' quarter
- 5St. Anne's Church
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
Photos: Unsplash
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Old Town First Look
Monday, May 17
Est. spend
$90
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive at Vilnius Airport (VNO)
Vilnius International Airport
A short train or bus ride connects Vilnius Airport to the city centre in about 10-15 minutes.
The airport train to the central station is the fastest and cheapest option.
☀️ Afternoon
Vilnius Old Town and Cathedral Square
Katedros aikštė, Vilnius
Explore the largest Baroque Old Town in Eastern Europe, anchored by Cathedral Square, the Vilnius Cathedral, and the Royal Palace.
Look for the small tiled 'stebuklas' (miracle) spot near the cathedral — locals spin on it for good luck.
🌙 Evening
Dinner at Lokys
Stiklių g. 8, Vilnius
A centuries-old cellar restaurant specialising in traditional Lithuanian game dishes like wild boar and beaver stew, in a vaulted medieval setting.
The restaurant occupies a 15th-century building — ask about the building's history if you're curious.
🍽️ Meals
Airport café breakfast
Lithuanian · $7
Old Town café lunch
Lithuanian · $12
Lokys dinner
Lithuanian · $26
Gediminas' Tower & Užupis
Tuesday, May 18
Est. spend
$90
per person
🌅 Morning
Gediminas' Tower and Hill
Arsenalo g. 5, Vilnius
Climb (or take the funicular up) Gediminas' Hill to the red-brick tower, the last remnant of Vilnius's medieval Upper Castle, for sweeping city views.
The funicular saves the climb if it's hot — tickets are cheap and the ride itself is short and scenic.
☀️ Afternoon
Užupis artists' republic
Užupis, Vilnius
Cross the small Vilnia River into Užupis, a quirky self-declared 'independent republic' with its own constitution, full of street art, galleries, and laid-back cafés.
Find the Užupis Constitution plaque on Paupio Street, written in dozens of languages and full of wry humour.
🌙 Evening
Dinner in Užupis
Užupio g., Vilnius
A relaxed dinner at one of Užupis's artsy riverside restaurants, popular with Vilnius's creative crowd.
🍽️ Meals
Old Town café breakfast
Lithuanian · $8
Gediminas Hill area lunch
Lithuanian · $13
Užupis dinner
Lithuanian/Modern European · $28
Trakai Island Castle Day Trip
Wednesday, May 19
Est. spend
$90
per person
🌅 Morning
Train to Trakai
Trakai, Lithuania
A 30-minute train ride west of Vilnius to Trakai, the former medieval capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, set among a chain of lakes.
Trains depart regularly from Vilnius station — no advance booking needed.
☀️ Afternoon
Trakai Island Castle
Kęstučio g. 4, Trakai
A red-brick island castle connected by wooden footbridges, dramatically set in Lake Galvė, restored to its 14th-century Gothic appearance.
Rent a rowboat on the lake afterward for a unique view of the castle from the water.
🌙 Evening
Karaim cuisine dinner and return to Vilnius
Trakai, Lithuania
Try kibinai, the traditional savoury pastry of the Karaim ethnic minority native to Trakai, before the train back to Vilnius.
Kibinai are unique to Trakai and not commonly found elsewhere in Lithuania — worth trying here specifically.
🍽️ Meals
Vilnius station breakfast
Lithuanian · $8
Trakai lakeside lunch
Karaim/Lithuanian · $15
Kibinai dinner
Karaim · $18
Museums & Departure
Thursday, May 20
Est. spend
$65
per person
🌅 Morning
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights
Aukų g. 2A, Vilnius
A sobering and important museum housed in the former KGB headquarters, documenting Lithuania's Soviet and Nazi occupation periods.
The basement former prison cells are particularly moving — allow time to read the exhibits carefully.
☀️ Afternoon
Final Old Town shopping
Pilies g., Vilnius
Browse amber jewellery and linen goods along Pilies Street before departure.
🌙 Evening
Transfer to Vilnius Airport
Vilnius International Airport
A quick train ride back to the airport from Vilnius Central Station.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Lithuanian · $8
Old Town lunch
Lithuanian · $13
Airport snack
International · $9
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
May to September offers the warmest, most pleasant weather for walking the Old Town and visiting Trakai. Winters are cold and Old Town streets can be icy.
🛂 Visas
Lithuania is part of the Schengen Area. Visitors from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most Western nations can stay visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen zone.
💱 Currency
Lithuania uses the Euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted in Vilnius; carry small cash for Trakai market stalls and kibinai vendors.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 112
ambulance: 112
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Užupis's tongue-in-cheek constitution is worth reading in full — it's posted in dozens of languages on Paupio Street.
- Trakai is an easy half-day or full-day trip and is best enjoyed with time to rent a rowboat on the lake.
- Vilnius's Old Town is one of the largest in Eastern Europe — allow extra time simply to wander without a fixed plan.
- Lithuanians take their amber seriously — buy from a reputable shop in the Old Town rather than street vendors if buying jewellery.
- Kibinai (savoury hand pastries) are a Trakai specialty tied to the local Karaim community — don't miss trying one fresh.
One thing worth not skipping
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