Vilnius Old Town
★ 4.7🇱🇹 VilniusSuggested visit Half a dayBest season May to September, mild with long daylight
World HeritageMedieval old townCity walk
The largest medieval old town in the Baltics, where Baroque church towers and pastel houses make a layered skyline.
Overview
Covering about 360 hectares, Vilnius Old Town is among the best-preserved medieval towns in northern and eastern Europe and joined the World Heritage List in 1994. Centred on the cathedral and Gediminas Tower, it holds around 1,500 historic buildings spanning Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, with the brick Gothic facade of St Anne's Church especially fine. It was European Capital of Culture in 2009.
History
Founded in the 13th century, it became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 14th and a major regional city in the 16th.
Highlights
- •Cathedral Square
- •The view from Gediminas Tower
- •The brick Gothic facade of St Anne's Church
- •Baroque courtyards in the old town
Practical tips
- •The old town is walkable — wear flat shoes for the cobbles
- •Gediminas Tower gives a full view over the rooftops
Practical information
- Best time
- May-September
- Tickets
- The old town is free; Gediminas Tower about EUR 8
- Opening hours
- Old town open all day
- Local food
- Lithuanian cold beetroot soup, cepelinai potato dumplings
- Getting around
- About 20 minutes by bus from the airport to the centre.
- Visa
- A Schengen visa is required; apply about one month in advance.
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