When visiting Europe, people often overlook the Baltics or Lithuania as a place to visit. Spending two days in Vilnius is a great city to get away from the crowds of Western Europe and explore a very unique city with a long history.
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History of Vilnius
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has a long and complex history shaped by its position at the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe. First mentioned in written records in 1323 in letters by Grand Duke Gediminas, Vilnius was already a thriving political and economic center. In 1387, Vilnius became a city and began to grow rapidly as the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, one of the largest and most influential states in medieval Europe.
Over the centuries, Vilnius became a center of learning, religion, and culture, known especially for its religious tolerance and diverse population. The city suffered during wars and occupations, particularly under Russian Imperial rule in the 1800s and Nazi and Soviet occupations during World War II.
After decades under Soviet control, Lithuania declared independence in 1990, with Vilnius once again becoming the heart of a free and democratic nation. Today, the city is recognized for its well-preserved medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its vibrant cultural and political life.
When to Spend Two Days in Vilnius
June to August is the peak season to spend two days in Vilnius. Although it will be more crowded than other times of the year, the weather is perfect for sightseeing.
How to Get to Vilnius
The main hub to get to Vilnius is Vilnius International Airport. You can get flights to Vilnius from all over Europe and a few places in the Middle East. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights. Alternatively, you can also get to Vilnius by train in some places in Europe. You can pre-book tickets on Trainline or Omio or opt to buy them at the station. Lastly, there are some buses that will take you to Vilnius from other places in Europe as well. If coming from Riga, you may want to take this Riga to Vilnius transfer.
Transportation in Vilnius
You can easily get around Vilnius by walking or taking the bus. There is no need to rent a car unless you want to road trip around the country. It is €2.90 a ride, or you can buy a day pass for €7.50. I recommend downloading the Trafi app and setting it up before you go. This way, you can buy your bus tickets on the app.
Where to Stay in Vilnius
In Vilnius, you will want to stay in the main part of the Old Town if you want to be in the most centrally located area. TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Sarajevo here! You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
We stayed at the Courtyard Vilnius, which was a little outside of the Old Town. It was not bad, but it also was not the most convenient. If I were to visit again, I would stay at the Grand Hotel Vilnius as it is located right in the Old Town of Vilnius. Other options include the Radisson Collection Astorija Hotel Vilnius or the Holiday Inn Vilnius.
What to Do During Two Days in Vilnius
One of the best ways to be introduced to a city is by taking a guided tour. Therefore, you may want to check out the following tours when exploring Vilnius.
You may also want to consider purchasing this attractions pass, which will give you admission to many of Vilnius’ main sites.
Day 1
Kitchen Coffee Vilnius
Cost: $
Hours: 9am-6pm
Start your first of two days at the Kitchen Coffee Vilnius. This is a great stop for a light breakfast and coffee.
Vilnius Cathedral
Cost: Free and up
Hours: Sun: 7am-7pm, Mon-Sat: 7am-6pm
The Vilnius Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus, is the main Roman Catholic cathedral in Lithuania. It is located in the heart of Vilnius’ Old Town and dates back to pagan times. Its grand interior and iconic bell tower make it one of the most important and recognizable landmarks in the country.
Make sure to climb the bell tower for the best views of the city. You can also go on a crypt tour which is offered several times a day. Both the bell tower (€4.50) and crypt (€12)are an added cost, but you can enter the main Cathedral for free.
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
Cost: €4 and up
Hours: Sun-Wed: 10am-6pm, Thurs-Sat: 10am-8pm
The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is a must visit stop during two days in Vilnius. This palace was the historic residence of Lithuanian rulers and a key center of political and cultural life in the region. It has since been reconstructed and now is a museum that showcases Lithuania’s heritage through exhibitions on archaeology, daily life, and statecraft.
There are four different “routes” you can visit and you buy a ticket separately for each one. However, there is a discount the more routes you buy. The routes include: history, historical interiors, music, and a special exhibition.
Etno Dvaras
Cost: $$
Hours: 11am-12am
During your first of two days in Vilnius, you will need a delicious lunch stop. Etno Dvaras is a traditional Lithuanian restaurant known for its authentic cuisine, rustic decor, and warm hospitality that reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage and you can not go wrong with whatever you order.
Gediminas Castle
Cost: Free
Hours: 10am-8pm
Gediminas Castle is perched atop a hill in Vilnius and is a symbol of Lithuania’s capital and its medieval heritage. It was originally built during the 1300s by Grand Duke Gediminas. The remaining tower offers panoramic views of the city. Make sure to take the gondola up to the top so you do not have to hike up. Admission to the lookout part of the castle is free, but it costs to ride the gondola or go up the tower. From here you can also view the Three Crosses Monument on the hillside.
St. Anne’s Church
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies
Next during your two days in Vilnius, stop at St. Anne’s Church. Built in the 1400s, this church is a stunning example of the late Gothic architecture and has become one of the city’s iconic landmarks. It is worth popping in for a quick look inside.
Other Old Town Sites
Next, stop to view the Vilnius Ghetto Memorial. The Vilnius Ghetto Memorial honors the memory of the thousands of Jews who were imprisoned and perished during the Holocaust. It is a plaque on the side of the buildings, so you may miss it if you are not looking carefully.
Then pass by the Vilnius Town Hall which is located in the heart of the Old Town. This historic building has served various civic and cultural functions since the 1300s and now hosts events, exhibitions, and concerts.
In front of the Town Hall lies the Portal. This circular screen installation connects the city with other locations around the world in real time. Every three minutes it changes to a different location, so you can interact with various people all over the world.
Trattoria di Ravello
Cost: $$
Hours: 111am-9pm
Tonight grab dinner at Trattoria di Ravello for some delicious Italian food. It features handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, a selection of fine wines, and various types of spritzes.
Day 2
Beigelistai
Cost: $
Hours: 9am-7pm
To start your second of two days in Vilnius, head to Beigelistai for some amazing bagels and other Jewish inspired dishes. Some of the dishes are pretty large, so you may want to share.
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights
Cost: €6
Hours: Wed-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 10am-5pm, Closed Monday and Tuesday
During your two days in Vilnius, you will not want to miss the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (also known as the KGB Museum). It is housed in the former KGB headquarters and offers a powerful look at Lithuania’s struggle under Soviet and Nazi occupations. Through exhibitions of documents, photographs, and personal stories, it honors the resilience of those who fought for freedom and preserves the memory of the country’s fight against oppression.
Berneliu Uzeiga Restaurant
Cost: $$
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 11am-12am
For lunch during your second of two days in Vilnius, eat at Berneliu Uzeiga Restaurant for some authentic Lithuania cuisine. The menu features over 40 National dishes such as cepelinai (potato dumplings). The portions are huge, so you may want to share!
The Green House
Cost: €6
Hours: Tues-Fri: 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun: 11am-6pm, Closed Monday
After lunch, continue your second of two days in Vilnius with a visit to The Green House. This museum is housed in a green wooden house that served as a hiding place for Jewish families during World War II. It covers the devastating impact of the Holocaust to Lithuanian Jews. Visitors can even go into a recreation of the attic annex where the Jewish hid. The museum is pretty small and does not take that long to go through.
Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum
Cost: €6
Hours: Tues-Fri: 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun: 11am-6pm, Closed Monday
The Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum is another good museum to visit during your two days in Vilnius. This museum showcases the history, culture, and heritage of the Lithuanian Jewish people. It is also the same foundation that runs the Green House and the Panerai Memorial.
*Note you can buy a combination ticket that gets you into all three museums run by the Jewish Museum for €10.
Meat Steakhouse
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies, but closed Sundays
Tonight, grab a delicious steak dinner at Meat Steakhouse. They have a variety of steaks including dry aged steaks, amazing sides and a variety of sauces. You cannot go wrong with whatever you order.
Skybar
Cost: $
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 6pm-12am, Fri-Sat: 6pm-2am
Finish your two days in Vilnius with a visit to the Skybar. This bar offers spectacular views of the city along with over 70 great cocktails. It is located on the 22nd floor of the Radisson Blu Hotel.
More Than Two Days in Vilnius
If you have more than two days in Vilnius, you may want to take a day trip to some of the amazing places across Lithuania.
- Trakai Castle: Take a day trip to this castle to learn more about the previous monarchy of Lithuania.
- Day trip: This day trip takes you to the Hill of Crosses, Rundale Palace, and Bauska Castle.
- Riga day trip: Head to the lovely city of Riga in Latvia on this day trip.
- Paneriai Memorial: Memorial to all the Jews killed during World War II.
You may also want to visit the MO Museum and the Vilnius TV Tower.
Final Tips for Two Days in Vilnius
As you can see, there are many things to keep you busy during two days in Vilnius. There are many historical sites and museums that are interesting and depict the history of Vilnius. If you have more time, pair a trip to Vilnius with visits to Riga, Tallinn, or cities in Poland like Warsaw or Krakow.
