Travel Guide Vilnius
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is renowned for its baroque architecture, which is particularly notable in its medieval city. The buildings lining the partially cobbled streets reflect different styles and eras, from the neoclassical Vilnius Cathedral to the Gothic Church of St. Anne. Built in the 16th century, the Gate of Dawn, houses a shrine with a sacred icon of the Virgin Mary that guarded the original city entrance. As one of the easternmost cities in Central Europe, Vilnius has a strong mix of eastern and western cultures. In 1994, its old town was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Indeed, Vilnius is remarkable as an example of a network of streets and urban planning, characteristic of the Middle Ages. There is a rich diversity of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical buildings and beautiful views and perspectives. Your Vilnius travel guide should help you find your way around. Add to this the charm of a city bathed by a large river. The richness of Vilnius is also due to the diversity of its peoples, all of whom have left their mark: Lithuanians, Jews, Poles, Russians, Germans, Belarusians, Karaites and Tatars. Here, even religions live in harmony and all cults cohabit (Catholic, Greek-Catholic, Orthodox, Evangelical-Lutheran, Evangelical-Reformer, Jewish, Muslim). Finally, the harmony is due to the integration of natural spaces in the historical center. Vilnius invites you to a cultural and romantic stay in all coherence.
What to visit Vilnius?
Suggested addresses Vilnius
When to go to Vilnius?
When to go to Lithuania and discover Vilnius? It all depends on what you are looking for. The high tourist season runs from June 20 to August 31 and is undoubtedly the best time to visit Lithuania, due to the pleasant summer climate. However, it is essential to take into account that the number of visitors is increasing during this busy period, and the prices of accommodation are higher (it becomes imperative to make reservations). The Christmas and Easter periods attract mainly tourists from the region (Scandinavians and Russians) and are appreciated for the various celebrations that take place. The off-seasons are autumn (October and November) and late winter (March and early April), largely due to the weather: autumn is gray, even dark and wet, and late winter is wet snow and sleet. For winter sports enthusiasts wondering when to go to Lithuania, the best time is definitely January and February. Then you can enjoy Liepkalnis, the largest ski area in Vilnius with 10 slopes of varying difficulty, snow parkas, a ski school, a café and a restaurant. The Vilnius winter sports complex is, of course, located at the highest point of the city.
Weather at the moment
As the country is located at the northern latitude of Canada, Lithuania's weather is characterized by harsh winters. The further inland, especially in Vilnius, the more continental the climate becomes, with temperatures 4°C lower than on the coast in winter and at least 2°C higher in summer. Summer days are particularly long (especially in June) with an average of 20 °C, while in winter the average temperature in Lithuania is -7 °C, with peaks of -30 °C.
While the currency used to be the litas, the country has used the euro since 2015. And while fares are rising year after year, Lithuania is still a cheap destination, but daily life is much higher in Vilnius than in the countryside. Accommodation is the most important expense, food is half the price of France and local transport is very cheap. As for tips, you should leave 5 to 10% in restaurants.
A simple passport valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into the country will allow you to enter Lithuania and thus Vilnius. For citizens of European Union member states, since May1st 2004, a simple identity card is sufficient. However, if you wish to stay longer than 90 days, you must register with the local authorities.
Medical services are safe and prices are set in Lithuania. No special vaccinations are required to travel there. Pharmacies are well-equipped, but it is best to bring your own medication if you are undergoing treatment. It is advisable to avoid drinking tap water, when the pipes are old or rusty... Lithuanians sometimes filter or boil tap water before drinking it. But in general, the water is drinkable and very pure, especially in Vilnius. However, people do not get sick from water in Lithuania. A few cases of rabies have been reported, so beware of dog bites. If you go for a walk in the forest, be careful, there may be ticks.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Vilnius? Our advice & tips
Tour operators and travel agents, sniffing out the tourist potential of the region, are constantly flourishing in Northern Europe. Knowing particularly well the field and the actors of tourism, especially the French-speaking ones, these specialists propose flight-hotel packages, and sometimes even accompanied or customized tours allowing to discover Estonia and Latvia, at advantageous rates or all-inclusive stays in Vilnius with a guide so as not to miss anything of the heritage.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationOrganizing a trip to Lithuania and a stay in Vilnius by yourself is quite feasible, as long as you do it in advance: booking a direct flight (the price of a return ticket to Vilnius varies between 80 and 300 € depending on the period and the anticipation you show) and accommodation in advance will allow you to make substantial savings. For the rest, a little bit of resourcefulness and consultation of the Lithuanian tourist guide should allow you to have a pleasant stay.
Buses are the most popular means of transportation. They are inexpensive, the national networks work very well and are remarkably punctual. The major cities are also connected by minibuses. The railway network is old, but functional and cheap. The roads are in good condition, allowing for travel by car, while in Vilnius, the use of bicycles is becoming more common. The electric assistance is then a plus to swallow more easily the unevenness of the city.
