Vilnius

Vilnius (also known under its Polish and Yiddish name, Wilno and its German name, Wilna) is the capital and largest city of Lithuania. It lies on the bank of the Neris river and has approximately 560,000 inhabitants. Vilnius was the European Capital of Culture in 2009.

Understand

View from Gediminas Tower to the TV tower in the west

Demographics

Inhabited since the Middle Ages, Vilnius has always been a multinational city with Polish, German, Jewish, Russian and Belorussian people making up a substantial share of its population. According to the last census of 2011, the population included 63.2% Lithuanians, 16.5% Poles, 12% Russians, 3.5% Belarusians, and 1.0% Ukrainians. During World War II, 80,000 Jews from Vilnius were murdered by the Nazis and their Lithuanian collaborators at the forest of Paneriai and other nearby places. After the war, most of the urban Polish population (about 65% of population) was resettled to Poland, while during 1950–1970 they were replaced by people from parts of Lithuania, neighbouring parts of Belarus, as well as Russia, Ukraine and other Soviet republics.

Get in

By plane

Entrance of the airport

• 🌍 Vilnius International Airport (VNO  ^IATA), Rodunios kelias 10a (6 km south of the city center), ☎ [phone]. The largest civil airport in Lithuania. There are flights to most major airports in the northern half of Europe and a few destinations nearby former CIS countries and some regular and charter flights to Mediterranean destinations. Over half of the destinations are served by either budget or charter airlines. A list of airlines can be found here.  

Transfers

• By bus: The bus ride to the center takes 15 minutes and buses depart from the airport every 10–15 minutes. Single one time tickets can be purchased from the driver for €1. Alternatively a Vilniečio kortelė can be bought for €1.5 at the Narvesen kiosk in the airport which provides the ability to buy time-based tickets. Also, the tourist-oriented Vilnius City Card can be bought at theVilnius Tourist Information Centre in the airport. Only one piece of hand luggage the size of a single seat is allowed. For larger luggage, an extra ticket should be bought from the driver (€1).
  • Bus #1 goes from the airport (Lithuanian: Oro uostas) to the central bus/train station ("Stotis").
  • Bus #2 goes from the airport to the bus/train station, passing the football stadium at Liepkalnis street.
  • Bus #88 goes from the airport to the City Business Centre (Konstitucijos avenue, Europa square), travelling through the Old Town first.
  • Night minibus #88N goes hourly 23:30–05:30 same route.
  • Bus#3G goes to the north through the centre (Lukiškės square) and business centre (Konstitucijos avenue), continuing on to the Fabijoniškės sleeping district in the north, near the beginning of the A2 highway towards Riga (within the city limits the highway is called Ukmergė street). The bus number's trailing letter "G" on a green background stands for "Greitasis" which means "Express bus". It stops at all relevant stops in the centre, while skipping some regular stops before and after the centre.
• By train: Lietuvos Geležinkeliai operates trains from the airport to the main train station for €0.72. Tickets are bought in the train from the conductor. The train ride takes 7 minutes, but trains depart every ~60 minutes . For very large luggage (where the total sum of all three dimensions exceeds 200 cm) an additional ticket for €0.22 should be bought.
• By taxi: It may be somewhat cheaper to book a taxi online before arrival or by phone once you have arrived rather than using the taxis waiting at the airport. Prices for trips within the city limits should be in the range of €5-30.

Kaunas International Airport (KUN ^IATA) is 100 km west of Vilnius and 14 km northeast of downtown Kaunas. It has fewer flights: the main operator is Ryanair, flying to Alicante, Bologna, Bristol, Burgas, Copenhagen, Cologne, Dublin, Eilat, Girona, Luton, Stansted, Milan Malpensa, Naples, Nuremberg, Paphos, Rhodes, Rimini, Shannon and Tel Aviv. Wizz Air fly to Alesund, Bergen, Eindhoven, Luton, Stavanger and Turku. LOT fly to Warsaw.

Ollex minibuses run from Kaunas Airport direct to Vilnius railway & bus station after each arriving flight, taking 90 mins, fare €10. The pickup point in Vilnius to go out to Kaunas Airport is the Panorama Hotel. Otherwise, take Kaunas City bus 29 which plies once or twice an hour between the airport and Kaunas railway and bus station, both with at least hourly service to Vilnius.

By train

Vilnius railway station

There are two trains between Białystok in Poland and Kaunas on Saturday & Sunday; Friday has just one eastbound train to Kaunas, Monday has one westbound train to Białystok. The schedule means you can leave Warsaw Centralna around 13:00, change at Białystok for the onward train at 15:40 to reach Kaunas by 21:30 (with a one hour time switch at the border, but no change of gauge or train); and there catch a train to Vilnius arriving 23:00. Westbound, you need to leave Vilnius not much after 06:00 to be on the 10:00 train from Kaunas to reach Białystok for 13:45 and change to reach Warsaw for 17:00. The other weekend train necessitates an overnight stay in Białystok. These trains do not enter Belarus.

There are three fast trains a day between Vilnius and Minsk in Belarus, taking under 3 hours, plus a couple of slow Russian trains taking over four hours. The Lithuanian railway company (Lietuvos Geležinkeliai) only lists its own trains on this route, check Russian Railways' English website for the full selection, but note that this only shows direct trains and can't grasp the concept of connections.

Those trains from Russia twice a day connect the exclave of Kaliningrad to Vilnius (6 hours) then continue to Minsk then fan out to Moscow, St Petersburg and beyond. There's even a direct train to Sochi and Adler on the Black Sea coast near the border with Georgia. Westerners on any of these routes need a Belarus transit visa as well as their Russian visa.

There are nowadays no trains between Lithuania and Riga in Latvia.

Trains shuttle between Kaunas and Vilnius hourly, daily 04:30-22:30, taking 1 hour 40 min. Adult fares are about €6. The trains are usually Czech double-deckers.

There are five trains a day between Vilnius and Klaipeda, taking four hours, adult fare about €18.

• 🌍 Vilnius railway station. The station is just south of downtown, next to the bus terminal and a small shopping mall with cafes. (updated Apr 2019)

By car

Motorways serve Vilnius from Klaipeda via Kaunas and from Panevezys. The modern four-lane motorways and main roads are of a very high standard, however, in the winter smaller roads are not cleared. The speed-limit is 130 km/h on the motorways (110 km/h in winter), but 100 km/h on the Vilnius-Kaunas sector, 90 km/h outside towns and 50 km/h in built-up areas.

By bus

The bus station is across the street from the main train station. A schedule of all regional buses is posted near the ticket window.

Eurolines, Ecolines and Lux Express operate services between Vilnius and Kaunas, Kaliningrad, Riga, Tallinn, Minsk, St. Petersburg, and Warsaw, with further connections all over Europe. Buses depart from Kaunas to Vilnius every 10-15 minutes and cost €6.50 to €7.00.

You can find some schedules for regional buses and trains here.

Get around

On foot

Although the Old Town is one of the largest in Europe, it can easily be explored on foot.

By bus or trolleybus

Vilnius Transport operates buses and trolleybuses in Vilnius. A single ticket for either bus or trolleybus use costs €1, purchased from the driver (cash only). A ticket bought from the driver needs to be stamped by putting it into the tiny red machine near the driver's cabin and pulling the rear part towards you to punch the ticket.

If you are planning to use public transportation more than a few times, buying a Vilniečio kortelė smart card may be a significantly cheaper option. A 24-hour ticket costs €3.48, 72-hour €6.08, 240-hour €11.87, and 30-day €28.96. The ticket must be validated on your first journey by swiping the smart card at the yellow electronic reader on the bus. Seniors older than 70 years are eligible for a 50% discount, while European Union students studying in EU universities are eligible for an 80% discount. An ISIC and/or ID card (or passport) must be provided when prepaying the smart card and in case of ticket control during the trip.

For less frequent trips you can top-up your Vilniečio kortelė card with 30-min and 60-min (€0.64 and €0.93) tickets (students and seniors are eligible for a 50% discount). Validated tickets allow passengers to change buses during the trip.

The Vilniečio kortelė smart card can be purchased from Lietuvos spauda or Narvesen kiosks, Maxima grocery stores, Lithuanian post offices, or at the Customer Service Center (Gedimino pr. 9A) for €1.5. You can prepay this card in these locations and in PayPost offices.

Alternatively the tourist-oriented Vilnius City Card includes unlimited use of public transportation for its 72-hr pass (free public transportation are not included in the 24 and 48-hr passes).

The official public transport route map can be found here.

Beware that trolleybuses and other buses each have their own overlapping but unrelated numbering systems - e.g. trollybus route 3 and bus route 3 are completely different routes.

There are several fast bus (not trolleybus) routes called Greitasis (Express) - buses on these routes stop only at major stops and connect important parts of the city (residential districts - centre - airport and such). They have the route number with a trailing letter "G" on a green background; the schedules and routes are marked in green. Routes and numbers of the regular buses are marked in blue, and those of the trolleybuses are marked in red.

By taxi

A regular cab may cost about €5-15 if you need to get from the periphery of the city to the centre, while the shortest trips will cost you ~€4. You should always call a taxi by phone, even if you see a taxi on the street nearby. Street taxis charge as much as twice the price of taxis called by phone. Good practice is to dial the number written on the vehicle you see, tell the dispatcher the address you're at, and you will most likely get the same vehicle for a lower price.

Somewhat higher priced and higher class taxi companies are Jazzexpress, Smarttaxi, and municipality-owned Vilnius veža. Every car is relatively new and equipped with a card reader so you can pay for the trip using your debit or credit card.

Also you can order a taxi on the internet here. Smartphone apps may be found at the bottom of the screen, and also at taxify.eu for the higher class taxi companies.

All taxi cars must have a yellow license plate starting with the letter T with an additional 5 numbers and a 'Taxi' sign on the roof. A detailed price list alongside the driver's taxi-operator license must be placed on the panel right in front of the passenger seat next to the driver.

When paying for the taxi service it is expected to leave a €0.50-1 tip for the driver.

By car

Travelling by car is not advised during rush hours (07:00-09:00 and 16:00-18:30) to and from the city center due to traffic jams. Parking fees can vary from €0.30/hr to €1.80/hr in the old town.

Car rental

There are several well known foreign car rental companies and several domestic companies in Vilnius.

It is advised to book online from an English language website such as Car Rental or Neo Rent. Cheaper options available are: JARR autoservisas, Drive.lt.

City-Bee operates a car sharing network where you can rent a car by the hour. There is no contract or monthly fee, you pay for the service only when you use the car, and there are no parking expenses when you are not using it. There are 13 pick-up points throughout the city, mostly in the centre and some relevant points in northern districts.

By bicycle

In the city centre you often find bike lanes; however, that doesn't mean they are well respected. The only "real" bicycle path leads along the River Neris north to Verkiai Nature park and the "Green lakes".

• Daytrip: If you go north to the "Green lakes" and have a decent map you can ride up to the "Europos parkas" outdoor exhibition of contemporary art, then carry on to the Geographical center of Europe.

Bicycle trails

Five reasonable bicycle routes within the city limits and Green Lakes area are presented in the bilingual leaflet Bicycle Routes in the City of Vilnius. Development of bicycle path connections and improvement of the existing network is scheduled to be completed in 2020. New paths to the most remote districts and recreation areas, and densification of the network in the centre is scheduled to be completed around 2027. So far development is fragmentary and carried out in relevant spots "step by step".

Bicycle rental

• Cyclocity Vilnius. A self-service bike rental system that features 36 stations in central locations operating annually during May-September. Every station has at least 9 bike stands. The stations require a Cyclocity Vilnius Card (obtained at Tourist Information Centers), Vilnius Citizen Card (the Vilniečio kortelė - public transport card), or a 3-day ticket card. Seasonal subscription: €19.90, 30-day subscription: €3.90, 3-day ticket: €2.90. Service: 1st 30 minutes: free, second 30 minutes: €0.39, 3rd 30 minutes: €1.39, fourth 30 minutes and over: €3.39. 
• 🌍 Velo-City Vilnius, Pylimo g. 31, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily from 10:00 to 20:00 (April to September). Bike rentals, including helmets, locks and lights. Daily bike tour at 11:00 (except Sundays). Bike rental €4; first hour, each following: €1, day: €9. 
• Velotakas, Gedimino av. 26, ☎ [phone]. Free delivery of a bicycle to all hotels in Vilnius city, free helmets and locks. No deposit needed. €13/day. 

See

Three Crosses

Vilnius Cathedral

Old house on Pilies

Business center at night

Cemetery of the Sun

Vilnius Tourist Information has 3 offices in the old town and a kiosk in the airport where you can obtain maps and suggestions free of charge.

Old town

It is a district which has developed during Middle Ages as a city surrounded by a defensive wall. The urban structure reflects the development from ca. 14th century, the architecture of the buildings is mostly from late Renaissance to Classicism periods. There are 4 rather distinct areas of the Old Town: Castle complex with an old hill fort, Cathedral and newly reconstructed Ducal Palace, these all buildings and a Cathedral square form the very centre of the city; old Town Hall with its vicinity form the centre of the Old Town; "Užupis", a "subdistrict" separated by the Vilnia River (it reflects in its name, literally a "Place on the Other Side of the River"); and the north-west area featured by Vilnius Street, largely damaged during the World War II.

The most attractive part, historically known as a block of artisan guilds, in the beginning of World War II was turned into two Jewish ghettos, commonly known as Vilnius Ghetto. It operated until 24 Sept 1943. In 1994, the Old Town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• 🌍 Gediminas Castle (Climb up to it from the Cathedral Square or take the funicular on the other side of the hill, facing the river). The red-brick tower is restored from the Higher Castle erected in the 13th–14th centuries by Dukes of Lithuania. The top of the towers offer the best view of Vilnius.  
  • 🌍 Upper Castle Museum, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Adult €2, child €1. 
• 🌍 Three Crosses Hill. A monument to seven Franciscan friars that were tortured here by pagans before the conversion of Lithuania to Christianity. Also symbolizes the importance of Christianity to Lithuania. During night time it offers a great view.  
• 🌍 Vilnius Cathedral, Cathedral Square. 7:00-19:30. The first cathedral was built here in 1251. In 1387 a Gothic-style cathedral was built. Now it is a classical style cathedral build by the project of Laurynas Gucevicius. The most beautiful part of the Cathedral, the baroque chapel of St. Casimir, was built in 1623–1636. The crypt shows a cross section of Vilnius through the ages, well worth seeing. You can also take a tour through the catacombs under the cathedral. 57-m high belfry. Outside the Cathedral, in the square, look for a particular tile on which there is written a word "Stebuklas" (means "miracle" in Lithuanian). Stand on it, make a wish and turn around three times. Your wish should come true! This tile also marks the end of the Vilnius-Tallinn human chain in the 1989 protest of the Soviet Union.  
• 🌍 Vilnius University, Universiteto street.3, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 09:00-15:00. Vilnius University is famous for its library, 13 courtyards of various sizes, astronomical observatory, and the Church of St. John. Guided tour available in Lithuanian, English, Russian and Polish. Adult €5.00, student €1.20. 
• 🌍 Literatu Gatve (Street), Literatu str. (starts near the home No 32 Pilies St). 24/7. Small artworks, dedications mounted on the walls. Dedications to the literature workers: writers, translators, everyone who has link with Lithuania and is important for Lithuanian or world literature. Artworks crafted in various outdoor-proof techniques: ceramics, sculpture, glass, wallpainting. 
• 🌍 St. Ann's Church (near Uzupis District). One of the most beautiful churches in Vilnius and in Lithuania. Very small in size, but a very beautiful example of Gothic architecture. There is a legend that when during his conquests Napoleon came to Vilnius and saw this church he said he would like to take it on his palm and bring to France.  

Užupis District

Užupis District used to be a largely unrestored area primarily occupied by artists, dreamers, squatters, and drunks; however, the neighborhood is developing with a wealth of small shops and cafes. In 1998, the residents unofficially declared the area to be an independent republic, with its own president, anthem, flag, and constitution. Great to visit on April Fool's day, when mock border guards stamp passports and the entire area erupts into a party.

• 🌍 Angel of Uzupis Statue, Uzupio & Malunu gatve. Statue of an angel blowing a trumpet. 

Churches

• 🌍 St. Peter's and Paul's Church (trolley #2 or #20 from the bus/train station). Another shockingly beautiful church. Not so special from the outside, but extremely beautiful inside, with all the interior overcrowded with baroque sculptural works.  
• Artillery Bastion of Vilnius Defensive Wall. Closed for reconstruction. 
• 🌍 Belfry of Saint John Church, Sv.Jono street.12. From the top of baroque style belfry, which is the tallest building in the old town, you can see an amazing panorama of the city. 

Museums

• 🌍 Museum of Genocide Victims aka KGB Museum, Aukų g. 2A, LT-01113, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. W-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 10:00-17:00. Occupies the former KGB headquarters. The bottom bricks of the buildings have the names of those who were believed to be executed inside the building. Visit the former prisoner cells. Admission €2; 50% discount for pupils, students and seniors. English-speaking guide €15. (updated Apr 2015)
• 🌍 National Museum of Lithuania, Arsenalo Str. 1, ☎ [phone]. Tu-Sa 10:00-18:00. Biggest and oldest source of national cultural heritage in the country, which systematically collects, stores, displays, and popularises the history of the state. Adult €2; child €1.  
• 🌍 Contemporary Art Center, Vokieciu str. 2. There are always many extremely interesting modern art exhibitions.  
• 🌍 Old Arsenal Building, Arsenalo Str. 3. 
• 🌍 Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania (Grand Dukes’ Palace), Katedros a. 4, LT-01143, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu–F 11:00–18:00; Sa Su and before national holidays 11:00-16:00. Closed on Mondays and national holidays. Last visitors admitted one hour before museum closing.. In the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania there are two exhibition tour routes directly related to the historical functions of this residence. The first tour will show the historical and architectural development of the palace by highlighting the ancient ruins still in place, excavated artifacts and by using models and iconographic materials. The second tour route will bring the visitors into the ceremonial halls, which have been reconstructed in such a way as to show the evolution of architectural styles – from the late Gothic to the Renaissance to the early Baroque. Adults €2.90; students, seniors €1.45. (updated Apr 2015)
• 🌍 Money Museum, Totoriu g. 2 / 8, ☎ [phone]. November 1 to March 31: Tu–F 9:00–18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00. April 1 to October 31: Tu–F 10:00–19:00; Sa 11:00-18:00 Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Collection of coins and bills around the world. Located at the site of Bank of Lithuania. Free. (updated Nov 2018)

Monuments & statues

• 🌍 Frank Zappa Statue, Kalinausko str. 1 (west of Old Town). The first statue in the world for honoring this great musician. Erected in 1995 by the local Frank Zappa fan club. A replica of the statue has been erected in Baltimore. Free. 

Parks & cemeteries

There is an interesting Jewish cemetery in Šeškinė that includes the grave of Vilna Gaon, a very important rabbi. By the entrance to Vingis park is a war cemetery with Russian, German, Hungarian, Polish and Turkish soldiers from both wars. Oldest cemeteries are Rasų and Bernardinų. Also Saulės kapinės (Cemetery of the Sun) in Antakalnis district.

• 🌍 European Park, Joneikiskiu k, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 10:00-sunset. The sculptures, which are the works of sculptors from more than 70 countries worldwide, are exhibited in the open area of 55 ha. Sometimes there is a very bad mosquito problem here, though not in winter time. €9 for adults, €7 for students. 
• 🌍 Verkiai Regional Park, Žaliųjų ežerų St 53. One of the biggest parks in Lithuania, it's almost entirely in Verkiai elderate in the north of the city. One can reach the park by bus #35 or #36. It is known for Verkiai Calvaries, which have been constructed exactly following the plan of Jerusalem, with the distances, water bodies and elevations being very close to the original Way of the Cross. Way of the Cross consists of 22 chapels, 7 wooden and brick gates, and two baroque church ensembles. It is advisable to visit this park for those who likes great panoramic views. 

Do

Throughout the year, there are a variety of cultural, music, cinema, theatre, art, and fashion festivals taking place.

Interior of St. Peter and St. Paul's Church

Spectator sports

• 🌍 Lietuvos Rytas Basketball Games, Ozo str 14 (East of Šeškinė district,). The city's main team is named after one of its sponsors, Lietuvos Rytas newspaper. It uses Siemens Arena for its home games in European competition, as well as high-demand domestic games, most notably the national derby against Žalgiris of Kaunas. Other games are held at the adjacent Lietuvos Rytas Basketball Arena. 

Music and theater

• 🌍 Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre, A. Vienuolio str 1 (Centre, near the Green Bridge (Žaliasis tiltas)), ☎ [phone]. Beautiful ornate building. Three or four weekly performances. €3-35. 
• 🌍 Oskaras Koršunovas Theatre (OKT), Ašmenos str 8 (Old Town). One of the most original modern theatres in Europe 
• 🌍 Lithuanian Russian Drama Theatre, Jono Basanavičiaus str 13 (Very close to Old Town), ☎ [phone]. Performances mostly done in Russian language. €5-15. 

Adventure activities

• 🌍 Super Segway, Vilniaus str. 45, ☎ [phone]. Take a cheap, guided, segway tour around the main attractions of the city. The price is low because of insurance related issues. €20 per hour. 
• 🌍 Go Karts, Plytinės Street 27, ☎ [phone]. Try go karts in one of two tracks: open track at the outskirts of Vilnius or inside track with battery powered karts in Panorama Mall. ~€10 per 10 minutes. 
• Hot air balloon tour. One of the favourite tourist activities in Lithuania. It's an interesting way of sightseeing. 

Learn

• 🌍 Vilnius University. Founded in 1579 by King of Poland Stefan Batory, it is one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe.  
• Vilnius Academy of Arts. 
• 🌍 Mykolas Romeris University.  
• 🌍 ISM University of Management and Economics, Arklių St 18, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. hrd  
• Vilnius Cooperative College, Konstitucijos pr. 11. Has probably the best location of all the educational institutes in Vilnius as it is in the business center on the northern bank of the river Neris. The college has also very cheap accommodation building 20 m from the college (including guests rooms for visitors) and a good canteen (lunch for less than €3. Open for the public also. Discount for students). 
• Lingua Lituanica is a language school in the center of Old Town and teaches small group classes and private sessions. Great atmosphere and value.

Work

The average wage is around €670 a month. Lithuania's unemployment rate is one of the highest in the European Union.

Buy

Small market in old town opening

ATMs are very common in Vilnius and most shops accept major credit cards.

Vilnius is famous for its amber, wool ware and flax ware. Most of these goods can be found in booths and road side stalls along the Pilies st. Also it might be worth visiting smaller souvenir shops like following:

• Ragainė, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 12:00-19:00. Baltic crafts and music. 
• LTaste, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 10:00-18:00. Books, collections of food and other kinds of artisan works. 

Upscale retailers present in Vilnius include Hugo Boss, Armani, Escada, Dolce & Gabbana, John Richmond, Zara, United Colors of Benetton, H&M and Mango. There are also some young local designer butiques in Stiklių street.

Chains of grocery stores and large supermarkets are: Maxima, Rimi, Barbora, Iki, Aibė and Norfa.

• 🌍 Kavos Draugas, Upės g. 9, prekybos centras „VCUP“, III a., ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. I-VII 10:00 - 22:00. categorized coffee, coffee beans coffee machines, and all accessories for barista shop. €. (updated Sep 2018)

Shopping malls

• 🌍 Akropolis, Ozo str. 25 (Šeškinė district), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 08:00-23:00. One of the first and still one of the largest shopping centers built after the independence in Lithuania. Has multi-hall cinema center Forum Cinemas and ice arena. 
• 🌍 Banginis, P. Lukšio St 34 (Žirmūnai district, Northern Town (Šiaurės miestelis) subdistrict). 08:00-20:30. The shopping mall name means "Whale". Has the one of the largest stores of the construction, exterior and interior decoration materials, tourism equipment and electronics Senukai. There are several other stores that can't be found in the centre, restaurant-tavern of Lithuanian cuisine "Katpėdėlė", Wine Room "Vynoteka" (has several Vynoteka's in Vilnius and other cities) and a grocery store "Iki". 
• 🌍 Centro pasažas, Gedimino av 16 (Edge of the Old town in front of Kudirka sq.). 
• 🌍 Europa, Konstitucijos av. 7A (City business centre on a northern bank of Neris river), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 07:00-24:00, some stores have different working hours. The name refers to the opening date of 2004 when Lithuania joined EU, the square and all surrounding complex of buildings including the business centre tower was named after Europe to commemorate this event. 
• 🌍 GO9, Gedimino av. 9 (Old town), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Shopping mall in the heart of Vilnius, home of biggest H&M store in Lithuania. 
• 🌍 Helios Centras, Didžioji g. 28 (Old town, next to the town hall). 
• 🌍 Ozas, Ozo str 18 (Šeškinė district, next to the aqua park Vichy and the biggest sporting and concerts venue in Vilnius Siemens arena]), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 10:00-22:00. One of the biggest shopping malls in Vilnius, variety of different stores and services, including multi-hall cinema center Multikino and game park for kids X-Planet. 
• 🌍 Panorama, Saltoniškių str 9 (Saltoniškės district, west of city business center), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 10:00-22:00. Panoramic view from the restaurant on the 3rd floor 
• 🌍 Parkas Outlet, Verkiai St 29 (Žirmūnai district, Ogmios Town), ☎ [phone], toll-free: 8 800 29292 (in country only), e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Sa 10:00-20:00, Su 10:00-18:00. Shopping mall for discount stores. 
• 🌍 VCUP, Konstitucijos av 16 (City business centre, by Neris river near the White Bridge), ☎ [phone]. Stores 10:00-22:00, restaurants 10:00-24:00. Second oldest of such kind of shopping centres in Vilnius, operates since 1974. 

Eat

In addition to the restaurants listed below, almost all of the bars in Vilnius serve reasonably priced good quality food.

Budget

• 🌍 Wok to Walk, Vilniaus str. 19, ☎ [phone]. Wok to Walk franchise in Vilnius, Asian takeout. €3-5. 
• Čili Pica, Didžioji g. 5, Gedmino 23 and 8 other locations. Chain of restaurants offering pizza, pasta, salads. If you are after a good pica - this is a place to avoid. Better try one of upscale Italian restaurant offering pizzas at the same price. Medium pizza (30 cm): €5-9. 
• Jammi (Several spots across the all city). Chain of kebab shops that offers very good value. €2-3. 
• Maxima. The largest Lithuanian supermarket chain. Sells prepared food. 
• 🌍 RadhaRane, Gedimino prospektas 32. Especially for vegetarians. Menu has Indian curries, fragrant rice and bread. Also for a smaller bite, they have baked samosas. €2-4. 

Mid-range

Rotušės square

• 🌍 Amatininkų užeiga, Didžioji 19/2 (Town Hall square (Rotušės aikštė)), ☎ [phone]. until 05:00. Lithuanian and international food. 
• 🌍 Balti Drambliai (White Elephants), Vilniaus str. 41. Cozy vegetarian-vegan cafe, world/reggae music, live concerts in the evenings. 
• 🌍 Cozy, Dominikonų str. 10. Suave but laid-back restaurant upstairs, DJ-bar downstairs, serves hearty modern food with a few vegetarian options. 
• 🌍 Fortas (Fort), Algirdo g. 17 (they have several restaurants all over Vilnius, including in “Ozas” and “Panorama” shopping malls). Pub-style food. Main courses: €5-10. 
• 🌍 Mano Guru (My Guru), Vilniaus g. 22. All of the staff are former drug addicts. Fresh food. No alcohol. Food is mostly vegetarian. €15. 
• 🌍 Marceliukės klėtis, Tuskulėnų g. 35 (Southwestern end of Žirmūnai district), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Sa 11:00–midnight, Su M 11:00–23:00. Hearty portions of traditional Lithuanian food. €15. 
• 🌍 Vapiano, Konstitucijos pr. 7A (Europa Shopping Center), ☎ [phone]. Italian style, fast casual restaurant. Tasty salads, à la carte pastas and pizzas are made in front of the guest. 
• 🌍 Zoe's Bar & Grill, Odminių str. 3, ☎ [phone]. Great Thai food, salads, soups, and cocktails. €25. 
• 🌍 Joanos Carinovos smuklė, Belmonto g. (Located in Belmontas, reachable by car or a good destination for a bike tour (5 km from the center)). Traditional cuisine; their smoked beer is worth trying. € 15–20. (updated Aug 2017)

Splurge

• 🌍 Balzac, Saviciaus 7. M-Th 11:30-23:00, F Sa 12:00-23:00, Su 12:00-21:00. Traditional French cuisine, magnificently executed, great atmosphere. €15. 
• 🌍 Belmontas Outdoor Cafe, Belmonto str. 17 (Belmontas suburb within Pavilniai Regional Park, east of both Old Town and centre.). A recreation area with folk-themed eateries near an old French mill and beautiful waterfall. Beautiful setting suitable for various events. A 15-minute drive from the center of Vilnius, or a 5-km bike tour. €25. 
• 🌍 Bistro 18, Stiklių str. 18 (Old Town). Small restaurant and wine bar with good selection of cuisine. Main courses: €7-13. 
• 🌍 Čagino (Chagin's), Basanavičiaus str. 11 (New Town district). Named after the famous Russian architect Nikolai Chagin. Live Russian music played on a guitar. Main courses: €7-13. 
• 🌍 Da Antonio, Vilnius str. 23. Excellent Italian food, more upscale than Čili Pica. €20. 
• 🌍 El Gaucho Sano, Pilies str. 10 (In Hotel Atrium). Argentinian-style food (lots of meat) in a spacious restaurant. Good service. €35. 
• 🌍 Ida Basar, Subačiaus str. 1 (In the guesthouse of the same name, at the southern end of Old Town), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 12:00-22:00. Specializes in historical meals of Grand Duchy Of Lithuania, has a Culinary Heritage Museum. €30. 
• 🌍 La Provence, Vokiečių str. 22, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. French food. House specials include roebuck with cherry sauce. Popular among French people. Starters €9; Main courses €18; Extensive wine list from €23.. 
• 🌍 Lokys, Stiklių str. 8 (Old Town, block of artisan guilds), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Medieval restaurant. Specializes in Lithuanian traditional cuisine and game meals. €20. 
• 🌍 Markus ir Ko, M. Antokolskio str. 11 (Old Town, block of artisan guilds), ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Great steaks and live music. €30. 
• 🌍 Medininkai, Aušros Vartų str. 8, ☎ [phone]. Part of Hotel Europa Royale. 18th century Italian artwork and courtyard. Lithuanian fusion food. €30. 
• 🌍 Narutis Hotel - Cellar Restaurant, Pilies str. 24, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Eastern European food. Live violin music Th-Sa. €30. 
• 🌍 Šventaragio sodas, L. Stuokos-Gucevičiaus g. 1, Vilnius 01122 (Old Town near Vilnius Cathedral), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 07:00-23:00, Sa Su 07:30-23:00. The restaurant cherishes the old Baltic cuisine, adapted to the contemporary taste. €20. (updated Feb 2019)

Drink

The most popular local beer is Švyturys, meaning lighthouse. Like the other brands, they produce a variety of different styles; "Ekstra" is the familiar lager. The other big brands of beer include Kalnapilis, Tauras, and Utenos, all of whom have some variation on the theme of bog-standard euro-lager in their product range. Many breweries also produce “Tradicinis” (“traditional”), somewhat similar to lager but slightly stronger. Beyond that, Lithuania produces a huge variety of beers, including wheat beer, porter, stout, Belgian dubbel and various ales. If you're a beer enthusiast forget Švyturys and other big brands - try Alaus namai (The House of Beer) and Bambalynė (see section Bars).

Lithuanian vodka (Lithuanian degtinė) is of excellent quality. Popular brands of good quality include Auksinė (“golden”, produced by Stumbras) and Gera (“good”). Cranberry is also nice. Midus is a honey liqueur, available in different strengths (under different names) ranging from 30% to 70%. Another popular liqueur is Trejos Devynerios (Three Nines, written as 999), named after the 27 different herbs used in the mixture. There’s the original, yellow in color, as well as a dark variety called Žalios Devynerios (Green Nines) and a red one called Raudonos Devynerios (Red Nines). A couple of other liqueurs are also commonly found on shelves.

Note that there are limitations on alcohol sales from 2018. Alcohol is sold at the shops from 10:00 till 20:00 (Monday-Saturday) and 10:00-15:00 on Sundays. Alcohol is not sold at all on September 1 (the first day of school) each year. Persons younger than 20 years old are prohibited by law to purchase, drink or even possess any alcoholic drink.

Drink carefully as most bars will politely ask you to leave if they notice that you appear drunk (staggering, yelling, grabbing strangers). Falling asleep in bars is not tolerated. If you break a glass, many places will expect to be repaid for it on the spot but it's usually a very reasonable price.

Smoking is banned in all public places. However, a number of nightclubs have internal smoke rooms; the ventilation can be of variable quality. If you leave a club to smoke outside, make sure you get stamped and get eye contact from the bouncers so you won't have problems getting back in. It can be a good idea to show the bouncer your cigarette or cigarette packet, before exiting the premises.

Clubs

• 🌍 BIX, Etmonų str. 6. Tarantino-style bar founded by the Lithuanian rock band of the same name. Live rock/hardcore/metal bands on Friday nights, karaoke on Thursdays, and rock music (all the time) on the dance floor, made in the vault. Nice food and drinks! 
• 🌍 Brodvejus, Vokiečių str. / Mėsinių str. 4 (Old Town). Until 05:00. Cozy bar/nightclub, playing mostly pop music. Popular among both tourists and locals. Courteous staff. No cover on weekdays. Beer €1.50. 
• 🌍 Havana Social Club, Šermukšnių str. 4A, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Lindyhop.lt Klubas, Kalvarijų str. 294d-16 (5 km north of the old town), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Th 18:00-22:00; Su 20:00-24:90. The coolest and oldest Lindy Hop club in Lithuania. 
• 🌍 Salento Disco Club, Didžioji str. 28. 
• 🌍 Soho Club, Švitrigailos str. 7/16. Opens on Fridays and Saturdays at 22:00. Popular with all sections of the LGBT community. Admission: 22:00 - 01:00 €3, 01:00 - 04:00 €5, 04:00 - 07:00 free. (updated Feb 2018)

Bars

• 🌍 Alaus namai, Goštauto str. 8 (275 m north-west of the White Bridge), ☎ [phone]. Big saloon-type bar with raw beer of smaller Lithuanian beer brands from countryside. 
• 🌍 Apuokas, Subačiaus str. 6. Heavy metal bar (especially in the underground basement). Friendly metalheads, memorable personnel, great beer and famous chenachai (Karaitian meat dish). 
• 🌍 Artistai, Kazimiero str. 3, e-mail: [e-mail]. The large popular courtyard is a great place to relax and watch the sunset. Friendly service. Rock music. 
• 🌍 Bambalyne, Stikliu str. 7 (Just off Town Hall Square), ☎ [phone]. Located in a hidden underground cellar, this bar specializes in rare beers and meats from the Lithuanian countryside. Great atmosphere and cheap prices! sausage platter + a beer €4. 
• 🌍 Būsi Trečias, Totoriu str. 18, ☎ [phone]. The first bar/pub, which started to brew its own beer in Vilnius. Beside lager type beer, they brew dark black beer and also make various beer cocktails. Besides its main attraction beer, there are some good food. The food prices are rather low. 
• 🌍 Cactus, Bokšto str. 7, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Su-Th 11:00-02:00, F Sa 11:00-04:00. Vilnius's only tequila bar, tucked away in the alleys of the city. A warm, cozy atmosphere with unbelievably friendly staff, and great food. Play Tequila Checkers on their game board. Free shots of tequila at midnight. Serves exotic dishes such as crocodile, shark, and pheasant 
• 🌍 Liverpool Indie/Rock Bar, Gynėjų g. 14, Vilnius, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-Th 16:00-00:00, F Sa 16:00-03:00, Su 16:00-01:00. Liverpool Indie/Rock Bar is a modern, smart musical bar. Implementing and sustaining the development of this style of music. 
• 🌍 Pogo, Vilniaus str. 12 (right in front of Cozy). Nice decoration and also serves good Italian food for a good price. 
• 🌍 Prie Universiteto, Universiteto str. (Old Town), ☎ [phone]. Rock/punk rock music, friendly stuff and cheap prices. Best place for students and other not so serious people. 
• 🌍 Savas Kampas, Vokiečių str. 4. Until 04:00. Cozy, friendly and always welcome place. In the summer,there is also a terrace to enjoy warm evenings. 
• 🌍 Šnekutis (Šnekutis užupiai), Polocko gatve, 7a, Užupis (Užupio gatve, 400 m above the Angel), ☎ [phone]. 11:00-23:00 daily. Indoor/outdoor dive bar with an exceptional craft/farmhouse beer selection, seats with a view, and traditional Baltic food. Lunch/dinner €3-6, beer €2 for 0.5l draught, €3-6 for 1.75l bottled. Menu in Lithuanian, Byelorussian, English and illustrated. (updated Jun 2016)

Cafes

There are plenty of cafés in Vilnius, including few coffee shop chains: Coffee-Inn, AJ Šokoladas, Šviežia Kava which are easy to find anywhere without any guidance. A proper café typically is not just a coffee shop but some sort of a restaurant which features certain café-like interior and has a rather democratic etiquette policy. During day time they often operate like simple eateries, in the evening they turn to the family style or youth restaurants.

• Buga, Asanavičiūtė St 17 (Karoliniškės district, not far from TV tower), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Th 08:00-23:00, F 08:00-01:00, Sa 09:00-01:00, Su 12:00-22:00. Does not use semi-finished products. Hot chicken with chanterelles, hand-made dumplings, fresh kybyns, pizzas, carp steak "Ežys" ("Hedgehog"). Live music every Friday and sometimes on Saturday. Breakfast (until 10:30) up to €3. 
• Chaika, Totorių St 7 (Centre, almost the Old Town), ☎ [phone] (mobile), e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 10:00-21:00, Sa 12:00-19:00. Universally cozy café; the interior is contemporary but designed in 1970s style. Many authentic items from soviet times cause cheerful memories of childhood for the local visitors. Café’s Russian name, spelt in English manner, in this case is a pun with several layers of meaning visible only for locals – they would tell you a lot. Variety of tea and coffee; of course Soviet times tea served in Soviet times style is available. Has 2 halls, capacity up to 16 people. 
• Fabai, Ateities St 21A (Fabijoniškės sleeping district (north of centre), by the main street), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Th 11:00-23:00, F 11:00-24:00, Sa 12:00-24:00, Su 12:00-23:00. Styled like a countryside tavern, has 5 halls: roaster, ballroom, bar, and 2 billiard halls. European and Caucasus cuisine. Day lunch (11:00-14:00) €3-4. 
• 🌍 Fėjų kepyklėlė (Little Bakery Of The Fairies), J. Basanavičius St 37 (New Town, on a hill, at the corner with Švitrigaila St), ☎ [phone] (mobile), e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Th 07:30-19:00, F 07:30-18:00. Puff pastries, yeast dough buns, snacks, pizza, several kinds of kybyns, cookies, hot and cold drinks, ice cream, milk cocktails. Traditional menu of Lithuanian fairies. Cappuccino is almost the best in town. Fair price. 
• Ibrahim (Café Ibrahim Passage), Kalvarijų St 24A (Šnipiškės district close to the centre: between the city business centre and Kalvarijos Market, within premises of a small specialized shopping center Ibrahim), ☎ [phone], [phone] (mobile), fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 08:00-18:00; on weekends only upon request. Offer some authentic Turkish drinks: Ayran, Sahleb, Salgam Suyu, Cola turka, Turkish tea. Organize parties (up to 60 persons), buffet (up to 80 persons). Terrace, capacity up to 24 people. Day lunch around €3; dishes around €1.50-3; festive parties (drinks not included) from €15. 
• Lazdynų žibutė (Hazel Kidneywort), Šiltnamių St 38A (Lower part of Lazdynai district (Lithuanian for “district of Hazels” where the kidneywort is blooming every spring, hence the name), south of Oslo street, east of Emergency Hospital), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 10:00-22:00. Operates since 1969, never was closed. Has 3 halls. TV screen, fireplace, sauna. Day lunch 10:00-16:00. Suitable for seminars, conferences. Most popular speciality - Roast Chicken “Žibutė” (“Kidneywort”), several Lithuanian “vintage” dishes, such like rolls with mushroom sauce, herring tower “Metropolis”, and “Karališkasis tortas” (“Royal Cake”) for special occasions. Average price €5. 
• 🌍 Mažoji Ragainė (Little Ragnit), Įsruties St 22 (Pilaitė district: south of Pilatė av., between Pilaitė av. and Vydūnas St.), ☎ [phone] (orders), e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily: summer season 11:00-23:00, winter season 09:00-21:00. Café-bar, a division of culinary-confectionery company. Has a confectionery shop next door, also has another shop at Žukausko St 26 in Northern Town (Šiaurės miestelis), Žirmūnai district. Apart from a large variety of cakes and pastries offers ~100 kinds of salads, homemade dumplings with various fillings, cold snacks and hot meals. Average price ~€3; family event ~€6, banquet ~€14 per person. 
• Pas Metą (At Metas), Antakalnio St 86 (Antakalnis district, in the middle between the bus stops “Klinikos” and “Tverečiaus”, by the main street), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Daily 11:00-23:00. Lithuanian cuisine; fresh juice, Lithuanian beer, also a Belgian beer Grimbergen; take-away food. Has a separate hall (up to 24 people) for the business and family events. Second course €3-5; day lunch ~€2 (11:00-16:00), business lunch ~€6. 
• Pilies kepyklėlė (Castle’s Little Bakery), Pilies St 19 (Old Town), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 09:00-23:00. Old time ice cream house; converted to a café-bakery, as the new owners had idea to bake the buns and serve them with a milk. During the restoration of the interior were uncovered excellent arches, this alone made the café very popular among locals. Assortment soon has become very rich: different types of cakes, cookies, sweets, curd desserts. The most popular are “Trapusis vyšnių pyragas” (Brittle Cherry Cake) and a “Karališkasis tortas” (Royal Cake), coffee of course. Also offer steaks, crepes, soups, salads. Has an outdoor tarrace in summer. Average price ~€5. 
• Prie Neries (By Neris River), Žvejų St 2 (Centre, northern bank of Neris river between the Green bridge and Mindaugas bridge), ☎ [phone], [phone] (mobile), e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 09:00-16:00; on weekends only upon request. Relatively remote location, easily accessible, good view through the large windows. Almost perfect place for business lunch, banquet or a private party for up to 80 people. Has 2 halls (spacious ballroom), sauna, outdoor café. Day lunch around €3. 
• 🌍 Sakwa, M. K. Paco St 1/2 (Antakalnis district, near St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, next to the parking lot by the roundabout), ☎ [phone], [phone] (mobile), e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 10:00-23:00. Café in the new two-storey building with an attic, retro styled like a suburban house. Lithuanian, Polish and European cuisine. Day lunch 11:00-15:00 ~€5. 
• Vegafé, Two vegetarian cafes: Totorių St 3 (Centre, close to Gediminas av., within premises of Ananda Yoga House and Augustijonų St 2-3/ Savičiaus St 13 (Old Town, close to Town Hall square – west of square towards Bokšto St, within premises of yoga ashram, ☎ [phone] (Totorių), [phone] (Augustijonų), e-mail: [e-mail]. At Totorių: M-F 11:00-22:00, Sa Su 12:00-22:00; at Augustijonų: M-Sa 11:00-21:30, closed on Su. Vegetarian meals from natural products, adhered principles of ayurvedic food production. Represent lacto-vegetarian nutrition system. No microwave. Soup ~€2, salad and cold snacks ~€4, hot meals €2-7, tea, cacao €1.50-3, fancy sweets €2-4. 
• 🌍 Žaliasis bambukas (Green Bamboo), Latvių St 7A (Žvėrynas district), ☎ [phone], [phone] (mobile), e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 11:00-15:00, closed on weekends. Seminars and workshops on 2nd half of day (usually since 18:00) and weekends, advance registration via mail or phone is required, the price varies. Vegetarian and vegan café. Menu: five grain soup, kus-kus with vegetables and seeds, baked pumpkin, apple chutney, cake, thyme tea. Take away food: samosas with vegetable, apple, cottage cheese or caramel fillings; homemade unleavened bread, non-alcoholic wine, melted butter ghee. Day lunch €5, green cocktail €2.50. 
• 🌍 Mint Vintu, Šv. Ignoto 16/10, Vilnius, Lithuania, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 11:00-20:00. Mint Vintu is an independent bookstore, café and Internet hangout place in the heart of Vilnius' old town (the capital of Lithuania) where good people meet. (updated Apr 2015)

Sleep

Budget

• 🌍 Domus Maria, Aušros vartų str. 12, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Unique and popular hotel within a monastery. Single €52, double €62 inc. breakfast. (updated Jun 2017)
• 🌍 Filaretai Youth Hostel, Filaretų gatvė 17 (Uzupis District. Take Bus 34 to Filaretai), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 24 hours. Chilled out place. Laundry service (washing & drying) €4. Filaretai hostel is in the so-called Republic of Užupis, 10 minutes on foot from the heart of Vilnius Old Town. Self-service kitchen, washing machine, free WiFi sitting-room with free computers and TV. Dorm bed €10, single €20, double €30, triple €36, quad €46.. 
• 🌍 Hostelgate, Sv. Mikalojaus gatve 3, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Small hostel. Free wi-fi and internet, free tea and coffee, free parking. 
• Jimmy Jumps House, Savičiaus gatvė 12, ☎ [phone]. Dorm bed: 37LTL. 
• 🌍 JNN Hostel, Sv. Stepono g. 11 (between the railway station and the old town), ☎ [phone]. TV and kitchen. 
• 🌍 Litinterp Guesthouse Vilnius, Bernardinu str.7, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. In a historic building on one of Old Town’s prettiest streets. Facilities are basic but more than ample, with options for everybody from single guests to families. There's a choice of en suite and shared bathroom facilities, plus all rooms have access to small kitchens. Single €18-25, double €30-36, triple €43. Breakfast included. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Paupio Namai Hostel & Guesthouse, Paupio 31a, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• Pogo Hostel, B. Radvilaitė St 3-1 (In front of Cathedral squere), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: from 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Unique for its interior and cozyness. Unbelievably helpful staff, free coffee, tea. Free wi-fi, internet. Also you will find foosball table, PS2 console and many other activities. It's a good value for the price. Dorm bed: €11; Double: €30. 
• 🌍 Vilnius Guesthouse, S.Staneviciaus 79, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Vilnius Guest House is in the city, yet in a quiet area surrounded by a small forest, it offers accommodation with a sauna and billiards. Secure private car parking is available. The rooms at Vilnius are spacious and individually decorated in various colours. Each comes with a TV with cable channels, a wardrobe and a bathroom fitted with a shower. Free Wi-Fi is also provided. Breakfast included. There's a choice of en-suite and shared bathroom facilities Single: €35, double: €45. 

Mid-range

• 🌍 Hotel E-GuestHouse, T. Ševčenkos str. 16, LT-03111 Vilnius, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Free parking and WiFi. Sauna free from 20:00-00:00. All rooms are equipped with nocturnal outdoor blinds, 24-hour front desk, Long breakfast. A total of 34 rooms decorated in a modern style. Near the Old Town (Senamiestis in Lithuanian). 
• 🌍 Ambassador Hotel, Gedimino avenue 12, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 18-room hotel. Several rooms have baths in addition to showers. Popular restaurant on the first floor. Single: €69; Double: €81; Triple: €98. 
• 🌍 Apia Hotel, Sv. Ignoto str 12, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 12-room hotel. 
• 🌍 Comfort Hotel Vilnius, Gėlių g. 5, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Ecotel Vilnius, Slucko St. 8, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 168-room hotel that occupies a former shoe factory. 10 minute walk to everything. Popular among sports groups as it is right near the stadium. Extra long beds for tall people. Single: €58; Double: €66; Triple: €81. 
• 🌍 Embassy Hotel Balatonas, Latvių st. 38, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 28-room Hungarian-owned hotel near the embassies. Popular among eastern European businessmen. Single: €50; Double: €60. Stay 2 nights and get the third night free. 
• Europa Hotels. Operates 3 hotels in Vilnius - a 2-star, 3-star, and 4-star. 
• 🌍 Hotel Algirdas, Algirdo str. 24, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Scandinavian style hotel in the centre. From €35. 
• 🌍 Hotel Rudninku vartai, Rūdninkų str. 15/46 (Old Town), ☎ [phone]. Cosy hotel. From €52. 
• 🌍 Hotel Vilnius Europolis, Švitrigailos g. 11D, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 26-room hotel in Vilnius offering free parking, wireless internet (all rooms), cafe and outdoor summer terrace. Single from €29; Double from €35; Triple from €47; quad €65. 
• Mano Liza Guesthouse. 8-room family-run guesthouse popular with American and Canadian tourists. Nice artwork. From €81, 50% discounts available.. 
• 🌍 Old Market Guesthouse, Pylimo 57, ☎ [phone]. Check-out: 10:00. Hostel style bed-and-breakfast within walking distance of the bus and train station in Old Town. In-room breakfast, wireless internet, free parking, and satellite TV are all provided. Old Market also rents flats for short-term stays. Discounts for winter stays. Staff is friendly and helpful. €52-62 high season, €30-50 winter. 
• 🌍 Ratonda Centrum Hotels, Gedimino Ave 52/1, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 48-room hotel. Sauna and fitness center. Popular among politicians for its location near parliament. From €59. 

Splurge

• 🌍 Hotel Tilto, Tilto str. 8, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Irish-owned hotel in the centre. The 3-storey hotel features 35 fully equipped rooms, a cosy restaurant, and a leisure centre. In 2009 won the most hospitable hotel in Vilnius award. 
• 🌍 Mabre Residence Hotel, Maironio str. 13, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. This 41-room hotel occupies a grand neo-Classical Russian Monastery. High walls give it an exclusive feel. Sauna, fitness center, and pool. Wi-fi in rooms. The Steakhouse Hazienda is in the hotel. 
• 🌍 Novotel Vilnius Centre, Gedimino av. 16, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Very popular 159-room hotel opened in 2003. Tall building in the centre, close to Opera House and Cathedral square. 
• 🌍 Radisson Blu Astorija Hotel, Didzioji 35/2 (opposite the town square), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. US President Bush and British Prince Charles have enjoyed the great service offered here. Private saunas are offered in some rooms. From €149. 
• 🌍 Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva (formerly Reval Hotel Lietuva), Konstitucijos pr. 20, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 291-room hotel. High-rise building by the river. Popular for conferences. The even-numbered rooms offer great views of old town, also from top-floor 'Skybar'. 
• 🌍 Ramada Vilnius, Subačiaus Str. 2, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 55-room hotel. Wi-fi in the lobby but not in the rooms. From €90 in low season, €110 in high season. 
• 🌍 Šarūnas Hotel, Raitininkų str. 4 (East of city business centre, Šnipiškės district, calm location near Neris river.), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 55-room hotel owned by and named after a Vilnius basketball star. Sauna, fitness center, and laundry services. 
• 🌍 Neringa Hotel, Gedimino Ave. 23, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 60-room hotel. Foreign magazines, beautiful flowers, sauna, fitness center, wi-fi, pool, bar. Breakfast included. 
• 🌍 Shakespeare Hotel, Bernardinu str. 8/8, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 31-room boutique English country-style hotel. Rooms are named after famous writers and books of that writer are inside each room. Nice views of nearby landmarks. Wi-fi included. Breakfast included. Single: from €105; Double: from €162. 

Connect

Wi-Fi

There are abundant free Wi-Fi hotspots all over the city, including Gedimino prospect, Vokiečių street Gatve, Pilles street, Cathedral Square, and Town Hall Square. Free Wi-Fi is also available in some restaurants.

Internet terminals

There are not many public internet terminals in Vilnius. The following offer access to a computer:

• 🌍 Alderada, Pylimo str. 21, ☎ [phone]. 09:00-18:00. VOIP calls, Internet phones, cheap international calls 
• 🌍 Omnitel, Gedimino prosect 12. 09:00-18:00. 
• Despina (within premises of Mokymo centras - Teaching Centre Kareivių St 2 (Žirmūnai district, NE corner at the Kalvarijų/Kareivių crossing; 1st floor), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 08:30-16:00 (lunch break 12:30-13:30). Cozy place to check your e-mails, chat, talk via Skype, learn and work. 
• Senoji raštinė ((Old Office))Pylimo St 54 (Close to the bus/railway stations at the SW edge of the Old Town, near Rūdininkai bus stop), ☎ [phone] (mobile), fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-15:00. Shop of stationery and office products and services. Offer internet access as a part of office services: to receive and send e-mail, print, burn a CD or DVD. 
• Taškas (Dot), J. Jasinskis St 1/Dainava St 8 (Centre, SW of Lukiškės Square, close to the Lukiškės bus stop; entrance from Kudirkos St, 2nd floor), ☎ [phone] (mobile). Daily 00:00-24:00. Internet cafe service. 

Postal service

Vilniaus centrinis paštas operates 173 post offices in Vilnius, including the large central post office at Gediminas ave 7. These offices handle all postal services, money orders, and Western Union money transfers.

Stay safe

Business center and a White Bridge at night

Taxis in tourist areas can charge 3 times the normal rate.

Vilnius is a relatively safe city; however, crimes do occur. Use typical common sense.

Try and walk with confidence and never look lost. Being drunk and acting obviously foreign in the middle of the night is a bad idea. If you have traveled by train to visit a nightclub or other venue, take taxis to and from your venue, and upon return to the railway station remain in the ticket hall, which is patrolled by security guards.

Dangerous areas

• The area around the central train station is particularly dodgy and frequented by prostitutes and their clients.
• It is recommended not to enter South Vilnius suburbs, including Naujininkai and Kirtimai, especially at night, as well as some parts of Šnipiškės which are located any deeper than its business district.
• The 148 train to Moscow is a noted target and many have reported having their baggage stolen. The police are also not very helpful.

Cope

Left luggage

The coin-operated baggage lockers in the cellar of the railway station are a secure place to store bags and other items. Ensure that nobody is around when you are getting the receipt, because there are thieves who pretend to be station staff.

Medical help

• Baltic-American Clinic, Nemenčinė highway 54a (Turniškės district by the highway to Nemenčinė town), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. English-speaking. 
• Clinic Northway, S. Žukausko str 19 (Nortern Town (Šiaurės miestelis) district), ☎ [phone]. 
• Medical Diagnostic Center, V. Grybo str. 32 (4 km from city center), ☎ [phone]. 
• Medicina Generalis (Med General Private Clinic), Gedimino av. 1A-19 (Centre; 2nd floor), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. By appointment M-F 09:00-17:00. English-speaking. Adult and children's health care. 
• Santariškių klinikos (Santarishkes Clinic), Santariškių St 2 (Santariškės district, northern edge of the city), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Hospital complex encompassing the provision of medical care in heart and vascular medicine, transplantology, oncohematology, oncology and surgical oncology, radiology and nuclear medicine, children’s diseases and rehabilitation. 

• Vaikų ligoninė (Children‘s Hospital), Santariškių St 7 (Within Santariškės Clinic complex), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Affiliate of Santariškių klinikos. 

Dentists

• V. Pūro Odontologijos klinika, Universiteto St 2 / Dominikonų St 18 (Centre, on the corner near University), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. English-speaking. Dental diagnostic and treatment services (including surgical treatment and implantation) for children and adult. 

Embassies

Many details can also be found here: https://www.embassypages.com/lithuania

• Finland, K. Kalinausko g. 24, 2nd floor, LT-03107, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• 🌍 Georgia, D. Poškos g. 13, 08123 Vilnius, ☎ [phone], [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 09:00-18:00. 
• Greece, Rudninku 2, ☎ [phone], [phone], [phone] (Emergencies), fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 09:00-16:00. 
• Japan, M. K. Ciurlionio 82 b, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• 🌍 Russia, Latvių g. 53, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• Spain, Algirdo 4, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 09:30-15:30. 
• United States, Akmenų g. 6, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail] [e-mail]; [e-mail]. MULTIPLE-EMAIL

Go next

• Trakai - A very worthwhile day or half-day trip, home to five peaceful lakes and two castles. Previous capital of Lithuania, now centre of Trakai Historical National Park. Buses leave often from the central bus station, cost a few euros and take about 40 minutes. Trains depart a few times a day.
• Kernavė - medieval capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Kaunas - the second largest city, which served as the national capital in the 1920s and 1930s.
• Purnuškės - 25 km to the north of Vilnius, is one of the centres of Europe, this one marked by the National Institute of Geography of France in 1989. (It has now somehow moved a little closer.)
• Klaipėda - coastal Lithuania, a sea port.
• Nida - a resort town in Lithuania, located on the Curonian Spit. Curonian Spit is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Palanga - Lithuania's prominent SPA resort and summer holiday destination.
• Hill Of Crosses - a site of pilgrimage about 12 km north of the city of Šiauliai, in northern Lithuania.
• Birštonas - famous mineral water resort 90 km south west from Vilnius.
• Minsk, Belarus — 3 hours away by train or 30 mins by plane.
• Nordic countries - take a cheap flight to Scandinavian cities by Norwegian.