I was given a list of attractions by my couchsurfing in Vilnius. He’s hosted many guests on couchsurfing so I was really surprised that he went out of his way to help us enjoy our time in his city. I hope you enjoy your time in Vilnius just as I did there. Personally, nothing really wow-ed me, but it was an enjoyable day.
Here’s an example of itinerary that you may follow.
1. KGB Museum (The Museum of Genocide Victims)
(Not marked on the map below)
Ticket: €2 (student €1, extra fee for camera)
Opening Hours:10-18 (Closed on Monday and Tuesday)
I started off my day with this museum not because I wanted to be depressed, but because I felt it was important to understand this part of the history in Lithuania. After the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania in 1940s, they made a prison in the basement of the building (where the museum is established), and people back then did not know people were imprisoned there. This was in use till 1991! And you will see the room for execution, the prison cells and courtyards. The Nazi occupied Lithuania as well so before WWII and nearly 0.2 million Jews in Lithuania were killed. Lithuania used to have a large number of Jewish community, but unfortunately 90% of them were murdered. You’d also see exhibition on this in the museum. And in fact, not only Lithuanian Jews were killed, nearly 0.8 million Lithuanian died from WWII. Now their population is only 3 million, I guess this figure is horrifying.
http://www.muziejai.lt/vilnius/genocido_auku_muziejus.en.htm
2. Vilnius Cathedral
(Marked as 1 on the map below)
Ticket: Free
Opening Hours:7-?
Built in 17th century, this Roman Catholic is situated on the Cathedral Square in the Old Town of Vilnius. It has a crypt where bishops and some other important people are buried. It’s interesting, but it’s only open with their guided tours.
3. Gates of Dawn
(Marked as 8 on the map below)
Ticket: Free
It’s a small chapel on the gate! Can you see there’s a room above the gate? It’s built in 16th century..and on the gate because people believed Virgin Mary had power to bless travelers. There was a funeral when we went there, so we didn’t go inside. But it was interesting to look at it from outside.
From this gate most cars aren’t allowed to go inside. So it’s very easy to walk around.
4. And you’d pass Church of St. Teresa.
5. And then Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit.
My problem with Europe is that I get confused with which churches have the same faith with me all the time. Most of the time I didn’t think there was any difference as a church is a church (and a burger is a burger). But sometimes when I went into a church (orthodox, catholic, or sometimes Lutheran even) I felt it was just another ‘religious’ place of worship. But I actually like this church. We happened to listen to their evening service, and the choir was so beautiful. (Okay.. maybe it wasn’t a song, it was more like reading scriptures).
6. Town Square
Then you’ll be in the town square. There are a few cafes here and a RIMI supermarket. The tourist information center is also here (no toilet). It’s really beautiful, and well, it’s only 5 minutes walk from Gate of Dawn (interestingly I remember it took us longer time).
7. Jewish Ghetto
It was once Jewish ghetto here but now it’s a beautiful neighborhood.
8. Vilnius University
You’d see Vilnius university in this area too. It’s a beautiful campus. There’s also a tower which you can go up and see this beautiful old town.
9. Literaty Street
(Marked as 6 on the map below)
It’s a small street (bottom left) called Street of writers. It has interesting articles on the wall. So you can kind of go there and see what’s there.
10. Amber Museum
(Marked as 4 on the map below)
Ticket: Free
Before you reach St. Ann’s church, you can also stop at the Amber Museum. It’s a shop but there’s a small room in the basement where you can see some insects in amber.
11. St. Anne’s Church
(Marked as 3 on the map below)
Ticket: Free
This Roman Catholic church built in Gothic style is….actually built in 15th century! Napoleon said he wanted to take this church back to Paris in his palm. It’s also included in UNESCO list.
And it’s free to visit! And well, it’s small, but considering it’s built in 15th century, it’s quite impressive!
12. Gediminas Tower
(Marked as 2 on the map above)
Ticket: Free
Then if you have energy left, you can climb up to the Gediminas tower and enjoy a great view of the old town! You’d see Vilnius is divided into two parts- old and new! It’s beautiful and well worth the effort!
If you have time, you can also go to Uzupis. Unfortunately we didn’t have time.
Enjoy! (Here’s a map!)
Traveling Mega
