unusual things to do in vilnius

With St. Anne's Church in the background Bernardine Park was a huge open space with lovely laid out gardens, plenty of grass to run around on, and lots of shade. My guide on a Vilnius walking tour also told me that you can always navigate your way around the city by heading down to this spot. Download App for Free. And for real aficionados, Amber polishing demonstrations are available upon request. 2. Vilnius is one of Europe's smaller capital cities, but that doesn't necessarily mean everything is close together. This library is one of the oldest and largest academic libraries in Lithuania founded in the 1570s by the Jesuits. Join a Free Tour. Frank Zappa Statue: Perhaps the most famous of all Vilnius tourist attractions, this bust of the ethnically Lithuanian musician is an offbeat site for fans of the man and his music. But, its also a nice stop on your tour of Vilnius Old Town for a photo opp! Uutrakis Manor - restored 19th-century manor. Click here to find out more about booking a tour of the library. According to legend, in 1347, the Grand Duke Algirdas wife Julijona built a wooden Orthodox Church in their honour. Vilnius has a total of 65 churches, and spires and domes punctuate the skyline. So, its well worth checking out if you want to learn all about it! The history museum Gediminas Castle Tower in Vilnius tells the story of the city from its settlement by Grand Duke Gediminas in the 15th century to present day. If you can, I highly recommend staying in a hotel or apartment in the Old Town so you're close to the action. 2. Its the oldest market in Vilnius that is still thriving today and sells everything from all sorts of meat including pigs ears, fruits, cheese, mushrooms, bread, to clothes and electricals. All Rights Reserved - PRIVACY POLICY, From Vilnius Airport to City Center with public transportation. During my week here, I got to explore many cities and attractions outside of Vilnius and wrote helpful guides for each of them; Europos Park is a contemporary art museum founded in 1991 and set in nature. The Fabijoniks district plays the part in the infamous Pripyat, The Museum of Occupations plays the KGB prison and a few of the former government buildings and guest houses were transformed into courtrooms and hotels. So, you get a birds-eye view of the gorgeous rooftops, cobbled streets, and church spires. Later, in the 17th century, the church belonged to the Uniates of the Basilian Order. The brainchild of two Lithuanian physics students, the pyramid featured a delicately balanced stack of over 1,000,000 disused coins from the countrys previous currency. Located in Vilnius Old Town, there is no more unique district anywhere in Lithuania than Uzupis. Foreign supermarkets are always fun, but this was another level: from the fresh sushi counter, to the extensive salad bar, to the endless selection of salami, to the mind-blowing bakery . Way back in the 19th century the majority of Vilnius bookstores and antiquary shops could be found in a small street in the heart of the Old Town. 7 were executed and thrown from Bleak hill and the other 7 were crucified thrown into the Vilnia River. 1. Gediminas Castle Tower. The romantic island castle you find in Trakai today in the middle of Lake Galv is a reconstruction of the gothic one built in the 15th century. Lithuania's capital city Vilnius is so much more than its pretty, Unesco-protected Old Town - although as one of Europe's oldest surviving medieval centres, its cobblestone streets, ancient churches and well-preserved architecture make it a captivating city break. The Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower is open from 10am 7pm in summer and 10am 6pm in winter. You see, the city is actually quite hilly and so if youre heading downwards, youll know youre on the right track to the square! 12. Once upon a time, this area was one of the poorest parts of the city, it was home to Jewish migrants and labourers. If you tell someone you are going to Vilnius, you are often met with a confused look and a 'Where is that'. The Church of St Johns is meant to have the most amazing views from the top of its bell tower. It also has a resident mermaid and an angel who guards them all. You were brought to the room and without a word shot. It's one of the things to do in Vilnius that you can't miss. If you carry on to the end, youll find the Vilnius Town Hall. Museum of Genocide Victims - particularly interesting if you're curious about the Soviet occupation and the atrocities of that period. The City Bastion Viewpoint can be visited 24 hours a day, but if you want to go insidethe museumor onto the terrace, this is only open from Tuesday Sunday from 10am 6pm. 5. I was gutted I didnt get a chance to explore the inside of the library, but you can go inside on an organised tour if youre interested. I think if there is one bar or restaurant you need to visit while in Vilnius, its the quirky and eccentric nekutis! It was so tasty and I would go back in a heartbeat. AddThis sets this geolocation cookie to help understand the location of users who share the information. If you love learning about Lithuanian history, The War Museum in Kaunas should be on your itinerary, for sure! Its well worth putting this stop on your itinerary for lunch to do what the locals do! Abandoned 3. Courtyard shopping or walking down old streets maybe your next favourite hobby while youre in Vilnius. Or, Ill leave it as a surprise! Guided tours cost extra. Then check out the best things to do in Vilnius, to ensure you make the most of your time in the city. Originally intended as a temporary exhibition when it was launched in 2008, the wall quickly grew in popularity and it was soon decided that it would remain, becoming a popular stop-off point for both locals and visitors to the city. Chef Matas Paulinas cooked around the world before returning home to cook at Vilnius' Nineteen18. Read more the best viewpoints in Vilnius. Founded in 1988, this unusual museum regales visitors with stories about the formation, colour, harvesting and processing of the ancient fossilised tree resin known as Baltic amber. Literature Street. From different Vilnius attractions to visiting one of the many churches to going to the Trakai castle, to walking on the streets of the Old Town. We laughed a lot. Read my complete guide for Gediminas Castle here. Its a great place to sample a few dishes as the prices wont break your budget! AddThis sets this cookie to ensure that the updated count is seen when one shares a page and returns to it, before the share count cache is updated. The Magic Brick in Vilnius. It was originally built for Anna, the Grand Duchess of Lithuania, and the wife of Vytautas the Great. 1. Once Lithuania became a Christian state in the 14th century it was granted Magdeburg rights. The Gediminas Tower of the Upper Castle is the last remaining part of his legacy here. Find fun things to do in Vilnius this weekend. Read my complete Hill of Crosses travel guide here. Climb up to see the Hill of Three Crosses and take in the panoramic city views or enjoy one of the regular festivals and events held here. Written October 1, 2022. (the company that believes in giving stories, not stuff! A historical building looms over a large public square in Vilnius (Photo: F Mira via Flickr). The main sights in Vilnius + history of the city Cathedral Square & St.Stanislaus Cathedral. Plus its only 30 minutes from Vilnius making it the perfect day trip. So, if youre relatively fit and not scared of heights its perfect. With his iconoclastic image, American rock star Frank Zappa became a symbol of the freedom that people had for so long been denied and in 2001 a member of the Vilnius bohemian set founded the Frank Zappa Fan Club. But, the reality is that the French soldiers used it for shelter during the Napoleonic wars. Originally set up as a horse market in the 15th century, it then became a grain market in the 16th. If youre going to need WiFi, make sure you ordered. Hals market can be found on Pylimo gatve and is open from 7am. He was the first and last Lithuanian King in the short-lived Kingdom of Lithuania in the 13th century. He had a prophetic dream on a hunting trip where he dreamt of a wolf made of iron, howling with the power of a thousand wolves. Source: Shutterstock. Finally, in 1870, the three parks that were next to each other, the Botanical Gardens, the Cathedral Park, and Bernadine gardens, all became one park. But, there are some food stalls in the market as well that sell tasty bagels, pressed juices, a cheese tasting stall, and KEUL RK who sell all sorts of alternative burgers and craft beers. Address: Etmon g. 6, Vilnius 01129, Lithuania. There are free tours to go inside the Palace on Saturdays. Its split up into 4 sections, so if you didnt want to see all of it, you can pay less for just one of the routes. Years ago the whole upper castle was a defensive fortification built by Gediminas grandson, Duke Vytautas. But, I would recommend seeing the whole thing. It really is as pretty as a postcard. The Funicular train up to Gediminas' Tower with the new part of Vilnius in the background across the river. But, masses started again in 1988. The tour will wind along charming Old Town streets, pause at the iconic landmarks, stop at the enchanting viewing points. avenue). Their menu serves up breakfast, lunch, dinner, champagne, pastries, coffee, and the most exciting cakes too! It is HUGE at over 1,000 feet high, so youre bound to feel like youre up in the clouds. There is still no evidence to whom the exact architect was behind this church but many believe it was Michael Enkinger. So, without further ado, here are all the amazing things to do in Vilnius on your trip. But, beyond black bread (which we will cover in detail) there's a massive range of exciting traditional Lithuanian food to try when you visit Vilnius. Tucked away underwater, away from the sight of prying eyes, the remnants of these stony roads date back centuries. Of course, as well as capturing it there are a lot of shops, restaurants, and chapels you can pop into to pass the time too. You never know where it may lead! Vilnius Cathedral. Perhaps the most unusual of sites in all of Lithuania, the Hill of Crosses in the north of the country is a must-see on any road . Of more interest to me was the panoramic view from the top. Soviet Architecture 2. A post shared by @stasyukkk. Over the years, this has been expanded and now there are over 200 plaques dedicated to authors who have a connection with Vilnius and even those from around the globe. This was an important part of the cities defense walls and the historic Lower and Upper Castle in the 13th century. 26 DATES July 2 August 27, A musical stage performance during Christopher Summer Festival (Photo: Evgenia Levin). Frank Zappa is American, so I wasnt sure why his bust would be in the capital of Lithuania but I was sure there was a good reason for it. During the Soviet Era, it was converted into a warehouse. Uupis Republic Discovery Tour - This is the bohemian part of Vilnius and I recommend you see it with a local guide. List your property . These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. But, through time, the building suffered major fires and had to be reconstructed. Presidential Palace. During my? Look out for the amazing graffiti surrounding it. This cookie is used by Facebook to control its functionalities, collect language settings and share pages. 4. Its also in the centre of the old streets. The University Bell Tower is one of a few things to do in Vilnius that will get you a bird's-eye view of Old Town Vilnius. The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. Including a few tiles that look different from the rest. Discover 0 fun things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania. 2.Catch the highest view in the City at St John's Church. It's actually the highest point in all of Vilnius, which means if you want great views, then here will have them. You can take a balloon ride or join a free walking tour to get around the main sights and learn more about Vilniuss fascinating history. It was cheap and convenient. FUTURE LIVE. The Cathedral Square with the Cathedral of St. Stanislaus is a must-see during a sightseeing tour in Vilnius. The Frank Zappa fan club erected this monument to their prog-rock hero to mark a new era of post-Soviet Lithuania. An abandoned masterpiece of Soviet Brutalist architecture. Together with a professional local guide, you will look for treasures hidden in the streets of Vilnius. Heads up: my accommodation in Vilnius and some tours were sponsored by Tinggly, who is an awesome gift card experience company! Walking, especially within the Old Town, will be your best bet most of the time. This review is the subjective opinion of . An important place that I feel every tourist should visit in Vilnius is the Museum of Occupations. It has had quite a colourful history since it was built, becoming an Orthodox church, a museum about Atheism during the soviet era, and then going full circle back to a Catholic Church today. Not only does this city have its own epic castle, but there are also some unique attractions to explore like Fort IX, the worlds only Devil Museum, and neighbourhoods covered in street art! I went on a private walking tour with them which I would also highly recommend if your budget can stretch. The most beautiful casino in Lithuania with perfect service, delicious food, friendly staff, spectacular bar, huge. Tickets for the Palace cost 2 Euros per tour route, or you can pay 7 Euros for all 4. You can visit the inside of the church during the restricted opening hours, but even if its closed its worth stopping here for a photo! Learn About Vilnius Ghost Stories & Legends, Vilnius Lithuania Points of Interest | 7 Tourist Attractions, 7. #1 Walk around the Old Town. Kaunas is often called Vilnius quirky brother and, as the second-largest city in Lithuania, its well worth checking out. The cherry on top? Its made light with honey, but its deceiving as its also really strong. Just be patient with the traffic and masses of tourists using the crossroads! A lot of local people hang out here and play pool/billiard or do Karaoke in the weekdays. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. This micro-nation may be some sort of prank, but its constitution sure seems official. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Literatu Street is open to the public, is FREE to visit, and accessible 24 hours a day. We recommend Trakai Castle as one of the top things to do in Vilnius, even though it's not in the city. It speaks in Vilnius own unique voice and makes some awesome photo opportunities too. Vilnius has plenty of fun things to do - tours, experiences, special museums and activities for a perfect holiday in the Lithuanian capital. If you cant get enough of the view over Vilnius, you can head to the Three Crosses Hill, a hill overlooking the city with three 12m tall white concrete Crosses overlooking the city. Fighting UFO's. This 560 m2 area is separated into several rooms. Explore these best attractions, sightseeing spots, fun activities, and other handpicked places to visit in Vilnius on this weekend. According to legend, before a church was placed here, it was a site of a Pagan temple dedicated to Milda. Years ago, before Duke Gediminas united and founded Vilnius, it actually used to be a series of villages. Bike tour for the first-comers to Vilnius featuring must-see classics in combination with newly trending spots. Heres their menu. The Hill of Crosses is one of the most important attractions in Lithuania and is a symbol of light and hope. A Baltic Shaman then translated his dream and told him he needed to create a strong city like the wolf and it would be talked about for centuries, hence the howling. Packages Packages. Vilnius, Lithuania. 4. LOCATION Gedimino av. By Crazyguy14. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. Its a testament to the strength of the Lithuanian people despite their dark past. It costs 4 Euros and is open from 10am 6pm Wednesday to Saturday. Such was the interest in the new edifice that a military brass band played famous Zappa hits at its unveiling and it remains a popular attraction to this day. If you happen to go on a Saturday, theres even a FREE walking tour! Pilies means Castle in Lithuanian and this historic cobbled area used to lead directly down the castle years ago. But get in quick the monument will come down one day, with all of its coins earmarked for childrens charities. Designed for nature and outdoors enthusiasts, guests can expect grill and barbecue events, mulled wine, craft beers and night-time bonfires all of which combine to create a magical ambience. Youve got the Gate of Dawns in the background, a whole range of historic architecture including the Philharmonic building, church spires, and cobbled streets. See here for details. Today it serves as a community-building with events held throughout the year. The mead from here was incredible. Things To Do In Vilnius. 2022 UPDATED UPDATED Top 10 Things To Do https://bit.ly/3KUhF6EBest Hotels In Vilnius https://bit.ly/3kSZV18-----. Then in the 1990s, they declared the district the Free Republic. Here, I want to share with you a few of the more unique things to do in Vilnius, Lithuania. He brings a world-class level of gastronomy to the Lithuanian capital. As well as religious monuments and memorials, there are over forty pieces of art by famous Lithuanian painters. The Palace is HUGE so youll need at least a few hours to explore. Or, have a play on the swing of fate (secret Uupis swing) 4. Three Crosses Hill: Another monument to Lithuania's tense past with . Read my full review of the Vilnius food tour here! You can access this from Town Hall Square. As the name indicates, the museum looks at optical illusions. Unusual Things To Do in Vilnius: There are some very interesting, unusual things to do in Vilnius; check out these: 7. They were originally set up by Bernadine Monks that were invited to Vilnius. But, I feel that although these are dark places, learning about history is necessary so these things do not happen again. GIFTEDWe spent ab. The mini series took over 1000 hours to film and is one of Lithuanias biggest productions to date. During the Soviet Era it was used as a Military office until finally in 1997, it became the official seat to the Lithuanian President. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. Lithuanians are a very clear and literal people. As a result, you can never quite be sure where youll see one but you can have plenty of fun guessing! But, with traditional Lithuanian mead, you can drink it cold and by the pint; its absolutely delicious! The Church is open from 6am 6.30pm Monday to Friday. Browsing an art gallery is something I LOVE to do in cities and I had my heart set on the MO museum.

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