In this article, you will learn everything you need to know before spending 2 days in Vilnius!
During my recent road ultimate trip around Europe, I visited Lithuania. It was one of the final countries I drove through before driving back to the UK.
In Vilnius, you can explore Gediminas Castle Tower, Vilnius Cathedral, St. Anne’s Church, the Gate of Dawn, and more amazing attractions!
My favorite stop-off was the Three Crosses, which I’ve included in the Vilnius walking tour itinerary along with my best travel tips.
This 2-day itinerary of Vilnius will outline the best things to do, the best eateries, and more!
There is also helpful information on where to stay, the best guided tours, and how to get around.
Whether you’re in Vilnius for 2 days or more, it’s somewhere you should definitely visit whilst in Lithuania.
There are many fun things to do in Vilnius, this guide will give you all the information you need!
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2 Days in Vilnius Itinerary
So you’re wondering:
What is there to do in Vilnius for a weekend?
Use this 2-day Vilnius itinerary for inspiration and to help plan your trip. You can navigate around the different attractions from here.
Let us know in the comments what you think of this Vilnius travel guide!
Day 1:
Walking Tour | Vilnius Old Town | Vilnius Cathedral | Gediminas Castle Tower | Three Crosses
Day 2:
Guided Tours | Parks in Vilnius |
Day 3:
Museums in Vilnius | Vilnius Artillery Bastion
What is Vilnius famous for?
Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania, is famous for its varying styles of beautiful architecture. As you explore the old town you can see the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical styles on display.
Whilst you are taking a walk back in time through the partially cobblestone streets, why not stop off and sample the nation’s most famous national dish, Cepelinai!
These are delicious dumplings stuffed with cheese, mushrooms, or meat.
2 Days in Vilnius Itinerary Map
Here is a map of the attractions you will see during the first of your 2 days in Vilnius.
- Gate of Dawn
- Vilnius Old Town
- St Anne’s Church
- Vilnius Cathedral
- Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
- Gediminas Castle Tower
- Three Crosses
2 Days in Vilnius Itinerary – Day 1
On your first day in Vilnius, I recommend doing a walking tour. If you want to do a guided tour around the city you can consider booking ahead on GetYourGuide. If you prefer to walk around yourself then follow the next section!
Vilnius Free Walking Tour
I’ve written down a walking tour that includes 7 stops around Vilnius. The starting point is the Gate of Dawn. It takes a few hours at least to complete this so you will want to have a good breakfast before setting out.
Link to Google Maps Start Location
Gate of Dawn
The Gate of Dawn is an impressive gate into the old town of Vilnius. It was constructed as part of the defensive fortifications of the city, which you will see more of on this Vilnius walking tour. Unfortunately, this is the only remaining city gate of the original ten!
To learn more about the history of Lithuania make sure you schedule in some of the museums.
It’s a great starting point as there are plenty of cafes nearby to pick up a morning coffee before you walk around this stunning city.
Vilnius Old Town
After passing through the Gate of Dawn, You can now discover Vilnius Old Town! A UNESCO World Heritage location filled with a variety of architectural styles. It is one of the largest surviving medieval towns in Northern Europe, so you’re in for a treat.
There are two central squares in the old town. One is home to the town hall and the other to the cathedral.
Take your time to explore the different streets on your way to St Anne’s Church. Pilies Street is full of cafes and market vibes.
St Anne’s Church
St Anne’s Church was established around 1495 – 1500. It is a Roman Catholic church located in the Old Town.
Vilnius Catherdral
Vilnius Cathedral is the next stop on your walking tour. This is home to one of the two main squares so there is plenty of space to step back and take a picture.
It’s difficult to do this building justice with the photo, it’s a fantastic sight. It’s also nearby to the next stop on the itinerary, which is a bonus.
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania originates from the 15th Century. It’s now one of the most highly rated Museums in all of Vilnius as it gives you the opportunity to learn about the extensive history of Lithuanian royalty! Definitely worth a visit!
Gediminas Castle Tower
A visit to Gediminas Castle Tower will provide you with an amazing view of Vilnius! There is also a museum in the tower which you will be able to enjoy before you climb through the floors and exit onto the roof for the view.
Its located on a hill just around the corner from the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.
Three Crosses
The Three Crosses is a monument located in Kalnai Park. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the castle tower.
Whilst up there you can enjoy the fantastic view of the city.
2 Days in Vilnius Itinerary – Day 2
On the second of your 2 days in Vilnius, there are many options to choose from! You could consider taking a guided tour either within Vilnius or to one of Lithuania’s other tourist spots.
I really enjoyed walking around the different parks in Vilnius so that is also something to consider. There are lots of great coffee shops you can visit for breakfast before walking over to Bernardine Park, for example.
Guided tours in Vilnius
You might choose to take a guided tour on your second day. Check out GetYourGuide to see some options including:
Aukstaitija National Park is located in the North-Eastern area of Lithuania. You can take a full-day tour there.
Parks in Vilnius
Vilnius is surrounded by parks. If you have a car you can easily visit a few within a day. Bernardine Park, on the North East of the city, is easy to walk to and a great stop after your morning coffee. This is also where the Three Crosses are located.
Vingis Park, on the West of the city, is around a 45-minute walk from the old town.
Alternatively, you could visit some of the awesome museums which I’ve detailed in the next section
Vilnius Itinerary Day 3
If you have extra time in Vilnius I’d recommend checking out the museums and the artillery bastion. There is a lot to learn about and that’s one of the best things to do when visiting a new country.
Muesums in Vilnius
The top-rated museum in Vilnius is the Museum of Illusions.
It costs 11 euros for adults but there are also options for family tickets. In the primary exhibition prepare for an exceptional interactive experience where illusions combine with arts and scientific inventions. It is conveniently located in the middle of the old town. Check out the video above to see some examples.
Money Museum and KGB Museum
Other highly rated museums include the Money Museum of the Bank of Lithuania and the KGB Museum. In the money museum, you can explore exhibits showcasing the history of money from around the world.
The KGB Museum (Museum of Genocide Victims) arguably showcases the darkest of Lithuania history. This former gymnasium was originally the headquarters of the Nazi Gestapo in World War 2 before becoming occupied by the Soviet KGB after the Nazis left.
National Museum of Lithuania
The National Museum of Lithuania is located nearby to the Cathedral. It was established in 1952 and has a wide variety of exhibits from the history of Lithuania including archeological digs and written materials.
Vilnius Artillery Bastion
The bastion is located nearby to the Gate of Dawn. It’s a renaissance-style fortification which I enjoyed visiting. There are underground gun ports and tunnels within the defensive wall. You can pay for an entrance ticket and go inside to explore.
If you only have 2 days in Vilnius I’d say it’s worth trying to fit in on day 1 after the Three Crosses.
Other Places to Visit/Things to do in Vilnius
If you have extra time to spare during your 48 hours in Lithuania, here are some other options for you to consider!
- Church of St. Peter and St. Paul
- Vichy Water Park – Just north of the city
- Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania
- Halle Market – Traditional vendors market
- Lithuania Art Museum
- Verkiai Regional Park
Where to stay in Vilnius
There are a number of accommodation options available in Vilnius. Given that most of the fun things to do are in or around the Old Town I would recommend trying to stay nearby if it’s within your budget.
Here is a list of a few accommodation options for your 2 days in Vilnius
I use Booking.com to search for hotels.
Hostels
Jimmy Jumps Hostel
Vilnius Home Hostel
Downtown Forest Hostel & Camping
AirBnB can be an excellent option for finding accommodation options in Vilnius
Options range from studio apartments in the center of the city/town/village to chalet-style cabins nestled in the woods.
Vilnius Travel Tips
Here are my best travel tips for your 2 days in Vilnius, Lithuania!
My thoughts on Vilnius
I visited Vilnius as part of my Baltic States Road Trip. During my 2 days in Vilnius, I visited all the major tourist sites and a few outside the city.
We also drove from Vilnius to Klaipeda to take the ferry to Sweden and saw some interesting things en route.
Overall I would say that I preferred Tallinn and Riga to Vilnius. The Old Town in Tallinn was simply stunning and the nightlife in Riga was vibrant and fun.
I would say where Vilnius excelled was the nice parks surrounding the city, so definitely make time for those. I also found the people really friendly, as they are in all of the Baltic States.
The Old Town in Vilnius is of course still a fantastic place to walk around and explore, but if you can include Tallinn and Riga in your trip then you are onto a winner!
Costs in Vilnius
What you spend when in Vilnius depends completely on what you want to do.
For example, the more tours you take or the more you party, the more you will spend. These costs are non-essential, and you can take part in as many or as little as you like depending on your budget.
However, certain costs such as food, accommodation, and travel are non-negotiable.
Here’s a rough breakdown of essential travel costs in Vilnius:
Accomodation
Hotel room for 2: $40+
Hostel: Dorm – $14+; Private – $45+
Air BnB: $45+
Local Transport
Metro / Bus: $0.8
Day travel card: $6
Bike rental: $Prices
Taxi from airport to center: $10
Eating Out
Dinner: $15+
Lunch: $12+
Take-out meal: $8+
Drinking
Beer in local bar/pub: $5
Beer in a high-end bar: $9
Cocktail: $9
How to get to Vilnius
Lithuania has three airports – Vilnius, Kaunas, and Palanga. You can fly to Lithuania direct from many European countries!
In addition, there is the port of Klaipeda which is a major ferry port offering routes to places such as Germany and Sweden. We actually took the ferry from Klaipeda to Sweden as part of our massive European road trip.
I drove through the Baltic states and the roads were of good quality. So if you’re planning a road trip To Lithuania I think it’s a great idea!
I’ve written similar 2 days articles on Tallinn and Riga which you might find helpful.
There are also great rail links to Vilnius so you could travel there as part of a European trip using the excellent train network.
How to get around Vilnius
From my experience, there was more walking to be done to see the sights in Vilnius than in Tallinn or Riga. If you don’t mind stretching your legs for a few hours then I would still say that walking is the best way to see the city!
However, Vilnius has excellent public transport, taxi’s and cycle hire options. A single 30-minute public transport ticket is just 0.65 Euros! You can view the prices for different types of public transport passes.
Uber Available: Yes
Best time to visit Vilnius
You can visit Lithuania any time of the year but be prepared for significant differences in the weather! The summer months can bring lovely warm weather however during winter the temperature can drop as low as -20 degrees Celcius.
It is most popular during the summer and there are events such as Vilnius Festival.
However, the Vilnius Christmas markets are a fantastic reason to visit in December.
Spanning five weeks starting the beginning of December, the Vilnius town square has an incredible festive mood and an incredible illuminated tree.
How to save money in Vilnius
- Book tours in advance on Getyourguide
- Book accommodation with free breakfast
- Don’t eat in restaurants in the centre of the Old Town
- Use public transport
Practical Information for Visiting Vilnius
- Timezone: Eastern European GMT+2
- Currency: Euro
- Power: Two pin socket
- Internet access: Very fast internet access available
- Drinking Water: Yes, you can drink the tap water in Vilnius.
Safety: Vilnius is generally very safe but you should still practice common-sense safety whilst abroad, especially at night.
- Always be aware of pick pockets
- Double check cover charges and drinks prices when eating out
- Consider purchasing an Anti Theft Backpack to secure your belongings whilst out and about!
- Don’t leave beverages unattended.
- If you have an emergency whilst in Lithuania dial 112
Here is an in-depth article on Safety in Lithuania by World Nomads. It’s recommended to read before your 2 days in Vilnius.
Further Reading for Your 2 Days in Vilnius
To help you further plan your visit, here are some useful resources:
- Lonely Planet Guide to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
- Public Transport in Vilnius
- Cost of living in Vilnius
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must for any trip. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly, but it’s best not to take any chances.
I recommend insurance from WorldNomads.com for your weekend in Vilnius.
Not only is it available to people from 140 countries, but you can buy a policy and even claim online after you’ve left. That means it’s never too late!
Ensure you are covered for medical expenses, theft, cancellations, baggage loss, and activities.
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