In this guide
- Museum closures: Palace of the Grand Dukes closes Mondays (Sep–May); KGB Museum closes Mondays and Tuesdays; MO Museum closes Tuesdays.
- Airport transit: Direct LTG Link train takes 7 minutes to Central Station for €0.90. Bus 88 links the terminal to the Old Town in 20 minutes (€1.00 for 30 minutes, €1.25 for 60 minutes).
- Public transport: A 30-minute ticket costs €1.00 and a 60-minute ticket €1.25; a 1-day pass is €7.50 and a 3-day pass €13.50 (judu.lt). Buy them in the JUDU or m.Ticket app, or tap a contactless bank card on board.
- Or book an orientation tour: Vilnius: Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide & Chocolatead from €21 is a 2.5-hour walk through the Old Town with a local guide.
Vilnius Old Town (Senamiestis) has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. It holds baroque churches, Gothic brick churches, university courtyards and neoclassical squares, set between the Neris and Vilnia river valleys.
Beyond the ducal architecture, the city has craft breweries, New Baltic bistros and an artists’ quarter in Užupis, and most places take cards. This page covers the planning basics: closed days, admission fees, transport and entry rules, with links to every Vilnius guide.
Cathedral Square and the Gediminas monument. Photo: Guillaume Speurt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
What to Book in Advance
Most Vilnius sights sell tickets at the door, so little needs booking ahead. The exception is the Cathedral crypts, which are visited on a guided tour booked in advance.
| Landmark / Attraction | Adult Rate | Concession | Booking & Practical Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gediminas Castle Tower (Gedimino pilies bokštas) | €8.00 | €4.00 | Walk-in counter; funicular €2 one way / €3 return |
| Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower | €6.00 | €4.00 | Walk-in (Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00) |
| Vilnius Cathedral Crypts (Katedros požemiai) | €6–€12 | Guided tour only; pre-book at bpmuziejus.lt (+370 600 12080) | |
| Palace of the Grand Dukes (Valdovų rūmai) | €17.00 (all four routes) | €8.50 | Box office; individual routes from €4 (valdovurumai.lt) |
| MO Modern Art Museum | €11.00 | €6.00 | Tickets online or at the museum (mo.lt) |
| Museum of Occupations (KGB) | €6.00 | €3.00 | Walk-in counter (genocid.lt) |
| Trakai Island Castle | €14.00 | €7.00 | April to September; €12 and €6 from October to March (trakaimuziejus.lt) |
Opening Hours and Closed Days
Several museums and towers in Vilnius close on specific days of the week:
- Mondays:
- The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum) is closed all year.
- The Palace of the Grand Dukes is closed on Mondays from September to May (open daily in June, July, and August).
- Regional museums, including Trakai Island Castle (October to April) and Kaunas museums (Kaunas Castle, Devils’ Museum, Čiurlionis Museum), are closed on Mondays.
- Tuesdays:
- The MO Museum is closed on Tuesdays year-round.
- The KGB Museum is also closed on Tuesdays.
- Sundays:
- The Vilnius Cathedral Bell Tower is closed on Sundays for religious observances. The cathedral nave remains open for worship.
- The Palace of the Grand Dukes closes early at 16:00 on Sundays.
- Open every day:
- Gediminas Tower is open daily 10:00 to 20:00 all year.
- Free Museum Sundays:
- The Palace of the Grand Dukes and Gediminas Tower are free on the last Sunday of each month.
St Anne’s Church Flamboyant Gothic facade. Photo: DavidConFran, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Arriving and Getting Around
Vilnius operates an integrated, cashless transit network managed by JUDU (Vilniaus viešasis transportas).
| Mode | Travel Time | Fare | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Train (LTG Link) | 7 minutes | €0.90 | Direct from airport halt to Central Station (ltglink.lt) |
| Bus 88 / Night 88N | 20-25 minutes | €1.00 - €1.25 | Terminal direct to Old Town (Town Hall, Gate of Dawn) |
| Express Bus 3G | 20 minutes | €1.00 - €1.25 | Fast link to Lukiškės Square and Gedimino prospektas |
| 60-minute ticket | 60 minutes | €1.25 | Valid on all buses and trolleybuses (judu.lt) |
| 30-minute ticket | 30 minutes | €1.00 | JUDU or m.Ticket app, or a JUDU card |
| 1-day public transport ticket | 24 hours | €7.50 | Unlimited bus & trolleybus rides (judu.lt) |
| 3-Day Public Transit Pass | 72 hours | €13.50 | Unlimited network travel (judu.lt) |
| Bolt Rideshare (Airport to Centre) | 12-18 minutes | €6.00 - €12.00 | Door-to-door car via Bolt app |
- Validate on boarding: Tap your contactless bank card, validate your Vilniečio smart card or activate your digital ticket in the JUDU or m.Ticket app as soon as you board. Inspectors (Keleivių kontrolė) make spot checks, and travelling without a validated ticket is fined.
- Read full transit guides: Consult our guides on Vilnius Airport to city centre and public transport in Vilnius.
Money and Budgeting
Lithuania adopted the Euro (€) on 1 January 2015. All Lithuanian circulation coins feature the historic Vytis knight on horseback on their national reverse.
- Cards: Contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted in restaurants, market stalls, taxis and on public buses.
- Tipping: 5% to 10% in sit-down restaurants is standard for good table service; rounding up change in cafes and pubs is customary.
- Read full financial guide: See our detailed breakdown of money in Vilnius.
The bridge into Užupis over the Vilnia River. Photo: Bahnfrend, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to Stay in Vilnius
The Old Town is compact, so a central base puts the sights and evening restaurants within walking distance:
- Old Town (Senamiestis): Hotel Pacai (a 5-star hotel in a 1677 baroque mansion on Didžioji street), Narutis Hotel (on pedestrianised Pilies street) and the Shakespeare Boutique Hotel (near St Anne’s Church).
- Gedimino Prospektas: The central avenue has Neringa Hotel and the Radisson Collection Astorija Hotel.
- Station & Halės District: Design hotels such as Comfort Hotel LT - Rock ‘n’ Roll and Moon Garden beside the Gate of Dawn.
- Read full accommodation guide: Hotels by area are in where to stay in Vilnius.
Entry Rules for Lithuania
Lithuania is a member state of the European Union and the Schengen Area. The 90-day visa-free allowance applies across the entire Schengen Zone:
| Passport Nationality | Visa Requirement | Passport Validity Rule | Border Entry Formalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Visa-free up to 90 days in any 180 | Issued less than 10 years prior; valid >= 3 months after | EU Entry/Exit System (EES): biometric photo & fingerprint |
| United States | Visa-free up to 90 days in any 180 | Valid >= 3 months beyond intended departure date | EU Entry/Exit System (EES): biometric photo & fingerprint |
| Canada & Australia | Visa-free up to 90 days in any 180 | Valid >= 3 months beyond intended departure date | EU Entry/Exit System (EES): biometric photo & fingerprint |
| EU & EEA Citizens | Freedom of movement | Valid national ID card or passport | No border checks or registration |
- EU Entry/Exit System (EES): Fully operational since April 2026, the digital EES system replaces ink passport stamps for non-EU travellers with automated facial and fingerprint scans at airport border gates at no cost (travel-europe.europa.eu).
- ETIAS Travel Authorisation: The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) for visa-free non-EU visitors has not yet been implemented; the European Commission will announce operational launch dates months in advance.
- Safety: Violent crime against visitors is rare. Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire. Tap water is safe to drink. See is Vilnius safe?.
Guided Tours and Excursions
| Tour Option | Price | Duration | Route & Key Sights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town Tour with Chocolate (GYG 1421515) | from €21 | 2.5 hours | Guided walk through the Old Town and its courtyards, with chocolate |
| Trakai Tour with Audio Guide (GYG 125942) | from €30 | 4 hours | Half-day minibus excursion to Trakai Island Castle |
| Sightseeing Audio Tour (GYG 39113) | from €17 | 1 hour | Smartphone audio guide to the historic centre |
| Lithuanian Flavors Food Tour (GYG 638765) | from €55 | 2.5 hours | Lithuanian snacks and drinks |
Vilnius: Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide & Chocolate
From €21 · 4.9 stars from 26 reviews · 2.5 hours · local guide and chocolate tasting
Vilnius: Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide & Chocolatead: a walk through the Old Town led by a local, covering the city’s history, everyday life and hidden corners, with chocolate as part of the tour.
All Vilnius Guides
-
Old Town Sights & Tickets:
- Gediminas Tower and Upper Castle: Tower entry, funicular railway, and panoramic viewpoints.
- Vilnius Cathedral and Bell Tower: St Casimir Chapel, underground crypt tours, and square history.
- Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania: Excavated cellars, Renaissance throne rooms, and route tickets.
- Vilnius University and St John’s Church: Thirteen courtyards, baroque belfry climb, and frescoes.
- St Anne’s Church and Bernardine Complex: Flamboyant Gothic brickwork and monastic history.
- The Gate of Dawn: Sixteenth-century city wall gate, elevated chapel, and miraculous icon.
- Free Things to Do in Vilnius: Last-Sunday museum initiative, parks, and free viewpoints.
-
Beyond the Old Town:
- The Republic of Užupis: Artists’ republic, constitution plaques and the mermaid statue.
- Three Crosses Monument: Bleak Hill climb, Franciscan martyrs, and sunset panoramas.
- MO Museum Vilnius: Daniel Libeskind architecture, contemporary art, and roof terrace.
- Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum): Preserved Soviet execution chamber and cellblocks.
-
Food, Drink & Nightlife:
- Where to Eat in Vilnius: Cepelinai dumplings, pink beetroot soup, historic cellars, and Paupys food hall.
- Vilnius Craft Beer and Bars: Farmhouse ales, baked-malt keptinis, garlic bread snacks, and mead cellars.
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Logistics, Transit & Practical Advice:
- Vilnius Airport to City Centre: 7-minute €0.90 train, bus 88, night buses, and Bolt rideshares.
- Public Transport in Vilnius: JUDU bus and trolleybus routes, contactless bank card tap, and ticket apps.
- Money in Vilnius: Euro coins, card acceptance, and ATM DCC advice.
- Where to Stay in Vilnius: Old Town boutique hotels, modern avenues, and neighbourhood guides.
- Is Vilnius Safe?: Crime statistics, pickpocket hotspots, nightlife precautions, and 112 emergency line.
-
Itineraries & Day Trips:
- Vilnius in 1 or 2 Days: Weekend city break itinerary working around closed museum days.
- 3 Days in Vilnius: A three-day plan with a day trip to Trakai or Kaunas.
- Day Trips from Vilnius: Trakai, Kaunas, Kernavė, the Hill of Crosses and Paneriai compared.
- Trakai Island Castle Day Trip: Fourteenth-century water fortress, train logistics, and Karaite kibinai.
- Kaunas Day Trip from Vilnius: UNESCO interwar modernist architecture, Kaunas Castle, and Čiurlionis museum.
- Kernavė Day Trip from Vilnius: Five prehistoric hillfort mounds, archaeological museum, and solstice rituals.
- Hill of Crosses Day Trip from Vilnius: 100,000 devotional crosses near Šiauliai, train routes, and history.
-
Seasons & Annual Festivals:
- Best Time to Visit Vilnius: Month-by-month weather, festivals and seasonal sight hours.
- Vilnius Christmas Market and Winter Guide: Cathedral Square tree, market chalets, and ice rink.
-
Cross-City Travel & Regional Connections:
- Regional connections: Direct LTG Link rail routes connect Vilnius to Kaunas and Trakai, while international Baltic bus corridors connect to Riga and Warsaw.
- Compare European destinations in our guides to best Christmas market cities in Europe, cheap city breaks in Europe, and long weekend city breaks.
Itineraries
Day-by-day plans for a first visit.
Itinerary
Vilnius in 1 or 2 Days: Weekend City Break Itinerary
How to see Vilnius in one or two days: Cathedral Square, Gediminas Tower, Vilnius University, Užupis, the KGB Museum, and navigating closed museum days.
Itinerary
3 Days in Vilnius Itinerary: Old Town, Art & Day Trip
A 3-day Vilnius itinerary: the Old Town, KGB Museum, the Republic of Užupis, and a day trip to Trakai Island Castle or Kaunas, planned around museum closing days.
Which ticket to buy
The official ticket, the tours that include entry, and which sells out first.
Tickets
Gediminas Tower Vilnius: €8 Tickets, Funicular & Hours
Gediminas Tower in Vilnius: €8 tickets, funicular times and fares, opening hours, the Upper Castle ruins, and the 360-degree view over the Old Town.
Tickets
Vilnius Cathedral & Bell Tower: €6 Tickets & Crypts
Vilnius Cathedral and Bell Tower: free cathedral entry, €6 Bell Tower tickets, underground crypt tours from €6, opening hours, and St Casimir's Chapel.
Tickets
Palace of the Grand Dukes Vilnius: Tickets & Routes
Palace of the Grand Dukes in Vilnius: €17 ticket for all four routes, single routes from €4, opening hours, Monday closures, and the reconstructed Renaissance halls.
Tickets
Vilnius University & St John's Bell Tower Guide
Vilnius University and St John's Church: the courtyards, the bell tower with its lift and Foucault pendulum, opening hours and the Seasons fresco.
Tickets
KGB Museum Vilnius: €6 Tickets, Prison & Hours
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum) in Vilnius: €6 tickets, opening hours, Monday-Tuesday closures, inner prison cells, and execution chamber.
Tickets
MO Museum Vilnius: €11 Tickets, Closed Tuesdays
MO Museum in Vilnius: €11 tickets, opening hours, Tuesday closure, Studio Libeskind architecture, contemporary Lithuanian art collection, and sculpture garden.
Day trips from Vilnius
Out and back in a day, with the tours compared against going on your own.
Day trip
Best Day Trips from Vilnius: Trakai, Kaunas & Kernavė
Compare the best day trips from Vilnius: Trakai Island Castle in 33 minutes, modernist Kaunas by rail, prehistoric Kernavė mounds, and the Hill of Crosses.
Day trip
Trakai Castle Day Trip from Vilnius: Trains & Tickets
Visit Trakai Island Castle from Vilnius: 33-minute LTG Link trains, €14 admission, opening hours, kibinai bakeries, and Karaite wooden architecture.
Day trip
Kaunas Day Trip from Vilnius: Trains & Museums Guide
Kaunas day trip from Vilnius: 70-minute LTG Link trains, UNESCO interwar modernism, Kaunas Castle, the Čiurlionis Art Museum, and Monday closures.
Day trip
Hill of Crosses Day Trip from Vilnius: How to Visit
How to visit the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius: LTG Link trains to Šiauliai, local buses to Domantai, walking route, Soviet resistance history, and guided tours.
Day trip
Kernavė Day Trip from Vilnius: UNESCO Hill Forts Guide
How to visit Kernavė from Vilnius: UNESCO medieval hillfort mounds, Pajauta Valley trails, Archaeological Museum tickets and hours, and bus routes from Vilnius.
Where to stay
Areas and hotels, chosen for a visitor rather than a resident.
Airport transfers
From the airport to the centre, every option priced and timed.
Getting around
Tickets, passes and the transport a visitor actually uses.
What's on, month by month
Festivals, holidays and closures that change a visit.
Food and drink
Where to eat, what to order and when to book.
Food and drink
Vilnius Craft Beer & Bars: Farmhouse Ales & Pub Guide
Craft beer bars in Vilnius: Lithuanian farmhouse ales, baked-malt keptinis, kepta duona garlic bread, mead cellars and five pubs worth a visit.
Food and drink
Where to Eat in Vilnius: Local Dishes & Food Halls
Where to eat in Vilnius: potato cepelinai, cold beetroot soup, game at Lokys cellar restaurant, and the food halls at Paupys and Halės Market.
More guides
Guide
Gate of Dawn Vilnius: Chapel Hours & Icon Guide
Gate of Dawn in Vilnius: free chapel admission, opening hours 06:00 to 19:00, the miraculous Virgin Mary icon, and defensive city wall history.
Guide
Republic of Užupis Vilnius: Constitution, Art & Sights
Republic of Užupis in Vilnius: bohemian quarter, 41-article Constitution Wall on Paupio street, the bronze Angel, art incubator, and 1 April festival.
Guide
St Anne's Church Vilnius: Brick Gothic, Garden & Tours
St Anne's Church in Vilnius: free Flamboyant Gothic entry, the Bernardine complex, the Cathedral Treasury at St Michael's, and Bernardine Gardens.
Guide
Three Crosses Vilnius & TV Tower: Views & Tickets
Three Crosses Monument on Bleak Hill: free hilltop panorama, history, illuminated crosses, and the 170 m observation deck at the Vilnius TV Tower.
Guide
Free Things to Do in Vilnius: Free Museums & Walks
Discover free things to do in Vilnius: last-Sunday museum entry, historic Gothic churches, Bernardine Garden, Užupis art, and panoramic viewpoints.
Guide
Money in Vilnius: Currency, Cards & Sight Costs
Money in Vilnius: the euro, contactless card use, which ATMs to use, tipping, sight prices and the Vilnius Pass.
Guide
Best Time to Visit Vilnius: Seasons, Festivals & Events
When to visit Vilnius: month-by-month weather, daylight hours and what is open.
Guide
Is Vilnius Safe to Visit? Safety Guide & Tips
Is Vilnius safe? Detailed safety guide covering crime statistics, pickpocket hotspots, nightlife precautions, solo female travel, and emergency 112.
Plan your trip
The rules and costs that apply to every city on the site.
Common questions
What do I need to book in advance for Vilnius?
Very little requires advance booking in Vilnius. Gediminas Castle Tower, the Palace of the Grand Dukes, the Cathedral Bell Tower, the MO Museum, and the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum) all sell tickets at the door. The only sight requiring advance reservation is the Cathedral crypts guided tour (via bpmuziejus.lt).
What is closed on which day in Vilnius?
The Palace of the Grand Dukes is closed on Mondays from September to May. The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum) is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays year-round. The MO Museum is closed on Tuesdays. The Cathedral Bell Tower is closed on Sundays. Gediminas Tower is open daily.
How do you get from Vilnius Airport to the city centre?
The direct LTG Link train to Vilnius Central Railway Station takes just 7 minutes and costs €0.90. Municipal Bus 88 and express Bus 3G reach the centre in 20 minutes, and night bus 88N operates from 22:30 to 05:30. A 30-minute bus ticket costs €1.00 and a 60-minute ticket €1.25.
When is the Vilnius Christmas Market?
In 2026 the Christmas market on Cathedral Square runs from 28 November to 27 December. The Christmas tree stands on the square from 28 November to 6 January 2027, and the ice rink on Town Hall Square is open from 29 November to 25 January (govilnius.lt).
Do I need a visa to visit Lithuania?
Not as a UK, US, Canadian, or Australian citizen for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Lithuania is an EU and Schengen member state; passports must have been issued less than 10 years prior and be valid for at least 3 months after departure.