Vilnius: Old Town, museums and green spaces

Vilnius combines a UNESCO-listed Old Town with museums and extensive green spaces. When planning, consider whether architecture and exhibitions, walks and time in parks, or a mix of these themes will shape your stay.

Key facts at a glance

• Vilnius’s historic centre includes a UNESCO-listed Old Town.
• On a walking tour, you’ll encounter Gothic, Renaissance, Classical and, above all, Baroque architecture.
• The 160-hectare Vingis Park stretches along a bend in the Neris.
• Pavilniai Regional Park protects the Vilnia Valley and is one of two regional parks in Vilnius.
• The Gediminas Tower offers panoramic views over Vilnius and houses a historical exhibition.
• The MO Museum showcases modern Lithuanian art and explores developments over the past 60 years.
• The Toy Museum in the Old Town brings together archaeological, ethnographic and contemporary toy exhibits.

Old Town, architecture and museums

The historic centre offers a direct way to explore the city’s architectural history: on a walking tour, you’ll see buildings from the Gothic, Renaissance and Classical periods, with Baroque architecture especially prominent. St. Anne’s Church is considered a masterpiece of Late Gothic architecture and has remained almost unchanged over the past five centuries. In the Glass Quarter, jewellers, local artists, craft shops and workshops are part of the neighbourhood’s character.

The Gediminas Tower is the surviving defensive tower of Vilnius Upper Castle. Alongside panoramic views, a historical exhibition features reconstruction models of Vilnius’s castles. The MO Museum focuses on exhibitions of modern Lithuanian art, including developments in Lithuanian art over the past 60 years; the museum also runs educational programmes.

The Toy Museum offers a different perspective on culture and everyday history. Its archaeological section includes the oldest toys; the ethnographic section features toys from the 19th and 20th centuries. Another section showcases contemporary toys. As a family-oriented educational centre, the museum is dedicated to the heritage of toys and games. Three themed exhibitions are called “The Oldest Lithuanian Toys”, “Journey to the Stone Age” and “Memories of the 20th Century”. As the exhibition layout may change, check what is currently on display before your visit.

Parks, trails and events

Vilnius’s parks offer different ways to enjoy the outdoors. Vingis Park is popular for walking, cycling and rollerblading. Concerts, events and festivals take place on its central stage; if you’re planning around a specific date, check the latest event information. The park covers 160 hectares along a bend in the Neris.

Bernardine Garden lies in the heart of Vilnius, between Gediminas Hill, the Vilnia and the Bernardine Monastery. It was formerly known to residents as Sereikiškės Park. Its distinctive features include an approximately 400-year-old oak, considered the oldest oak in Vilnius, and a botanical exhibition commemorating the Botanical Gardens of Vilnius University.

Pavilniai Regional Park protects the Vilnia Valley. An educational-historical trail runs along the Vilnia for visitors, starting at the Pūčkoriai dam; the park is also home to the Pūčkoriai outcrops, a unique geological monument. Skiing is popular at Liepkalnis Hill in winter, though conditions vary. The park therefore offers options ranging from a trail along the river valley to a seasonal winter sports experience.

Planning your trip to Vilnius

A 100-km trail around Vilnius is another way to explore the city by running or walking and discover lesser-known places. Guided walks are also among the ways to discover Vilnius. When planning your day, you can weigh up independent walks, a guided tour and a museum visit without limiting yourself to just one kind of city experience.

If you’d like to visit Pavilniai Regional Park, bus 74 goes there from the Žaliasis tiltas stop. Check the current service before travelling. Vilnius maps also include a public transport map; check specific routes and travel times separately when planning your trip.

When looking for accommodation, it helps to first decide what you want your days to be like: do you want to focus on architecture and exhibitions, spend time in parks, or combine the two? The cultural and natural attractions mentioned here offer different considerations when choosing Vilnius as a destination. Other cities to include in your Lithuania itinerary: Kaunas, Druskininkai, Klaipėda, Nida and Palanga.

More about the destination

Useful information for planning your trip:

Attractions in Vilnius: Old Town and tips | Litauen-Netz.de, Vilnius travel: Old Town, neighbourhoods and tips for 1–3 days, The Gate of Dawn in Vilnius.