Vilnius

Day 1: Medieval heart and baroque skyline

Begin in the cradle of the Grand Duchy, where statehood, church spires and university cloisters sit within a compact UNESCO-listed Old Town. Pace yourself on cobblestones and leave time to linger in courtyards and viewpoints.

• Morning: Cathedral Square with Vilnius Cathedral and the Royal Crypts, then step outside to trace the outlines of the former Lower Castle. Modest dress helps for church interiors; arrive close to opening to avoid queues.
• Midday: Tour the Palace of the Grand Dukes for an immersive primer on Lithuanian statehood, then wander through the courtyards of Vilnius University. If it’s the last Sunday of the month, many state museums are free; Mondays are often closed, so check hours.
• Afternoon: Climb Gediminas Hill to the tower museum for wide panoramas; the slope is steep and can be slippery after rain (there is a lift-assisted route). Continue to the Bastion of the Defensive Wall for atmospheric tunnels and another superb viewpoint.
• Evening: Cross the river to the Republic of Užupis for dinner by the Vilnelė and to read the tongue‑in‑cheek constitution plaques on Paupio Street. Long summer evenings are ideal for a riverside stroll; in winter, book a cosy spot in advance.

Day 2: The “Jerusalem of the North” and wartime memory

Today confronts Vilnius’s Jewish heritage and the city’s most difficult century. Start solemnly in a forest memorial, then return to map the former ghetto streets and visit museums that preserve a vanished world.

• Morning: Paneriai (Ponary) Memorial. Take a short train to Paneriai station or a city bus, then walk 15–20 minutes through the woods; allow 1.5–2 hours on site. Go in daylight, keep voices low, and wear sturdy shoes (paths can be muddy; insect repellent helps in summer).
• Midday: Back in the Old Town, trace the former Jewish ghetto along Stiklių, Mėsinių and Žydų streets. If open, visit the Choral Synagogue (men may need head coverings; avoid service times unless attending).
• Afternoon: Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History (Holocaust Exposition/Tolerance Centre). Pair it with a stop at the archaeological remains of the Great Synagogue site for context on what stood here before WWII. Note Monday closures; the last Sunday of the month is often free.
• Evening: Rasos Cemetery at dusk for a reflective walk among the graves of Lithuanian and Polish luminaries. During Vėlinės (1–2 November), the cemetery glows with candles—move quietly and respectfully.

Day 3: Occupation, freedom, and living memory

Trace the arc from repression to independence—prison cells, civic boulevards, and the TV Tower where Lithuanians defended their state in 1991. End the day with symbols of post‑Soviet creativity.

• Morning: Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (former KGB HQ). The basement cells and execution chamber are harrowing; set aside 1.5–2 hours and consider a guided visit for context.
• Midday: Walk Gedimino prospektas to the Seimas (Parliament) to see the January 13th memorial and preserved barricade fragments. Grab lunch nearby, then use the Trafi app to plan transport to the TV Tower.
• Afternoon: Vilnius TV Tower for the memorial cross and small exhibition at the base; if visibility is good, ride up for city‑wide views. On 13 January, bonfires are lit here—expect crowds and a solemn mood.
• Evening: Return to the centre via the Frank Zappa Monument, a playful 1990s landmark of new freedoms. If you missed it earlier, slip down Literatų gatvė or loop back to the Bastion for a sunset skyline; book restaurants ahead on national holidays (16 Feb, 11 Mar, 6 Jul).

By Air

• Vilnius Airport (VNO), 6 km south of the centre.
  • Train shuttle to Vilnius Central Station: ~8 minutes.
  • City buses (e.g., 1, 2, 3G, 88): ~15–25 minutes.
  • Taxi/ride-hail: ~15–20 minutes, traffic dependent.
• Kaunas Airport (KUN), ~100 km west.
  • Direct coaches to Vilnius: ~1 h 30–1 h 45.
  • By car via A1: ~1–1 h 20.
• Riga Airport (RIX), ~300 km north.
  • Frequent coaches to Vilnius: ~4–4.5 hours.
  • By car: ~4–4.5 hours.
• Palanga Airport (PLQ), ~330 km west (seasonal flights).
  • Coach to Vilnius: ~4–5 hours.
  • By car: ~3.5–4 hours.

By Train

• Vilnius Railway Station (Vilnius stotis) is central and adjacent to the bus station.
• Domestic services:
  • Kaunas: ~1–1 h 15 (frequent).
  • Trakai: ~30–40 minutes.
  • Klaipėda: ~3.5–4.5 hours.
  • Šiauliai: ~2–2.5 hours.
• International:
  • Limited services. Cross-border trains via Kaunas–Białystok operate on selected days; for Warsaw, change in Białystok (typical total ~6.5–8 hours). Check LTG Link/Polregio timetables.
  • No direct trains to Riga/Tallinn (use coaches).
  • Services to Belarus/Russia are currently suspended.

By Bus

• Vilnius Bus Station (Autobusų stotis) sits next to the railway station.
• International and intercity operators include Ecolines, Lux Express, and FlixBus.
  • Riga: ~4–4.5 hours (very frequent, including night services).
  • Warsaw: ~7.5–9 hours (multiple daily).
  • Tallinn: ~8–9.5 hours (usually via Riga).
  • Kaunas: ~1.5–2 hours; Klaipėda: ~3.5–4.5 hours.
• Book online for best fares and seat selection.

By Car

• Main routes:
  • A1 (Klaipėda–Kaunas–Vilnius).
  • A2/E272 (Panevėžys–Vilnius; from Riga via A7/A10).
  • E67/Via Baltica (Warsaw–Suwałki–Kaunas–Vilnius).
• Typical driving times:
  • Kaunas–Vilnius: ~1–1 h 30.
  • Klaipėda–Vilnius: ~3–3.5 hours.
  • Riga–Vilnius: ~4–4.5 hours.
  • Warsaw–Vilnius: ~6.5–7.5 hours.
• Right-hand driving; Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia are in Schengen (no routine border checks). City-centre parking is mostly paid—consider park-and-ride or hotel parking.