Who said we don't have a beach?
The onset of summer is when the beach starts calling out to us all. And although Vilnius is nowhere near the sea, a city this amazing doesn’t let tiny details to stop the fun. That’s why the centrally located Lukiškės Square has been transformed into Open Beach, which is now Vilnius’ first-ever “seaside” resort. Just picture it: white sand under your feet, sun loungers helping you work on your tan and the soothing sounds of the Baltic Sea embracing you like a refreshing breeze… And once the sun goes down, movie screenings and concerts will give you the perfect excuse to remain right there in total relaxation, with a permanent smile on your face.
Vilnius: Do You Really Know It?
Don’t believe the rumours – come see it with your own eyes. Enjoy a city that you can never stop discovering.
Who said we don't have a beach?
The onset of summer is when the beach starts calling out to us all. And although Vilnius is nowhere near the sea, a city this amazing doesn’t let tiny details to stop the fun. That’s why the centrally located Lukiškės Square has been transformed into Open Beach, which is now Vilnius’ first-ever “seaside” resort.
Just picture it: white sand under your feet, sun loungers helping you work on your tan and the soothing sounds of the Baltic Sea embracing you like a refreshing breeze… And once the sun goes down, movie screenings and concerts will give you the perfect excuse to remain right there in total relaxation, with a permanent smile on your face.
The whole city is an open-air cafe with a Unesco-listed view
If you’re sitting outside in Vilnius, chances are you’re at a cafe. More than a hundred bars, cafes and restaurants have taken to the outdoors to facilitate physical distancing, filling plazas and other public places with pop-up tables and transforming the city into a giant outdoor cafe sprawled across the entire Old Town.
Enjoy your favourite drink or meal with a magnificent view of one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe while being kissed by the shining summer sun.
If you don't like to walk, you can fly
This city is beautiful from every point of view, but if we had to choose one, we’d prefer to see it from above. Vilnius is one of the few capitals in the world that allows hot air balloons to fly over it, so if you’re looking for the coolest alternative to walking, this one is unbeatable.
Art can't get more modern than this
A collection of modern masterpieces inside another modern masterpiece. That may be the best way to describe Vilnius’ newest museum. Designed by the renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the MO Museum is a work of modern art in itself, and has already won several architecture prizes. Visitors can explore exhibitions of modern and contemporary Lithuanian art that reflect a broad range of styles and ideas, as well as the main processes and developments in Lithuanian art over the last 60 years.
The MO Museum is currently hosting an exhibition by one of the most original and influential filmmakers of our time, Peter Greenway, who teamed up with his wife, the innovative Dutch multimedia artist and director Saskia Boddeke in a multimedia project entitled, Why Is It Hard To Love? The exhibition is a definite must-see.
Everything's just a short walk away
Getting to most places in Vilnius is just a matter of walking for a few minutes. That’s why locals prefer walking, even though the city offers many different ways of getting around. And you can’t blame them; walking lets you enjoy the spectacular architecture in detail, encourages you to discover new hidden spots, and last but not least, keeps you in shape. It’s a win-win.
Now that you're here, visit another country
The Republic of Užupis is the smallest district of Vilnius, separated from the Old Town by the Vilnelė River. It’s home to various artists and intellectuals, and even declared independence in 1997…kinda.
It has its own anthem, government, currency and a very unique constitution that you can find on one of its walls translated into several languages. No visa required.
Float along the Neris river and under the Milky Way
Kayaking is fun, but kayaking through the city centre at night is like an experience from another dimension. Take to the Neris by night and watch the lights of the Old Town blend with the stars in the sky.
Pro tip: take your favourite person with you – it doesn’t get more romantic than this.
You'll walk through an art gallery, even if you don't visit one
In 2008, Literatų Street was adorned with more than 200 works of art to give passers-by a dose of street art. But it didn’t stop there. Later, Millo, Os Gemeos, Tank Petrol and many other foreign artists decided to leave their legacies throughout the city, too.
Discover impressive shapes, colours and characters while taking a stroll through the city and turning random corners. Always be ready to be amazed.
Walk with shining armour in your mind and a bathing suit in your backpack
The medieval Castle of Trakai is just a few kilometres from Vilnius on an island located in the middle of a lake. The town is filled with great lunch and dinner spots with picturesque views of the historic castle.
Accompanying the views are the famous kibinai, traditional stuffed pastries made by the Karaim community, which was invited to settle in Trakai to protect the castle in the 15th century.
Rent a boat, take a swim and have picnic with your friends to make the most of a perfect summer day in a historical setting.
You'll forget what boring feels like
Boring is not an option here – Vilnius is packed with action, art, inspiration, history and many adventures along the way. You’ll never run out of ideas, and no matter what you choose, we can guarantee that it’ll take you on an amazing journey. On your first day here you’ll already be thinking about your next visit.
Vilnius - one of the safest destinations in Europe 2020
As unlikely as it seemed, COVID-19 knew where Vilnius was and paid us a visit. Luckily, authorities here reacted on time and residents took the new health regulations very seriously, making us one of the least-affected cities in Europe.
Now, just like a second spring, life is starting to bloom again in Vilnius. One of Europe’s hidden gems is reopening to the world, like a flower, and it’s time for you to come visit.
Even though regulations have been relaxed, safety is not being compromised. The creativity of our citizens brought about clever solutions that have enhanced the sparkling spirit of the city even more without putting anybody’s health in danger.