Vilnius makes for a perfect weekend escape for travellers looking for culture, arts and gastronomy.
Despite being the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius has all the charms of a small European city and makes for a perfect weekend escape for travellers looking for culture, arts, soft-adventures and gastronomy. Unlike neighbouring capitals Tallinn and Riga, which seem to be overly popular with tourists looking for kitschy souvenirs, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vilnius still has a historical charm, the Baroque Old Town popular with travellers looking for the street vendors selling artisan crafts which make great souvenirs for family and friends. This year marks the 700th-anniversary of Vilnius, so the summer promises to be full of concerts, free activities and cultural events in the city – surely the perfect time to visit for a long weekend.
The beauty of an ‘under-the-radar’ city like Vilnius is that you can move at your own pace and enjoy everything it has to offer on a self-guided tour. Meander in and out of the Old Town and pop into the independently-run shops for clothing, fashion accessories and even chocolate made by local designers and creatives. With a history dating back more than 700 years, including when the city was under Soviet rule for many years, a walking tour with a local guide comes highly recommended to explain the history, resilience and rebuilding of the capital city.
On the walking city tour you will take in all the great architectural wonders Vilnius has to offer: on the hill above Vilnius Cathedral is Gediminas Tower, which offers excellent panoramic views of the whole city. However, if you have strong legs, visit the Baroque Church of Saint Johns, located on the grounds of Vilnius University with a freestanding high bell tower for 360-degree views of the city. Other destinations include the palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania which houses the National Museum, Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights and The Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus if you like your history and culture.
After a mighty effort touring Vilnius by foot, take a break in one of the city’s many cafés. For a quick bite, visit Beigelistai for handmade bagels, pop into Gruda’s Bakery located in the newly-opened gourmet food hall, or head to Senata’s Passage for seriously great tasting croissants and strong coffee, which always come with a friendly smile. Other cafés to check into include hipster café, Daily Poison for avocado on toast and French toast, as well as Pinavija Bakery and Tea Room for cakes, eggs benedict and other sweets served in a cute café meant for Instagrammers. Serious coffee drinkers should visit Elska Coffee for a very ‘Brooklyn/NYC’ vibe in the heart of the city centre.
If you are on a sugar high and coffee buzz, enjoy some soft adventures around Vilnius to burn off some unwanted energy. A short walk from the Old Town is Bernardine Garden, at the bottom of Gediminas Hill, flanking the Vilnele River and Bernardine Monastery. During weekends, the park is a perfect place to mingle with locals and enjoy the city, even sitting under the oldest oak tree in Vilnius which dates back more than 400 years. For more adventure sports, see Vilnius from a whole different perspective and go kayaking along the Vilnele River. If you don’t want to get wet, you can jump on two wheels and enjoy the city while being incredibly sustainable, with bike rentals and scooters available to take in all the wonders of forests and wildlife in surrounding regional parks within the city. For something truly unique, wake up at the crack of dawn and opt for a hot air balloon ride which takes you to Trakai Island for stunning views of the Vilnius countryside.
No visit to Vilnius would be complete without visiting some of the city’s restaurants. The city is slowly finding its way out of a tumultuous past and so all dining experiences come with a hefty history lesson. For traditionalists, Lokys Restaurant in the city centre is a must-visit destination for traditional Lithuanian foods. Great Lithuanian beer, friendly service and excellent traditional dishes are served by Chef Rita Keršulytė-Ryčkova, who flies the flag high for Lithuanians trying to find their identity after Soviet rule through food appreciation. For gastronomes, you have a choice of some stunning restaurants led by young chefs who are trying to find their own groove when it comes to elevating Lithuanian cuisine. You can’t go wrong with Nineteen18, Gastronomika and also Džiaugsmas – all trying to develop and build the culinary prowess of the city.
Hotels in Vilnius differ dramatically when it comes to experience with a handful of boutique hotels popping up in the city. Pacai Hotel is a firm favourite for business trips, however, it is a place for design-lovers and history buffs as well. The former 15th-century mansion is a stately building reborn and newly renovated by leading local architects and designers. The ornate baroque mansion shares its rich history with guests, with many of the walls intentionally left ‘raw’ for dramatic effect. Another historical gem is the Kempinski Hotel, built in 1894 and regarded as a cultural heritage building. A former telegraph building during Soviet times, the rooms remain traditionally old and could use with an update, however, the restaurant space has been renovated and is a joy with friendly staff gracing the floor. Other boutique hotels with a lot of character include the Artagonist Hotel and Shakespeare Hotel with beautifully designed rooms which touch on modernity and old-school European design, respectively.
