Top Attractions & Things to Do in Vilnius

Standing on the hilltop where Grand Duke Gediminas founded the city in 1323, Gediminas' Tower is the most iconic landmark in Vilnius. The red-brick tower houses a small museum on the castle's history and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (admission EUR 5), but the real draw is the panoramic view from the observation platform - a sweeping 360-degree vista over the Old Town rooftops, the Neris river valley, and the TV Tower in the distance.

Uzupis is Vilnius's bohemian quarter - a self-declared independent republic (since 1997) with its own constitution, president, and anthem. Once a neglected working-class neighbourhood, it has transformed into a creative hub of artists' studios, street art, galleries, and independent cafes. The Uzupis Constitution is mounted on a wall in Paupio g. in over 30 languages - a beloved local landmark.

The Gate of Dawn is the only surviving gate of the original city wall and one of the most important religious sites in Lithuania. Above the gate sits a chapel housing the icon of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn - a 17th-century painting venerated by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians, drawing pilgrims from across Eastern Europe. The narrow chapel with its silver-clad icon is an unexpectedly powerful experience. Free entry.

The Church of St. Anne is one of the finest examples of Flamboyant Gothic architecture in the Baltics and one of Lithuania's most photographed buildings. Legend has it that Napoleon wanted to carry it back to Paris in the palm of his hand. The intricate red-brick facade, with its soaring pointed arches and delicate tracery, is mesmerising from every angle. The adjacent Bernardine Church and Garden complete a stunning architectural ensemble. Free entry.

Vilnius Cathedral is the principal Roman Catholic cathedral of Lithuania - a striking neoclassical building modelled on a Greek temple, with a 57-metre freestanding bell tower that predates the current cathedral. Cathedral Square (Katedros aikste) is the city's main gathering place, hosting the Christmas market in winter, open-air concerts in summer, and the annual Kaziukas Fair in March - Lithuania's largest traditional crafts market. Free entry to the cathedral; crypt tour EUR 5.

The Hales Market is Vilnius's central indoor market - a renovated 19th-century market hall where locals shop for fresh produce, Lithuanian cheeses, smoked meats, rye bread, and seasonal berries. The surrounding food stalls and restaurants serve everything from traditional cepelinai (potato dumplings stuffed with meat, EUR 5-7) to modern Lithuanian fusion. It is the best place in the city to eat like a local at local prices.

The Three Crosses monument sits on a wooded hilltop above the Old Town and offers what many consider the single best viewpoint in Vilnius. The white concrete crosses - originally wooden, erected in the 17th century to commemorate Franciscan friars - were destroyed by Soviet authorities and rebuilt after independence in 1989. The panoramic view stretches across the entire Old Town, Gediminas Tower, the Neris river, and the modern skyline beyond.

Founded in 1579, Vilnius University is one of the oldest in Eastern Europe and its campus is an architectural treasure hidden within the Old Town. The ensemble of 13 interconnected courtyards, the Baroque Church of St. Johns (with its 63-metre bell tower you can climb for EUR 3), the historic library with 16th-century frescoes, and the Observatory Courtyard make this far more than an academic institution - it is a destination in its own right. Campus admission EUR 2.

Beautifully restored in 2013, Bernardinai Garden is a tranquil green space nestled between the Church of St. Anne, the Vilnele river, and the slopes of Three Crosses Hill. The park features manicured flower beds, fountains, a children's playground, and a small pond. In summer, locals picnic on the lawns and the adjacent cafe terraces fill up by mid-afternoon. In winter, the pond becomes a small ice rink.