Letsgo2 Vilnius - Reasons to Visit Vilnius

Whygo2 Vilnius

Letsgo2 employees have travelled extensively to the destinations we feature. Here are the five main reasons they would consider a visit to Vilnius.

History and Culture

The Old Town of Vilnius was quite rightly declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and can now boast the title of one of the most authentic European Old towns in existence. The multitude of narrow, winding streets all contain fascinating and beautiful buildings; residential, religious, academic and otherwise. Buildings and sites of importance must surely include the University complex, St.Annes Church, Pilies (the oldest street in Vilnius), the extraordinary and miraculous Gates of Dawn and the many churches of different denominations. Much of the Old Town is hidden away in courtyards, and the visitor is encouraged to explore everywhere in detail. No public transport operates in this area and despite a number of cars and taxis it remains a peaceful place to explore on foot.

Things to do

The relatively small size of Vilnius means that at any given time you are never more than 10 minutes away from some of the most breathtaking countryside in Northern Europe. The ancient capital of Trakai and its surroundings have been designated a national park, just 28km from the capital this is a popular retreat for visitors looking for a little peace and quiet. There are botanical gardens and local lakes to visit and tiny islands to explore. The two regional parks of Verkiai and Pavilniai border Vilnius offering glimpses of nature untouched for centuries. They are excellent locations for birdwatchers and nature lovers in general and it is also possible to hire bikes or experience horse riding in both parks. At certain times of the year visitors enjoy open-air concerts and festivals.

Fabulous Shopping

Strolling along the streets of Vilnius you will find unique local handicrafts such as delicate linen and plenty of amber jewellery. Amber is only found on the Baltic Sea Coast and is over 50 million years old. It is widely available in local markets and shops and because of this you will find it very reasonably priced.

Restaurants and Nightlife

Cuisine ranges from Middle Eastern to Japanese, from Ukrainian to Mongolian. Local dishes should also be sampled and no journey to Lithuania is complete without trying a plate of the fabulous cepelinai. Dine in a beer bar straight out of the middle ages or feast al fresco under the hot summer sun. A trip around the cities many bars and clubs will make you realise that this is a thriving European capital. Among the highlights is the choice of well established music clubs and nightclubs open until dawn and restaurants featuring blues, jazz or traditional Lithuanian folk music.

The European Park

This open-air contemporary art museum was established in 1991 to herald the area as the geographical centre of Europe. Sculptures are displayed amid beautiful rolling hills and natural springs. There are over 90 exhibits from artists from around the world with the focal point being LNK Infotree, a sculpture of over 3,000 TV sets symbolising Soviet propaganda endured by the people of Lithuania. The park is open year-round and can be reached by bus from Vilnius in about 30 minutes.

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