Location: Vilnius
Top Things to do in Vilnius
10 Walking Tours in Vilnius That You Shouldn't Miss
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, contains one of the largest surviving medieval quarters in Europe. Included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Old Town contains almost two thousand medieval, gothic, renaissance, and baroque buildings, all centered on the neo-classical cathedral and town hall. Other popular attractions include the KGB Museum, located in a former Soviet prison, and the 13th century Higher Castle, which affords a glorious view of the city center.
Restaurants in Vilnius
1. Vilnius Walking Tour Old Town and Uzupis in English or Norwegian
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
During this excursion we will walk in Vilnius Old Town, Castles territory, Uzupis- which is considered as bohemian district of the city, amber gallery. You will see also many hidden places as courtyards and the places you would not find on your own. Of course, you will hear many interesting stories on the way. Vilnius Old Town is one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Northern Europe. 25 churches, two castles, medieval streets, old campus of university from 16th century, city wall with the Gate of Dawn, medieval Jewish quarters which became ghettos during the World War II. Uzupis- district of artists is one of the most interesting places in the town. Community of artists declared so called free state from Lithuania 1997 April 1st. Now April 1st is the day of independence of Uzupis. We will explore the district with its galleries, artists, constitution and sculptures. It is possible to make a break and taste Lithuanian beer or food for additional price.
Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off in the center area of Vilnius
Exclusions: Entrance fees (optional), Food and drinks (optional), Transportation to/from attractions (possible to arrange for extra price)
Reviewed By 24lorraineS
This tour was an optional tour which I hesitated to join, however, it was an interesting experience. The building looks fine from the outside but it houses terrible rooms within and in basement areas. You get to see and read about how many innocent people of Vilnius were tortured and killed by the Soviet KGB. There are rooms that show torture as well as cells with little doors to feed prisoners. It really makes you wonder how bizarre some people think and act. Certainly worth a guided tour.
2. Guided Tour of KGB Museum in Vilnius (Museum of Occupation and Freedom Fights)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Take this interesting tour in the former KGB prison with professional English and Norwegian speaking guide. During the tour you will be able to visit: the former KGB prison, executions chamber, modern exhibitions about resistance movement and deportations and more. Guided tour lasts approximately 1 hour, but you can stay after the tour in the museum to take a look at the pictures and exhibition about deportations, KGB, resistance movement in Lithuania. Entrance ticket to the museum is not included in tour price. I take groups from 1 to 15 people. I split bigger groups and invite other guides to help, but for such big groups I have to customize the price.
Inclusions: Private tour, Professional guide
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By Vilija T
As a royal city, it was first mentioned in 1323, by Grand Duke Gediminas. Everyone who visits Vilnius, learns the legend about the Iron Wolf and Gediminas, the founder of the city. No wonder, the Gediminas Tower on the hill serves the emblem of Lithuania. Today the Old Town of Vilnius covers a large area. Its attractive lanes and enclosed backyards are easy to reach from the main Cathedral or Town Hall squares. The reconstructed Royal Palace in Cathedral Square recalls the local nobility and royal figures, and their simple human passions. The country's rulers stayed here - Grand Lithuanian Dukes and Polish Kings, the successors of Gediminas-Jagiellon house. Through relationship by marriage, they were connected to the outstanding royal families of Habsburg in Austria, Sforza in Milan, the Vasa dynasty in Sweden and others. Amazingly, a real love story took place here in the 16th century between king Sigismund August and the beautiful widow Barbara Radziwill (Barbora Radvilaite) from an influential Lithuanian noble family. The Queen Barbora nowadays was elected the most prominent woman of Lithuania of all times... Having passed the Church of St. Ann, a tiny masterpiece of Gothic style, you will reach the Republic of Uzupis, situated on the banks of the River Vilnia (Uzupis means "the place beyond the river"). This is Vilnius Montmartre, an area of artists and people with a sense of humour. You can find the key postulates of the Republic of Uzupis Constitution, displayed on the street wall, likewise: "Everyone has the right to be happy. Everyone has the right to be unique...", etc.
3. Vilnius Private Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
This private tour is to give You a general understanding of Vilnius Old Town history and culture. Tick the must-see boxes for Old Town as well as the artistic Uzupis district.
Inclusions: Professional local guide, Private tour
Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private transportation
Reviewed By Paul M
The trip was very well organised, fascinating tour around the nuclear power plant, and also seemed very safe. The guides, both inside and outside the plant were interesting and well informed,
4. Private Jewish Vilnius Walking Tour with a Local Litvak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
This is a unique tour with a litvak Ema Segal. Ema was born and raised in Vilnius in the 80s. This insider look is a 3,5-hour walking tour around the two Vilnius ghettos. We will follow the traces of Jewish life in the old Jewish Quarter where the Great Synagogue was built in 1633 and the house where great Gaon of Vilnius used to live and study. You will hear a story about the manifesto and the fight of Jewish partisans. We shall also walk into the Choral synagogue, and explore a very old mazzes-making machine there. I will show you a few buildings where Jewish printing houses, fliur mills, money exchanges, jewelry shops used to be. This tour will give you a good feeling what life was like in Vilnius before WWII and what role the Jewish population had in this city and beyond. I will also share my personal experience of growing up Jewish in the post-Soviet Lithuania. This private tour is suited for 4-5 people group. Which allows for an intimate two-way communication.
Inclusions: Local taxes: all included in the fee, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
Exclusions: Entrance fees: 1eur donation to go into the synagogue, Food and drinks
Reviewed By wst1603
I came to Vilna with my three children to see the city in which both of my parents were born and lived in prewar Poland. It was the first time my children and myself came to Vilna. Ema established a perfect connection between the past and the present, showing us the former Jewish quarter including the houses in which my parents used to live in the twenties and the thirties of the 20th century. She knew how to convey historical knowledge to the younger generation as well. We only went with Ema on the tour of the former Jewish quarter, but she gave us background on other parts of the city, in particular Zarzecze/זארעטשעת, today Užupis, where our family also has historical roots. The tour with Ema, in excellent English, was as pleasant as it was useful. I wholeheartedly recommend taking a tour with her. Wladimir
5. Private Royal Vilnius Photoshoot Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Feel like exploring Vilnius in a more creative way? This special tour will show you around the beautiful Old Town of the Lithuanian capital by having a spontaneous photoshoot at its most fascinating spots. As a result, you will get a gallery of beautifully edited pictures in colour, sepia and black and white to keep as a unique memory of your trip. A different and fun way to get the best out of your Vilnius experience!
Inclusions: A professional photoshoot in Vilnius Old Town, A gallery of 30-50 edited pictures in high resolution
Exclusions: Gratuities
6. Vilnius Pub Crawl
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 56 reviews
Join Vilnius Pub Crawls to experience the best of Vilnius night life. In 4 hours you will visit 4 bars, where you will get welcome shots, play some drinking games and meet fellow travellers. You will finish the night at a nightclub.
Inclusions: Welcome shots, Happy hour deal in one of the bars, Drinking games, Tour escort/host, Alcoholic Beverages
Exclusions: Additional alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Hotel pickup and drop-off, Gratuities, Food
Reviewed By aitken87
Me and my brother joined the tour just before it started. We're so glad we did! Lovely host, she made it very entertaining and took us to some excellent bars with no more than a 7 minute walk between each one ;-) I also liked the way we were constantly updated on the next move, it's also a really fun way to meet other travellers. You'll have a Top Night! Highly recommend the experience! Thanks again!
7. Vilnius Private Tour: Uzupis Republic Walking Tour
Enjoy a private walking tour of Uzhupis (Užupis) in Vilnius - though this neighbourhood spans only two streets and an alleyway, you can spend an entire day here, or be tempted to stay your entire life. If you've been to Vilnius before, but not visited Uzupis – then you have not been to Vilnius! NOTE. This tour is Uzhupis district only - does not includes tour in Vilnius Old Town
Inclusions: Local guide, Private tour
Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Tour in Old Town
Reviewed By X5627FYkevinb
Simon our guide had excellent knowledge of the city, its history and of course beer. He was also great company. I highly recommend this tour...you dont need to be a drinker either...because we arnt.
8. Private 6-Hour Tour to the Rumsiskes Open-Air Museum from Vilnius
Experience Lithuania’s heritage on a private, 6-hour tour of Rumsiskes’ open-air folk life museum, and see history come to life in a historic village. Depart from your Vilnius hotel and travel in an air-conditioned minivan with your personal guide. Walk through the museum’s four ‘regions,’ which include detailed reconstructions of traditional homes and workshops, and 80,000 exhibits spread across 40 acres (16 hectares).
Inclusions: Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Hotel pick-up and drop-off from centrally located hotels in Vilnius
Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified
Reviewed By Williams_Id
I was lucky to be the only person taking this trip on that day. My Guide Jurata was very friendly, and insightful. We spent time at the Kaunas Rumsiskes, where we visited various old Lithuanian settlements. We also toured the Pazaislis monastry as well as Kaunas Old town and castle. She took time to present the cultural and historical background behind the settlements. That did help in appreciating Lithuanian history as well as Lithuanian society historically and in contemporary times. Personally, it was one of the most insightful tour I have ever experienced. For me it was an amazing experience.
9. 3-Hour Vilnius Food Insider Walking Tour and Tastings
Experience the local cuisine during a 3-hour food walking tour in Vilnius. See the most attractive parts of the city as well as the neighborhood where Insiders live and eat. This food tour includes seven stops with tastings (and even shopping) of typical everyday snacks, homemade products, drinks and sweets starts from Hales (Hall‘s) market and covers Old Town and Užupis district.
Inclusions: Beverages (as per itinerary), Food tasting (as per itinerary)
Exclusions: Gratuities
10. Trakai Town and Castle Tour with Authentic Karaim Lunch (Private Tour)
Trakai is a historic picturesque town with a castle in a middle of the lake. Locals take a daytrip there and we invite You for one as well. See the castle, lakes, take a trip to Uzutrakis Manor Estate on another side of the lake, and have a taste of local authentic “kibinas” made by Karaim people.
Inclusions: Professional local guide, Private transportation, GST (Goods and Services Tax), Tour in Trakai castle, Lunch
Exclusions: Gratuities, Alcoholic Beverages, Entrances not mentioned in itinerary
Reviewed By Paul M
The trip was very well organised, fascinating tour around the nuclear power plant, and also seemed very safe. The guides, both inside and outside the plant were interesting and well informed,
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