I\u2019ve made it absolutely no secret<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>that I fell\u00a0hard<\/em>\u00a0for Vilnius during my short visit in April with the folks at\u00a0Travel Addicts Club.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Like, a borderline restraining order kind of love.<\/p>\n Naturally, this obsession is linked to all the many,\u00a0many<\/em>\u00a0awesome things to do in Vilnius. My three day break whizzed by like nothing, leaving me with intense withdrawal symptoms from the hearty comfort food, the beautiful churches and of course, the endless parade of perfect cafes.<\/p>\n Eager to see what I mean? If you\u2019re wondering what to do in Vilnius, here\u2019s a list for you, from sightseeing and attractions to activities a bit more off-the-beaten-path.<\/p>\n Vilnius: The Practical Scoop<\/strong><\/p>\n How to get to Vilnius:<\/strong>\u00a0We flew in with\u00a0airBaltic<\/strong><\/a>, who offers direct flights to Vilnius from many major European cities. FYI, the airport in Vilnius is ridiculously close to the city (only a ten minute drive) which means you\u2019ll be able to able to faceplant into delicious Lithuanian food right away ?<\/p>\n Where to stay in Vilnius:<\/strong>\u00a0We stayed at the\u00a0Comfort Hotel Rock and Roll<\/a><\/span>, and it was perfect! Awesome decor, really friendly staff, comfortable beds and a nice location just outside of Old Town.<\/p>\n If it\u2019s beautiful sights and cool attractions you\u2019re after, lucky you. Vilnius has them in abundance. Here are some things to do in Vilnius on the attractions\/sightseeing side. Enjoy!<\/em><\/p>\n I\u00a0love\u00a0<\/em>walking tours for a simple reason: they bring a place to life.\u00a0You can be in the most beautiful city, looking at the most stunning architecture and buildings, but without historical context and local stories to bring them to life, you miss out on a huge chunk of what makes travel so magical. Especially in a city like Vilnius, with such an interesting history, exploring with a guide is a must.<\/p>\n We luckily had our friends from\u00a0Travel Addicts Club<\/a><\/span>\u00a0with us during our stay, so we got to learn not just what\u00a0sights\u00a0<\/em>we were drooling over, but also some personal stories and context that brought them to life. If you want the same experience, these guys offer a\u00a0free walking tour<\/a><\/span>\u00a0several times a week.<\/p>\n In Vilnius, one could throw a rock and inevitably hit a jaw-dropping church. It\u2019s just science. After all, with 28 churches in the Vilnius Old Town alone, there are more than enough to fill your time and SD card \u2013 some are abandoned, some boast spectacular interiors, and others find themselves surprisingly bare (a legacy left by the Soviet Occupation, during which churches were repurposed as various spaces like music halls and museums). Here are a few I recommend you don\u2019t miss:<\/p>\n The Cathedral of St Stanislav and St Vladislav (AKA Vilnius Cathedral) \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Undoubtedly one of the most iconic sights of Vilnius, although strangely looking more like a museum than a church ? Well worth a stop.<\/p>\n Saint Casimir Church<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 pretty, pink and perfect (though a lot more spectacular on the outside than in). Fun fact: a photo of this church I\u00a0posted on Instagram<\/a><\/span>\u00a0inspired one of my followers to bake a pink cake!<\/p>\n Saint Ann Church<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 a super beautiful Gothic church that seems to glow red in the sun. Absolutely spectacular (so spectacular in fact that legend says Napoleon wanted to bring it home!). The Saint Francis of Assissi church is also super close by, which makes it a double whammy for your DIY Vilnius Church bingo ?<\/p>\n The Church of Saint Philip and Saint Jacob<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 a lovely red church that has the most magical bells chiming. Its carillon (a multi-bell instrument) has 61 bells, making it the largest in the Baltics.<\/p>\n Our Lady of the Sign Church<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 a little out of the city center, but really beautiful, and right by the river too which makes for a picturesque walk.<\/p>\n Photo by\u00a0The Flyaway Girl<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The beauty of Vilnius is best appreciated from a higher vantage point. Perch and gawk to your heat\u2019s content at one of the following viewpoints:<\/p>\n My personal favourite \u2013 the Suba\u010diaus Street Lookout, AKA<\/strong> The Hill of Three Crosses<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 A local favourite for catching romantic sunsets, and the perfect place to get up close and personal with one of Vilnius\u2019 most important monuments: three gleaming white crosses that stand as a symbol for national identity and resistance to the Soviet occupation.<\/p>\n The view from the Cathedral Bell Tower (Vilniaus Katedros Varpin\u0117)<\/strong>: A great view, but it loses points for me because of the netting and barriers set up on the upper floor viewing platforms. They make it quite tough to properly enjoy the view (and snap any photos).<\/p>\n NOTE: The Gediminas\u2019 Tower is a viewpoint highly recommended by many, but since late 2017 it has been closed for repairs (with no definitive re-opening date just yet).<\/p>\n It\u2019s certainly not a pleasant visit, and one that will inevitably leave you feeling miserable, but the Museum of Genocide Victims is a definite must-see, and an eye-opening look into the dark struggles of Lithuania\u2019s past. This museum is housed in the city\u2019s former KGB building, where horrific plans were hatched and executed over 50 years. The visit takes you down to the actual cells of the former KGB prison, an eerie step back in time that presents a real, and unsugarcoated look into the atrocities committed throughout the regime. In the upper floors, detailed displays lead you through the history of the occupation, bringing to life a piece of history that (to me) was never taught in school. A harrowing visit, but a must.<\/p>\n In the centre of Cathedral Square is where you\u2019ll find the\u00a0Stebuklas Miracle tile, which is said to have wish-granting properties. Spin around three times on the tile and wish your heart away \u2013 who knows, it might just come true ?\u00a0Still waiting on my proposal from Channing Tatum, but okay.<\/em><\/p>\n This tile is also significant in that it served as the ending point for the world\u2019s largest ever human chain.\u00a0On August 23, 1989, in a peaceful display of dissent against the Soviet Union, about two million people across the Baltics joined to create the Baltic Way, known as the longest (unbroken) human chain ever created. Its length? A staggering 370 miles\u2026 all culminating to the end point right here at the Stebuklas Miracle Tile.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not crying,\u00a0you\u2019re crying.<\/em><\/p>\n One of the best things to do in Vilnius is (duh) work on padding your waistline through the most sumptuous of local cuisine. Here are some of the top foodie experiences you need to try when you\u2019re in Vilnius.<\/em><\/p>\n How can I describe traditional Lithuanian food? It\u2019s definitely not the healthiest of indulgences, but when it tastes\u00a0this<\/em>\u00a0good, one quickly loses the will to count calories. Think of it a gluttonous explosion of carbs, potatoes and meat, all topped with more carbs, potatoes and meat. Imagine what a lumberjack or viking would like to eat after a long day\u2019s work ? [Or me, after a long day of toiling away at the keyboard] Honestly: Lithuanian food doesn\u2019t mess around, and your waistline will surely suffer the consequences.<\/p>\n NOTE: Foodies with lighter palettes of course won\u2019t be left to drown in sour cream of course \u2013 Vilnius has a wide range of hip, modern restaurants too, offering up cuisine from across the globe. But, because I assume you\u2019re not here to learn about the best place to get a pizza in Vilnius, here are some must try traditional Lithuanian foods to nosh on during your next visit.<\/p>\n Bagels<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 You might not know this, but bagels actually originated from this part of the world, so it\u2019s no wonder Vilnius has a\u00a0mean\u00a0<\/em>bagel scene. We stopped by\u00a0Beigelistai\u00a0<\/strong>in\u00a0Hal\u0117s Market and tried some of their specialty bagel sandwiches. Mine came stacked out with salmon and capers. I almost died. Get bagels in Vilnius\u2026 just do it.<\/p>\n Bulvinai Blynai AKA potato pancakes<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 grated potato shaped into patties and deep fried to golden perfection\u2026 all the better when stuffed with fillings or topped with an amazing sauce. I enjoyed an amazing one stuffed with meat at\u00a0Prie Angelo<\/strong>\u00a0in Uzupis. It was lifechanging.<\/p>\n Cepelinai<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 a potato dumpling stuffed with minced meat (like a meatball wrapped in a knodel. *drools*<\/p>\n \u0160altibar\u0161\u010diai<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 a chilled beetroot soup with a Pepto Bismol aesthetic. With its main ingredients being beets, yogurt (or sour cream, or buttermilk), the result is a creamy, refreshing and delicious soup usually topped with dill and hard boiled egg. Super good.<\/p>\n Kibinine<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Think of it as a Lithuanian pasty, with a delicious crispy pastry cradling some kind of amazing filling (usually something savoury and meaty). We tried a sampling of these from\u00a0Senoji Kibinine in Trakai<\/strong>. I had the traditional mutton and a dessert one in chocolate. Both were amazing!<\/p>\n Hal\u0117s Market is the oldest market in Vilnius, and today is home to a fascinating mix of both traditional vendors selling the usual (produce, baked goods, etc.) and surprisingly hip and inventive stalls moving in to peddle trendy eats.<\/p>\n With Hal\u0117s Market being just a short walk from our homebase at the\u00a0Comfort Hotel Rock and Roll<\/a>, it was a no brainer to start one of our days here while in Vilnius.<\/p>\n To get the full experience here, I highly recommend doing a market tour with a guide.\u00a0Here\u2019s the one we did<\/a>. We went with a private guide, Alina from Travel Addicts Club and having this \u201cinsider\u201d with us really made the experience what it was. With a guide, you get to know all the stories that bring the stalls to life. From the bespoke \u201csmoothie healer\u201d who creates custom concoctions based on the ailments of her clientele to the mother-daughter duo peddling cheese from around the country, you learn that the market is not just a gathering of goods, but of unique people and stories. Of course, none of this would have been possible without Alina! Otherwise I\u2019m sure we would have drowned in awkward language barriers.<\/p>\n Despite spending only three days in Vilnius, I found myself in a constant state of caffeination, ducking into every adorable cafe we happened to pass\u2026 and trust me, there were\u00a0many<\/em>. If you need a place to briefly rest up before your next stop, here are a few recommendations to get your sugar and caffeine fix:<\/p>\n Pinavija Cafe & Bakery (21, Vilniaus g):<\/strong>\u00a0A seriously darling cafe that will make all your tea party dreams come true. Think pastel-coloured plates, daintily framed mirrors and even a giant clock with teacups as numbers. The coffee and homemade cakes are amazing too.<\/p>\n Gusto Blynine (Aushros Vartu g. 6):<\/strong>\u00a0Alice in Wonderland themed decor with a menu touting every kind of pancake imaginable. Pretty lukewarm service but the sweets made up for it!<\/p>\n Holy Donut (Vokieciu g. 9):<\/strong>\u00a0A cool and trendy ambiance, complete with giant doughy donuts, an extensive menu of freakshakes and one ridiculously handsome avocado toast. Not exactly the most traditional of settings, but an awesome place to sit a while and fuel up.<\/p>\n Cat Caf\u00e9 (J. Jasinskio g. 1):<\/strong>\u00a0A cozy cafe crawling with cats. Depending on what kind of person you are, this might either be a dream come true or your worst nightmare ? Choose accordingly.<\/p>\n Apparently Vilnius is the\u00a0cheapest place in Europe to grab a beer<\/a>, which is reason enough for a visit (in my humble opinion). The other is of course that within the walls of this beautiful city, you can find a thriving craft beer scene, packed with microbrewers who aren\u2019t afraid to experiment with new flavours, combinations and techniques.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re into craft beer, be sure to stop by these two awesome spots:<\/p>\n Prohibicije (Arkli\u0173 g. 6):<\/strong>\u00a0Prohibicije is a tiny bar tucked away in a courtyard complex linked with a handful of other local businesses. While small in size, this little haven for beer lovers offers an impressive selection of brews. Here, we met with a local microbrewer and sampled a wide range of flavourful beers, from corn lagers to sweet pineapple IPAs. It gets cozy in there, but the vibe is cool and makes you feel like you\u2019ve stumbled upon an underground secret ?<\/p>\n Bambalyn\u0117 (Stikliu g. 7):<\/strong>\u00a0This cozy beer cellar is an easy gem to miss, tucked away in a side street, but for those who find it, it offers up over 100 bottled varieties of Lithuanian beer to choose from (DIY style from big fridges on the bottom floor).<\/p>\n One of the most appealing parts of this city is of course its irresistible edge. So\u2026 if you\u2019re wondering what to do in Vilnius that\u2019s more on the alternative side, here are some options for you.<\/em><\/p>\nSightseeing and Attractions in Vilnius<\/h3>\n
Tour around Vilnius on foot<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lietuvis.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pries-go-church-300x176.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGo church hopping<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lietuvis.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pries-enjoy-a-killer-view-300x176.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEnjoy a killer view<\/h3>\n
\nSuba\u010diaus Gatv\u0117s Ap\u017evalgos Aik\u0161tel\u0117:<\/strong>\u00a0Provides an amazing view over the Old Town and U\u017eupis, and with a little cafe nearby so you can enjoy a nice cold bevvie with your view.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lietuvis.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pries-visit-museum-of-genocide-300x177.jpg\")
<\/p>\nVisit the Museum of Genocide Victims<\/h3>\n
Spin three times and make a wish<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lietuvis.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pries-foodie-things-300x175.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFoodie things to do in Vilnius<\/h3>\n
Eat until you explode<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lietuvis.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pries-visit-a-cool-local-market-300x173.jpg\")
<\/p>\nVisit a cool local market<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lietuvis.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pries-cozy-up-in-cute-cafe-300x170.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCozy up in a cute caf\u00e9<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lietuvis.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pries-get-jiggy-300x174.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGet jiggy with the independent beer scene<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lietuvis.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/alkoholis-300x171.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCool, Alternative Things to do in Vilnius<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.lietuvis.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pries-stay-in-hotel-300x172.jpg\")
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