Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, located in the southeastern part of the country near the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers. Founded in the early 14th century, Vilnius quickly grew into an important political and cultural center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
Over the centuries, Vilnius developed a diverse population, earning it a reputation as one of Eastern Europe’s most multicultural cities. Its historic center—now a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is known for its large collection of Baroque architecture, narrow medieval streets, and landmarks such as Vilnius Cathedral and Gediminas' Tower.
Vilnius experienced periods of rule by the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union before Lithuania restored its independence in 1990. Today, Vilnius is a vibrant European capital known for its historic charm, universities, arts scene, and growing technology sector.
Here are the top 10 things to see in Vilnius
The Gate of Dawn
The Gate of Dawn is one of the most important historical and religious landmarks in Vilnius. It is the only surviving gate of the city’s original defensive wall and is famous for housing a revered icon of the Virgin Mary. The gate was built between 1503 and 1522 when Vilnius constructed a defensive wall around the medieval city. In 1671, a chapel was built above the gate to house the sacred icon of the Virgin Mary, transforming the structure from a purely defensive gate into a religious shrine. While most of the city wall and gates were demolished in the 19th century under the Russian Empire, the Gate of Dawn was spared because of its religious importance. The sacred painting, Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn, depicts the Virgin Mary without the infant Jesus. The sacred painting is known for reports of miracles and answered prayers. In 1993, Pope John Paul II prayed at the shrine during his visit to Lithuania.
Bastion of the Vilnius Defensive Wall
The Bastion of the Vilnius Defensive Wall is the best-preserved part of the city’s former fortification system in Vilnius. Built in the 17th century, it was designed to strengthen the defenses of the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during a time when artillery warfare had become common. Today the bastion houses a branch of the National Museum of Lithuania, with exhibits about, medieval weapons, the history of Vilnius’s fortifications and the development of artillery defenses. Visitors can walk through the restored underground tunnel and see how the bastion once functioned.
The Vilnius Town Hall
The Vilnius Town Hall stands in the heart of Vilnius Old Town at Town Hall Square and has long served as one of the city’s most important civic and cultural buildings. The original town hall dates back to the 14th century, when Vilnius received Magdeburg rights—a system of self-governance that allowed the city to elect officials and manage its own trade and legal affairs. The early building was Gothic and functioned as the center of municipal administration, where merchants met, city councils governed, and courts were held.
Mermaid of Užupis
The Mermaid of Užupis is a small but beloved sculpture located in the artistic district of Užupis in Vilnius. The neighborhood of Užupis (which means “beyond the river” in Lithuanian) was historically one of the poorer areas of Vilnius. Over time the district attracted artists, writers, and creatives because rents were cheap. In 1997, residents humorously declared the neighborhood the Republic of Užupis. The “republic” has its own playful features, including a symbolic constitution displayed on a wall in many languages. The mermaid reflects the free-spirited culture of this community. Sitting beside the Vilnia River, the statue has become one of the informal symbols of the quirky, bohemian neighborhood.
Church of St. Anne
The Church of St. Anne is one of the most famous landmarks in Vilnius and a masterpiece of Late Gothic architecture in Eastern Europe. Known for its intricate red-brick façade, the church has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Vilnius. The church was built at the end of the 15th century, during the period when Vilnius was the capital of the powerful Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Over the centuries, Vilnius experienced numerous wars and fires, but the church survived with relatively little alteration. A famous legend claims that Napoleon Bonaparte admired the church during his 1812 campaign and said he wished he could carry it back to Paris in the palm of his hand because of its beauty.
The Bell Tower of Vilnius Cathedral
The Bell Tower of Vilnius Cathedral is one of the most distinctive landmarks in Vilnius and stands just beside Vilnius Cathedral in Cathedral Square. The base of the bell tower began as a defensive tower in the medieval Lower Castle of Vilnius. When the medieval fortifications lost their military importance, the tower was repurposed. In the 16th century, the upper levels were added, transforming the former defensive tower into a cathedral bell tower. Today visitors can climb the tower and view the historic center of Vilnius, including Gediminas' Tower and the nearby Hill of Three Crosses.
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is a reconstructed royal palace beside Vilnius Cathedral. It was once the political and ceremonial center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, one of the largest states in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The palace developed as part of the Lower Castle complex beginning in the 13th–14th centuries. Early rulers established their residence near the castle hill. The palace reached its greatest splendor in the 16th century but over time the palace fell into ruin and was eventually demolished by authorities of the Russian Empire in the early 19th century. After Lithuania regained independence from the Soviet Union, the Lithuanian government decided to rebuild the palace based on historical evidence. Reconstruction was completed in stages and opened to the public between 2009 and 2018. Today the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania houses the National Museum.
The Gediminas Castle Tower
The Gediminas Castle Tower is the most prominent surviving part of the medieval castle complex that once dominated the skyline of Vilnius. Today it is one of the most important symbols of Lithuania’s capital and national identity. The tower was part of the Upper Castle, a defensive complex built in the 13th–14th centuries to protect the growing city and the seat of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. By the 17th century, warfare and changing military technology made the hilltop fortress less useful and much of the castle fell into ruin, leaving only parts of the walls and the tower standing. In the 19th century, the remaining tower became a symbol of Lithuanian heritage and resistance during periods of foreign rule under the Russian Empire. Today the tower houses a museum about the castle and the history of Vilnius. The Lithuanian flag still flies above the tower, reinforcing its status as a symbol of national independence.
The Hill of Three Crosses
The Hill of Three Crosses is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. There is a legend dating to the 14th century that says seven Franciscan monks came to Vilnius to preach Christianity when Lithuania was still largely pagan. They were reportedly crucified on the hill and thrown down the hill into the river by local pagans. To commemorate these martyrs, three wooden crosses were later erected on the hill. Over time the story became a powerful symbol of Christian sacrifice and the spread of Christianity in Lithuania. In 1916 Architect Antoni Wiwulski designed a permanent monument of three large concrete crosses. But in 1950 Soviet authorities demolished the monument because it represented religion and Lithuanian national identity. During Lithuania’s independence movement in 1989, the crosses were rebuilt and unveiled on the original foundations. Today, fragments of the destroyed Soviet-era monument still lie on the slope below as a reminder of that period.
The last one is not really in Vilinus but it is only a 30 min drive away - and you can't miss it!
Trakai Island Castle
Trakai Island Castle is one of the most famous medieval landmarks in Lithuania. It sits on an island in Lake Galvė, about 17 miles west of Vilnius. The castle was built in the late 14th century by Kęstutis, a powerful ruler of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The surrounding lake created a natural defense, only a long wooden bridge connected the castle to the mainland. By the 17th century, the castle lost its strategic role. During the Russo‑Polish War, it was heavily damaged and eventually fell into ruin. In the 20th century, the Lithuanian government undertook a major reconstruction project. After decades of work during the Soviet period, the castle was fully restored in 1987 and reopened as a museum.
