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Literatų Street and the quiet layers, Vilnius
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VilniusTravel Guide

Lithuania4 stories

Europe's largest baroque old town shelters a self-declared artists' republic, balloon-filled skies and courtyards most visitors never find.

Is Vilnius right for you?

When to come

Late spring through early autumn

Around 24°C by day in July, -1°C in January — recorded at the local weather station.

What it costs

Mid-range. Comfortable without planning around money, expensive if you stop counting.

What we've planned, and who for

No hour-by-hour route here yet — the guides below cover it by subject instead.

Vilnius is inA proper winterDeepest in Europe
When to go
January: around -1 degrees by day, -6 at night, 48 millimetres of rain, cold, some precipitation.
February: around 0 degrees by day, -6 at night, 42 millimetres of rain, cold, some precipitation.
March: around 5 degrees by day, -3 at night, 41 millimetres of rain, some rain.
April: around 13 degrees by day, 3 at night, 43 millimetres of rain, some rain.
May: around 19 degrees by day, 8 at night, 56 millimetres of rain, some rain. We recommend this month.
June: around 22 degrees by day, 11 at night, 65 millimetres of rain, some rain. We recommend this month.
July: around 24 degrees by day, 14 at night, 92 millimetres of rain, wet. We recommend this month.
August: around 23 degrees by day, 13 at night, 76 millimetres of rain, some rain. We recommend this month.
September: around 17 degrees by day, 9 at night, 57 millimetres of rain, some rain. We recommend this month.
October: around 10 degrees by day, 4 at night, 60 millimetres of rain, some rain.
November: around 4 degrees by day, 0 at night, 47 millimetres of rain, some rain.
December: around 0 degrees by day, -4 at night, 51 millimetres of rain, cold, some precipitation.
Cold to hot, by dayDry to wetWhen we would go

Late spring through early autumn

Average daily highs, recorded at Vilnius, 1991-2020 normals.

Where this comes from

Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service / WMO (en.wikipedia Vilnius weather box)

Budget level

Mid-range

Typical cost profile for visitors

Combine it with
Plan itWhere to stay in Vilniusad · Booking.comTours and tickets
On the map

Finding Vilnius

Open in Google Maps Larger map
The stories

Reading Vilnius

A hot-air balloon drifting over the red rooftops and church towers of Vilnius Old Town
01
The List

The Most Photogenic Corners of Vilnius, Ranked

Vilnius has one of Europe's largest baroque old towns, and it is small enough to photograph properly in two days — here are its most rewarding corners, ranked, with the order, the light and the costs to do it well.

Lithuania · 14 min
The marble and gilt high altar of a baroque church in Vilnius rising above empty pews, columns of veined red and grey stone flanking a painting of the risen Christ, with a few visitors standing at the altar rail.
02
Itineraries

A Rainy Day in Vilnius: The All-Indoor Route

Grand ducal palaces, a world-class modern art museum and dumplings built for bad weather — how to love Vilnius when the sky won't cooperate.

Lithuania · 2 min
A curving cobbled street in Vilnius Old Town, warm afternoon sun raking across cream stucco facades and a red-tiled roof beneath a deep blue sky
03
Stays

Where to Base Yourself in Vilnius: A First-Timer's Guide

Old Town romance, boulevard convenience or bohemian Užupis — how to pick the right corner of the Lithuanian capital, and the addresses worth knowing.

Lithuania · 2 min
Church bell towers and red rooftops of Vilnius Old Town in warm evening light
04
Hidden Gems

Vilnius, Quietly: The City Beyond the Baroque Postcard

Lithuania's capital hides its best self in courtyards, artists' republics and hilltop meadows — a guide to the quieter Vilnius most visitors walk straight past.

Lithuania · 2 min
In pictures

Vilnius, framed

Gediminas' Tower standing on its steep green hill above Vilnius, the red brick warm in afternoon light and the Lithuanian flag flying from the roof, framed by overhanging autumn branches.
Photo: Paulius Andriekus / Unsplash
Gediminas Tower on its green hill above Vilnius, the Lithuanian flag flying
Photo: Victor Malyushev / Unsplash
Literatų Street and the quiet layers, Vilnius
Photo: Alberto Rodríguez / Unsplash
Old Town, Vilnius
Photo: Karina Kegy / Unsplash
Our picks

What we'd do in Vilnius

See and do

Where to stay

Before you go

Practical essentials for Lithuania

Money

Euro (EUR), adopted in 2015

Language

Lithuanian; English is widely spoken in Vilnius and by younger people generally

Power

Type C/F, 230V 50Hz

Getting around

Vilnius runs on buses and trolleybuses; buy a ticket in the JUDU or Trafi app, or load a Vilnietis travel card, and validate on board.

Tipping

Not obligatory — round up, or leave about 10% for good service in a sit-down restaurant.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink.

Driving

Right-hand side; EU/EEA licences are valid as they are, other visitors should carry an International Driving Permit, and headlights must be on day and night.

Emergency

112 (all services)

Country-level guidance, checked against official sources. Currency, fares and entry rules change — confirm anything time-critical before you travel.

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