Vilnius – Europe’s Hidden Gem

The Unexpectedly Amazing Vilnius can’t live up to its slogan more. The Lithuanian capital surprises with its rich history, vibrant culture and amazing landscapes. Vilnius is the perfect place for a short city break offering a relaxing, but exciting getaway.

Vilnius is perhaps best known for its medieval Old Town which is one of the largest ones surviving in Northern Europe. The maze of medieval, narrow streets, numerous beautiful churches and historic buildings from baroque to classic styles welcome you right in. The Old Town has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and effortlessly fits into the modern landscapes and architecture of the city.

If you venture out for lunch in the Old Town, and wish to experience something local, be sure to try fried rye bread with different toppings such as garlic and cheese, as well as the nation’s favourite – cold beetroot soup (šaltibaršciai), also known as the pink soup. Served with crunchy cucumbers, hard-boiled eggs and dill, this is the ultimate comfort food for any Lithuanian you’ll meet. The soup is such a beloved dish that in the beginning of June you can join the Pink Soup Fest which turns the whole city to this vibrant colour.

From the many interesting museums, my favourite was a visit to the Lukiškes Prison. For 115 years from 1904 to 2019 criminals, political prisoners and exiles served their sentences inside the walls of this prison. Today the prison serves as popular cultural hub hosting many events like cinema evenings, but also acts as a residency for musicians and artists. Vilnius is also a home to the former office of the KGB Deputy Chief of Internal Prison. The KGB Museum gives an honest insight into the military organization, Soviet regime and everyday life of the prisoners, and can therefore be very educational, but also chilling and thought-provoking visit.

Vilnius itself has a lot to offer for multiple days in museums, shops and sightseeing, but if you wish to venture out a little further, the historical village of Trakai is only 40 minutes’ drive away. Trakai is located in the very picturesque lakeside area, and is one of the most popular destinations to visit amongst locals and visitors. And no wonder – it is absolutely breathtaking place! The famous orange castle represents the gothic style and nowadays serves as a museum taking you back to the ancient times.

Trakai is another great stop for those who wish to explore culinary wonders, as the village has the largest community of Karaims in Lithuania. This small nation of Turkic decent takes pride in their national pastry kibinai. This delicacy comes with many different fillings from lamb to cottage cheese and cabbage, and we would definitely recommend a visit to the local restaurant Kybynlar where you can also try many other traditional foods. 

In addition to all the sightseeing and interesting architecture, Vilnius also offers amazing scenery with forests, rivers and hills. The city claims to be one of the greenest in Europe, which is easy to believe as there are so many parks and green areas even right in the city center. To get the best view of this, we recommend a short walk up to the Gediminas’ Tower offering a great panorama over the Old Town and modern city.

By Laura Baylis
Baltic Travel Company (all rights reserved)