THE BEST Sights and Attractions in Vilnius

🏛️ Sights and Attractions in Vilnius

• Vilnius Old Town — A UNESCO World Heritage medieval old town, one of Europe's largest, with 1,500 buildings, 70 streets, and a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.
• Gediminas' Tower — A 14th-century tower on Castle Hill, the only remaining part of the Upper Castle, with a museum and panoramic views of the old town from the observation deck.
• Vilnius Cathedral — A 1783 neoclassical cathedral in Cathedral Square, with the 1801 Chapel of St. Casimir, a 190-foot bell tower, and the miraculous painting of the Virgin Mary.
• Gate of Dawn — A 16th-century city gate and chapel housing the painting of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, a pilgrimage site since 1705, with golden decorations.
• Užupis Republic — A bohemian quarter across the Vilnia River, declared an independent republic in 1997, with its own constitution, president, and art galleries.
• St. Anne's Church — A 1500 Flamboyant Gothic brick church that Napoleon reportedly wanted to take home to Paris, with 33 different brick shapes in its facade.
• Presidential Palace — A 14th-century palace rebuilt in 1820, the residence of the Lithuanian president, with a courtyard and the daily changing of the guard at 6 PM.
• Trakai Island Castle — A 14th-century red-brick castle on an island in Lake Galvė, 30 minutes from Vilnius, with a museum of Karaite and Lithuanian history.
• Hill of Three Crosses — A hill above the city with three white crosses, lit at night, commemorating 14th-century Franciscan martyrs, with panoramic old town views.
• Vilnius University — A 1579 university, one of the oldest in Eastern Europe, with 13 courtyards, a Baroque church, and a frescoed library with 5 million books.