Vilnius was a superb surprise on our Lithuanian getaway! Warm and incredibly easy to explore on foot, it won over the whole family. In two or three days, you have plenty of time to immerse yourself in its unique atmosphere, with its Baroque churches, cobbled streets, street art and bohemian quarters. We've made some lovely vacation memories of our strolls through its UNESCO-listed old town. In this article, we share with you an itinerary of the best things to do in Vilnius in 2 days (or 3 days)... and make you want to pack your bags too!
Day 1: What to do in Vilnius in 2 days? Vilnius Old Town
If you love historic buildings, you'll love the ochre-clad heart of Vilnius! We recommend this bike tour of Vilnius. You'll pedal through the charming old town, see the stunning Cathedral Square and immerse yourself in the city's history.
Morning: Gediminas Tower and Vilnius Cathedral
It's impossible to miss Cathedral Square, a must-see in Vilnius! How can you fail to be struck by the elegance of the place? Vast, luminous, surrounded by light-colored cobblestones, with the majestic white cathedral and its separate bell tower as a backdrop... This is truly the historic heart of the city, a place steeped in history where everything seems to converge. Strolling along the pink granite flagstones, we discovered markers on the ground marking the ancient fortifications. Next door, the statue of Gediminas proudly watches over the site. Now we're reassured!
From the square, we took the cobbled path that climbs gently up to the castle hill. It's a short climb, and up there, the view is worth every step! Your reward: the red-brick Gediminas Tower. Inside, we were pleasantly surprised to discover a small museum presenting the history of the site. Now that's a good start!
If you book a place on the Vilnius City Tour, you'll be able to hop-on, hop-off to all the main points of interest. It's even free if you've opted for the Vilnius Pass, which you can buy here !
Afternoon: Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Užupis district and church
Stick around, because after lunch, you'll continue your discovery with a visit to the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, right at the foot of Castle Hill. Magnificently rebuilt in 2009 to mark Lithuania's millennium, we were able to admire works of art and wander through rooms with a blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque influences.
On our way out, we headed for nearby Rue Pilies. This lively thoroughfare led us straight into the maze of the old town. It's a real pleasure to stroll between colorful facades, old houses and small craft stalls. We felt as if we were strolling through the "real" Vilnius. If you have the time, don't hesitate to visit the University of Vilnius, one of the oldest in Eastern Europe. The architecture is superb and the whole building exudes serenity.
Book my guided tour of Vilnius
We ended the afternoon in style, first with a stop in front of the astonishing St. Anne's Church. But what we were really looking forward to was a visit to the famous bohemian district of Užupis. A quirky atmosphere guaranteed... and a touch of poetry to end the day! If, like us, this famous district appeals to you, go here to book your guided tour.
Tip from Petit Futé: Are you visiting Vilnius with children? Include a visit to the Vilnius Museum of Illusions in your itinerary. Fun and offbeat, it's sure to delight them between two more conventional visits!
Day 2: What to do in Vilnius in 2 days? Museum, Vingis Hill and Park
The heart of Vilnius is easily accessible on foot, so let's get on with it! Are you following us to find out what you can do in Vilnius in 2 days?
Morning: Museum of Genocide Victims and Vingis Park
Our second day in Vilnius got off to an emotional start. We headed for the Museum of the Victims of Genocidehoused in the former KGB palace. It's hard to remain indifferent... From the very first rooms, we let ourselves be drawn into the atmosphere of the place, to the rhythm of the deeply moving testimonies. The visit is tough, but essential for understanding what the country went through under Soviet occupation. The basement, with its intact cells and accounts of interrogations, made a particularly strong impression on us. An unforgettable experience..
Good to know: The museum is closed on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and public holidays. Audioguides are available, but guided tours in several languages are also available for a fee bookable here.
To find out more about this period, we recommend this guided walking tour of Soviet Vilnius. You'll discover the daily life of the inhabitants under the Communist regime and Lithuania's road to independence.
To take a breather, we then headed for nearbyGediminas Avenue. A change of scenery! This large, elegant artery, lined with boutiques and cafés, gently brought us back to modern life.
But the real breath of fresh air was to be found in Vingis Park. A well-deserved nature break! We decided to rent bikes and pedaled quietly under the tall trees, with the Neris River as a backdrop. The atmosphere is great, lively but totally peaceful. In short, a beautiful morning of memory, contrast... and breath.
Afternoon: Église Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul and Colline des Trois Croix :
L'église Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul is so beautiful that it reminded us a little of the great manor houses of yesteryear... What splendor! And its elegant red-and-white architecture hides another treasure inside that left us speechless: more than 2,000 stucco sculptures cover the walls, vaults and columns! Everywhere we looked, there were details to behold: angels, biblical scenes, fantastic creatures and even a few more unexpected surprises!
To round off the day, we climbed up to the Hill of the Three Crosses to enjoy the view in peace. The climb is a leisurely one through the trees, revealing here and there crosses, demolished then rebuilt over the centuries, strong symbols for Lithuanians.
Day 3: What to do in Vilnius in 3 days? Europos Parkas, Covered Market and MO Museum
We were looking for what to do in Vilnius in 2 days, but in the end... we stayed a third day, and didn't regret it!
Morning: Europos Parkas
For this third morning, we left the city center for a breath of fresh air andcontemporary art... direction Europos Parkasjust 20 km from Vilnius. This open-air museum, founded in 1991 by artist Gintaras Karosas, took us by surprise. When we arrived, we weren't quite sure what to expect, but as soon as we stepped into the park, we were won over by its peaceful yet artistic atmosphere.
On the program: a hundred sculptures spread over an immense green space of more than 50 hectares! Some are monumental, others more discreet, sometimes even hidden between two trees. We all agreed that it was a wonderful way to pay tribute to nature in a different way, and the children themselves really enjoyed it!
Good to know: you'll find a restaurant (terrace or indoor) at Europos Parkas.
Afternoon: Hales Covered Market and MO Museum Gallery
Before leaving Vilnius, we took advantage of our last afternoon to discover two very different... but equally enjoyable places! First, a quick tour of Hales Marketone of the city's oldest markets. The decor is a skilful blend of tradition and modernity, and above all an opportunity to stock up on local specialities to take away!
Finally, a change of atmosphere with a visit to the MO Museum, an architectural gem by Daniel Libeskind. Resolutely modern in style, the building leaves no one indifferent. Inside, we discovered a fine selection ofmodern and contemporary Lithuanian art. The exhibitions are well thought-out, accessible and suitable for all ages.
Good to know: if these two visits don't tempt you, there's another nice visit waiting for you outside the city: Trakai Castle. Book your day trip outside Vilnius here to discover the most interesting surrounding sites such as Kaunas, Pazaislis, Trakai Castle and the Holocaust Memorial.
Where to stay in Vilnius for 2 or 3 days? Our selection of the best hotels
There are two main areas to stay in Vilnius: Senamiestisthe charming old town, or Užupis, the city's alternative, autonomous district.
- The cheapest
Looking for a cheap pied-à-terre in Vilnius? Litinterp offers rooms and small apartments at very low prices, right in the city center! Visitors are unanimous: the location is top-notch and the owners absolutely adorable, in this simple and inexpensive establishment, bookable here.
- The best option for young people
Downtown Forest Hostel & Camping offers cosy, comfortable rooms and common areas. This inexpensive establishment also offers camping. In the evenings, the place comes alive with concerts and barbecues. Click here to book!
- The best location
The Bernardinu B&B House is located right in the heart of town. Despite its strategic location, it remains very quiet, isolated in its small courtyard where you can park your car. Bookable here, this beautiful period establishment is 100% charming!
The article to read: 8 destinations to discover Eastern Europe in 2025
As well as being beautiful, Lithuania is an inexpensive destination in Europe that has 1001 wonderful surprises in store for you! Want proof? Take a look at our 12 must-see places in Lithuania: you're sure to be as delighted as we are! Quite simply, all we want to do is go back for at least 2 weeks to see the whole country.
See also the most popular things to do in Vilnius:
