Vilnius Unveiled: A Blend of History and Modern Beauty

The breathtaking beauty of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is evident even before landing in the city. The endless green forests and picturesque villages set a tranquil tone before reaching one of the continent's most beautiful cities.

Arriving here feels like entering another world, a parallel universe where the pace differs entirely from the daily pressures of life. It's a blend of a classical Eastern European city and a modern Western one, Budapest with a London chic, if you will.

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The city center teems with cafes, restaurants (some Michelin-starred, others without any decoration but still of the highest quality with some of the continent's best chefs), and a bar scene that might seem a bit sleepy in the middle of the week but becomes the place to be on weekends (Friday-Sunday) for locals and tourists alike.

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In general, one of the appealing blends here is between the social spaces of locals and tourists, mixed together. You won't find "tourist traps" that Vilnians avoid; the same bars, restaurants, and cafes warmly welcome both residents and tourists alike.

The Great Separation

Lithuania's story as a country is fascinating. It was the first of the Soviet Union's countries to break away from Mother Russia. This happened on March 11, 1990, and in the 35 years since, unlike many other former Soviet states, Lithuania has completely embraced the West.

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Despite the occasional Soviet structure or historical site marking those days, Lithuania has shaken off its past economically, educationally, and especially mentally, putting it alongside Western European countries despite its northern location. This is evident daily in the vehicles on the streets, recycling policies, commitment to a green era, and the Westernized, progressive lifestyle of the locals, disconnected from the harsh Soviet past.

Sky-High Attractions

While it might not compare to London or New York, Vilnius offers unique attractions for family-friendly travelers and thrill-seekers. One of the most famous of them is the Vilnius TV Tower, a prominent city symbol inaugurated in 1980.

Photo: Amit Cotler

The tower stands at about 160 meters above ground level, or the equivalent of roughly 68 floors, and hosts a restaurant and a luxury hotel at the top. It's considered a historic icon, central to the struggle with Soviet forces just before Lithuania's independence.

If you’re brave enough, you can walk on the edge and admire the stunning city views for up to 30 minutes at a cost of 31 EUR per person.

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Other heavenly attractions include the iconic hot air balloon rides, as the city is one of the few worldwide to allow these types of flights within or near city limits. You can watch them adorn the sky or even take a ride yourself. This writer must admit they were a bit apprehensive, but according to reports, it's an extraordinary experience.

For less extreme attractions, there are water and amusement parks near Vilnius, as well as the large central park in the heart of Vilnius, where you can enjoy long nature walks. For the sporty, it is recommended to go for a run or rent a bike to tour the park.

Artist District: Mini London

Now to one of the most surprising, unique, and quirky points in Vilnius—Uzupis, the city's artist district, the creative heart of the city. A nearly independent community founded in the '90s, with a constitution (look for it on the neighborhood's walls, even in Hebrew!) offering a fun atmosphere, welcoming cafes, galleries, and green corners, all along the pastoral river. It's a mini-Camden, for those familiar with London.

Photo: Amit Cotler

Incidentally, Uzupis's constitution includes various unique declarations like "Everyone has the right to love their cat" and "Everyone can die, but it's not mandatory." Yes, it's amusing, and no, don't take them too seriously.

Shopping and Spending: Hard to Stop

Yes, that's important, too. Shopping in Vilnius is significantly cheaper than in other countries, as are the restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, and bars. The affordable prices transform the shopping experience into something you can't stop. While there are several shopping centers, malls, and outlets in the city, you can also visit the main shopping street within the city, where the prices are reasonable, and you'll find all the brands you know.

Tip for sneaker enthusiasts, from a sneaker lover: At Sports Direct, you'll find shoes at relatively high prices on the ground floor. The deals and good prices for particularly nice shoes await on the second floor.

Outside the City: Visit Tarkai

If you're already visiting Vilnius and have a car or can leave the city in an organized manner, you can reach the town of Tarkai, a favorite resort spot for locals.

Photo: Amit Cotler

The picturesque town is best known for the countless small islands you can explore via boat at only 10 EUR per person. Children can also have fun feeding the well-groomed alpaca at the Alapakas Tarkai farm there.

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The Most Unique: Vilnius Portal

In the heart of the pedestrian street near Vilnius City Hall Square, you'll find "The Portal." A screen and camera broadcasting passersby in the city streets to several other cities worldwide, including cities in Poland, Italy, and even the United States.

Vilnius Portal. Photo: Amit Cotler

It's a unique system operating in very few places worldwide, allowing you to see passersby in other cities in real-time on a large round screen. Highly recommended for visiting and taking photos.

Where to Stay?

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Hotels are not lacking in Vilnius, especially not in the city center, and they are available at every possible price range, averaging around a hundred euros per night. We stayed at the Radisson Collection Astorija Hotel, a five-star luxury hotel with meticulous design, top-notch service, excellent breakfast, an indoor pool, and a well-equipped fitness center.

In conclusion, as you've probably gathered from this article, if you ask any tour guide what the most beautiful point in Vilnius to photograph is, they'll tell you, "Just point the camera and click. There's no ugly spot in this city." And that's precisely accurate.

Photo: Amit Cotler

The author was hosted by Israir.