Three days is enough time to see the Old Town, take in the atmosphere of Užupis, and still make it to Trakai, as long as you plan the route sensibly. Vilnius is compact: most of what's worth seeing fits within about a 2 kilometer radius of Cathedral Square, so you'll cover most of this itinerary on foot.
This itinerary is built for first-time visitors to Vilnius: day one is for the Old Town and its landmarks, day two, Užupis and the more modern side of the city, day three, a day trip to Trakai. Every day lists specific places, opening hours, and 2026 prices, so you're not planning around outdated information from the internet.
Day 1: Old Town and Cathedral Square
Morning: Cathedral Square and Gediminas Hill
Start at Cathedral Square, home to Vilnius Cathedral Basilica. Entry is free. On the paving between the cathedral and the bell tower, look for a tile marked "Stebuklas" ("Miracle"): legend says that if you stand on it and turn three times clockwise, your wish comes true.
From the square, walk up Gediminas Hill. The tower and funicular run daily from 10:00 to 20:00. The funicular costs 2 EUR one way or 3 EUR return, and a ticket to the tower itself costs around 8 EUR for adults and around 4 EUR for pupils and students. The view from the top is the best Old Town panorama in the city.
Coming back down, head to Bernardinai Garden, with an entrance from Maironio street. The garden is open daily from 7:00 to 22:00, there's a fountain in the middle, and on weekdays from 19:00 to 22:00 it plays to music every 15 minutes.
Lunch: Lithuanian cuisine in the Old Town
For lunch, go for traditional Lithuanian food. Etno Dvaras, Pilies g. 16, is open daily from 11:00 to 24:00 and is the first restaurant in Lithuania whose dishes are certified by the Lithuanian Culinary Heritage Fund. Bernelių Užeiga has served Lithuanian cuisine since 1999, and its newest location is at Pilies g. 10, right at the start of the Old Town. Order cepelinai at either one, or šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup) if you're visiting in warm weather.
Afternoon: Pilies street and the university
After lunch, walk down Pilies street, the oldest and liveliest artery in the city, toward St. Anne's Church, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Lithuania. Legend has it that Napoleon wanted to take the church with him to Paris. Nearby, on Literatų street, a wall holds more than 200 small artworks dedicated to Lithuanian writers and poets.
From there, head to Vilnius University, founded in 1579. The Old Town ensemble's courtyards are now open to everyone free of charge, so just walk in and wander through its thirteen courtyards. If you want to climb the bell tower of St. John's Church, a ticket costs 5 EUR for adults and 3 EUR for pupils, students, and pensioners.
Evening: Vokiečių street
For dinner and your first evening beer, head to Vokiečių street, a wide pedestrian boulevard lined with terraces and restaurants that becomes one of the liveliest spots in the city in summer. After dinner, just walk the illuminated Old Town streets: they look completely different at night than during the day.
Day 2: Užupis and Modern Vilnius
Morning: an independent republic of artists
Start day two in Užupis. Cross the bridge with love locks over the Vilnelė River and you'll find yourself in a district that declared itself an independent republic in 1997, complete with its own constitution, president, and flag. On Paupio street, the constitution is posted on a wall in more than twenty languages, including Lithuanian. Walk the small streets among artists' workshops and galleries, and finish at the Bernardine Cemetery, one of the oldest in Vilnius.
Midday: Halės Market or Naujamiestis
Your lunch choice depends on the day. Halės Market, Pylimo g. 58, is open Tuesday through Friday and Saturday from 7:00 to 18:00, Sunday from 7:00 to 15:00, and closed on Monday. Inside you'll find fresh produce stalls as well as small eateries serving all kinds of cuisines. If you arrive on a Monday, or just want a more modern setting, head to Naujamiestis instead: Gaspar's, Pylimo g. 23-3, is open Tuesday to Friday evenings and Saturday from 13:00, and Nineteen18, Dominikonų g. 11, welcomes guests Wednesday to Saturday evenings, reservation only.
Afternoon: MO Museum and Gediminas Avenue
Spend the afternoon at the MO Museum, Pylimo g. 17. It's open daily from 10:00 to 20:00, closed only on Tuesdays. A ticket costs 5 EUR for adults, 3 EUR for pupils and students, and a family ticket for two adults and up to four children costs 11 EUR. The collection covers Lithuanian modern and contemporary art from the mid-20th century to today. From the museum, walk to Gediminas Avenue and stroll it toward the Seimas (Parliament): this is where you'll find shops, theatres, and state institutions clustered together.
Evening: cocktails and life by the river
In the evening, head back to the Vilnelė in Užupis, or stay in Naujamiestis, which has plenty of cocktail bars and terraces. This district feels younger and freer than the Old Town, so it's the best pick if you're after a local, less touristy atmosphere.
Day 3: A Day Trip to Trakai
Day three is set aside for Trakai, a historic town on Lake Galvė, about 28 km from Vilnius.
Getting there
The simplest option is the bus from the Vilnius bus station, Sodų g. 22: the ride takes about 30 minutes and costs around 3 EUR one way. The alternative is the train from Vilnius railway station, which runs at a similar speed. Check the exact timetable and fare on ltglink.lt, since train intervals vary a lot through the day.
Trakai Island Castle
The Gothic Trakai Island Castle, built on an island in Lake Galvė, is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00 from May to September, and Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 from October to April. In summer a ticket costs 12 EUR for adults and 6 EUR for pupils, students, and pensioners; in winter it's 10 EUR and 5 EUR respectively. An audio guide costs an extra 5 EUR.
Lunch and the lake
For lunch, try Karaite cuisine. Kybynlar, Karaimų g. 29, is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 11:00 to 20:00, and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 21:00. The restaurant is known for kibinai, which the Karaites of Trakai have been baking for more than three decades. Afterward, rent a water bike for an hour or two: a two-seater costs around 10 EUR per hour, and a four-seater runs from around 15 to 20 EUR, depending on the season and the rental point.
If you'd rather not leave the city
If you want to stay in Vilnius on day three instead, the alternatives are the Paneriai Memorial, a reminder of the Second World War tragedy, or Europos Parkas, an open-air sculpture museum just outside the city. Both deserve a half day of their own and don't pair well with a Trakai trip on the same day.
Back in Vilnius for your last dinner, pick a restaurant you haven't tried yet, or return to the one you liked best.
Getting to Vilnius
Vilnius Airport is 7 km from the city center. The easiest way into town is bus 88G, which takes about 20 minutes and runs every 20 to 30 minutes, or the train to Vilnius railway station, which takes about 8 minutes but runs less often, every 40 to 90 minutes. Either way, a ticket bought by tapping your contactless card at the validator costs 0.90 EUR. A taxi or Bolt/Uber into the center costs around 10 to 15 EUR.
From neighboring capitals, long-distance buses are a convenient option. Flixbus and Lux Express connect Vilnius with Riga (about 4 hours), Tallinn (about 8 hours), and Warsaw (about 8 to 9 hours).
Getting Around
The Old Town is walkable from almost anywhere in the city center, so you'll cover most of this itinerary on foot. For longer distances, use Bolt or Uber: a ride across town usually costs 3 to 7 EUR. A single public transport ticket, bought by tapping a contactless card on the bus, costs 0.90 EUR and is valid for 60 minutes. In warm weather, rental e-scooters are also available around the city.
Where to Stay
The best located hotel in the Old Town is Hotel Pacai, Didžioji g. 7: a five-star hotel in a historic 15th century palace, just a few minutes' walk from Cathedral Square. Accommodation in Naujamiestis is usually cheaper, and you're still only a 10 to 15 minute walk from the Old Town. Budget travelers can look at Downtown Forest Hostel & Camping and similar hostels with shared and private rooms. For a wider selection by area and price, see the full Vilnius hotel list.
Budget and Prices
Vilnius remains one of the more affordable capitals in the European Union. Lunch at a cafe costs around 7 to 10 EUR, and dinner at a mid-range restaurant with a drink runs about 20 to 30 EUR per person. Coffee costs around 2.5 to 3.5 EUR, and a pint of local beer costs 3 to 4 EUR. Museum tickets range from 5 to 15 EUR, and a public transport ticket costs 0.90 EUR. For three days, not counting accommodation, budget around 50 to 80 EUR per person per day, depending on how often you eat out.
Best Time to Visit
From May to August, the city lives on its outdoor terraces, and the big summer events happen too: Street Music Day, Culture Night, and Pink Soup Fest, when the city literally turns the pink color of šaltibarščiai. Autumn brings a calmer, golden Old Town, and in December, Cathedral Square hosts one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the Baltics. Aim for late February or early March if you want to catch Kaziukas Fair, the largest folk crafts fair in Lithuania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does everyone in Vilnius speak English?
Yes. You won't have any trouble with English in restaurants, hotels, and tourist spots. Older residents are more likely to speak Russian or Polish, but young people and anyone working in the service sector speak English fluently.
Is Vilnius a safe city?
Yes, Vilnius is considered one of the safest capitals in Europe. The usual caution about your belongings in crowded places is enough, just like in any big city.
What currency is used?
Lithuania is part of the eurozone, so you pay in euros. Bank cards are accepted almost everywhere, including at the market and in small shops.
Is 3 days enough for Vilnius?
It's enough to see the Old Town, Užupis, and take a trip to Trakai, as this itinerary describes. If you want to explore the museums in more depth or also visit Kaunas, plan for 4 or 5 days instead.
