If you have 3 days in Vilnius and are wondering how to spend your time, then this post has you covered! It shows you how to explore the capital city and also do a couple of easy day trips from the city.
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Notes About Spending 3 Days in Vilnius
- You can spend your 3 days in Vilnius in any order. There really is no proper order.
- You don’t need a car for these 3 days in Vilnius. You can spend these 3 days walking or using public transport or Bolt taxis. Bolts are relatively cheap.
- This post covers your 2 days in Vilnius high-level but I have detailed posts that I have linked at one end of each day. These posts go in-depth on how to see each place.
- Stay at a central location like Old Town or even anywhere close to the train station in Vilnius.
- It’s not a bad idea to make dinner reservations ahead of time, especially during peak summer season.
Day 1 – Vilnius City
Spend day 1 of your 3 days in Vilnius exploring the city. Most of the city is very walkable. You may need to take a taxi or two. Public transport is also available but with one day in the city, you may want to make the most efficient use of time.
Things to See and Do in Vilnius
Vilnius is great for history, fantastic city views, food halls and beautiful gothic and baroque churches at every corner. Here are some of the best things to do in Vilnius.
- Food Halls – Halės Tungus and Paupio Turgus
- Views – St. John’s Bell Tower, Gediminas Tower
- Republic of Užupis
- Churches – St. Anne’s, Chapel of the Gate of Dawn, St. Francis and St. Bernard, St. Theresa, Church of the Holy Spirit, Vilnius Cathedral
- History – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
- Streets – Pilies street, Literatų gatvė
- Gardens – Presidential Palace, Bernardine
Click here to read my detailed guide on Vilnius. The sites are all mapped out in order so all you have to do is to follow it sequentially.
I have listed a couple of things in the guide above to do if you have more time in Vilnius. I think you would be able to find more time on the day you visit Trakai. Trakai is not very big and if you get there early, you should be able to explore more of Vilnius once you get back in the late afternoon/early evening.
Day 2 – Trakai
Trakai was the medieval capital city of Lithuania and is an easy day trip from Vilnius. In fact, this is one of the most popular day trips from the capital city. A visit to Trakai not only immerses you in rich history but also in beautiful and serene nature.
Getting to Trakai is easy! You can hop on a bus or train or even a Bolt taxi. The bus is probably the most efficient and easiest way to travel between Vilnius and Trakai and back. One of my best tips for Trakai is to get there early and explore the Island Castle as soon as you get there. If you can get to Trakai as soon as the castle opens, that is even better!
Things to See and Do in Trakai
- Visit the Island Castle
- Take a boat ride
- Walk along the lake
- Have a Trakai kibinai
- Explore the Karaite neighborhood and learn about the Karaite at the museum
- Visit the cathedral and orthodox church
I have a detailed post on Trakai. This post covers how to get to Trakai, what to see and do, where to eat and lots of tips. Check it out HERE!
Day 3 – Kaunas
On your last day of your 3 days in Vilnius, visit Lithuania’s second populous city, Kaunas. Kaunas is also an easy day trip from Vilnius.
You can get to Kaunas by either bus or train. I took the train and it was a very easy and efficient ride from the Vilnius train station. Get to Kaunas first thing in the morning so that you have the whole day to explore. Once in Kaunas, you can get around by foot barring a couple of places where a Bolt taxi would be the most efficient way to get around.
Things to See and Do in Kaunas
- Stroll down Liberty Avenue and Vilniaus gatvė
- Visit important churches
- Explore the Old Town and the Town Square
- Visit the Castle
- Visit Kiemo Galerija
- See the view from Aleksotas Hill
- Admire the House of Perkūnas
- Visit Sugihara House
- Spot the street art and sculptures all over the city
Check out my detailed guide on Kaunas HERE! It covers everything you need to know about visiting Kaunas. The places of interest are listed in order of appearance making it easy for you to simply follow the itinerary as is.
What to Eat During Your 3 Days in Vilnius
You should try traditional Lithuanian food during your 3 days in Vilnius, especially if your 3 days in the city is the only time your will spend in Lithuania. I cover where to eat in Vilnius in the detailed guide on Vilnius.
- Kibinai – A stuffed pastry (like an empanada)
- Šaltibarščiai – Cold beetroot soup
- Cepelinai (Zeppelins) – Potato dumpling filled with meat, mushrooms and or cheese. Served with sour cream and bacon
- Bulviniai Blynai – A potato pancake
Where to Stay
As I mentioned, you should aim to stay at a central location like Old Town or near the train station. I opted to stay at a place called Stay Vilnius Hotel and it was walking distance to both the Old Town and the train station. I always use booking.com to pick places to stay based on my very unique needs. Booking has so many filters that you can search for and book accommodation based on your wants and needs.
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