Travel Vilnius Guide

A tiny city situated in the midst of a gorgeous countryside; Vilnius Lithuania is a gem in the middle of Europe. A medieval city, Vilnius winds around itself and is liberally speckled with churches, Feudal palaces and artisan workshops. With a population of just over one half million; Vilnius is said to be one of the most hospitable cities in Europe, and the city itself is preparing to be the "Capital of European Culture" in 2009.

Vilnius' "Old Town" was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and appropriately so. Many of the buildings in the "Old Town" have been well-preserved since the 13th and 14th centuries. The "Old Town" is home to the famous University complex, St. Anne's Church and Pilies St. Pilies street is Vilnius' oldest street which runs from Cathedral Square to Town Hall Square and is a popular place to buy local artisan crafts and amber jewelry.

Vilnius is a small city which lends itself perfectly to walking. Filled with hidden city squares and winding roads, and with limited public transportation, walking may be the only way to travel in Vilnius. The most famous squares in Vilnius are those closest to the capital building; Cathedral Square and Town Hall Square. Cathedral Square is located in front of Vilnius' beautiful neo-classical Cathedral, and is host to fairs and exhibitions year-round. Town Hall Square sits at the other end of Pilies St. in front of the Town Hall.

Just a few Kilometers outside of the city of Vilnius, travelers will find the old capital city of Trakai. Trakai is a fascinating and beautiful spot, complete with a fairy tale castle atop a small island in the middle of a lake. There are museums and an old town to discover here, as well as the sheer beauty of the Lithuanian countryside.

Vilnius may be the world's best city in which to buy amber jewelry. Balkan amber dates back as far as 50 million years, and local Lithuanian craft people have been making beautiful amber jewelry for centuries. In addition to amber, local crafts include hand-woven linen tablecloths and curtains, wooden carvings and leather crafts.

Lithuania is believed to be home to the center-most point in Europe, and the park that is home to this spot sits just a few kilometers outside of the city of Vilnius. Within this park there is a large, outdoor museum surrounding the plaque which marks the center-point. The museum is home to historical Lithuanian exhibits, as well as contemporary Lithuanian art.

Vilnius is a quirky city, only recently coming into its own. It is the city with the world's first bronze statue of Frank Zappa; and the most authentic and well-preserved "Old Town" in all of Europe. Help Vilnius re-name itself as a European cultural capital and see this fascinating city for yourself.