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Vilnius Historic Centre

Vilnius · Lithuania

Background

World Heritage since
1994
Type of site
Cultural
Capital of the Grand Duchy
13th–18th c.

Political centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the 13th century to the end of the 18th, Vilnius had a profound influence on the cultural and architectural development of much of eastern Europe. UNESCO says that despite invasions and partial destruction it has preserved an impressive complex of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and classical buildings, its medieval layout and its natural setting.

The Old Town covers 3.59 square kilometres with 74 quarters and nearly 1,500 buildings. Pilies Street is its main artery, Cathedral Square and Town Hall Square its centres, and the university's 13 courtyards fill a large part of it. The historic centre takes in suburbs such as Užupis, the artists' quarter with its own constitution.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 1253Mindaugas becomes Lithuania's first king
  2. 14th c.Gediminas establishes Vilnius castle
  3. 1387Jogaila grants the city Magdeburg rights
  4. 16th c.The Old Town is largely built in the 150 years after the union with Poland
  5. 1994Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Cathedral Square
    Vilnius Cathedral, its bell tower and the Palace of the Grand Dukes.
  2. 2
    Gediminas Tower
    The red-brick tower of the Upper Castle, with views over the red roofs and the Three Crosses.
  3. 3
    Vilnius University
    The architectural ensemble of 13 courtyards.
  4. 4
    St Anne's Church
    The brick Gothic church.
  5. 5
    Gates of Dawn
    The chapel over the old city gate at the south end of the Old Town.
  6. 6
    Užupis
    The artists' republic across the river, with its constitution on a wall.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Old Town on Foot
Wikivoyage: walking is your only choice in the Old Town; the old streets are pedestrianised and even taxis avoid it.
Bus from the Airport
Buses leave every 15 to 30 minutes and take 15 minutes downtown; the airport is 6 km south.
Skip the City Pass
Wikivoyage calls the Vilnius Pass poor value; most sights are cheap or free.
Castle Courtyard Is Free
The Gediminas Castle courtyard is free to enter for the views; the tower museum charges.

From the Cathedral to the Gates of Dawn

From the GoGo Vilnius guide · Open the Vilnius Guide ›

  1. 09:30
    Vilnius Cathedral and Bell Tower45 min
    Cathedral Square.
  2. 10:30
    Palace of the Grand Dukes90 min
    The rebuilt ducal palace.
  3. 14:00
    Gediminas Tower1 hr
    The hilltop tower over the red roofs.
  4. 15:30
    Vilnius University Courtyards1 hr
    The old university.
  5. 16:45
    St Anne's Church30 min
    Brick Gothic.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Jun–Sep. Freezing days in Nov–Mar.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Jul (102 mm), driest Feb (43 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
The hill forts of Kernavė, the first Lithuanian capital, are 35 km away; Trakai's island castle makes the other classic day out.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 541 · Wikipedia: Vilnius Old Town · Wikivoyage: Vilnius (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Vilnius guide · UNESCO listing