Vilnius

💡 About Vilnius

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, boasts one of the largest and most beautiful baroque old towns in Eastern Europe — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow winding lanes, hidden courtyards, elegant churches and pastel-coloured mansions. Green, hilly and remarkably relaxed, it is one of the continent's most underrated capitals.

Once the heart of a vast medieval Grand Duchy that stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea, Vilnius has a rich and layered history reflected in its extraordinary mix of Gothic, Renaissance, baroque and classical architecture. Over 40 churches punctuate its skyline, from the striking Gothic St. Anne's to the neoclassical cathedral.

The city has a distinctly bohemian and quirky character, epitomised by Užupis, a small artists' district that cheekily declared itself an independent republic, complete with its own tongue-in-cheek constitution posted on a wall. This creative, free-spirited energy runs through the whole city.

Vilnius endured a tragic 20th century under Nazi and Soviet occupation, its once-thriving Jewish community — which earned it the name "Jerusalem of the North" — all but destroyed. Today it is a resilient, forward-looking European capital, warm, affordable and full of charm.

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