Lithuania · 3 days · 18 stops
3 days in Vilnius – a ready-made itinerary
The Old Town of Vilnius is one of the largest surviving old towns in Eastern Europe, full of Gothic and Baroque churches. Day one runs from Cathedral Square over the castle hill to Užupis, day two through the southern Old Town to the Gate of Dawn and the market hall, and on day three you go out to Trakai and its castle on Lake Galvė. The stops are in walking order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 18 stops
- Highlights
- Vilnius Cathedral, Town Hall, Trakai Peninsula Castle, Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Gediminas Tower
- Day trips
- Trakai Island Castle
- Where to stay
- Old Town (Senamiestis), Užupis, Naujamiestis
- Getting around
- The Old Town is compact and best explored on foot, though many streets are cobbled.
- Best time to go
- May to September is the most pleasant, with long evenings and café terraces in the Old Town.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in Vilnius
15 places you should not miss in Vilnius – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
Vilnius CathedralLithuania's main church, with a classical columned front. The free-standing bell tower beside it was once part of the lower castle.Day 1
Palace of the Grand Dukes of LithuaniaThe residence of Lithuania's rulers, demolished in the early 19th century and rebuilt in recent decades. Inside, a museum shows the excavations.Day 1- Gediminas TowerWhat remains of the upper castle on the hill above the city. Walk up or take the funicular for a view over the Old Town roofs.Day 1
- Vilnius UniversityOne of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe, founded in 1579. Its courtyards and St. John's Church form a small quarter of their own.Day 1
- St. Anne's ChurchA small brick Gothic church with a delicate facade, one of the best-known buildings in the city.Day 1
- UžupisThe district across the little Vilnia river declared itself a republic in 1997. Its constitution hangs on a wall on Paupio Street in many languages.Day 1
- Town HallThe classical town hall on the triangular Town Hall Square, where Aušros Vartų Street leads south to the Gate of Dawn.Day 2
- St. Casimir's ChurchThe city's oldest Baroque church, easy to spot by the crown on its dome.Day 2
- Gate of DawnThe only surviving city gate. The chapel above the archway holds a revered icon of the Virgin Mary, and many people come here to pray.Day 2
- Museum of Occupations and Freedom FightsHoused in the former KGB building, the museum tells Lithuania's 20th-century history. The old cells can be seen in the basement.Day 2
- Gediminas AvenueThe broad main street with shops and cafés. Walk it back to Cathedral Square.Day 2
- Trakai Peninsula CastleThe remains of the older castle on the peninsula between the lakes, now a quiet park with walls and towers.Day 3
- Trakai Island CastleThe red-brick castle on an island in Lake Galvė, reached by wooden footbridges. Inside, a museum covers the castle's history.Day 3
- Lake GalvėA lake dotted with small islands. On the shore you can hire rowing boats or pedalos and see the castle from the water.Day 3
- Užutrakis ManorA late 19th-century manor house with a park on the far shore of the lake, much quieter than the castle island.Day 3
Day 1
Cathedral, castle hill and Užupis
Vilnius Cathedral
Lithuania's main church, with a classical columned front. The free-standing bell tower beside it was once part of the lower castle.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Vilnius Cathedralright next door
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
The residence of Lithuania's rulers, demolished in the early 19th century and rebuilt in recent decades. Inside, a museum shows the excavations.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuaniaright next door
Gediminas Tower
What remains of the upper castle on the hill above the city. Walk up or take the funicular for a view over the Old Town roofs.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Gediminas Towerabout 5 min on foot
Pilies Street
The Old Town's historic main lane, lined with places to eat. Try cepelinai, stuffed potato dumplings, or the cold beetroot soup šaltibarščiai.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pilies Streetabout 5 min on foot
Vilnius University
One of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe, founded in 1579. Its courtyards and St. John's Church form a small quarter of their own.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Vilnius Universityabout 5 min on foot
St. Anne's Church
A small brick Gothic church with a delicate facade, one of the best-known buildings in the city.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St. Anne's Churchabout 5 min on foot
Užupis
The district across the little Vilnia river declared itself a republic in 1997. Its constitution hangs on a wall on Paupio Street in many languages.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Užupis
Day 2
Southern Old Town and market hall
Town Hall
The classical town hall on the triangular Town Hall Square, where Aušros Vartų Street leads south to the Gate of Dawn.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Town Hallright next door
St. Casimir's Church
The city's oldest Baroque church, easy to spot by the crown on its dome.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St. Casimir's Churchabout 5 min on foot
Gate of Dawn
The only surviving city gate. The chapel above the archway holds a revered icon of the Virgin Mary, and many people come here to pray.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Gate of Dawnabout 5 min on foot
Halės Market
The old market hall at the edge of the Old Town, with stalls for bread, cheese, smoked fish and snacks. Try dark rye bread and smoked sausage.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Halės Marketabout 30 min on foot
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights
Housed in the former KGB building, the museum tells Lithuania's 20th-century history. The old cells can be seen in the basement.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fightsabout 5 min on foot
Gediminas Avenue
The broad main street with shops and cafés. Walk it back to Cathedral Square.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Gediminas Avenue
Day 3
Trakai Island Castle
Train or bus from Vilnius to Trakai, about 40 minutes. From the station you walk into town; trains and buses back run regularly.
Trakai Peninsula Castle
The remains of the older castle on the peninsula between the lakes, now a quiet park with walls and towers.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Trakai Peninsula Castleabout 5 min on foot
Karaimų Street
The street of the Karaites, who have lived in Trakai since the Middle Ages, with colourful wooden houses. This is the place for kibinai, Karaite-style filled pastries.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Karaimų Streetabout 10 min on foot
Trakai Island Castle
The red-brick castle on an island in Lake Galvė, reached by wooden footbridges. Inside, a museum covers the castle's history.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Trakai Island Castleabout 15 min on foot
Lake Galvė
A lake dotted with small islands. On the shore you can hire rowing boats or pedalos and see the castle from the water.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Lake Galvėabout 15 min on foot
Užutrakis Manor
A late 19th-century manor house with a park on the far shore of the lake, much quieter than the castle island.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Užutrakis Manor
Good to know
Best time to go
May to September is the most pleasant, with long evenings and café terraces in the Old Town. Around 4 March the traditional Kaziukas craft fair takes place. Winter is cold and dark early; in December a large Christmas tree stands on Cathedral Square.
Getting around
The Old Town is compact and best explored on foot, though many streets are cobbled. Buses and trolleybuses serve other districts; buy tickets via the app or at the machines. Buses and a train run from the airport to the centre, and the trip is short.
Where to stay
Old Town (Senamiestis)
Right among the churches and courtyards, with everything in walking distance. Lively at night around the bar streets.
Užupis
Quieter, with studios and small cafés by the river. A few minutes' walk to the Old Town.
Naujamiestis
The district south-west of the Old Town, close to the station for the Trakai trip. Modern places to stay among old industrial buildings.
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More on Vilnius in our blog: How many days in Vilnius? 3 with Trakai · Vilnius Christmas market 2026: dates, tips
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Vilnius: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in Vilnius?
The must-see sights in Vilnius are Vilnius Cathedral, Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, Gediminas Tower, Vilnius University, St. Anne's Church and Užupis. This plan links 15 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Are 3 days enough for Vilnius?
Yes, for the Old Town, Užupis and a day in Trakai. With more time, the Hill of Three Crosses or a trip to Kaunas is worth it.
What currency is used in Lithuania?
The euro. Cards work almost everywhere; a little cash is handy for market stalls.
Is Trakai worth it in winter?
Yes, the castle looks lovely with snow and a frozen lake. Boating is not possible then, of course, and it gets dark early.
When are museums closed?
Many museums in Vilnius close one day a week, often on Mondays. Check opening hours before you go.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: BigHead, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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