Vilnius City Breaks

As its capital and largest city, Vilnius is the place most people will go for a city break when they travel to the Eastern European country of Lithuania. Located in the south-east at the junction where the Vilnia and Neris Rivers meet, the city is in an area of stunning natural beauty which makes for a superb cinematic backdrop. Vilnius has something mysterious about it; it is the least visited and least known of the three Baltic State capitals, strikingly beautiful, eccentric and captivating. The baroque spires of Orthodox and Catholic churches dominate the skyline, and add to the cities Old Town charm. Those interested in a historical city break will love it here; the city has been recognised by UNESCO as Europe’s largest baroque Old Town and a World Heritage Site.

 

There’s plenty to do on a short break in Vilnius. A trip up the TV tower will afford the best views of the city, and provides some fantastic photo opportunities. Vilnius Cathedral is worth a visit; a local landmark formerly used by the Soviets as an art gallery. For a somewhat bizarre city break experience, visit Gruto Parkas; a sort of Soviet ‘theme park’ with Soviet-era statues of Stalin and Lenin that have long since disappeared elsewhere in Europe. Many of the sights to visit in Vilnius are free or cost next to nothing, making a day out sightseeing here perfect for those after a cheap city break. Other fantastic sights to see include the world’s only statue of Frank Zappa and the Hill of Three Crosses, which were erected on the hill in the 17^th century to crucify a group of monks.

 

Booking ahead is likely to get you the best deal on cheap hotels when on a city break in Vilnius, while those looking for a luxury city break will want to consider the more opulent hotels found in the Old Town’s historic buildings. In terms of shopping, Vilnius cannot be compared to Paris or London, but nevertheless boasts a number of large western European-style shopping malls such as Europa, Konstitucijos 7a, and Akropolis, and Ozo 25. For a more boutique shopping city break experience, the Old Town has an array of small niche shops selling antiques, bric-a-brac, cognac, and clothes amongst other things. Come the evening, Vilnius’ nightlife is powered mainly by the lively student population, with a good number of cafes, bars and clubs catering to an eclectic range of musical tastes. To find the best city break deals to Vilnius this year, use directline-citybreaks online search tool.