Vilnius: Capital Destination

Eastern Europe has been a popular destination for many Brits for several years now, particularly among students who appreciate the value of a cheap holiday.  Now that places like Prague have been well and truly explored, though, travellers are looking for paths less well travelled.

One such destination might be Vilnius, capital of Lithuania and one of the most beautiful of the Baltic cities.  It is the largest medieval town in Eastern Europe and has been independent for just twenty years; it has plenty to offer for travellers of all ages and pockets: accommodation range from budget bed and breakfast up to five-star hotels, and entertainment ranges from all-night parties to sitting in cafes enjoying the sight of all the renaissance and gothic and even Russian architecture. 

Cheap flights are widely available direct to Vilnius, and local public transport is inexpensive (though beware taxis outside the airport). 

Things not to miss are the cathedral and churches, and, strangely, the university complex which has been around for centuries, as well as the Dawn Gate, which features the Black Madonna icon.  The city’s vast history is evident at every turn.  A trip to the former KGB’s headquarters is well worth a visit: it is now home to a museum dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Stalinist regime.

The Vilnia river runs through the city, and on one of the banks is Uzupis, which is kind of a bohemian district populated by artists and philosophers, full of galleries and workshops to be explored at your leisure. 

If you’re feeling brave, you can pay to ride in a hot air balloon above the city, either first thing in the morning (5am) or early evening (6pm): at around £100 per person, it’s not cheap, but it’s an ideal way to really appreciate the sprawling city and surrounding forests.