The capital of Lithuania is a vibrant destination that benefits from a mix of contemporary amenities and historic and cultural attractions. Visitors to the city are rarely without a camera in their hand on account of the vast selection of interesting sights to be seen and photographed. Come evening time, however, visitors embrace the city’s lively bars, pubs and nightclubs.
The city provides something for all types of visitor, with even families and little ones well catered for. The Vichy Aqua Park is arguably the most popular destination with the young and the young at heart, while the skiing and ice-skating opportunities in wintertime also appeal to those with youthful lifestyles. If you prefer to be inside, away from the elements, then the massive Akropolis shopping centre is sure to meet your needs.
Sightseeing attractions with cultural themes are abundant in Vilnius with excellent old churches on offer as well as majestic government buildings and fascinating museums. The quirky Uzupis district is one place not to miss out on if you enjoy something a touch unusual, while the Lithuanian National Museum is a must if you are interested in what has made Vilnius the great city it is today.
Vilnius is a typical capital city in that it’s well used to receiving visitors and has developed a solid tourist infrastructure to boot. Besides great public transport and excellent dining options, the city provides an excellent selection of accommodation, with venues to suit all tastes and budgets. For anyone looking for hotels of four stars and up, there are branches of Radisson, Best Western, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Le Meridien. Booking online is the best way to secure a room.
With its own major international airport on hand, getting to Vilnius is relatively uncomplicated for most visitors, especially those residing in major EU cities. Vilnius maintains rail connections with other major Lithuanian cities and there are regional and national bus services providing easy passage to the city also.
Vilnius’s climate is largely continental in nature and sees the city experience scorching hot summers, icy cold winters and moderate seasons in between. Midsummer sees the highest volumes of rain, but in fact Vilnius sees downpours at any time of the year.
The summer season (June to August) is the most popular time of year to visit Vilnius, although temperatures can reach 30°C, which some holidaymakers might find uncomfortable. Evenings are pleasantly cool and the sun doesn’t go down until late so conditions are perfect for enjoying the pleasures of outdoor dining or drinking. Late spring and early autumn are also pleasant times to take a holiday in the city.
The winter is a bitterly cold time of year and regularly sees temperatures well below O°C. This is a good time to visit only if you are planning a winter sports holiday.
