8 Reasons Why I Love Visiting Vilnius, and You Will Too

Despite really not enjoying my first trip to Vilnius back in 2019, it’s a city I’ve grown to love since then. I’ve now visited the Lithuanian capital multiple times and can confidently say that it’s well worth visiting. 

One of the nicest things about Vilnius is that it’s so appealing for multiple reasons. If you’re unsure about whether to visit, I encourage you to book those bus, train, or flight tickets. In this guide, I’ll show you some of the top reasons why I think you’ll love the city (and why I keep returning). 

1. Vilnius Has Lots of History

Vilnius has had a complex past, to say the least. A lot of this history has been tumultuous, too, and these challenges have shaped the city into what it is today. Exploring these complexities gave me a new perspective not just on Vilnius and Lithuania, but the Baltic countries as a whole. 

Learning more about the history of Vilnius was only really possible by visiting. I had more empathy for what previous generations had been through, and it helped me understand the modern psyche of Lithuania. 

Personally, it’s not enough for me to go to a destination and tick off some boxes with sightseeing. Instead, I like to explore deeply. Vilnius doesn’t have a huge number of tourist attractions, either, which I think leans in its favor. It means you have to dig deeper to learn more about the city, which—if you’re interested in history like I am—is a major selling point. 

2. Vilnius Is One of Europe’s Best Foodie Destinations

Growing up in London and living in Copenhagen has meant that I have always been surrounded by good food. I was not expecting Vilnius to be a foodie’s paradise when I visited, but this was a pleasant surprise. 

You can find all kinds of food in Vilnius. In my opinion, Lithuanian cuisine is hugely underrated—and I like how it’s pure comfort food. Unlike many European cities, you won’t find countless tourist traps in the Old Town; many of the restaurants here cater to locals, too. 

Vilnius has food options for all budgets. Even some of the higher-end stuff is pretty affordable, and pretty much everything we had was of high quality. 

3. It’s a Welcoming City

Visiting a city is much easier when it feels like a place you actually enjoy being in. Maybe the hygge from Copenhagen is now part of my DNA, I don’t know. My girlfriend and I both agreed that the atmosphere in Vilnius was instant as soon as we got off our train from Riga; it immediately felt like a super welcoming place. 

 The locals are polite and helpful, even if they seem reserved at first. In that sense, Vilnius actually reminds me a lot of Copenhagen. We also saw people from all walks of life in the city, and I never once felt unsafe. 

4. Vilnius Is Less Touristy Than Most European Capitals

I’ve seen Vilnius during the colder months and the peak of summer. I expected nobody to be there in November, which was pretty much true—but I was prepared for lots of crowds in the summer. This, however, was not the case—much to my pleasant surprise. 

We had spent some time in Riga and Tallinn before, both of which felt more crowded. This was particularly true in Tallinn’s Old Town, though the rest of the city still felt quite hidden. Comparatively, the crowds in Vilnius felt manageable—even in the Old Town. 

Maybe it’s because I’ve traveled quite a lot now, but I’m looking more for places that aren’t so mainstream. Vilnius is certainly one of those, and if you want to see a true hidden gem, I strongly recommend visiting. 

5. Vilnius Has a Feeling of Optimism

I’ve become more and more attuned to how places feel in the past few years, and sadly, I have been to some destinations where it has felt like a sense of decline. This, however, is not the case in Vilnius—and it’s very refreshing. 

Lithuanians under 30 ranked as the happiest in the world in 2024, even though the country was 16th overall (which, to be fair, was still higher than the likes of the UK, Germany, and the US). The optimism among young people in particular is evident in Vilnius, which feels like a place on the rise. 

Perhaps it’s because we were there in summer, but we couldn’t help but notice how everyone looked content. It was also hard to ignore how the city had a real buzz to it. While not the main reason I visit a destination, this does rub off on you, and it is nice. 

6. Getting to Vilnius by Train Just Got Much Easier

Reaching Vilnius by air and bus is simple, but it’s become even easier to get to the Lithuanian capital by train, too. In early 2025, train connections between Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius commenced. Just over a year before that, in December 2023, a direct train route from Riga to Vilnius opened.

We actually did this route in the summer of 2025 after arriving in Tallinn from Helsinki by ferry and spending a couple of days in Tartu, Estonia’s second-biggest city. We went from Tallinn to Tartu directly, and then connected in Valga—on the Estonian-Latvian border—for our train to Riga. 

From Riga, it was an easy train ride to Vilnius. Within four hours, we were in the Lithuanian capital. Train prices are affordable, too; we paid less than €35 for two first-class tickets from Riga to Vilnius. 

We booked our Riga – Vilnius tickets on the LTG Link website, which is Lithuania’s official train operator.

7. Vilnius Is a Very Creative City

My Lonely Planet guidebook referred to Lithuania as the most creative country in the Baltics, and I agree with that statement. By extension, I would say that Vilnius is the most creative city in the region. 

Street art is abundant throughout Vilnius, and you will often see locals reading books outside cafés. Moreover, it’s one of the places where I feel the most creatively inspired for photography and writing. 

You will also find a number of galleries here, such as the LMNA Gallery of Art and the Contemporary Art Center (CAC). If you’re in any creative field, a visit to Vilnius is essential. 

8. The City Is Small Enough to Explore in a Weekend

I honestly think you could spend a week in Vilnius and not get bored, but if you don’t have so much time, the city is compact enough to explore in a weekend. You can see most of the highlights in 2-3 days, along with getting to many of its restaurants and museums in that time. 

I always enjoy visiting cities the size of Vilnius because I don’t feel overwhelmed. Even if you go at a relaxed pace, you can enjoy a fun-filled weekend. It’s ideal for a short layover, too, if you’re planning to visit somewhere else.

Also Worth Reading: 

• My Top Things to Do in Vilnius, Lithuania
• How I Recommend Spending 3 Days in Vilnius