Comparison · Tallinn vs Vilnius · Estonia / Lithuania
Tallinn vs Vilnius
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Choose Tallinn for Medieval Old Town, Town Hall Square and beaches; choose Vilnius for Baroque Old Town, Gediminas' Tower, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Vilnius is generally less expensive, and the two are about 529 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 529 km
- Less expensive
- Vilnius
- Best time for Tallinn
- May–September
- Best time for Vilnius
- May–September
Side by side
| Tallinn | Vilnius | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Estonia | Lithuania |
| Known for | Medieval Old Town, Town Hall Square and City walls and towers | Baroque Old Town, Gediminas' Tower and Užupis |
| Best time to visit | May–September | May–September |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $130–$220 | $100–$170 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 22°C (72°F) | July, 23°C (73°F) |
| Coldest month | January, -1°C (30°F) | January, -2°C (28°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | Pirita beach | — |
| Airports | TLL | VNO, KUN |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Tallinn for…
Medieval Old Town, Town Hall Square and beaches. Tallinn's UNESCO-listed Old Town is one of the most complete medieval Hanseatic towns in Europe: a Lower Town of merchants' houses, guild halls and Town Hall Square inside nearly 2 km of walls, below the hilltop Toompea with its castle and cathedrals. Beyond…
Choose Vilnius for…
Baroque Old Town, Gediminas' Tower, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Vilnius has one of the largest surviving old towns in Central and Eastern Europe, a UNESCO-listed maze of baroque churches, university courtyards and cobbled lanes running from Cathedral Square to the Gate of Dawn. The Neris and Vilnia rivers and wooded…
Top sights compared
| # | Tallinn | Vilnius |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Town Hall Square and Tallinn Town Hall | Old Town walk: Pilies street to the Gate of Dawn |
| 2 | Lower Town streets and St Catherine's Passage | Vilnius Cathedral and Cathedral Square |
| 3 | Toompea hill and viewing platforms | Gediminas' Tower and Castle Hill |
| 4 | Alexander Nevsky Cathedral | Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania |
| 5 | St Olaf's Church | Gate of Dawn |
Food compared
| Tallinn | Vilnius |
|---|---|
| Black rye bread | Potato dumplings |
| Sprat sandwich | Cold pink soup |
| Blood sausage | Kibinai |
| Potato and barley mash | Fried rye bread |
Which is cheaper?
Vilnius is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $100–$170 per person there, against $130–$220 in Tallinn (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Vilnius on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Tallinn and Vilnius are about 529 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Tallinn and 3 in Vilnius.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Tallinn or Vilnius cheaper?
Vilnius is usually less expensive: about $100–$170 a day mid-range against $130–$220 (estimates).
+Is Tallinn or Vilnius better for a first trip?
Pick Tallinn for Medieval Old Town, Town Hall Square and beaches, or Vilnius for Baroque Old Town, Gediminas' Tower, lower day-to-day costs and free sights.
+How far is Tallinn from Vilnius?
About 529 km in a straight line.