How many days · Vilnius · Lithuania
How many days do you need in Vilnius?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Vilnius, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the Old Town, Cathedral Square, the university, Užupis and a viewpoint. A third day adds the MO Museum, the KGB museum and St Peter and St Paul; with four or five you can visit Trakai and Kaunas.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 7.3 h (Dec) to 17.3 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Old Town walk: Pilies street to the Gate of Dawn, Vilnius Cathedral and Cathedral Square, Gediminas' Tower and Castle Hill and Gate of Dawn |
| 2 days | Good | Gate of Dawn, Užupis and Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania |
| 3 days | Ideal | St Anne's Church, Vilnius University and Church of St Peter and St Paul |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Trakai |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Trakai and Kaunas |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Vilnius add up to roughly 14–18 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Old Town walk: Pilies street to the Gate of Dawn (Half a day), Užupis (1–2 hours) and Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania (2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town walk: Pilies street to the Gate of Dawn | Half a day | Old Town |
| Vilnius Cathedral and Cathedral Square | 1 hour | Old Town |
| Gediminas' Tower and Castle Hill | 1 hour | Old Town |
| Gate of Dawn | 20–30 minutes | Old Town |
| Užupis | 1–2 hours | Užupis |
| Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania | 2 hours | Old Town |
| St Anne's Church | 20 minutes | Old Town |
| Vilnius University | 1–1.5 hours | Old Town |
| Church of St Peter and St Paul | 30–45 minutes | Antakalnis |
| Hill of Three Crosses | 1 hour | Kalnai Park |
| MO Museum | 1.5–2 hours | Old Town |
| Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights | 1.5–2 hours | Gediminas Avenue |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Old Town walk: Pilies street to the Gate of Dawn and Vilnius Cathedral and Cathedral Square |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Bernardine Garden |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Trakai and Kaunas |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 7.3 hours of daylight) than in June (about 17.3 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Vilnius with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Vilnius?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the Old Town, Cathedral Square, the university, Užupis and a viewpoint. A third day adds the MO Museum, the KGB museum and St Peter and St Paul; with four or five you can visit Trakai and Kaunas.
+Is a week too long in Vilnius?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Trakai and Kaunas.