Visiting Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

About Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Demolished in the early 19th century, the Grand Dukes' palace behind the cathedral was rebuilt on its original foundations and opened as a museum in the 2010s. Routes lead through excavated medieval walls, reconstructed Renaissance and baroque state rooms, and displays of weapons, tiles and treasures from the period when Lithuania was one of Europe's largest states.

Tip: Start with the archaeological route in the basement, which shows the original walls the reconstruction rests on.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 2 hours.
• Cost: Mid-priced.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Old Town, baroque churches, university courtyards and cobbled lanes from Cathedral Square to the Gate of Dawn.

Best time to visit Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:

• December: 0°C (32°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• January: -2°C (28°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, very quiet crowds.
• November: 4°C (39°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds.

When to visit Vilnius has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day Vilnius itinerary visits Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania on day 2, together with Gate of Dawn and St Anne's Church.

• No. 6 of the 19 sights in our Vilnius things-to-do list.
• Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
• One of the picks in historic sites in Vilnius.

Near Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Also in Old Town, so you can walk between them:

• Gediminas' Tower and Castle Hill — 1 hour, low cost
• Gate of Dawn — 20–30 minutes, free
• Vilnius Cathedral and Cathedral Square — 1 hour, free

If you like Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

• Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights — Gediminas Avenue, 1.5–2 hours
• Energy and Technology Museum — Šnipiškės, 1.5 hours

Staying near Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Stay in Old Town ($$$) to walk here: baroque churches, university courtyards and cobbled lanes from Cathedral Square to the Gate of Dawn. All areas to stay in Vilnius.

Questions travellers ask