Shopping · Vilnius · Lithuania
Shopping in Vilnius
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gytis Grižas https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16452479, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Vilnius is good for amber, linen, woodcarving, ceramics and food gifts, with artists' workshops in Užupis and the Old Town. Most shops open daily, including Sundays. Best souvenirs: Baltic amber, Lithuanian linen and Verbos.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 3
- Top souvenir
- Baltic amber
Where to shop
Pilies and Didžioji streets
Amber, linen, knitwear and souvenir shops along the Old Town's main route.
Gediminas Avenue
Fashion and international chains along the main boulevard.
Užupis
Artists' workshops and small galleries selling prints, ceramics and jewellery.
Šnipiškės
Large shopping centres, including Europa, across the river from the centre.
Markets
Hales Market
Covered market hall of 1906 with produce, meat, cheese and bakery counters near the station.
Kalvarijų market
Large open-air market north of the river with fresh produce, honey and household goods.
Kaziuko mugė
Annual St Casimir's crafts fair filling the Old Town streets in early March.
What to buy
Baltic amber
Amber jewellery and objects; buy from established shops that provide certificates.
Lithuanian linen
Tablecloths, towels and clothing made from local linen.
Verbos
Colourful palms woven from dried flowers and grasses, sold especially at the St Casimir's Fair and before Palm Sunday.
Šakotis
The spiky tree cake, sold boxed in sizes that travel well.
Trejos devynerios
A traditional Lithuanian herbal bitter made from 27 herbs, sold in supermarkets and drinks shops.
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Kibinai, Fried rye bread, Black rye bread and Tree cake. Trakai's Karaim restaurants, and kibinai bakeries and cafés in Vilnius. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Gediminas Avenue | $$$ | The main boulevard of shops, government buildings and cafés from the Cathedral to Parliament |
| Naujamiestis | $ | Former industrial 'New Town' near the stations, with converted factories and good-value stays |
| Šnipiškės | $$$ | Business district of glass towers and international hotels across the Neris |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in EUR. Tipping around 10% for good table service is customary in restaurants but not compulsory. In cafés and bars, rounding up is enough.
- Greet with 'Laba diena' when entering shops and restaurants.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–February; the busiest months are the peak holidays.
- January: Vilnius Light Festival — light installations around the city's birthday (usually late January)
- March: Kaziuko mugė — St Casimir's crafts fair (usually the first weekend of March)
- April: Kino pavasaris — international film festival (usually March–April)
- September: Capital Days — city festival with concerts (usually early September)
- October: Vilnius Jazz festival (usually October)
- November: Christmas tree lighting on Cathedral Square (usually late November)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and families
Gediminas Avenue
The main boulevard of shops, government buildings and cafés from the Cathedral to Parliament
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Vilnius?
Baltic amber, Lithuanian linen, Verbos and Šakotis.
+Where is the best shopping in Vilnius?
Pilies and Didžioji streets: Amber, linen, knitwear and souvenir shops along the Old Town's main route.
+What are the best markets in Vilnius?
Hales Market, Kalvarijų market and Kaziuko mugė.