Sight guide · Vilnius · Lithuania
Visiting St Anne's Church
A late 15th-century masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic, St Anne's facade is built from more than 30 different shapes of brick in a lacework of arches and pinnacles.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
St Anne's Church is a religious site in Old Town, Vilnius. Allow 20 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- Old Town
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, architecture, photo spot and couples
- Best months
- March–April and October
About St Anne's Church
A late 15th-century masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic, St Anne's facade is built from more than 30 different shapes of brick in a lacework of arches and pinnacles. According to legend, Napoleon wished he could carry it back to Paris in his hand. The larger Bernardine church stands behind it.
Tip: See it at dusk, when the brickwork glows, and then cross into Užupis over the nearby bridge.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 20 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- 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 St Anne's Church
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- April: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- March: 4°C (39°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- October: 10°C (50°F) highs, about 10 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 St Anne's Church on day 2, together with Gate of Dawn and Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.
- No. 7 of the 19 sights in our Vilnius things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Vilnius.
Near St Anne's Church
Also in Old Town, so you can walk between them:
- Gate of Dawn — 20–30 minutes, free
- Vilnius University — 1–1.5 hours, low cost
- Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania — 2 hours, mid-priced
If you like St Anne's Church
- Užupis — Užupis, 1–2 hours
- Church of St Peter and St Paul — Antakalnis, 30–45 minutes
- Hill of Three Crosses — Kalnai Park, 1 hour
Staying near St Anne's Church
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
+How long do you need at St Anne's Church?
Plan 20 minutes. With Gate of Dawn nearby, it fits a half-day in Old Town.
+Is St Anne's Church free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit St Anne's Church?
March–April and October, the quietest of the good months. See it at dusk, when the brickwork glows, and then cross into Užupis over the nearby bridge.
+Do I need to book St Anne's Church in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.