Cheap flights to Vilnius from GBP16*

The sweeping view of Vilnius, Lithuania’s dreamy capital, from Gediminas Hill is fringed with elaborate Baroque lines, high-rise silhouettes and lush greenery. But it’s when you’re wandering its streets, squares and parks that you get a glimpse of the past scars, unabiding pride and very soul of the city. Charming visitors of all ages and interests, Vilnius well deserves to be the starting point or the main attraction of your Baltic holiday. The city was made to be enjoyed by foot, be it a long stroll around its mesmerising Old Town or a romantic walk alongside the Vilnelė river. Discover it inch by inch and revel in its stories of courage and loss, a wealth of architectural masterpieces that span centuries of styles, its ongoing craft beer revolution, sublime greenery and fairytale surroundings.

 

Fly to Vilnius, Lithuania for:

A bohemian Baltic getaway

How could you not worship a city that was born out of divine intervention? Legend says that the Grand Duke Gediminas once fell asleep in the forests of Šventaragis valley and in his dreams, he saw an iron wolf standing proudly on the top of a hill. The pagan priests took the sighting as the gods’ order for him to erect a city right then and there, and call it Vilnius after the river running nearby. And so he did. Since the 14th-century prophecy, this dreamed up little town has grown into a buzzing melting pot of Lithuanian, Polish and Jewish culture, survived a tsarist and Soviet occupation and became the capital of the first republic that broke away from the USSR in 1990. The city today proudly celebrates Lithuania’s journey to independence and all the scars it got along the way. And cherishes its UNESCO-protected Vilniaus senamiestis (Old Town of Vilnius) as much as its bohemian art quarter, cheeky graffitis and spawning greenery, covering some 40% of its area.

 

Zeppelin, anyone?

Local cuisine is homely, mildly flavoured and will certainly fill you up, no matter what and how many activities you have on your Vilnius itinerary. Dishes combine the best the country’s frosty and moist northern climate can offer: rye, beetroot, mushrooms and berries play a central part in the kitchen, starring potato, with pork, chicken and dairy products in supporting roles. The most loved national dish, cepelinai or didžkukuliai, is a dumpling named after and shaped in the form of miniature Zeppelin airships. They’re filled with delicious ground meat or dry curd cheese and often come under a thick layer of sour cream sauce and bacon bits. Bulviniai blynai, or potato pancake made of shredded potatoes, eggs, flour and onions, is another cult favourite, along with beetroot soup, served both hot and cold. Senoji Trobele is a solid choice for trying out local delicacies. Stretch out on a wooden bench on its unshowy patio and get a taste of age-old Lithuanian recipes and cooking traditions, local ingredients and oven-fresh cornbread. Right next to the Town Hall, family-run Saula serves up local staples with an unexpected twist in a design-forward setting. Just like the rest of the country, Vilnius is right in the middle of a craft beer boom. Not that locals are learning the ropes just now: beer was already brewed for ancient Baltic festivities and rituals, too. Enjoy the earthy flavour of Lithuanian artisanal beers in the basement brewpub Alaus Namai, brimming with young and friendly locals and 18 different types of local ale on tap. Not a fan of hangovers? Pubs and taverns across town stock non-alcoholic wheat beers, courtesy of Švyturys, the country's second oldest brewery.

 

Discover the Jerusalem of the north

Spend an afternoon or the better part of a day exploring Vilnius’ lovely Old Town area, the largest medieval old town in Central and Eastern Europe. The intertwining streets are flanked by eye-popping Baroque architecture, such as the Church of St Casimir (Šv. Kazimiero bažnyčia) or the St Peter and St Paul's Church (Šv. apaštalų Petro ir Povilo bažnyčia) in the Antakalnis neighbourhood. Stop at the sprawling campus of Vilnius University and admire its spectacular architectural ensemble, showcasing Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical design. Artsy types should cross the Nervis river next to it and check out NDG, short for Nacionalinė Dailės Galerija, a sleek gallery housing the best in Lithuanian painting, sculpture, photography and contemporary art from the early 20th century to the present day. Once dubbed the 'Jerusalem of the north', Vilnius had been home to a sizeable Jewish community right until World War II. Today the Holocaust Museum, the Tolerance Centre and Flame of Hope sculpture pay homage to the hundreds of thousands lost due to the Nazi invasion. Another sombre but essential sight is the Museum of Genocide Victims. Housed in a former KGB headquarters and prison, it’s a sobering reminder of the events and victims of the Soviet occupation. For a more light-hearted but no less quintessentially Vilnian experience, enter the Republic of Užupis, a self-declared independent state-cum-artist quarter just outside the Old Town. You’ve read that right. The micro-nation is only one square metre in size, but it has its own president, national anthem, constitution and a fun-size maritime force of 3-4 boats.

 

The best in Lithuanian arts and crafts

In Vilnius, souvenir shopping is best done while discovering the Old Town area, fringed by boutiques, gift shops and bookstores that sell everything from clothes through antiques to amber jewellery. Getting something truly unique for your loved ones doesn’t get any easier than here, thanks to the country’s rare resources and a knack for arts and crafts. Look for soft beige or dyed linen goods, like scarves or shawls, wooden carvings such as the famous Rupintojelis figures, a common denominator between pagan and Christian traditions, or basically anything made of rich Lithuanian honey. If you’re up for a more wallet-heavy shopping spree, head over to Gedimino Avenue that hosts big-hitting designer labels, wine shops and upscale eateries. Nightlife in Vilnius is well worth living. When it comes to entertainment, in Pylimo Street’s Paviljonas pretty much anything goes, including electrifying jazz jams, chill DJ sets, indie rock bands and stand-up performances. Kulturos Baras Kablys is the place that never sleeps and always parties: the biggest nightclub in Lithuania puts on a mind-blowing show any day of the week. Family-run and growingly popular Selfish Bistro is a real class act, serving up chilled glasses of wine and champagne, along with fresh mussels and oysters on Vilniaus Street.

 

Visit the Lithuanian Disney castle

A short ride away, Vilnius’ own Disney castle awaits and makes for a perfect day trip. Surrounded by the serene waters of Lake Galvė, Lake Totoriškių and Lake Bernardinų, the medieval island castle of Trakai was built in the mid-15th century and is considered the cradle of Lithuanian statehood. It also served as a strategic military and political stronghold, home to the Lithuanian Grand Dukes and, from time to time, the de facto capital of Lithuania. Trakai is also home to the Karaims, or Karaites, a tiny Turkish-speaking community with their own religion and lifestyle passed on from generation to generation since their 14th-century arrival. Get a taste of their culture through a generous dose of kibinai, or dumplings filled with meat, cheese and vegetables. If you’re eyeing Vilnius for your family winter getaway, look no further than Tauras Hill. It sees flocks of kids with sledges on snowy winter days and parents enjoying the breathtaking view from atop. Skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, be they amateurs, veterans or professionals, are in for a treat on the ski slopes of the Liepkalnis entertainment park. The park is just as thrilling when the temperature goes up, thanks to its newly installed toboggan, climbing park, bungee trampolines and bouncy castles. Taking it to the air is always a good idea in Vilnius. Watch as the city shrinks to the size of Lilliput in a hot air balloon, peacefully floating over the Old Town in the summer, or immerse in the winter wonderland of a snow-coated Vilnius in colder months.

 

Vilnius airport

Vilnius Airport is located some 6 kilometres south of the city. Inside the terminal, you can grab a bite at a pizzeria, bakery or café or raid the convenience, duty-free or souvenir shops and do some last-minute shopping. Take bus no. 3G, 1, 2 or 88 to reach Vilnius centre in just 20 minutes. Buses run between early in the morning until midnight with bus no. 88 covering the night shift. You may also rent a car or jump in a taxi.

 

Vilnius weather

Vilnius has a humid continental climate with warm, sunny days in the summer and freezing cold days in winter. In January and February, temperatures sometimes drop below −25°C. The good news: you can pick up ice-fishing. In the summer, heat weaves are not unheard of but are the exception. Overall, Vilnius’s climate is more pleasant than in other Nordic countries, thanks to Lithuania’s proximity to the Baltic Sea.

FAQs for booking flights to Vilnius

How to get cheap flights to to Vilnius?

Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Vilnius flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.

When is the best time to visit Vilnius?

With beautiful weather and lots of exciting things to do in the city like visiting museums, stores, and nightclubs, May and September are definitely the best times to take a trip to Vilnius. However, if you don’t mind large crowds and hot weather, July-August may suit you better. There are way more outdoor activities to attend, such as art & music festivals and open-air concerts.

How to get from Vilnius Airport to Vilnius? 

Vilnius airport is a little over 6 kilometers away from Vilnius city centre or Vilnius Old Town. Public transport is the safest option to get from the airport to the city centre. You can choose between four buses (Bus 1, Bus 2, Bus 88, and Bus 3G) or the modern train. Both will take you safely to the central train station, which is only about a 10-15 minute walk away from the Old Town.

How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Vilnius flight?

As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Vilnius flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.