Itinerary Vilnius & Kaunas

Lithuania in July offers warm, sunny weather, lively festivals, and long daylight hours—an excellent season for exploring its rich history and vibrant urban culture.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	850 USD
🏨 Accommodations	900 USD
🧳 Gear	100 USD
🗺️ On-site	500 USD
Total	2350 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇱🇹 Vilnius - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Vilnius Old Town ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  UNESCO World Heritage — meander cobblestone streets, Gothic to Baroque architecture, ideal for mornings.
• [ ] 🏛️ Vilnius Cathedral & Bell Tower ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Iconic neoclassical square; climb the tower for panoramic views.
• [ ] 🛕 Gates of Dawn (Aušros Vartai) ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Most famous city gate with miraculous 16th-century icon—pilgrimage site.
• [ ] 🖼️ MO Museum ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Striking modern museum with Lithuanian contemporary art and architecture.
• [ ] 🌳 Bernardine Garden ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Central green haven for a relaxing stroll.
• [ ] 🏰 Gediminas Tower & Hill ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Vilnius symbol—walk up for historic exhibits and amazing city views.
• [ ] 🎨 Užupis Republic ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Bohemian neighborhood: quirky street art, galleries, independent cafés.
• [ ] 🏛️ Presidential Palace ⭐ (~0.5h)
  Walk by to appreciate its historic white façade.
• [ ] 🏛️ National Museum of Lithuania ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Rich collection spanning Lithuanian history and culture.
• [ ] 🌳 Vingis Park ⭐ (~1.5h)
  Expansive city park; occasionally hosts open-air concerts.
• [ ] 🏛️ St. Anne’s Church ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Flamboyant Gothic masterpiece—Leonardo da Vinci allegedly admired it.
• [ ] 🏙️ Vilnius University Courtyards ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Among the oldest universities in Eastern Europe—baroque campus architecture.
• [ ] 🏛️ Church of Sts. Peter & Paul ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Exquisite Baroque interior, famed for its stucco work.
• [ ] 🎭 Lithuanian National Opera & Ballet Theatre ⭐ (~0.5h)
  For enthusiasts, check if a performance aligns with your visit.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Skybar (Radisson Blu) ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  City’s trendiest panoramic lounge bar—classy atmosphere, excellent cocktails.
• [ ] 🍻 Šnekutis ⭐ (~2h)
  Friendly local pub for craft beers and traditional snacks.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Etno Dvaras ⭐⭐⭐
  Classic Lithuanian cuisine—try cepelinai (potato dumplings), ~15 USD
• [ ] 🍽️ Senoji Trobelė ⭐⭐
  Rustic spot for local flavors, ~18 USD

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Literatų Gatvė (~0.5h)
  Street with artistic plaques honoring writers.
• [ ] 🏛️ Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum) (~1.5h)
  Informative but harrowing Soviet occupation history.

---

🇱🇹 Kaunas - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Laisvės Alėja (Liberty Avenue) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Elegant pedestrian boulevard lined with cafes, shops, and striking interwar architecture.
• [ ] 🏛️ Kaunas Old Town ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Charming medieval streets; highlights include Town Hall and Perkūnas House.
• [ ] 🏰 Kaunas Castle ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Historic riverside site with exhibitions on city origins.
• [ ] 🎨 M.K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Lithuania’s most renowned artist (painter-composer) in a classicist gallery.
• [ ] 🏛️ Vytautas the Great War Museum & Freedom Monument ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Extensive exhibits on Lithuanian military history—see the carillon if timed right.
• [ ] 🌳 Santaka Park ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  River confluence park, perfect for leisurely walks.
• [ ] 🏛️ Pažaislis Monastery ⭐⭐ (~1.5h, taxi recommended)
  Baroque monastery on the outskirts—sublime architecture.
• [ ] 🏛️ Devils’ Museum ⭐ (~1h)
  Quirky and unique—thousands of devil figurines.
• [ ] 🏛️ Kaunas Ninth Fort Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h, short taxi/bus)
  Impressive fortress, WWII and Soviet occupation history.
• [ ] 🎨 Street Art Walking Tour ⭐ (~1h)
  See international murals; maps available online.
• [ ] 🏛️ Sugihara House ⭐ (~1h)
  Museum dedicated to Japanese diplomat who saved thousands during WWII.
• [ ] 🏙️ Aleksotas Hill Observation Deck & Funicular ⭐ (~1h)
  Classic funicular ride—great views over the river and city.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 BO Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Hip local favorite for cocktails with central location.
• [ ] 🍻 RePUBlic No.1 ⭐ (~2h)
  Vibrant, welcoming bar for a relaxed evening out.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Bernelių Užeiga ⭐⭐⭐
  Hearty local fare in a folklore-filled setting, ~16 USD
• [ ] 🍽️ Višta Puode ⭐⭐
  Modern Lithuanian cuisine, ~19 USD

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏛️ Historical Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania (~1h)
  Interesting for political history buffs.

---

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇱🇹 Vilnius

• [ ] 🎬 Ashes in the Snow (2018) — ⭐6.6 — WWII drama following a Lithuanian family deported to Siberia — Netflix
• [ ] 🎬 The Summer of Sangaile (2015) — ⭐6.6 — Coming-of-age story set in Lithuania’s countryside — Amazon Prime

🇱🇹 Kaunas

• [ ] 🎬 Emilija iš Laisvės alėjos (Emilia from Laisvės Aleja) (2017) — ⭐7.2 — Drama of Kaunas under Soviet occupation — VOD
• [ ] 📺 Senuosius Kauno kupletus (Kaunas Sketches) — Short docu-series about Kaunas history — YouTube

---

🍜 Local specialties

🇱🇹 Vilnius

• [ ] Cepelinai (potato dumplings filled with meat or curd)
• [ ] Šaltibarščiai (cold beetroot soup)
• [ ] Kibinai (savory pastries)

🇱🇹 Kaunas

• [ ] Bulviniai blynai (potato pancakes)
• [ ] Skilandis (smoked meat sausage)
• [ ] Koldūnai (Lithuanian dumplings)

---

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇱🇹 Vilnius

1. 🌤️ Vilnius Old Town
2. 🌙 Skybar (Radisson Blu)
3. 🛍️ Pilies Street (boutiques & souvenirs)
4. 🏨 Hotel Pacai
5. 🍽️ Etno Dvaras

🇱🇹 Kaunas

1. 🌤️ Laisvės Alėja
2. 🌙 BO Bar
3. 🛍️ Akropolis Kaunas (major mall)
4. 🏨 Kaunas Hotel
5. 🍽️ Bernelių Užeiga

---

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Vilnius
• [ ] 🚅 Vilnius → Kaunas
• [ ] ✈️ Kaunas → London

---

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Vilnius	2	Hotel Pacai	450 USD
Kaunas	2	Kaunas Hotel	450 USD
Total	4 nights		900 USD