Family of Sites 
Vilnius is a fairly cheap 4-hour bus ride from Riga. Making that trip give you the opportunity to see another side of the rich cultural heritage of the Baltics. With affordable housing options like the Downtown Forest Hostel, you can easily immerse yourself in Vilnius’s historic Old Town. Planning your trip around the last Sunday of the month gives you free access to state-funded museums, making it the perfect time to visit cultural landmarks such as the Palace of the Grand Dukes or the Amber Museum. Whether you’re savoring Lithuanian cuisine, discovering Užupis’s artistic flair, or learning about the rich Jewish heritage at the Litvak Museum, this trip promises an unforgettable, affordable adventure.
The following was written by Alexander Branscom, an International Relations major at American University who spent the summer of 2024 studying Russian as a Second Language in Riga with SRAS.
Logistics – Vilnius from Riga
When to Travel: If possible, prioritize planning your trip to Vilnius around the last Sunday of the month, since every state-funded museum is mandated to grant free admission. This makes that Sunday the perfect day to knock out many museums cheaply.
Transport: I used Omio to book a bus ticket to Vilnius. A round trip should range from 40-50 euros, and each bus comes with spacious seating, in-ride entertainment, and free wifi. The trip takes around four hours, but time moves by quickly when you are gazing at the beautiful Baltic scenery. Remember to bring your passport and to be at the bus station well before the bus arrives because these buses do not wait long for passengers to board!
Housing: We stayed at the Downtown Forest Hostel and Camping. Prices depend on if you will rent out a private room or decide to sleep in a dorm setting. I highly recommend going with a group and renting out a private room to share to cut down costs. A room for four people costs roughly 50 Euros a night total. This hostel has a lot of information on things to do. It also comes with free coffee and travelers can write their name on the board to sign up for freshly made croissants in the morning, which is a great way to start the morning and can really save time grabbing breakfast. The hostel is located right next to the Užupis Republic (see below), which makes it very easy to head right into Old Town (about a 15 minute walk away).
What to See in Vilnius
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is a comprehensive museum housed in a magnificent palace that was once the political, cultural, and administrative center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In this meticulously restored building, you can explore grand halls, intricate architectural details, and a vast collection of artifacts that bring to life the stories of Lithuanian rulers and their influence on European history. The museum has six huge sections describing life in medieval Lithuania, displaying weapons employed by Lithuanian knights. You can even see the throne room. There is even a whole exhibit devoted to the various crowns worn by Lithuanian royalty. I would suggest dedicating 1-2 hours just to explore the grounds and learn all about medieval Lithuania!
Gedimas Castle Tower is an amazing scenic spot providing a beautiful view of the city. There is a small museum inside of the castle that details the castle’s history and its importance in the Baltic Way, the resistance movement that helped earn the Baltic states independence from the USSR. There is also a small coin dispenser at the top of the hill where travelers can exchange two euros for a special souvenir coin to remember their trip. However, the main spectacle is just the view and, if you are short on time, this spot could be skipped to explore Lithuania’s other attractions.
The Amber Museum and Gallery a small museum that details the fascinating history and process of mining and shaping amber. The region has phenomenal supplies of amber thanks to its abundant forests and water sources. Especially in ancient and medieval times, amber formed a large part of the economy and culture here. There are plenty of amber displays with interesting sights such as insects encased in amber or amber with multicolored swirls. The biggest attraction of this amber museum is the store; this gallery is an excellent source of high-quality amber jewelry. Travelers can purchase amber earrings and necklaces that come with a certificate of authenticity. A lot of the jewelry is reasonably priced and is between 15-30 Euros which is a very good deal.
The Vilnius Museum of Illusions is a fun and very well-run museum with a lot of creative exhibits. This highly interactive experience offers plenty of opportunities for travelers to take pictures using optical illusions that are sure to leave them with good memories and fun social media posts. There are also staff present in each room to help if you are having trouble working any of the illusions. Overall, this is a fantastic place to spend some time and have fun in Vilnius.
Užupis Republic is a small artistic neighborhood covered in street art and located inside the city of Vilnius. Vibrant and fun, Užupis is also a self-proclaimed micronation. It is unrecognized and, despite technically having its own president, constitution, and even army, all of this is done in the name of good, creative fun. The constitution, for instance, is written on reflective plaques in 23 languages. The “laws” are all very cryptic and you read them in your own reflection, apparently encouraging you to interpret them on your grounds. Given this, when they offer to stamp your passport at the “border crossing” you might consider politely (or creatively) refusing – a stamp from a non-state actor can be seen as “defacing” the passport. Some consulates can reject visa applications on the basis that there is an unofficial mark there and, in their estimation, rendering it invalid under their rules and regulations. The “guards” should have no problem waving you through as the republic is, in fact, a neighborhood and functions as part of the larger city and state around it. The city encourages the occupants, however, as it is a great center for art, creativity, and tourism. Make sure to pick up some Užupis merchandise with iconic Užupis symbols such as the blue hand with a hole in the middle.
Litvak Museum provides a moving exploration of the rich Jewish heritage and history of the Lithuanian Jews, known as Litvaks. The museum provides an in-depth look at the vibrant cultural, religious, and social life of the Litvak community, which once thrived in Lithuania before the tragic events of the Holocaust. Through its carefully curated exhibits, personal stories, artifacts, and multimedia presentations, the museum not only honors the memory of the Litvak community but also educates visitors about their significant contributions to Lithuanian and global Jewish culture. Make sure to pair this with lunch at Beigelistai, the delicious Jewish bagel shop next door (see below).
Where to Eat in Vilnius
Ethno Dvars is a fantastic Lithuanian restaurant found in the old town. The prices are reasonable, averaging about 10 Euros a meal with a very short wait time. My personal favorite from here is the Zeplin. The Zeplin is perhaps the most famous Lithuanian dish and is a gigantic potato-based dumpling that is wrapped around beef making a football shape. It comes with sour cream as well as a crackling sauce which tastes delicious when it’s all combined.
Beigelistai is a fantastic Jewish bagel restaurant located right in Old Town near a Litvak Museum (see above). There are a wide range of bagels available, some sweet and some savory. Most meals here are roughly 5-10 euros, which is more than a fair deal considering the quantity and quality of the food. The restaurant is great for vegetarian travelers or any travelers keeping kosher as the ingredients for each meal are clearly demarked and dairy and meat are never mixed. Beigelistai also offers a number of other Israeli breakfast options for anyone in the group who doesn’t want bagels.
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