Overview
Vilnius, Lithuania s capital, is a baroque masterpiece hiding in plain sight. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town — one of the largest in Eastern Europe — is a maze of cobblestone streets, ornate churches, and hidden courtyards. The city has undergone a remarkable renaissance, with a booming food scene, vibrant street art, and the charmingly eccentric Republic of Uzupis. All of this comes at prices that make it one of the best-value city breaks in Europe. The euro is the local currency.
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget travelers ($55/day): Stay in excellent hostels from $12/night, eat at canteen-style restaurants where hearty Lithuanian meals cost $5-8, walk everywhere in the compact Old Town, and enjoy free attractions like Uzupis, street art tours, and church visits.
Mid-range travelers ($130/day): Book a stylish boutique hotel in Old Town, enjoy Lithuanian cuisine at well-regarded restaurants for $10-18 per meal, take day trips to Trakai Castle, and explore the city s excellent museums and galleries.
Luxury travelers ($350+/day): Stay at properties like the Kempinski Cathedral Square, dine at Vilnius s emerging fine dining scene including restaurants featured in White Guide Nordic, hire private guides, and enjoy spa experiences in converted historic buildings.
Where to Save
Vilnius is already cheap by European standards, but you can go even further. Traditional canteen-style restaurants like Etno Dvaras serve enormous Lithuanian meals — cepelinai, saltibarsciai, and kugelis — for under 8 EUR. The entire Old Town is free to wander, and most churches have no entry fee. A single bus ride costs just 0.65 EUR. The Hales Market is perfect for cheap, fresh local food. Free walking tours run daily and are genuinely excellent.
Where to Splurge
A day trip to Trakai Island Castle, set on an island in a glacial lake, is one of the most photogenic excursions in the Baltics. Book a table at Sweet Root or Nineteen18 for New Lithuanian cuisine that is gaining international recognition. The TV Tower observation deck offers panoramic views and a rotating restaurant. A hot air balloon ride over Old Town is surprisingly affordable compared to Western Europe and offers breathtaking views of the baroque skyline.
