Lithuania Attractions

1. Bernardinai Garden

Previously known as Sereikiškes Park, Bernardinai Garden is a nine-hectare park that can be found in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The garden is divided into parkland, a botanical exposition, a monastery exposition, and recreational territory with a children’s amusement park. Visitors will come across many trees and plants in the botanical exposition as well as medicinal herbs and tea plants. There are many popular aspects of the garden such as the water fountains, a carousel, a chessboard, checker and chess tables, and a playground for children. Depending on when you are there, you may be able to attend one of the numerous events or festivals hosted at the garden such as the chess championship.

Bernardinai Garden, Vilnius 01124, Lithuania, Phone: +3-70-52-61-10-37

2. Botanical Garden of Vilnius University

Professor Jean-Emmanuel Gilbert, who was a botanist, French politician, medical doctor, and a freemason, established the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University in 1781. Botanical Garden of Vilnius University has a long history, and today visitors can freely explore the thousands of plants found within it.

The botanical garden focuses on a lot of research that visitors can learn more about during the visit; some aspects include biotechnology of cultivation and reproduction, investigation of fruit plants, preservation of plant genetic resources, and polymorphism. The botanical garden is a great place for the entire family to learn about the plants and spend a day relaxing and enjoying their surroundings.

Botanical Garden of Vilnius University , Kairenu g. 43, Vilnius 10239, Lithuania, Phone: +3-70-52-19-31-39

3. Church Heritage Museum

Found within St. Michael’s Church, the Church Heritage Museum is a famous mausoleum established by the Sapieha family. The museum consists of a treasury, a crypt, and a bell tower.

There are guided tours for visitors to make the most of their experience. The impressive architecture of St. Michael’s Church resembles the Renaissance era, and the original formation is well preserved.

The treasury, which spent most of a century hidden away in the walls of the Cathedral, is filled with masterpieces of old textile artists and Lithuanian goldsmiths. In addition to viewing these amazing finds, visitors will also be able to walk the corridors of the crypts and explore the many exhibitions at the museum.

Church Heritage Museum, Šv. Mykolo g. 9, Vilnius 01124, Lithuania, Phone: +3-70-52-69-78-03

4. Church of St. Anne

Found on the banks of the Vilnia River, visitors will find the Church of St. Anne, a Roman Catholic Church that has grown to be a popular landmark in Lithuania. It is in fact because of the church that the Old Town of VIlnius was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The current architecture of the church resembles the gothic style, and it was built using wood; the original structure was destroyed in a fire, and what stands there now is a brick structure that is almost exact to the original. Visitors can explore the church’s beautiful exterior along with the stunning interior such as the main altar or the bell tower.

Church of St. Anne, Maironio g. 8, Vilnius 01124, Lithuania, Phone: +3-70-67-67-44-63

5. Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Vilnius

The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Vilnius is a Roman Catholic Church built on the site of a former wooden church founded by Petras Gostautas. It was then turned into a monastery complex of the Canons Regular of the Lateran.

The baroque-style church was completed in 1701 using clay bricks, and visitors can appreciate its stunning exterior on their own or with a guided tour. Inside, visitors will come across over 2,000 stucco figures created by Giovanni Pietro Perti. Other interesting sculptures within the church include one of Saint Christopher carrying Baby Jesus, the Grim Reaper, and the twelve apostles.

Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Vilnius, Antakalnio g. 1, Vilnius 10312, Lithuania

6. Europos Parkas

Europos Parkas, or the Park of Europe, is a 50-hectare open-air museum that exhibits nearly 100 different works from over 25 countries, including Japan, Mexico, Russia, the United States, France, and Germany.

As Lithuania’s artistic contribution to being the geographic center of Europe, the park has pieces such as the LNK Infotree, a piece by Gintaras Karosas that is considered the world’s largest artwork according the Guinness Book of World Records. Another popular piece in the park is the Monument of the Centre of Europe, which is a series of granite plaques chiseled with European capitals and their distance from the park.

Europos Parkas, Europos Parko g. 302, Joneikiškes 15166, Lithuania, Phone: +3-70-52-37-70-77

7. Gate of Dawn

One of the most important cultural, historical, and religious monuments in Lithuania, the Gate of Dawn can be seen towering in Vilnius. The city gate was built between 1503 and 1522 and is the only one that still stands from the ten that were built over the years. Originally built as part of the city’s defense fortifications, the gate soon had other roles. Religious artifacts were added to the gate in the 16th century to bless the city from attacks; visitors can still see the icon of The Blessed Virgin Mary, which is said to have miraculous powers. Map

8. Gediminas' Tower

Legend has it that the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas once had a dream that a large wolf stood on top of a hill where the Duke hunted and howled loud enough to be mistaken for a hundred wolves. It was explained to him that the dream meant that a city should be built at that particular site – a city that would one day be known around the world. Gediminas’ Tower is the only thing that remains from the Upper Castle that the Duke, and those who followed him, built.

Visitors can go on a quick hike to get to the Gediminas' Tower and explore the surroundings as well as the museum that is now housed inside the tower. Artifacts include archaeological findings from the hill and surrounding areas.

Gediminas' Tower, Arsenalo g. 5, Vilnius 01143, Lithuania, Phone: +3-70-52-61-74-53

9. Hill of Crosses

Sure to be one of the most memorable sites visitors in Lithuania will come across, the Hill of Crosses is exactly what the name states, a hill filled with over 100,000 crosses (as of 2006).

Though the details of how the Hill of Crosses actually came to be are unknown, it is thought that the first cross was placed around 1831. Catholic pilgrims and tourists from around the world can be seen exploring the site, which in addition to the crosses in all sizes and colors also has a collection of statues, carvings, and rosaries.

Jurgaiciu, Meškuiciu, Šiauliai 81439, Lithuania, Phone: +3-70-41-37-08-60, Map