The tourist attractions at Vilnius are varied, ranging from castles, churches and other interesting landmarks. It may not be as well known as other destinations in Europe, but it is actually at par with other, more popular cities in the continent.
Location
The city is situated at the Neris river bank. If coming from abroad, you can use Aer Lingus airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Austrian Airlines and many more. Once you land, you can take bus #1 which will take you to the railway station. Bus #2 will bring you to the center of the city.
What to See
The Old Town is filled with buildings dating from the 13th to the 14th centuries. Another worthwhile site is Gediminas Castle and its rebuilt tower. The upper castle museum is also interesting. The Three Crosses Hill is a monument to the martyred Franciscan monks. It is one of the most important Christian symbols in the country.
Other tourist attractions at Vilnius are St. Ann’s Church, the Museum of Genocide Victims and the European Park. You can also check out the Frank Zappa Statue at the Old Town. Visitors to the city can also embark on hot air balloon tours.
History
The city is the largest in Lithuania and is also its capital. The city has been inhabited since the medieval age. One of its most distinguishing traits is the ethnicity. Through the centuries, minorities have always played a role in its development.
Belorussian, Russian, Jews and the Polish have been some of the longest inhabitants of the land. The 2001 census states 57.8% of its population is Lithuanian. The rest are divided among minorities. During World War II, thousands of Jews living in the area were killed by the Nazis. Following the war, the Polish people living in the city moved to Poland.
Cost
The bus fares at the airport cost 2.50 LTL. Train fares from the airport cost 2.50 LTL. If you are going to ride taxis, book in advance. You only have to pay 15-30 LTL) rather than 70-100 LTL.
Other Info
Other landmarks in the city are the Old Arsenal Building, Contemporary Art Center and Literatu St. You can also drop by the Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theater and the Oskaras Korsunovas Theater.
One of the most interesting tourist attractions at Vilnius is the Artillery Bastion of Vilnius Defensive Wall. Also worth visiting is St. Peter’s and Paul’s Church, one of the most beautiful in the country.
