Districts · Vilnius
Vilnius by district
Almost everything a first visit needs sits in a box about 2 km across: the Old Town in the middle, Cathedral Square and Gediminas Hill to the north, the Vilnelė river and Užupis to the east, the Gates of Dawn to the south, and Gedimino Avenue running west to the modern centre. Outside that box (Trakai, the TV Tower, Paneriai) you ride a bus or train.Almost everything a first visit needs sits in a box about 1.2 mi across: the Old Town in the middle, Cathedral Square and Gediminas Hill to the north, the Vilnelė river and Užupis to the east, the Gates of Dawn to the south, and Gedimino Avenue running west to the modern centre. Outside that box (Trakai, the TV Tower, Paneriai) you ride a bus or train.
About these names
- Old TownSenamiestissleepseeeatSuits: First visit, walking, cafés and Halės marketThe medieval core, all cobbles and courtyards; noisy on weekend nights on the bar streets.2 sights · 4 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Cathedral quarter and Gediminas HillKatedros aikštėseeSuits: The tower, the cathedral, the universityThe most-visited part by day, quiet after 19:00.The most-visited part by day, quiet after 7:00 PM.4 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- UžupisseeeatSuits: A slow afternoon, cafés, the AngelA small artists' quarter over the Vilnelė; uneven lanes, few big hotels.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Gedimino Avenue and the New TownNaujamiestissleepeatseeSuits: Larger hotels, museums, shopping, quieter nightsA wide boulevard with shops and the KGB museum; a 15-minute walk to the cathedral.1 sights · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- ŽvėrynassleepSuits: Quiet stays, wooden houses, the riverA leafy district west of the centre across the Neris; 15–20 minutes by bus.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- ŠnipiškėsseeeatSuits: Business trips, the modern skyline, cafésOld wooden houses next to glass towers on the north bank of the Neris; a bridge walk from the centre.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Paneriai and outskirtsseeSuits: The Holocaust memorial forestAbout 10 km south-west by train; a sober half-day.About 6.2 mi south-west by train; a sober half-day.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Vilnius Airport (VNO) (15–30 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Žvėrynas, Šnipiškės, Paneriai and outskirts. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Old Town (Senamiestis): The medieval core, all cobbles and courtyards; noisy on weekend nights on the bar streets. Suits: First visit, walking, cafés and Halės market. Price band $$.
- Cathedral quarter and Gediminas Hill (Katedros aikštė): The most-visited part by day, quiet after 19:00.The most-visited part by day, quiet after 7:00 PM. Suits: The tower, the cathedral, the university.
- Užupis: A small artists' quarter over the Vilnelė; uneven lanes, few big hotels. Suits: A slow afternoon, cafés, the Angel.
- Gedimino Avenue and the New Town (Naujamiestis): A wide boulevard with shops and the KGB museum; a 15-minute walk to the cathedral. Suits: Larger hotels, museums, shopping, quieter nights. Price band $$$.
- Žvėrynas: A leafy district west of the centre across the Neris; 15–20 minutes by bus. Suits: Quiet stays, wooden houses, the river.
- Šnipiškės: Old wooden houses next to glass towers on the north bank of the Neris; a bridge walk from the centre. Suits: Business trips, the modern skyline, cafés.
- Paneriai and outskirts: About 10 km south-west by train; a sober half-day.About 6.2 mi south-west by train; a sober half-day. Suits: The Holocaust memorial forest.
- Sleep area Gedimino Avenue: suits Larger hotels, museums, shopping, quieter nights, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Old Town: suits First visit, walking, cafés and Halės market, price band $$.
- Vilnius Airport (VNO), 15–30 min by the usual route.