VILNIUS Tourism Manual Direct flights to Vilnius Trondheim Alesund Bergen Oslo Helsinki Stavanger Stockholm Tallinn Riga Moscow Leeds Dublin Copenhagen Cork Liverpool Doncaster Minsk London Amsterdam Bremen Eindhoven Berlin Brussels Dortmund Warsaw Dusseldorf Paris Frankfurt Kiev Prague Munich Vienna Milan Barcelona Rome Istanbul Chania Published by Vilnius City Municipal Government Tourism Division VILNIUS Tourism Manual A Word of Welcome Vilnius is truly a city unlike any other. Once expe- ropean capitals are as at ease with themselves as rienced, its unique charm and beauty can never Vilnius. It’s a quintessentially European city which be forgotten. Countless people have fallen in love abounds with picturesque streets and spectacular with it over the years, but no one can fully capture churches. It teems with wonderful museums and its magical essence in words, not even poets or art galleries. It pulsates with cutting-edge cultural guidebook writers. events and nightlife. It has something for every- The best way to get to know Vilnius is to stroll around one, from old-fashioned romantics to discerning it at leisure and experience it in all its sensual glory. businessmen, from party-loving hedonists to high- Enjoy a coffee at any one of the numerous outdoor minded culture buffs. café tables and see how serene the locals look as they go about their daily lives. Dine out at one of the And if you manage to tear your gaze away from city’s many excellent restaurants and marvel at the the abundance of beautiful buildings and beguiling excellence and diversity of the culinary scene. Enjoy shop window displays, you will also notice how the a night out on the town and revel in the goodwill and entire city is ringed by vast stretches of lush green openness of Vilnius’s fun-loving population. foliage. Vilnius is a delightfully green city that boasts many beautiful parks and countless quaint, tree- Vilnius is a superb example of how history and mo- lined streets. It’s quite simply the perfect city for a dernity can harmoniously coexist. The Old Town and meandering walk or a leisurely bike ride. surrounding city centre are a perfectly preserved mosaic of historic architectural styles, while just Vilnius has a proud historical heritage which is there across the peacefully flowing River Neris a sleek for ever-growing numbers of visitors to enjoy. The new skyline testifies to Vilnius’s dynamic entrepre- Vilnius Tourism Manual contains everything you neurial spirit. need to know to make your stay as pleasurable, con- Perhaps it’s because of Lithuania’s official status venient and safe as possible. You may find it difficult as the geographical centre of Europe, but few Eu- to put Vilnius into words, but that’s love for you. 4 General information www.vilnius-tourism.lt Contents A Word of Welcome ...........................................................3 Restaurants and Catering 35 General information 5 5.1 Restaurants and Catering .......................................... 36 1.1 General information about Lithuania and Vilnius ....... 6 5.2 Restaurants and catering outside Vilnius ................. 40 1.2 Vilnius Tourist Information Centre & 5.3 Unique places ........................................................... 40 Convention Bureau ............................................................7 5.4 Catering companies .................................................. 40 1.3 History ......................................................................... 9 Arts and Culture 41 1.4 Places to visit ................................................................11 6.1 Museums in Vilnius .....................................................42 1.5 Main cultural events in 2014 ...................................... 13 6.2 Exhibition centres ..................................................... 44 1.6 Main sport events in 2014 ..........................................18 6.3 Art galleries................................................................ 44 Transportation 19 6.4 Concert halls and music venues ............................... 46 2.1 Transportation to Vilnius ............................................20 2.2 Transportation within Vilnius ..................................... 21 6.5 Theatres ......................................................................47 2.3 Car rental ..................................................................... 21 6.6 Museums and attractions outside Vilnius .................47 2.4 Coach rental ................................................................22 6.7 Cultural events in Vilnius ........................................... 48 2.5 Bicycle rental ...............................................................22 Entertainment and things to do 49 2.6 Unusual means of transport ......................................22 7.1 Shopping .................................................................... 50 2.7 Sightseeing .................................................................22 7.2 Nightlife .......................................................................52 2.8 Car and Coach parking ...............................................22 7.3 Cinemas .......................................................................52 Tour Planning 23 7.4 Active Leisure .............................................................53 3.1 Incoming tour operators ............................................24 7.5 Parks ........................................................................... 54 3.2 Excursion operators ...................................................25 7.6. SPA ........................................................................... 54 3.3 Conventions and congresses organizers ..................25 7.7. Hot Air Baloon flihts ................................................. 54 3.4 Cultural routes and networks ....................................26 7.8. Entertainment for Children ...................................... 54 3.5 Guide organizations ...................................................26 Official File 55 3.6 Guiding regulations ....................................................26 8.1 Consular information ................................................. 56 Accommodation 27 8.2 Official and public tourism institutions..................... 56 4.1 Hotel classification system ........................................28 8.3 International youth organizations in Vilnius .............57 4.2 City zones ....................................................................28 8.4 Official culture institutions ........................................57 4.3 Vilnius hotels at a glance ............................................29 4.4 Hotels ......................................................................... 30 8.5 Foreign cultural centres in Vilnius .............................57 4.5 Guest houses ..............................................................33 8.6 Convention and congresses ......................................57 4.6 Motels .........................................................................34 8.7 Tourist information ....................................................57 4.7 Hostels ........................................................................34 8.8 Vilnius and Lithuania on the web ............................. 59 4.8 Camping sites ..............................................................34 Vilnius Old Town .............................................................. 60 4.9 Bed & Breakfast .........................................................34 Practical information .......................................................61 Vilnius City Municipal Government Tourism Division Konstitucijos ave. 3, LT–09601 Vilnius City Municipal Government Tourism Division organises Vilnius Vilnius, Lithuania Hospitality Awards. The aim of the contest is to improve the image Tel +370 5 211 2313 of Vilnius and the quality of services. The winners of the Vilnius Fax +370 5 211 2315 Hospitality Awards 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 You will E-mail: [email protected]. find in this Manual. Website: www.vilnius-tourism.lt All information published in this booklet was correct as known to Vilnius City Municipal Government Tourism Division at the time of printing (October 2013). No responsibility can be accepted for changes, typesetting or printing errors. This information is subject to change without notice. Photos: p. 3, 5 N. Blagojevic, p. 18 A. Ridikaitė, p. 19 Vilnius Tourist Information Centre&Convention Bureau, p. 23, 55 Martina Skripkauskaitė, p. 27 Ramada hotel&suits, p. 35 Relais&chateaux Stikliai hotel, p. 46 Kipras Kasputis, p. 49 S.Žiūra VILNIUS Tourism Manual General information Chapter Contents Vilnius is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s not hard to see why with so many wonderful 1.1 General information about historic sights. The city’s extraordinary appear- Lithuania and Vilnius .............................. 6 ance of historic continuity is all the more amaz- ing when you consider its turbulent history. But 1.2 Vilnius Tourist Information Centre & Convention Bureau ................7 Vilnius is now back where it rightly belongs – at the heart of Europe – and this most quintes- 1.3 History ................................................... 9 sentially European of cities has quickly gained a 1.4 Places to visit .........................................11 reputation as being a most charming, delightful and – it has to be said – magical place. Come 1.5 Main cultural events in 2014 ................ 13 and see for yourself! 1.6 Main