Planning your next city break? Instead of the usual central European tourist spots, why not venture north to Vilnius, Lithuania’s beautiful capital.
Described as the “g-spot of Europe,” the city is steeped in history, culture and stunning natural and architectural beauty.
Along with its charming Old Town, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, Vilnius has a thriving gastronomy scene and plenty of quirky sights, including a former prison which was used as a filming location for Stranger Things Season 4.
As the city celebrates its 700th anniversary this year, there’s never been a better time to visit the jewel in the crown of the Baltics.
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TravelTranscript
00:00 If you're looking for a city break with a difference, may I suggest a trip to Vilnius, Lithuania's beautiful capital.
00:07 Packed with history and culture, the city is the jewel of the crown of the Baltics and is celebrating its 700th birthday this year.
00:16 The best way to see the city is to take a walk up Gedimimus Hill to admire the views of the city's old town.
00:23 No trip to Vilnius is complete without a visit to the famous Cathedral Square, where you'll find a former pagan temple and the burial site of Lithuania's patron saint, Kashmir.
00:35 Have a wander through the old Jewish Quarter, where you'll find plenty of shops and bars and what feels like the most Instagrammable cafe in the world.
00:45 For fans of stranger things, a visit to Lukashej's prison is a must. For 115 years, the prison was guarded by high walls and barbed wire,
00:55 but since 2019 it has shut down and since reopened as an artistic venue and space for the public.
01:02 The central courtyard is now used as a performance space and you can even enjoy a cocktail in the cell block bar.
01:10 During our visit, we were lucky enough to be there for Art Vilnius, the biggest contemporary art fair in the Baltics.
01:17 The fair included stalls from 70 galleries and institutions spanning 18 countries, with this year's fair dedicated to the performance genre.
01:27 We also visited Vilnius' Coffee Festival.