Vilnius
Capital of Lithuania
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and has a population of about 619,000 people. Visitors come to see its historical architecture and cultural landmarks, including the UNESCO-listed Old Town.
What to see
The city center is defined by the Vilnius Old Town, a UNESCO site. Key religious and historical structures here include the Vilnius Cathedral, the Church of St. Anne, and the Gate of Dawn. You can also visit the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and climb Gediminas's Tower for views. The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights provides insight into the history of the country. Other notable locations include the Cathedral of the Theotokos, the Church of St. Catherine, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, the National Museum of Lithuania, the Presidential Palace, and the Seimas Palace.
When to go
Summer months from June to August are the warmest, with daily highs between 20 °C and 22 °C. However, these months also see the most rain, with July recording about 18 rainy days. Spring and early autumn offer cooler temperatures, ranging from 10 °C to 17 °C in May and September. Winters are cold, with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing and daily highs between -2 °C and 3 °C from November through March.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Vilnius International Airport, located 6 km from the city.
Top sights in Vilnius
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 22 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | -2 | -1 | 3 | 11 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 16 | 10 | 3 | -1 |
| Average low, °C | -6 | -7 | -3 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 0 | -5 |
| Rainfall, mm | 48 | 39 | 43 | 41 | 59 | 77 | 86 | 74 | 64 | 55 | 49 | 54 |
| Rainy days | 15 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 15 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Vilnius (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Cathedral of the Theotokos, Vilnius
- Church of St. Catherine, Vilnius
- Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Vilnius
- National Museum of Lithuania
- Presidential Palace, Vilnius
- Seimas Palace