Vilnius, Here are the reasons why it’s amazing

Vilnius: you may have heard of it but can you pinpoint where it really is? Maybe it’s in Turkey? Somewhere next to Chernobyl? Germany, right? Close call – Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania. Make your way to Vilnius before it becomes a not-so-hidden gem

1.Everything’s just a short walk away

Getting to most places in Vilnius is just a matter of walking for a few minutes. That’s why locals prefer walking, even though the city offers many different ways of getting around. And you can’t blame them; walking lets you enjoy the spectacular architecture in detail, encourages you to discover new hidden spots, and last but not least, keeps you in shape. It’s a win-win.

2.If you don’t like to walk, you can fly

3. Live the Chernobyl experience without needing a Geiger counter

One of the best mini-series in history, most of HBO’s Chernobyl was filmed in Vilnius, which was made to resemble the now infamous Pripyat. Hop into a time machine and rent a perfect replica of a Soviet apartment in Fabijoniškės, the neighborhood that was one of the show’s main filming locations. This is the closest you’ll get to living the Chernobyl experience without risking nuclear contamination.

4.You’ll find more shades of green than shades of grey

While most cities are an explosion of concrete with a few green oases around, Vilnius seems to be part of a huge green forest. You will soon find yourself crossing a sudden meadow, or slaloming through some old trees to reach your next destination. These are just some of the perks of visiting one of Europe’s greenest capitals.

5.To beer or not to beer, is a rhetorical question here

And the answer is: to beer. An abundance of craft breweries makes Vilnius a paradise for beer lovers and a great place to fall in love with beer if you haven’t already. Swim across every variety you can think of and listen to the strong voice of the pub culture as it lures you to every corner of the city.

6.You’ll walk through an art gallery, even if you don’t visit one

In 2008, Literatų Street was adorned with more than 200 works of art to give passers-by a dose of street art. But it didn’t stop there. Later, Millo, Os Gemeos, Tank Petrol and many other foreign artists decided to leave their legacies throughout the city, too. Discover impressive shapes, colors and characters while taking a stroll through the city and turning random corners. Always be ready to be amazed.

7.Because foodies gonna food

If you’re a fresh-oysters-with-champagne kind of person, then this is your city. If you’re more of the pulled pork sandwich with cold beer type, then this is your city too. And if you’re anything in between, this is also your kind of city. Vilnius’ vibrant food culture will satisfy any palate. Fancy restaurants, down to earth food joints, pub food and traditional homemade dishes all dance together as part of the city’s food landscape. And if you don’t like to complicate your life, just go to Hales Market to fill your bag with fresh goodies and then have a picnic at the park. Your stomach, your rules.

8.Get high in the city

Up to 326.5 metres high, to be precise. Vilnius’ TV tower is the 8th-tallest building in Europe and it even has a rotating restaurant to give you a different view of the city every minute. Perfect to satisfy the munchies.

9.Knocking on heaven’s many doors

More than forty church towers contribute to Vilnius’ cityscape, and it’s a real feast for the eyes. Each one of them guards ancient stories, legends, treasures and magnificent architectural details that will literally make your trip divine.

10.Now that you’re here, visit another country

The Republic of Užupis is the smallest district of Vilnius, separated from the Old Town by the Vilnelė River. It’s home to various artists and intellectuals, and even declared independence in 1997…kinda. It has its own anthem, government, currency and a very unique constitution that you can find on one of its walls translated into several languages. No visa required.