Is 24 hours in Vilnius enough? A realistic slow travel itinerary

I recently visited this hidden gem of the Baltics, and it left a very positive impression on me. From tasty food spots to beautiful cobblestone streets, Vilnius has that magical, European old town feel to it, making it the perfect destination for anyone who is looking for an affordable city break. The city is not overwhelmingly huge to explore, so I’d say you can easily explore it even if you only have a day or so. Let’s see how! 

A quiet morning in Vilnius

When you only have 24 hours to visit in a city like Vilnius, how you move through the day matters just as much as what you see. Instead of rushing from sight to sight, this itinerary is designed to help you slow down, stay present, and really connect with the city — even on a short visit. If you enjoy travelling with intention, my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder can help you build small grounding moments into your trip, with a printable checklist, gentle self-care prompts, and simple rituals to help you feel calm and centred wherever you are.

Grab your freebie

Where to stay

The city centre offers some pretty budget friendly options, so especially if you’re short on time stay as central as possible, so that everything will be within walking distance. If you find an early flight in the morning and a late one in the evening you can even visit the city without having to pay for accommodation. Given how close the airport is I’d say it’s possible, although I can’t speak from experience. I’d say for comfort it’s probably best if you stay at least one night. 

Getting around 

As I mentioned getting from the airport to the city centre is very simple, and cheap by using the local bus service. We were in the city centre in about 20 minutes. You can also use Uber (which we did for our early morning flight) which was also incredibly budget friendly compared to other European capital city prices. Once you have a base/are in the centre getting around on foot is very easy and doable. The old town part of the city is compact and easy to navigate. 

Best time to visit

I ended up going to Vilnius specifically for the Christmas markets, which is a wonderful time to visit. Vilnius takes Christmas decorations very seriously and goes all out! We’re talking multiple pine trees beautifully decorated in front of most hotels, restaurants and department stores, and enchanting window displays that make you feel like you stepped right into winter wonderland. That being said, the city is charming and has a lot to offer during the whole year. I’m actually tempted to return at some point during the spring/summer months to see another side of the city.

Solo travel safety

Although this time I was travelling with a friend, so I can't speak from experience, Vilnius is known to be a solo travel friendly capital city. It is safe, compact and the locals are friendly. Most people speak a good level of English, so getting around isn't challenging at all. Just like in any city, precautions apply but generally speaking Vilnius is known to be a great spot for solo female travel.

Now, let me share my ideas on how to spend a day in Vilnius. As always I centre this around slow and mindful travel, allowing you to really go with the flow and not feel like there is a must do or see list to follow. Cherry pick the ones you love and align with your travel style, and leave what doesn’t resonate. 

Start the day slowly 

Ideally with a nice coffee and freshly baked local bakery product in hand. My favourite little spot was Grūdas Bakery. They have fresh products when you visit in the morning. In good weather you can sit outside, and in the winter you can cozy up indoors, sipping a hot coffee and overlooking the Christmas tree standing outside. This little bakery is tucked away in a cozy courtyard, making it a perfect spot for a laid-back morning. 

I tried the barley malt roll which I loved!

The courtyard looking cozy and Christmassy

Enjoy the views 

There are a couple of places in the centre where you can enjoy the city views from. One of them is the Bell Tower of Vilnius Cathedral right in the middle of the town square, and the other is Gediminas' Hill. For the bell tower you have to pay a fee to visit, but it’s a great experience, you can learn more about the history of Vilnius from a friendly pigeon. Yes, you read that right, I guess you have to go and see it for yourself to get what I’m talking about. 

Snowy views from the Bell Tower in December

Explore the city centre on foot

You will get a proper feel of the city once you explore the old town a bit more. The best way to do it is probably by walking down Pilies street running through the centre. It will give you an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful architecture of Vilnius. One of the ends of this street will lead you to the Gates of Dawn, one of the tourist attractions you can see in town. There is also Literaty Street just on the side of Pilies street to visit. It is famous for its wall of plaques. It does not take long to have a look, and this quiet ally may be the perfect photo spot opportunity.

Have an afternoon treat in chocolate shop 

I wasn’t expecting this element in Vilnius, but I loved the old fashioned chocolate shop vibes. Especially if it’s cold outside, sitting indoors with a hot chocolate or a hot drink and some chocolate on side (or both) is the perfect little afternoon treat. We chose AJ Šokoladas for this activity, but there are several spots in the city to choose from.

Time to indulge!

Have a quiet moment 

In one of the many churches of the city centre. Vilnius does not lack in this area, and if you appreciate beautiful architecture or an opportunity to sit still and present for a few minutes, you will love this side of the city. If you love to take things slow like me when you travel, visiting some of these beautiful churches can be the perfect opportunity for a moment of gratitude. This is a true slow travel activity in Vilnius.

Church of St. Francis of Assisi

Vilnius Cathedral

Visit Paupio Turgus food court 

I love me a good food court, and I actually really enjoyed this one in Vilnius. Just like the city centre, it’s compact and small, but busy enough to enjoy a lively atmosphere. There are different cuisines to try, including Lithuanian, which I personally loved! It’s the perfect spot for lunch or dinner, but it’s a little bit more outside of the centre so you may want to take an Uber if short on time. 

The food court interior is very unique

Trying some local cuisine

And just like, a day in Vilnius goes by quickly. As you can probably tell most of these locations are very close to each other, so it won’t take long for you to explore all of them if you wanted. Which means no rushing, you actually get to slow down and take it easy. In my opinion, Vilnius is definitely worth a visit, even if you only have 24hrs.