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Lithuania : Vilnius - July 2010

Country Code: Dial 0 for Lithuania

Getting around

Vilnius International Airport

Bus: The no. 1 bus goes to the central train station every 10–15 minutes. Tickets bought onboard cost €0,40/LTL 1.40.
Train: A fast train leaves every hour from the airport between 6am and 9pm and takes 10 minutes to get to the central station.
Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city centre takes about 15 minutes and should cost €11,60/LTL 40
Tourist information: The main tourist office is at 22 Vilniaus Gatve ( 0, vilniustourism. lt).

OLD TOWN

July sees the splendid Old Town burst into life. The ancient part of the city is a hive of activity, with most bars and restaurants offering outdoor seating.

Sleep soundly – One of the capital’s few five-star hotels, the recently rebranded Radisson Blu Astorija (35 Didžioji Gatve, 0, radissonblu.com, rooms from €116/LTL 400) is a wedding-cake beauty in a prime location.

Culture vultures – Running throughout July and August, Vilnius’ magnificent St Christopher Summer Festival features predominantly classical music of international repute. Performances take place in a wide range of venues, including churches and parks.

Must eat – The Korean chefs at Labuki (28 Didžioji Gatve, 8) churn out large wooden boats of glorious sushi and the best noodle dishes in Lithuania.

Must drink – Rub shoulders with celebs on the terrace of In Vino (7 Ausros Vartu), by far the best wine bar in the Old Town.

Dance the night away – The fabulous Brodvejus (4 Mesiniu Gatve) offers everything from cheesy disco to table football tournaments – but things don’t really get going until after midnight.

Shop til you drop – A traditional deli with a twist, Senamiescio Krautuve (5 Literatu Gatve) sells only locally produced specialities, from smoked sausages to fresh bread.

CITY CENTRE

Immediately adjacent to the Old Town, the city centre runs in a straight line between the Cathedral and Parliament and is the hangout of choice for the city’s nouveau riche.

Sleep soundly – Splash out at the Scandic Neringa (23 Gedimino, 0, scandichotels.com, rooms from €73/LTL 250), complete with an original, Soviet-designed restaurant, or go for a great budget option at the Ambassador (12 Gedimino, 5 0, ambassador.lt, rooms from €38/ LTL 131), located less than a minute from the Cathedral.

Culture vultures – Fluxus Ministerija (27 Gedimino) offers free exhibition space to young artists, and has plenty of shows and a decent bar.

Must eat – Prie Katedros (5 Gedimino, priekatedros.lt) makes its own beer, putting a lot of it into the international food that it serves up.

Must drink – Arguably the craziest bar in Eastern Europe, Suokalbis (6 Sirvydo Gatve) features middle-aged ladies dancing on the tables and games of vodka-fuelled chess late into the night.

UŽUPIS

Bohemian, wacky and everything the rest of the city isn’t, Vilnius’ eccentric Užupis district offers the ultimate alternative experience.

Must drink – Užupio Kavine (2 Užupio Gatve) has the best terrace in the city, next to the River Vilnele.

ŽVERYNAS

Leafy Žverynas is a peaceful patchwork of wooden houses close to the centre of the city. Often overlooked, it’s worthy of further investigation.

Must eat – Try meals made with fresh produce from local smallholdings in the wonderful surroundings of the garden at Jalta (17a Vykinto, ).

Must drink – The back garden at Veranda (39 Kestucio Gatve) is popular with a mixed bunch of locals and is an excellent place to soak up equal measures of atmosphere and alcohol.

SUBURBS

Not everything’s located right in town – there’s plenty to see further afield.

Sleep soundly – By the Neris River in the north of the city, Vila Valakampiai (6a Vaidilutes, 9, vila valakampiai.lt, rooms from €81/LTL 280) wins on its location. The great-value rooms at Vilniaus Europolis (11d Svitrigailos, 0, europolis.lt, singles from €26/LTL 90) are more spartan, but much closer to the centre.

Must eat – For a classic Mongolian barbecue in a businesslike setting, the recently opened Wall Street (25 Lvovo Gatve, 6) is recommended.

Shop til you drop – This year’s sensation is beer from microbreweries around the country. Gyvo Alaus Krautuvele (16 Konstiticijos) sells a range of such brews, on the ground floor of the VCUP shopping centre.

Compiled by Richard Schofield