Vilnius Travel Answers

micheltarta is right, go to Bauska instead of Vilnius!!!:))

You must be telling the truth, if you say Bauska over your home city. Thanks everyone!

I don't think Vilnius is so boring as you say, I liked exploring it's old town and discovering little peaceful streets and great sights, though I prefer Kaunas as it's the place i know better.. Good travels:)

People in Vilnius and Lithuania are generally more friendly then in Latvia and Estonia. And if you go to Vilnius you MUST also visit beautiful castle in Trakai which is about 20 kms from Vilnius.

Actually Bauska is 5 min worth visit, at any case you will pass it going from Vilnius to Riga. Unless you would like to visit Rundale castle that is not far from Bauska. http://www.rpm.apollo.lv/engl/

I had a great time in Vilnius and met some interesting people there so I certainly didn't think it was boring. I guess it's all about who you meet and the adventures you have there! Tallinn is also nice. Fk

Micheltarta has very dilettante view. It seems he saw only Jugensthil in Riga and pink rococo of Vilnius. Wittyname, don’t listen to us, judge by yourself: http://www.vilnius.lt/new/en/gidas.php http://www.turizmas.vilnius.lt/ riga.lv/EN/Channels/About_Ri... tourism.tallinn.ee/index.uk.... tallinn.ee/eng?sess_admin=46...

I strongly agree with the sentiment expressed by a few others in response to your question. Experienced for the first time, the value of time spent in any of these places depends mostly upon your attitude towards travel and the company you keep. I've spent time in Vilnius, Kaunas, Druskininkai, Traikai, and Siauliai; cities and towns quite different in size and pace but for me equally enjoyable. I always stayed with friends and I imagine that if you're travelling solo you may lean towards some place with a more cosmopolitan atmosphere but most Lithuanians were so friendly to me I had no trouble meeting people and having a good time no matter how "boring" the place. Viso Gero

Don't listen to them! Tallinn has a very small Old Town and you can easily see all the sights in two days. Riga is, in some parts, a really ugly city. The Old Town is nice [but small] and outside, there are a few interesting Art Nouveau buildings but apart from that it's all quite industrial and frankly rather grim. Vilnius is by far the most interesting of the three. It has the biggest Old Town and also there are several sites within a short journey from Vilnius that you also ought to visit, like Trakai and Kaunas. The same can't be said of Riga and Tallinn. It's certainly true that Vilnius isn't as cosmopolitan as Riga, or as modern as Tallinn...but frankly, if you're looking for cosmopolitanism and abundance of technology, then you'd be better off going to New York or Tokyo than Riga. Also, I agree with the sentiments expressed that the people in Vilnius are far more friendly than those in either Riga or Tallinn. If you try to make friends in Tallinn, people will look at you as if you've tried to poo in their hair, and if you try to make friends in Riga, some will try to steal your wallet. There are of course exceptions to the rules -- I've met a few nice Latvians [though they were mostly Russians], and a few friendly Estonians [though it was some time before I felt they were comfortable with me using their first names], but the friends I made in Vilnius were some of the nicest people I know. Furthermore, the history of Vilnius is much more varied. It is not just a German city like Riga or Tallinn, but was founded by Lithuanian Dukes and has had many diverse cultural influences since then. However, this is just my view and I hope that nobody takes offence to it.

Of course you do Michel...but then again, you prefer the gaudiness of Jugenstil over the sublime Baroque. That's just wrong.

Hello, Very interesting discussion. Well, I was in the 3 cities (driving by car) a month ago. So, a few words: The reply depends on what you are looking for, your interests in other words. Vilnius - for lovers of history, old (mainly Baroque) architecture, old churches, hidden yards, not crowded streets, inexpensive and mostly good food, for lovers of things somewhat secret, unique (add nearby Trakai) - well if you love history even a week is not enough (over 40 churches to visit if you like haha); for lovers of making friends, the most friendly locals (even beggars) I met in the Baltics; Riga - interesting old town but not as much as in Vilnius, great for lovers of international company, crowded streets full of souvenir stores, restaurants etc., more expensive food, and definetely not for lovers of driving a car (tourist trap - Soviet style direction signs = no signs or wrong signs! - I drove almost to Russia instead to Estonia haha, add risk of car thefts) Tallin - great location (steep way up), lovely old town and very picterusque up, for lovers of food and drinking alcohol with Finnish youths, crowded as well, more expensive at some places. Summary: personally I would split my time as you suggested at first: Tallin - 2 Riga - 3 Vilnius - 4 (including trip to Trakai). Have a great trip :-)))

you are so persistent:)...

I also agree with the majority here in that your original schedule is fine. Leaving apart taste matters, which are something totally subjective, Vilnius has the largest historical area of the three and requires thus more time for exploration, including the additional time required for excursions out of the city. As for my personal experience, I also preferred Vilnius to the other two cities. We thought the atmosphere there was much more pleasant, the nightlife much more exciting, and the people were by very, very, very, very far the friendliest. But that was just as we saw and experienced it. Anyway, I agree with Redule. If you find Vilnius boring, go to Bauska or Cesis (or even Tartu) instead ;-).

How very diplomatic, Daniel!

It depends from your taste. Some people prefer Riga over Vilnius and some prefer Vilnius over Riga... Riga feels like a bigger city than Vilnius and it has a nice big river Dauguva (I don't know if I spelled it correctly). Riga is also famous for its beautiful art noveu architecture. Vilnius is quite different - its landscape is hilly (Rigas' landscape is plain), it's oldtown is quite big. I don't know when micheltatra was in Vilnius but this city is changing very fast (Tallinn and Riga are changing fast too) and many buildings in the old town are being restored. Although I think that maybe the center of Riga looks more "shiny" today. Some sentences of micheltatra sounds really strange like this one: "Vilnius is not a large and cosmolopolitan capital as Riga and Tallinn". Actually Tallinn is the smallest one out of the three. I talked a bit about Vilnius and Riga - now it's time for Tallinn. Tallinn has a nicely restored old town with beautiful defence walls and defence towers and lots of finnish tourists ;). That's it with my short overview of the Baltic capitals ;). I suggest at first to visit these three cities and next time you'll know which ones do you prefer :).

excuse me, micheltarta, but Latvian Russians are less satisfied living in Latvia than Lithuanian Russians living in Lithuania (it's official research, not yours). Vilnius people don't have problems speaking Russian, while Estonians usually pretend they don't understand Russian. Your opinion is so absurd, you don't know anything about Vilnius and the most important-you are not open. If you like Riga, please praise it, I also like Riga. and leave your opinion about Vilnius for yourself. You should also know that Lithuanians are not friendly to everyone, especially if somebody comes with such prejudice.

As Redule says, it is fact that Lithuania is the less russophobe of the three Baltic Republics. If you hear more Russian in Riga than in Vilnius, it is simply because roughly half of the population of Riga are Russians, while they are a small minority in Vilnius. However, the Russian "minority" in Latvia has had it hard to see some of its rights recognised and they are still second class citizens in many aspects. In addition, all Lithuanians I know are able to speak perfect Russian and even eager to do it. I do not think that is always the case in the other two republics, Estonia in particular.

Hello all: Since the poster seems to be coming from the USA, it's a moot point to be discussing who speaks Russian in the three Baltic Republics! In any case, it's off topic, since he asked about recommended length of stay. Impartially, I would suggest that the first answer and Matt's answer (VT member Mattcrazy) are most to the point. Enjoy your visit, while you compare and contrast three unique cities!

Well, I'm leaving for St. Petersburg on Friday, and after two weeks there, I'll be heading down through the Baltics. After all of this appreciated feedback, I can truly say this: I'm still not sure. I suppose I'll just have to think on the run. But again, thanks for all the insight. I'll be using your advice while coming through on my trip.

Yes Michel Russian culture is very interesting, but you're not likely to find very much of this "High Culture" in the slums of Riga.

been twice to Vilnius, really great knowledge

yes, I believe

micheltatra, I was talking about this false sentence (not about is city cosmopolitan or not): "Vilnius is not a large ... capital as Riga and Tallinn". People are going to Latvia to learn more about Latvia and Latvian culture (not about Russian culture) - the same is for the other countries. If they want to learn/feel Russian culture usually they go to Russia. If we are talking about the buildings which were left in the Baltic states by Russian culture - then almost all of them are ugly (most of the buildings left by Russians are ugly "commieblocks" in the suburbs of the cities (not only)). Today some of Russian buildings are being destroyed in Latvia (and maybe in other cities of the Baltic states too). Now lets go back to the "grey churches" - there are just a few of them in Vilnius (actually there are no fully grey churches). The cathedral church is mostly white and only small part of it is pink. There are many churches of a various colors. And about this sentence: "you can even find pretty the cathedral that I personnaly find ugly". I must say that most of the people find it beautiful and your taste seems exceptional here.

.....About "multicultural" cities. Riga roughly consists of Russians and Latvians. Vilnius roughly consists of Lithuanian, Polish and Russian people. About internet cafes - at the center of the city there are not many of them but at the city center there are wireless internet zones and 3G zones. The words addressed to Redule: "I'm afraid you have a quite partial jugement about this country, being maybe impressed by some patriotic and nationalist feelings." You was in Vilnius one or two times and you claim that you have a full judgement about the Lithuania and Vilnius? While those who lives there for quite a long time has only "partial judgement"? Strange... About those patriotic and nationalistic feelings - actually I feel it from your side (Russians). You sound quite childish - the main point for you is that the city is better because it is less catholic and has more Russians. And one more thing - Latvians (not Russians who live in Latvia) and Estonians aren't really fond of Russian language - sometimes they pretend that they don't understand this language. I'm not saying that you can't dislike Vilnius - it's your choise but please don't write false facts or else we'll start to think that something bad happened to you in Vilnius or maybe for some other reason you want to throw mud.

micheltatra, I have never said that you said that "nobody can like Vilnius". I also said that everything depends from your choise and your taste. And I respect your taste and opinion. And you can state your opinion but just opinion - not false facts. By the way to live in Vilnius does not certainly mean to have "patriotic or so feelings". But it certainly means that the one who lives for a longer time in Vilnius knows more about the city than the one who just visited it. I visited three Baltic capitals many times and I live in Vilnius but I don't say that it's the best out of the three. My short opinion about all three cities was posted before.

Michel, I am a British citizen with no Lithuanian heritage or relatives, so I don't think my judgement is clouded by any "patriotic feeling". Your arguments are incredibly strange and for the most part, just plain wrong. Vilnius is by far the most multicultural city of the three. The city is roughly half Lithuanians, and the further half is made up of Russians, Belarussians and Poles. Riga is just under a half Latvians, and the rest Russians. This doesn't create for a "multicultural" atmosphere, more one of ethnic tension. You also quote the example of "Wooden Housing", and act like this is not to be found in Vilnius....have you ever been to Snipiskes?! You're fighting a losing battle here Michel. Your arguments here seem to be based on prejudice. Even if you do like to spend time amongst the Russians, I have Russian friends who have been to Riga and said that the "Russians" there are the equivalent of Afrikaners for Dutch people, id est they have a colonist mentality and are usually quite racist. There are always exceptions to this rule, and there are plenty of nice Russian and Latvian people in Riga, but the truth is that an atmosphere of deeply unpleasant racial dislike prevails throughout this city,

Well this is odd. micheltatra dislikes Vilnius SOOO much and for some reason he/she (sorry, haven't checked) keeps returning and returning and returning to Vilnius forum.. This tells something, I think.