Vilnius for Budget Adventurers: 3 Spots You Can’t Miss
Lithuania may be one of Europe's best-kept secrets.
Tucked away in the north of the continent and bordered by the Baltic Sea, it welcomes just 1.4 million visitors a year, yet this underrated country deserves a spot on every traveller's list.
With over a third of Lithuania covered in forest, the capital city of Vilnius offers the perfect blend of urban charm and outdoor adventure.
I recently spent four days exploring Vilnius, clocking up more than 140,000 steps through its walkable and picturesque streets.
As a recent university graduate on a tight budget, I kept my spending low and managed with just €30 on food, trains and the tourist tax.
My entire trip, including flights from London and a stay in a three star hotel, came to under £250. Most of my budget went to the Lidl bakery, as I skipped the local cuisine in order to save money.
Travelling solo meant I could move quickly and at my own pace, although bringing a friend would easily halve the hotel cost.
From that adventure, here are the three places inside Vilnius I enjoyed the most.
Hill of Three Crosses
This was definitely my favourite spot from the entire trip. Not only did it offer incredible views over the entire city but the climb up the hill tells a story about the past of Vilnius.
There are two ways to access the Hill of Three crosses: either by a steep stairway that begins on the bank of the Vilnia river in Kalnai Park or a more accesible slope that can be found oppostie the entrance to Gedidimas Hill.
By walking up the stairway, there are information boards ( in English and Lithuanian) that you can read to learn more about the site if you are a history nerd like me.
At the peak of the hill, which was a former wooden castle in the 12th and 13th centuries, now holds an incredible three crosses memorial that overlooks the entire city.
The strcuture that consists of three white reinforced concrete crosses are visible from afar and often illuminate in different colours to commemorate special events for Lithuania and the world.
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