10 less known and surprising alternative places to discover in Vilnius

From Putin's and Trump's kiss to wide sceneries of foresty hills and green colored lakes - Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania in it's 400 square kilometres hides much more than it usually promotes to tourists. Vilnius is built in a very beautiful natural setting - between mighty hills and valleys which offers unexpected observation points and nature wonders. In this article - about ten exciting places in Lithuania's capital city, some of which are known only to locals, thus free from tourist hordes.



View from Tauras hill. Tauras hill is a popular place to spend free time for Vilnians (especially young people) and it's easy to understand why. There is not only wide and green grass lawn for picnics or physical activities but it opens also quite impressive view to Vilnius highrise district (New city centre or Šnipiškes). Tauras hill is located in the center, not far from the glamourish Gedimino street, Vilnius shopping citadel.




Bernardine garden. The historical Bernardine garden which has roots back in 15th Century when Lithuanian king Kazimir invited bernardian monks to settle in Vilnius, has been completely reconstructed in last years and turned into one of the most beautiful parks in Baltic states with numerous pathways, ponds, bridges, squares, flowers and trees plantations. But the most surprising feature of this park is the musical fountain which is located on the central alley. It's water flows are harmonized with the music which sounds from speakers installed on lantern pillars around the fountain square. Bernardine Garden is wonderful oasis of relaation in the very centre of Vilnius, right next to Old Town, Užupis district and Ģediminas hill. 



Putin and Trump mural. Close to Vilnius central railway station, in a mostly run-down area at the outskirts of city centre there is a bohemian-looking corner which has attracted even some international media attention with a graffitti where Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump were initially visible kissing each other, resembling a scene once depicted on the Berlin wall with kiss of Erick Honecker and Leonid Breznev. After some vandal spoiled the first graffitti, it's authors renewed it but now Putin and Trump is not kissing anymore but sharing a common "peacepipe". 




New Town. Basically all tourism flow in Vilnius focuses on it's Old Town (Senamiestis) but also 19th/20th Century quarters or New Town (Naujamiestis) is a place well worth to see. In this spacious area one can find valuable examples of hundred years old architecture, between them also several Art Nouveau pearls (like the one in the photo), as well as later built masterpieces. New Town is charming also because of it's hilly relief which in some places offers nice views over Old Town rooftops. 




View from Laimis hill. Laimis or Liepkalnis is the highest hill in Vilnius (235 metres over sea level) and it's located about 3 kilometres to southern direction from the centre of the city. In winter there is a skiing track but in summer the hilltop which is completely free of vegetation, offers wide panoramic view to all sides of the sky. In forefront mostly private housing suburbs are visible while on the background much more urban commieblock districts. In other directions, Mother Nature dominates - completely green areas of forests marked by hilltops. As a bonus, here you can observe also low-flying passenger airplanes because Vilnius airport is near-by. 



View from hill at Subačiaus street. In Vilnius tourism materials, a panoramic observation point is noted on the Subačiaus street (in the photo it's on the left lower corner) but actually one should just take a climb up to the small hill next to the street to see much more impressive scenery. Old Town seems so close as it could be reached by hand, right next to it also modern downtown highrises shows off themselves but the very essence of Vilnius cosy topography and planning is revealed by apartment districts built on the hills at the horizon - shouldn't it be nice to live there, in one of higher floors with a view to all the historical beauty in the valley? Empty bottles of beer indicates that also locals likes to hang out in this place.




View from Three Crosses hill. This observation place can't be named as "less known" or "alternative" anymore because it has became a tourist magnet, especially since the most popular observation point of Vilnius -Gediminas tower - is closed for reconstruction. The popularity of Three Crosses hill is completely justified because it offers probably the most impressive Vilnius panorama from a natural point of view. The red sea of Old Town rooftops with a sprouts of church towers is just one of photogenic urban compositions visible from this place. In sunset, "blue hour" or at night when the city lights are on, the view should be no less magnificent. 



View from Karoliniškes outcrop. Another great observation place, another perspective to Vilnius silhouette. In opposition to Three Crosses hill, this one is completely free from tourists although favored by the locals. By being here and listening of how grannies from near-by commieblocks complains to each other about noisy neighbours or other troubles (you can recognize these intonations even if you don't know Lithuanian language), one can feel like a real Vilnian for a moment. Karoliniškes outcrop panorama point is located not far from the apartment district of the same name, just a couple of hundred metres through the pine forest and a tempting vastness shows up between the tree trunks. When taking a look down below, Vingis park with the Song and Dance festival stage is visible. But further to the east, the vertical accents of the city centre are deployed like in a parade - almost all of Vilnius modern highrises built in last 10+ years is visible in one skyline here. Impressive! 



View from Pūčkoriu outcrop. Another well kept secret of Vilnius which can surprise it's visitor. Vilnius inhabitants can enjoy these cool views to river bends surrounded by steep, foresty hills just by driving 5 kilometres to the east from city centre. There are several observation places, the main one (visible in the photo) is well developed with wooden floor, benches, places for picnic. 





The Green lakes. Vilnius doesn't have a seaside but it has these beautiful lakes with a water shining in a turqouise color tones like in some exotic tropical country. Also the Green lakes (Žaliasis ezerai), although some 15 kilometres from Vilnius centre, are still in it's administrative borders. The water here is really green and the explanation, as always, is simple - it's due to dissolved minerals (they are healthy for skin so people gladly swim here). The place is quite popular between locals but not overcrowded - the space is enough both for people and also ducks.