Find out which are the best Vilnius photo spots for Instagram or travel photography! A complete guide to photography locations with first-hand tips.
Vilnius is the capital city of Lithuania, the southernmost Baltic country, and one of the least visited European capital cities. This was the city that surprised me the most in 2024 in terms of photography. From its old town streets to a majestic sunrise by its famous church, all the way up to the beautiful nature viewpoints, this city has a lot to offer to both tourists and photographers.
In this Vilnius travel photography guide, I will cover some of my favourite photography areas, specific spots and tips to make the most of a hidden European gem.
Before getting started, did you know that Vilnius marketed itself as “the G-spot of Europe?“.
Vilnius photography guide: useful information
How long does it take to visit and photograph Vilnius?
Vilnius is not a massive city. With a bit more than 500.000 inhabitants, it is easy to walk and explore. Most of the main tourist attractions are located in the city centre, a few minutes from each other. Some people might be able to see most of what the city has to offer in a day and a half, two if you also add a day trip to Trakai (see below).
As a photographer, though, I would recommend a bit more time. 2.5 or 3 days might be ideal to see all that Vilnius has to offer. As you will see in this Vilnius photography guide, most of the areas are quite central, but if you want to get the best light (sunrises and sunsets), two days might not be enough.
What is the best season to visit and photograph Vilnius?
Lithuania and Vilnius are in Northern Europe. Although it is not a Scandinavian country, its latitude is similar to that of Moscow or Copenhagen. Due to this, the general recommendation is to visit Vilnius either in spring or summer. You will get long days, mild or warm temperatures and (usually) clear skies.
The main problem with visiting during the low season, besides the possible rain, snow and cold, is the lack of sunlight. Unless this is what you are looking for, if you want to enjoy the city with daylight, try to time your visit between May and September.
How safe is it to visit and photograph Vilnius?
Vilnius in particular, and Lithuania in general, are very safe. Crime is rare, and it is possible to walk at night alone (at least in the main areas), without any problems. As usual, though, exercise the usual precautions. Don’t leave your belongings unattended, and when taking photos, keep an eye on where you are.
Where should I stay to visit and photograph Vilnius?
This is usually my biggest question when I am visiting a new city. The bigger the city, the bigger the problem. However, here, it was quite easy. Given Vilnius is not a massive city, as long as you stay close to the Old Town, almost everything can be reached on foot, and Taxis are not expensive at all.
My personal recommendation, if you are interested in doing a day-trip to Trakai, would be to find a place between the Old Town and the train station. Another good option would be to stay near the Neris River. It is an area full of life and at a short walking distance from the Old Town.
Vilnius Old Town photography spots guide
The Old Town is the heart of Vilnius and where most photography opportunities lie. Like most European capital cities, Vilnius has narrow alleys, winding streets, and many churches and museums to explore. Below, you have a list of some of the areas or places that I recommend exploring.
However, don’t stick just to them. With the Old Town being walkable and small, it is worth getting lost in its streets and finding some less-explored areas. The moment you get off the main streets, it gets quiet, and that’s where many photo opportunities arise.
Town Hall
The Town Hall is in the southern part of the Old Town and is located in front of a large square (Town Town Square). The building itself is interesting, with a neoclassical style. What I liked the most was visiting in the early morning, when the square was empty, and the lights were on.
Vilnius University
Did you know that Vilnius University was founded in the 16th century? It is one of the most remarkable buildings in the city, and most of its spaces are free to access. You can get a small map at the entrance, which is highly recommended, because it felt a bit like a maze.
Don’t be afraid to enter the buildings that are open to the public. You might find some nice surprises, like in the photo below!
Halės Turgus – Vilnius market
I am guilty of always visiting markets when I travel. As a foodie, it is a great place to see what’s typical in the country or region you are visiting, and Vilnius Market is not an exception. Although it is slightly touristy, there are some authentic areas, with farmers bringing their fruit and vegetables (at least during summer), as well as some mushrooms.
Remember that some markets close on Sundays or Mondays, and Vilnius is not an exception. Every Monday, the market is closed.
Streets and alleys
I already mentioned it above, but this is what made me love the Old Town of Vilnius, and why I include it in this photography guide. Most of my favourite photos of Vilnius are taken in alleys, before or just immediately after sunrise. As with all good photography spots, I don’t know exactly where I took most photos. However, I know it was in the Old Town streets and alleys
Literatų Street
One of the streets and alleys of the Old Town worth mentioning is the Literatų Street. This little alley has its walls covered with artworks from multiple artists, and makes for quite a unique photo. The blue colour of the walls contrasts nicely with the details of each artwork. Do not miss it!
Vilnius Cathedral
This is probably the most photographed spot in Vilnius, and it’s for a good reason. The Cathedral and the Bell Tower are at the centre of the Old Town, and make for a fantastic photo opportunity. I might be biased because I got one of the best sunrises of the year while photographing it, but it is definitely worth visiting.
Gate of Dawn
The last of the Vilnius Old Town photography spots is the first one I photographed, as it was quite close to where I was staying. The Gate of Dawn is one of the main access points to the Old Town, and as its name indicates, it is especially interesting at dawn.
It can get quite busy during the day. I recommend visiting early, especially if you are looking for a more relaxed vibe for your photos.
Vilnius viewpoints photography guide
Vilnius is a green city. It has large parks, and some of them are hilly, offering great views over the city. Moreover, some of its old and new buildings have great viewpoints from which unique photographs can be captured. Here you have my 3 favourite ones.
Three Crosses Monument
The Three Crosses Monument offers one of the best views over the city of Vilnius. To get there, though, you will need to hike a bit. There are multiple paths that go from the Old Town to the top, and most of them are quite hilly. However, the views are well worth it. Yet, it is not the best viewpoint in Vilnius, in my opinion, as it is so tall that the city feels a bit distant.
Tall buildings are great viewpoints in massive cities or in cities with big skyscrapers. In a city like Vilnius, though, if you could only visit one viewpoint, I would recommend the next spot on this list.
Gediminas tower
This is one of the best photography spots in Vilnius and a must in any guide. The Gediminas tower is a symbol of the city and the country, and is built in the same place where old city defensive structures were. Nowadays, it hosts an interesting set of exhibitions, and at the top, a beautiful viewpoint, from where you can see not only the Old Town but also the Neris River.
Besides the 360-degree view, don’t skip the other floors. From there, if you get a bit creative, you can get great photos of the Old Town (or the nearby Three Crosses Monument, the river,…) framed in the old stone windows.
It is a quite popular spot, and you will need to purchase a ticket to visit the tower. While most of these spots are a bit overpriced, it is just one of the few places in Vilnius where you need to buy a ticket to visit. So, it is worth paying for it (at least in my opinion).
Radisson Blu Skybar – best Vilnius sunset photography spot!
If you are looking for a great place to enjoy the sunset from, don’t look any further. The Radisson Blu Hotel Skybar is the place to go. Don’t worry, you don’t need to stay there; the only thing you need to pay for is one of the overpriced (but nice) cocktails.
From its Skybar, you get 2 main views. One over the city centre, with the river in frame, and a second one towards the Vingis Park and the newer area of the city. While the most interesting one is the one over the city centre (and the one you see below), the other view is also worth photographing. This is because it’s where the sun sets, so you can capture the best sunset colours from there.
Free Vlinius sunset photography spot
If you are looking for a cheaper sunset option, instead of going all the way up to the Skybar, stay near the river, in the big park in front of the hotel. The views won’t be the same, but you can grab some food from a nearby supermarket and get some shots of the people enjoying the sunset. 100% worth it.
Other Vilnius photography spots
Besides the main Old Town spots and the great viewpoints over the city, Vilnius has other very interesting photography spots, which are listed below. One of them is not exactly in Vilnius, but is the most common one-day trip from the city.
Uzupis Republic
Did you know that in Vilnius, there is a self-declared country? The Republic of Uzupis is a neighbourhood located next to the Old Town. It has many artists, and some interesting photography spots. The best thing there, though, is the Constitution of Uzupis. It is a hilarious text that you can find on the streets or on the internet. Don’t miss it for a good laugh.
Besides the two listed spots below, Uzupis is a nice place to take photos of street art. You will notice that in some areas of the neighbourhood, you can feel a bohemian vibe. Some say it’s similar to the one in Montmartre in Paris, although I’d say it’s a bit too much of a comparison.
Angel of Uzupis
The Angel of the Uzupis is located in the heart of the neighbourhood, standing at the top of a tall column. It represents the artistic freedom of the area, and can be a nice photo spot. I have to say I am not very happy with the quality of my photo, but I believe it has potential.
Mermaid of Uzupis
To access Uzupis, you will need to cross a bridge. While crossing it, look at the Mermaid, located on the left-hand side. It’s a curious sculpture, interesting for a photograph.
Open gallery Atvira meno
Have you seen the meme that says that all European cities have an artsy alternative area with graffiti and craft beer? Well, in this case, the craft beer is still not 100% there, but the graffiti is ready. Not many Vilnius photography guides include it, but I think this area should be a must in Vilnius.
The open gallery of Vilnius is a set of graffiti located in the courtyard of an old factory. Despite the weather not being on my side when I visited, it was one of my favourite spots in the city. It is still not a famous tourist spot, but the graffiti and artworks make for great photos. The fact that it is still not very touristy makes it feel more authentic and relaxed, so I can’t recommend it enough. Some of my favourite Vilnius photos are from there.
Trakai
Trakai is not in Vilnius. It is a 1h train ride, and it’s a very popular day trip from the capital of Lithuania. This red brick castle, standing on an island in the middle of a lake, is a must in any Vilnius (photography or not) guide. I might devote a full guide on what to see in Trakai as it has some interesting photography spots, but meanwhile, the photo below should convince you to visit it.
Vingis Park
I have already mentioned that Vilnius is a green city. Vingis Park is the best example of this. A massive park, ideal for photography, a quiet walk, or in my case, a long morning run. Excuse the quality of the photos, but in this case, I changed the camera for my running shoes and went for a run.
At the heart of the park, there is an amphitheatre, which in the summer offers some music festivals and concerts. It’s worth checking out. Although I did not have enough time to get there with photography in mind, it is an oasis in the middle of the city. I am sure great photos and even a portrait session could be taken there.
These are the best areas and spots of my Vilnius photography guide. If you are visiting the Baltic countries (Riga and Tallinn), do not miss my detailed photography guides. Find me on Instagram (@aniolvisuals), and if you have any questions, schedule a free 30′ call with me below!
