- Lithuania is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination among Poles, who are drawn to the magical Christmas markets in the run-up to Christmas.
- In Vilnius, we can enjoy a magnificent Christmas tree, which in recent years has been repeatedly recognized as the most beautiful Christmas tree in Europe.
- For the Christmas atmosphere, it is also worth going to the Christmas markets in Kaunas
- More important information can be found on the Onet home page
The material was created during a trip organized as part of business cooperation with the company “Lithuania Travel”.
Just 150 km from the Polish border, there is a winter wonderland that delights with an extraordinary Christmas atmosphere from 1 December. It is worth going there just before Christmas and visiting the charming exhibits. A must-see is definitely the fair in the capital itself, but it's also worth going to the Christmas markets in Kaunas. The Christmas period, when Vilnius turns into a unique winter wonderland, could be the perfect time for an unforgettable city break.
One of the most magical Christmas towns
The Christmas tree has become a symbol of Christmas in Vilnius and all of Lithuania, and in recent years it has often been recognized as the most beautiful in Europe. This is one of the reasons The “Christmas Capital” of Lithuania is recognized as one of the most charming European cities.
In fact, when we walk around the Old Town, we can feel the Christmas atmosphere almost at every step.
The ornate streets of the Old Town in Vilnius
Christmas tree on Cathedral Square in Vilnius
There are market stalls set up around the Christmas tree, where you can find all kinds of products associated with the holidays – From various decorations, through local Christmas dishes, to an aromatic cup of mulled wine. With a little luck, you can meet the saint here. Santa plays Christmas hits on the trumpet.
Saint Santa Claus plays at the fair
A great idea is to climb the bell tower located in the Cathedral Square after dark. One of its windows directly faces the gallery. The view from this place is truly magical! Entrance is possible until 6pm (you must leave the bell tower by 6pm) and costs 6 EUR (about 26 PLN) for a regular ticket or 4 EUR (about 17 PLN) for a discounted ticket.
View of the gallery from the bell tower
What are the prices at the Vilnius Fair?
Prices at the exhibition in Vilnius
To burn the calories absorbed at the show, you can go to the ice rink, which is just around the corner. You can rent equipment on site and enjoy carefree fun on the weather-lit slide.
Ice skating rink next to the exhibition in Vilnius
There is also a stop right next to the Cathedral Square, where a special Christmas train departs. The locomotive, as if taken straight from a fairy tale, takes its passengers on a journey through the charming streets of the Old Town accompanied by Christmas songs.. Of course, you can just walk instead of ride, but I noticed that the attractions are mainly used by families with children. You have to pay €5 for this excursion, and children up to 90cm enter for free.
Christmas train
Not only Vilnius. A less obvious gem
About an hour from Vilnius lies Kaunas – the second most populous city in Lithuania. In addition to its rich history, Kaunas also opens Christmas markets in the run-up to Christmas. I expected to find the same thing on City Hall Square as on Cathedral Square in Vilnius, however The exhibition in Kaunas turned out to be completely different.
Exhibition in Kaunas
Instead of the typical wooden kiosks, there were transparent pods placed around the square, in which small lights shone after dark. At the stalls, you can not only buy delicacies or mulled wine, but also meet the saint. Nicholas or benefit from creative workshops conducted by animators. It is a real paradise for children!
Children's attractions at the fair in Kaunas
I was also pleased with the Christmas tree, which this year was decorated according to the main theme of the entire exhibition: the feathers of angel wings.
Unusual atmosphere at the exhibition in Kaunas
But what would a fair be without mulled wine? Naturally, the exhibition in Kaunas also included the famous drink. price? Same as in Vilnius – 5 euros for a small cup. When it came to snacks, the real hit was the sporgos, i.e. small fried cakes. You had to pay between 4 and 5 euros for a cup of this delicacy, depending on its capacity. On such a frosty evening, the filling cakes tasted delicious.
Delicious desserts at the fair in Kaunas
“Coffee enthusiast. Troublemaker. Incurable introvert. Subtly charming twitter scholar. Award-winning social mediaholic. Internet buff.”