Lithuania

Cost of living

What a month costs

Vilnius is one of the cheaper EU capitals, though rents and dining have climbed fast since 2021. A family of four lives comfortably on well under western European budgets.

The scores

How it rates for a moving family

See and do

Top 10 in Vilnius

1. Vilnius Old TownOne of the largest surviving medieval old towns in the region and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
2. Gediminas TowerThe hilltop castle remnant with the best panorama over the red rooftops.
3. Vilnius Cathedral and Cathedral SquareThe white neoclassical cathedral and its free-standing belfry anchor the main square.
4. Gate of DawnThe last surviving city gate, home to a revered chapel and its golden Madonna.
5. UzupisA bohemian riverside district that cheekily declared itself an independent republic.
6. St Anne's ChurchA jewel of red-brick Gothic that Napoleon reputedly wanted to carry home.
7. Church of St Peter and St PaulA baroque interior in Antakalnis packed with thousands of white stucco figures.
8. Three CrossesA white hilltop monument in Kalnai Park with a sweeping city view.
9. Bernardine GardenA restored park below the castle hill, great for families and a slow afternoon.
10. MO MuseumA sleek modern art museum designed by Daniel Libeskind, strong on Lithuanian work.

Where to go

Weekend escapes

1. TrakaiHalf an hour west, a red-brick island castle on a lake plus the local kibinai pastries.
2. KaunasThe interwar second city, with UNESCO-listed modernist architecture and a lively cafe scene.
3. KernaveA quiet archaeological reserve of ancient hillforts, listed by UNESCO, about 40 minutes out.
4. DruskininkaiA leafy spa town to the south, good for thermal pools and the eerie Soviet-statue park nearby.
5. Curonian Spit and NidaA longer haul to the coast for giant sand dunes, pine forest and calm lagoon beaches.

Coffee

Best cafes

1. Crooked Nose and Coffee StoriesA serious specialty roaster and one of the city's best pour-over spots.
2. Huracan CoffeeHome-grown specialty roaster with several bright, busy branches around town.
3. Strange LoveA cosy roaster-cafe in the old town with excellent espresso and pastries.
4. Elska Coffee RoastersA small-batch roaster popular with the laptop-and-flat-white crowd.
5. Coffee1The dependable Lithuanian chain for a quick, well-made coffee anywhere in the city.

Restaurants

Where to eat

1. Sweet RootUzupis fine dining built on seasonal local produce and long tasting menus.
2. Nineteen18Ambitious modern tasting menus from one of the country's best-known chefs.
3. LokysA historic cellar restaurant in the old town serving game and traditional Lithuanian dishes.
4. Etno DvarasA reliable, hearty take on Lithuanian classics like cepelinai in a rustic setting.
5. Bistro 18A long-running Uzupis bistro with a short, well-priced international menu.
6. Momo GrillA tiny, focused steak restaurant that regularly tops local best-of lists.
7. Dumu FabrikasA smokehouse and grill for ribs, burgers and craft beer near the old town.

Morning

Best breakfast

1. ChaikaA well-loved cafe for brunch bowls, eggs and strong coffee near the old town.
2. PinavijaA bakery-cafe famous for cakes and morning pastries in the historic core.
3. Mano GuruA social-enterprise cafe serving generous breakfasts and lunches.
4. CozyAn old-town all-day spot that does a solid morning menu and good coffee.
5. Holy DonutA local chain for fresh doughnuts and a fast coffee-and-sugar start.