Vilnius, Lithuania — Activities
Vilnius Culture
Throughout the year, Vilnius bustles with the arts, ranging from small-scale street theater right through to grand opera performances and classical music recitals. Many performances are only in Lithuanian as the country celebrates the return and dominance of the local language after decades of Soviet-era suppression. Check out Vilnius in Your Pocket (available free in hotels, can also be bought in newsagents and tourist offices), a bi-monthly guide to the city, for details of major events. The tourist office can also often help with information and even bookings.
Main cultural venues include the Opera and Ballet Theater, Vienuolio 1 (tel: (5) 262 0727; website: www.opera.lt), the National Philharmonic Hall, Ausros Vartu 4 (tel: (5) 266 5233; website: www.filharmonija.lt), and the National Drama Theater, Gedimino 4 (tel: (5) 262 9771; website: www.teatras.lt). Russian culture makes it own bid for attention at the Russian Drama Theater, Basanaviciaus 13 (tel: (5) 262 7133). Big concerts often take place at the Siemens Arena, Ozo 14 (tel: (5) 247 75 76). The Vilnius Festival in June is fast becoming the highlight of the cultural calendar.
Vilnius Tours
Regular guided two-hour tours of the old town, starting from the cathedral belltower, are organized daily by the Vilnius Tourist Office (tel: (5) 262 9660; website: www.vilnius-tourism.lt) from 15 May to 15 September. The tourist office can also organize prebooked guided tours and offers audio guides that people can rent and listen to on their own as they walk along the streets of Vilnius. In addition, there are quite a few thematic tours - such as ‘Medieval Vilnius’, the ‘Panoramas of Vilnius’, the ‘Secrets of the Courtyards’. Check the tourist office website or enquire at the tourist office. Vilnius City Tour, Ausros Vartu 7 (tel: (5) 261 5558; website: www.vilniuscitytour.com) organizes two-and-a-half-hour bus tours around the city and runs bus tours out to Gruto Parkas and to the nearby historic town of Trakai.
