Should you visit Vilnius or Tallinn? Both cities exemplify authentic Baltic cultures, leaving you with a true feeling of the Baltic states. Both cities have incredible old towns which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you are trying to decide whether you should visit Vilnius of Tallinn, this is the ultimate guide to help you decide which city you should visit.
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Vilnius or Tallinn Overview
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital and largest city in Lithuania, with 580,000 people living there. This also means that it is the second-largest city in the Baltics states, behind Riga and more than Tallinn. Prior to WW2, Vilnius was a major hub for Jewish people which is how it got its name “Jerusalem of the North.”
The Old Town of Vilnius is one of the largest surviving medieval cities in Northern Europe and is now a Unesco World Heritage Site. Along with the abundance of historic buildings, Vilnius has modern architecture and high rises.
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia with 435,000 residents. It is only 80km south of Helsinki, making it is the furthest north of the Baltic capital cities. There are 46 kilometers of shoreline winding around the city with 5 public beaches.
Tallinn’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval cities on the continent and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town looks like it was taken straight from a fairytale.
Places to See
Vilnius
Vilnius Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in the old town, just off of Cathedral Square.
Gediminas Castle Tower is a tower where the Upper Vilnius Castle used to sit. It overlooks the city and has beautiful views.
The Neris River has a beautiful waterfront that is a must to explore when you are in Vilnius.
The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is a Renaissance-style palace. It was destroyed in the 1800s but rebuilt after Lithuania became independent from Russia.
St. Anne’s Cathedral is an ornate cathedral with Gothic architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tallinn
Tallinn Town Hall is a beautiful Gothic-style build located next to the Old Town Square.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a large Eastern Orthodox Cathedral found in the Old Town. It has beautiful domes and a white and orange exterior.
Tallinn Town Wall was originally built to defend the city (obviously) but today reminds of the long history of Tallinn. Many parts of the wall are World Heritage Sites.
Kadriog Art Museum is a palace originally built for Catherine I of Russia by Peter the Great. It now serves a museum.
Toompea Castle is a castle located on Toompea Hill in the middle of Tallinn. It has been in use since the 9th century and it now holds the Parliament of Estonia.
Food
Vilnius
Potatoes make are a staple in the diets of the people living in Lithuania. Pork is the most popular meat consumed by the Lithuanian people. Cepelinai is a dish of potato dumplings, often stuffed with meat. It is also considered to be the national dish. Potato pancakes are quite popular in Vilnius. As with most of the Baltics, rye bread is also extremely popular for Lithuanians. Potato sausages are sausages stuffed with potatoes or pork blood, making it very similar to the blood sausages found in Germany.
Tallinn
Most traditional cuisines in Tallinn seem to revolve around meat, potatoes, and fish. Rye bread is also a staple in Tallinn. Soup is often served before the main meal is eaten. For desserts, a couple of the most popular foods is the curd snack and rhubarb pie. Curd snacks are sugary curd mixtures covered in chocolate.
Getting Around
Vilnius
An extensive network of buses makes up public transportation in Vilnius. There is not a light rail or metro system in the city which, in some ways, makes the public transport easier to deal with. A 3-day pass for public transport is only 8 Euros. If you are exploring the old town, you will easily be able to see the sights on foot. Another great way to see the city is to use the city’s bicycle renting system found in the old town. Vilnius is also Uber friendly which is incredibly convenient if you don’t want to take public transportation.
Tallinn
Tallinn is a rather compact city, especially in the Old Town making it great to explore while walking. Biking is also a popular option to get around if you want to explore the seaside and the outskirts of the city. Public bikes are available using mobile apps. Bikes can be found outside of the tourist information office in the city center. The public transportation network runs on the honor system where they do random checks to see if people have tickets.
Nightlife
Vilnius
Vilnius has a pretty lively nightlife. One of the best areas you can go to find the best nightlife in Vilnius is Vokieciu street district. The nightlife seems to be more lively during the summer months when there are also quite a few places to drink outdoors. There is no shortage of bars and pubs that you can explore throughout the city. There are also many nightclubs that you can go to as well. Some of the best nightclubs in the city are Opium, Kablys, SOHO, Salento, Anna Mesha, and Mojo. Be sure to do your research before you go to any of the clubs just to make sure it is a place you truly want to go to.
Tallinn
For many years, Tallinn has been known for attracting stag parties. Today, there are many options to fit every taste in nightlife. Most of the bars are found in the Old Town. Studio and Hollywood are two of the best clubs to hit when you’re here. Like any nightclub, be aware of your belongings in your pockets when you are in the clubs. Hollywood has been deemed the “Bermuda Triangle” because of pickpockets.
Day Trips
Vilnius
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and only 100km away from Vilnius. It is known for its beautiful old town and its castle.
Trakai is a town and has a national park just outside of Vilnius. Trakai is also home to the Trakai Island Castle that was built in the 14th century.
Ninth Fort is a WW2 memorial site for the many people killed at its location. It is just 6km from Vilnius.
Tallinn
Lahemaa National Park is one of Estonia’s largest and most beautiful national parks.
Helsinki is only 80km away from Tallinn. There are many ferries that cross the strait every day which makes it an incredible excursion from Tallinn.
Haapsalu is a small beach town known for its beautiful beaches and a large castle.
The city of Riga sits between Vilnius and Tallinn, so if you have the time, you may want to visit Riga as well.
Overall
Vilnius and Tallinn are two cities that give you an authentic feel for the life and culture of the Baltic states. Vilnius has a beautiful old town but is also emerging as a modern European city with a growing skyline. Tallinn is the furthest north of the Baltic states and has one of the most picturesque old towns in Europe, giving the feel of a fairytale. Both cities are incredible but if you need to choose one, you should choose the one that fits best with the rest of your travel plans.