The Old Town, historical centre of Vilnius, is one of the largest in Eastern Europe (360 ha). The most valuable historic and cultural heritage is concentrated here. The buildings in the old town - there are about 1.5 thousand of them - were built in a number of different centuries, therefore, it is a mixture of all European architectural styles. The main sights of the city are the Gediminas Castle and the Cathedral Square, symbols of the capital. Their combination is also a gateway to the historic centre of the capital. Because of its uniqueness, the Old Town of Vilnius was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Just like all medieval towns, Vilnius was developing around the Town Hall. The central Pilies Street linked the governors` palace and the Town Hall. Other streets, winding like rivulets in the spring, made their way between the palaces of feudal lords and landlords, churches, shops and craftsmen workrooms. Narrow, curved streets and small cosy courtyards developed to the radial layout of the medieval Vilnius.

Transport:

There is a convenient public transport system in Vilnius consisting of busses, trolley-busses and minibuses. In Vilnius a single ticket for trolleybus or bus costs 1,10 Litas if you buy it at kiosk or 1,40 Litas if you buy it at bus or trolleybus. Full-time students in Lithuania may use tickets with the discount. The single ticket price with the discount for the students is 0,55 Litas at kiosk or 0,70 Litas at bus or trolleybus. A monthly ticket costs from 8,00 Litas (for bus or trolleybus) or 12,00 Litas (combined ticket for bus and trolleybus). Students may get discount for the public transport just with the Lithuanian student card. Neither International student card nor student card of home university is valid for the discount in Lithuania. The student card must be presented together with the ticket in case of control.

Public transport in Vilnius usually starts around 5 a.m. and continues until 11.00 p.m.

After midnight the private taxi is always safe and the only transport in Vilnius.

Shopping:

Unless you're Latvian, you probably didn't come here to shop. However, shopping is fun, and, in the case of certain products (notably alcohol, cigarettes and amber) a hell of a lot cheaper than it is at home. The main shopping areas in Vilnius can be divided neatly into the two neighbourhoods that cover Old Town (antiques, amber, books old and new and some nice pieces of art) and the stretch of the newer part of the city along the its classiest street, Gedimino (designer clothes, mobile phones and more books). The markets are also well worth visiting, as much for the atmosphere as anything else.