‘Coffee for £1.74 and beer for £2.62’
OUR Spotlight On column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in some of your favourite holiday hotspots – as well as some lesser-known regions.
This week, we’re focusing on Vilnius, the vibrant capital of Lithuania.
Travel Reporter Alice Penwill visited the capital just before Christmas where she found bargain drinks and alternative festive markets.
She said: “I visited the city of Vilnius during the festive season, but you can get cheap drinks and food all year round – not to mention enjoy wandering around its beautiful Old Town.
“If you look up, beautiful churches dominate the skyline – the Old Town has around 40 alone.
“It has winding cobbled streets lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. I discovered one bar called Vynomanai, which sold coffee for €2 (£1.74) and beer for €3 (£2.62).
“As it was Christmas, you could also grab a hot wine or an Aperol Spritz for €5 (£4.26).
“The best snack I tried was kepta duona, which is essentially fried bread in garlic – which is like the UK’s version of pork scratchings. But, if you want something slightly fancier, Vilnius has four Michelin-star restaurants with tasting menus.
“There’s so much to see, and one quirky visit is to the Lukiskiu Kalejimas prison where you can take a tour around the cells – unbelievably it was used up until 2019.
“But to get a feel of the city, head out into the Old Town early on Sunday morning, you can hear the church bells chime and the streets were practically deserted when I went for a wander.”
MUST SEE/DO
As a city that was occupied by the Nazis then the Soviets, Vilnius is immersed in history – much of which is kept alive today in its charming streets and even at the Lukiškės Prison.
Eagle-eyed Stranger Things fans may recognise the jail as the location where Hopper was held captive at the beginning of the fourth series.
The space has since been transformed into a culture hub and its tarted-up prisoner cells are now home to a series of mini art galleries.
If you are into late-night music, make a beeline for the former prison’s chapel which hosts raves with performances from DJs like Jungle and King Krule in the courtyard.
HIDDEN GEM
Within the capital sits a fascinating mini nation in its own right: The Independent Republic of Užupis.
It was founded in 1997 by a group of artists as an April Fool’s joke and, rather bizarrely, has its own government, constitution and even currency.
The region is less than 1sq km in size but it is well worth strolling its streets.
Book a tour with a local guide, through First Choice, who can point out all the weird and wonderful spots.
BEST VIEW
Scramble to the top of the Hill of Three Crosses (a relatively easy climb) for breathtaking vistas over the city.
Standing 165metres above Vilnius’s centre, the monument at the peak features three illuminated concrete crosses that are visible from most parts of the city.
RATED RESTAURANT
Etno Dvaras is somewhat of a chain in Vilnius, with seven restaurants dotted around the city.
Here you get slap-up Lithuanian grub – think meat, potatoes and plenty of cheese – and each restaurant serves up different dishes depending on the day of the week.
If you tire of traditional food, check out Justa Pasta, an Italian joint serving incredible wine and fresh pasta, or Gogi Guy, a Korean street food spot.
BEST BARS
Vilnius is known for its local craft beer, so you should swing by one of its many microbreweries and taprooms.
For local beers with a twist, Alaus Biblioteka (or Beer Library) organises its beer bottles on shelves like books in a library.
There are over 17 beer taps and almost 500 bottled beers to pick from.
For something that packs more of a punch, Alchemikas is a small late-night cocktail bar where talented mixologists shake up unusual concoctions.
HOTEL PICK
The St. Palace Hotel in the heart of the Old Town.
Each room comes with underfloor heating – something you will feel grateful for in a chilly city where the average yearly temperature is about 7C.