Vilnius is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, on the Neris and Vilnia rivers. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town, one of the largest medieval centres in Eastern Europe, mixes Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches with the bohemian Užupis district and a growing craft-beer and restaurant scene.
Vilnius is very safe for visitors, with low violent crime and a visible police presence in the centre. The main concerns are pickpocketing, drink-spiking in some bars, overcharging by unlicensed taxis, and winter ice. Regional security is a feature of daily news: Belarus balloon incursions have repeatedly forced Vilnius Airport to close for hours, so flights may be delayed, and the Lithuania-Belarus border has been restricted. Visitors should follow the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and their own government's advice.
Current safety advisory
Low
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Vilnius is one of the safest capitals in Europe; the main risks are petty theft and the occasional tourist overcharge by unlicensed taxis
Keep phones and wallets in front pockets in the Old Town, at the bus and railway stations, and in crowded trolleybuses
Use the Bolt or Uber apps or a taxi from a rank rather than hailing a car on the street
Avoid walking alone late at night in poorly lit areas around the railway station (Geležinkelio g.), the Naujininkai district, and on the outskirts
Do not wander toward the Belarus border; the frontier zone is closed to non-residents without permission
Winter pavements ice over from December to March; wear shoes with good grip
Do not drink and drive or cycle; the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.04%
Save 112 in the phone; it works in all of Lithuania and connects to English-speaking operators
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Unlicensed taxi overcharging
Unmarked or unlicensed cars at the airport and railway station quote very high flat fares.
How to avoid: Use the Bolt or Uber apps, a licensed taxi with a visible meter and company name, or the airport train and bus
Drink-spiking and overpriced bar bills
A small number of nightlife venues in the Old Town pad bills or serve spiked drinks to unwary tourists.
How to avoid: Check the menu prices before ordering, keep drinks in sight, and avoid venues where touts approach you on the street
Fake amber
Plastic or pressed-amber imitations sold as genuine Baltic amber at street stalls.
How to avoid: Buy from established galleries and ask for a certificate; real amber floats in salt water
Currency exchange booths
Some exchange booths advertise attractive rates but charge high commissions or poor rates on the other side.
How to avoid: Use bank ATMs or card payments; Lithuania uses the euro, so most visitors from the eurozone need no exchange
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No special vaccinations are required; routine vaccinations should be up to date, and tick-borne encephalitis vaccination is advised for visitors planning forest walks in summer
- Water
- Tap water in Vilnius is safe to drink
- Food
- Food safety standards are high in licensed restaurants; avoid wild forest mushrooms unless identified by an expert
- Facilities
- Vilnius has modern public hospitals; Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos is the largest, and private clinics offer English-speaking care
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 112 (single national emergency number; ask for police)
- Medical
- 112 (ask for ambulance)
- Fire
- 112 (ask for fire and rescue)
- General Emergency
- 112 (works from all phones, even without a SIM, with English-speaking operators)
- Main Hospital
- Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Santariškių g. 2, Vilnius, +370 5 236 5000
- Embassy Us
- US Embassy Vilnius, Akmenų g. 6, +370 5 266 5500
- Embassy Uk
- British Embassy Vilnius, Antakalnio g. 2, +370 5 246 2900
- Tourist Info
- Vilnius Tourist Information Centre, Vokiečių g. 22, +370 5 262 9660, vilnius-tourism.lt