I may have shed a few tears at the Museum of Latvian Occupation while looking at photos of the Baltic Way, a political demonstration in 1989 against Soviet occupation where about 2 million people joined hands to form a human chain reaching over 600 kilometers across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Filled with so many emotions for the Baltics, there was no way I wasn’t going to love Lithuania. Of course it still helped that Vilnius is so pretty, with its winding streets, pastel buildings, oh so many churches, and never-ending sunshine.
Well, at least it was sunny the entire time we were in Vilnius. I assume it just has perfect weather year-round?
This was my second time visiting Lithuania’s capital, and I think the city grows on me more and more. It’s small, but that means that it’s incredibly walkable, so it was easy to see both the tourist-filled and postcard-perfect center as well as a bit of the outskirts.
Can you guess what our first stop in Vilnius was?
Tracking down Frank Zappa, of course! Well, at least his statue.
If you’re surprised to hear that Vilnius has a statue of Frank Zappa, you’re probably not alone. A bunch of Googling left me pretty puzzled as to what exactly Frank Zappa has to do with Lithuania, which is probably because the answer is nothing – he never even visited.
But after independence it was time to get rid of the plethora of communist monuments in town (I think there was a Lenin statue in every city I visited in Russia) and in the new spirit of democracy it seems that the city agreed to erect a statue of this favorite artist! And who did they choose to sculpt the statue but Konstantinas Bogdanas, previously most well-known for his renditions of communist heroes. It was a new start for everyone!
I’ll spare you the many selfies Dan and I took with the statue. Let’s just say that we were pretty excited. I mean, could Vilnius be any cooler?
Oh but there’s more!
In 1997, two years after Frank Zappa’s statue came to Vilnius, a group of eccentrics declared their neighborhood an independent state, complete with an army (of 11).
The Uzupis constitution hints at the tongue-in-cheek nature of the republic, declaring such rights as:
Everyone has the right to die, but it is not a duty.
Everyone has the right to sometimes be unaware of his duties.
Everyone has the right to encroach upon eternity.
But some rights are quite serious:
Everyone is capable of independence.Everyone is responsible for his freedom.A cat is not obliged to love its master, but it must help him in difficult times.
How serious is Uzupis’ declaration of independence? Is it significant that the country was founded on April Fool’s Day?
Oh to be able to answer life’s puzzling questions.
Where to Stay in Vilnius
We stayed at Jimmy Jumps House, which we chose solely based on their promise to serve delicious waffles for breakfast. The waffles were delicious, but lucky for us, the other aspects of the hostel were also wonderful! The mattresses were super comfy, there were two large common areas and kitchens, the staff were friendly and full of advice about Vilnius, and in general there was a great atmosphere in the hostel.
This was the perfect place to mingle with other travelers, and with its central location in the Old Town I highly recommend staying at Jimmy Jumps House!
…………………………
Many thanks to Jimmy Jumps House for hosting us in Vilnius. The hostel link is also an affiliate link, so if you book this or any hotels through my link I’ll earn a small commission, at no extra expense to you – this helps cover the cost of running my site.
PIN IT!
Renate @ Renate's Travels says
Haha, yeah how cool is Uzupis?! I loved it. 😀 I didn’t know about the Frank Zappa statue though! We didn’t really have any sunshine in Vilnius, and I can see from your photos that the town looks even more colorful in good weather.
Silvia says
We were really lucky with the weather in Vilnius – you’ll have to go again on a sunny day!
Vera says
My mum was in Vilnius a few months ago and she said it was absolutely lovely! Thanks for all your tips, I hope I can go there someday too. With love,
Vera
The Flash Window | Bloglovin
Silvia says
I’m sure you will love Vilnius when you go!
becky hutner says
Uzupis is one of the many reasons I so want to visit Vilnius! The other main one being that I have roots here including an old family glass blowing factory. I wonder if I could ever ever track down any trace of us…
Silvia says
Now THAT sounds like a story I would love to read! You have to try!!
Rachel says
Jimmy Jumps! Aw, I only ever stayed one night (also for the waffles) and I made the most amazing, lovely Finnish friend! Happy memories!
I loved Vilnius and I was sad I didn’t give myself longer, it is such a pretty and fascinating place ❤
Silvia says
Haha I love that you also chose Jimmy Jumps for the waffles 🙂
Leyla says
Wow, your photos of Vilnius are gorgeous! I love the pastel colors. I definitely need to visit 🙂 And thanks for the tip about the hostel! Any place that serves waffles sounds perfect to me 😀
Silvia says
It was perfect!
John @ TravelerLife says
Looks like a very pretty town. I particularly liked your photo of the wall painting depicting a old couple and they then have a framed photo hung over the top half depicting another couple in a different setting. Very unique artistic flare and perspective. Lots of interesting art on the walls in your pictures. Your definitely a traveler after my own heart. Choosing a place to stay based off the food, and waffles in particular! Can’t beat waffles for breakfast!
Silvia says
I loved the painting of the old couple as well! And waffles will always win me over at a hostel, ha.
Jo says
I can’t say I’ve ever thought much about Lithuania, but I didn’t expect it to be so pretty! I’m normally more into cities with crazy bold colours on their buildings, but Vilnius is winning me over to pastel tones, especially on such lovely spring days!
I love discovering random things like Frank Zappa heads when travelling, it really makes a place memorable.
Silvia says
Vilnius really is such a pretty city! You should give it a chance for sure 🙂
Justine says
Uzupis sounds like my kind of place. I love that declaration of independence! Too funny 🙂 Ha, your quest to visit the statue of Frank Zappa sounds a lot like my quest to visit the statue of John Lennon in Cuba. Yes, there is a a life-size statue of John sitting on a bench in a park in Cuba. I mean, why would there be? So amazing. And yes, were took our fair share of pictures sitting with him 😉
Silvia says
Ahh I love it! I definitely would be tracking down John in Cuba too 🙂
Heather @ Ferreting Out the Fun says
How is it that I’ve been living in Riga for nine months now and I have yet to visit Vilnius?? It looks like such a cool city! Definitely need to plan a visit in the very near future.
Silvia says
What?! You need to go to Vilnius!!
kami says
Vilnius is probably the most alternative capital in Europe! I always love returning there as each time I find new, quirky things around! Like this last mural from Uzupis – it wasn’t there when I visited in October!
Silvia says
Vilnius certainly won me over 🙂 And now I have an excuse to go back, to see what new murals they put up!
Joella in Beijing says
I love that they have a statue of Frank Zappa for no reason other than needing a change! Awesome!
Silvia says
Right?! The story of the Frank Zappa statue really made me love Lithuanians.
The Barefoot Backpacker says
Ohhh I loved Vilnius.
I’d arrived there in the middle of a rainstorm, having come from a pretty but personally frustrating time in Minsk, so I wasn’t in the best of moods, but the walk I did from the railway station to the hostel (Do Re Mi, near the genocide museum) lifted my spirits immensely 🙂 So yes, it does sometimes rain, but it has charm even (and indeed especially) so.
Of course I walked around Uzupis, and had an obligatory beer there. Did you know they’re happy for anyone to join their diplomatic corps – you can be an ambassador for absolutely anything (presumably you could request to be an ‘ambassador for blogging’ or some such!).
Ahhh memories 🙂
Silvia says
Oh wow, I didn’t know that about Uzupis but that’s awesome!
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
Love your angle on Vilnius. I’ve only just got back from the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and not really Baltic but Nordic, Finland. I couldn’t believe how cheap Vilnius was!
Unfortunately for us, it wasn’t sunny but snowing and pretty freezing but the lovely food and very cheap vodka. Helped to ease the pain LOL!
Silvia says
Vilnius was so cheap! Too bad about the weather, though it sounds like you dealt with it well, haha.
Nikoleta says
That’s one of the things that got me about Vilnius as well. I took some money thinking I will be on a tight budget but I ended up with more than half without almost restricting myself! The Republic of Uzurpis is really cool but ironically I liked more the small little things that one almost doesn’t notice within the whole city. Have you come across a bike hanging from a street sign? Or a singing bench? Etc. Just too cool!
Rūta says
Hello,
I have found your blog accidentally while searching for some useful information about Tromso and I am so happy it happened! I love it! I mean I love your writing style, your sense of humor, your photos and everything here. Soooo many good thing to read and see. Please, keep going!
P.S. I love that photo with cat’s paw on a car’s hood. Sometimes it happens for us too 🙂
Greetings from Vilnius!
Zenneth says
Does Jimmy Jumps Hostel have private rooms? By the way, a very good blog on Vilnius
Greg says
Vilnius is a beautiful city. I also recommend visiting the Vintil Museum of Illusion and the Museum of Money.
LithuaniaFAQ says
Wow! So sunny and warm photos from beautiful country 🙂
Patrick says
Vilnius? Crazy city with its mashup of post-soviet neighborhoods and mini-Manhattan in the downtown. However the capital of Poland-Warsaw seems even crazier. Architecture is even more eclectic here and there is always something going on. The lots of cool pubs and clubs, just to mention my favorite-New Orleans, which serves nice food and organize best parties in the town.
Peter says
Vilnius is great! If you are visiting I also recommend visiting the Warsaw as Lithuania always have had strong historical bond with Poland. Those cities are really complementary with each other! Maybe Warsaw does not have such beautiful old town, but it has really crazy nightlife. My favorite place there is New Orleans Club, worth checking out if you like pole dancing shows.