Planning a spring holiday in Vilnius, but also want to enjoy the beauty of awaikining nature? Well you are in luck, because nearly half of Vilnius is green space - about 3 times more than Amsterdam, Berlin and Warsaw. As well Vilnius air is the cleanest among all European capital cities! To enjoy fresh air and nature to the fullest we recommend to explore local parks.

PARKS

• Vingis park ( M. K. Čiurlionio st. 100), is situated on a bend of the Neris River and covers an area of 160 hectares. It has couple of entrances, however if you decide to enter from M. K. Čiurlionis Street you can also visit a Classical chapel and a cemetery for German soldiers. Locals like this park and visit it frequently. It is popular place for walking, cycling or roller-skating. You can find designated area for grill there as well! If you love botany, you can visit one of branches of Botanical garden of Vilnius University here. It has more than 3000 plant species and their rose garden is especially rich!

• For the best view points of the old town visit Kalnų park (T. Kosciuškos st.). It is in fact an urban forest between hills. So prepare a better footwear to explore it – not all the stairs or paths are the best quality. One of the main attractions of this forest are the Three Crosses. The monument has changed many times, and the current one was built in 1989 during Singing Revolution, which lead Lithuania to the independence in 1990. It was built to replace the crosses which had been bombed by the Soviet authorities in the 1950s. You can see those destroyed pieces on the far side of the slope.

• In the heart of the city you will find Bernardine Garden (Maironio st.). This park has it all: a musical fountain, amazing playgrounds for children, botanical and monastic expositions, café, lovely paths and benches along Vilnelė River. Free admission. Open daily 7:00 – 22:00.

• The Botanical Garden of Vilnius University ( Kairėnų st. 43) – the biggest and richest garden in Lithuania in its plant collections – a must for all botanical enthusiasts. There is always something blooming there! Various cultural events (concerts, art exhibitions, sports events) are held in the garden as well. It’s located outside the city, so don’t forget to check public transport system before going there. You also have to pay for the admission. More details: www.botanikos-sodas.vu.lt

• Park of Europe (Joneikiškių village), situated 19 km from the city center, is one of the most impressive contemporary art museums under the open sky. There is also a museum-restaurant, and a souvenir shop there. Paid admission. More details: www.europosparkas.lt

• Pavilniai Regional Park (Pūčkorių st. 9A) can offer you nice nature walks is the valley of the Vilnia River. Worth visiting there: The Pūčkorių exposure – a unique geological monument,  Belmontas waterfalls and Belmontas Adventure Park – for those who like an active rest. Take bus no. 74 from the Bus station and exit at the bus stop Pūčkorių atodanga. Then follow walking path to the Belmontas (around 4 km).

Cemeteries

• Rasos cemetery ( Rasų st. 32) is the oldest in the city of Vilnius, founded in 1801. Many famous artists and scholars from the 19th and the beginning of 20th century are buried there. It is important pilgrimage site not only for Lithuanians, but for Polish, Ukrainians and Belorussians as well.

Rasos cemetry on the Day of the Souls

• Bernardine cemetery ( Žvirgždyno st. 3) small, but one of the most picturesque cemeteries of Vilnius. Since its creation in 19th century till this day cemetery is a favorite place for for walk among Vilnius residents, as it reminds us a park. In spring thousand blue flowers start blooming there, which makes it even more picturesque!

• Antakalnis cemetery (Karių kapų st. 11) is the pantheon of the modern Lithuania. Renowned politicians, artists, scientists, heroes of 20 century Lithuania rest in here. Many of the monuments found here are as well pieces of art on their own right. It also worth visiting if you are interested in Soviet history of Lithuania. There is a big memorial for the Red army soldiers, Communist party leaders, and just around the corner you can see the memorial for victims of January 13th events.

• Old Jewish Cemetery (Olandų St.) was a working Jewish cemetery until 1946, but was destroyed during the Soviet period. Now you can find a monument and approximately 70 concrete tombstones and their fragments at the site.

• New Jewish Cemetery (Sudervės Kelias 28)  was opened just before World War II and is active till this day. Just before the destruction of the Old Jewish Cemetery, a few graves of famous people such as the Gaon of Vilna were moved this new cemetery. This grave is especially visited by people from around the world.

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