St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Lithuania - Things to Do in St. Peter and St. Paul's Church

Things to Do in St. Peter and St. Paul's Church

St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Lithuania - Complete Travel Guide

Vilnius, Lithuania's baroque capital, holds one of Europe's most extraordinary churches tucked away in its historic Old Town. St. Peter and St. Paul's Church stands as a masterpiece of baroque architecture, though you might easily walk past its modest exterior without realizing what lies within. The interior contains over 2,000 white stucco sculptures and decorative elements that transform the space into what many consider the most beautiful church interior in the Baltics. Built in the 17th century, this Catholic church represents the pinnacle of baroque artistry in Lithuania, created by Italian masters who spent decades perfecting every surface, corner, and ceiling with intricate plasterwork that tells biblical stories and celebrates Lithuanian noble families.

Top Things to Do in St. Peter and St. Paul's Church

St. Peter and St. Paul's Church Interior

The church's interior features over 2,000 individual stucco sculptures covering every surface in flowing white baroque decoration. Italian craftsmen spent nearly 30 years creating this masterpiece, with each wall, pillar, and ceiling telling different biblical stories through incredibly detailed plasterwork that creates an almost ethereal atmosphere.

Booking Tip: Entry costs around €3-4 and the church is typically open daily 10am-6pm, though hours can vary seasonally. Photography inside costs an additional small fee, but it's worth it given the extraordinary detail work.

Antakalnis District Walking

The church sits in Antakalnis, one of Vilnius's quieter neighborhoods that feels more residential and local than the tourist-heavy Old Town. You can wander tree-lined streets with wooden houses and small parks, getting a sense of how locals actually live in the Lithuanian capital.

Booking Tip: This area works well as a self-guided walk - no booking needed. Combine it with the church visit and allow 2-3 hours total to walk from Old Town, see the church, and explore the neighborhood.

Vilnius Cathedral and Cathedral Square

The neoclassical Vilnius Cathedral anchors the city's main square and serves as Lithuania's most important Catholic church. The separate bell tower and the underground cathedral crypts contain royal tombs and archaeological findings that trace the city's Christian history back centuries.

Booking Tip: Cathedral entry is free but crypt tours cost around €4-6. Tours run several times daily but can fill up during summer, so arrive early or book ahead through the cathedral's website.

Vilnius Old Town UNESCO Site

One of Europe's largest surviving medieval old towns contains baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture within its original defensive walls. The cobblestone streets lead to hidden courtyards, artist workshops, and small churches that each tell part of Lithuania's complex history under various rulers.

Booking Tip: Free to wander independently, though guided tours (€15-25) help decode the architectural layers and historical significance. Early morning or late afternoon provides the best lighting and fewer crowds.

Gediminas Tower and Hill

This 14th-century tower remnant sits atop Gediminas Hill and offers panoramic views over Vilnius's red-tiled roofs and church spires. The tower houses a small museum about Lithuanian grand dukes, while the hill itself holds deep symbolic meaning as the legendary founding spot of Vilnius.

Booking Tip: Tower entry costs around €5 and you can either hike up the hill (15 minutes) or take a funicular (€2). The funicular runs regularly but walking up gives you better photo opportunities of the city below.

Getting There

Vilnius Airport sits about 7km south of the city center with regular flights from major European cities. Bus line 1 connects the airport to the city center for around €1, taking about 20 minutes, while taxis cost €8-12. If you're coming from other Baltic capitals, buses run regularly from Riga (4.5 hours) and Tallinn (9 hours), with several daily departures. The train station handles connections to Poland, Belarus, and Russia, though you'll need appropriate visas for the latter two countries.

Getting Around

Vilnius works well on foot, especially in the compact Old Town where most major sights cluster within walking distance. The city runs an efficient public transport system of buses and trolleybuses for €1 per ride, or you can buy a 24-hour pass for around €3. St. Peter and St. Paul's Church lies about 2km from the Old Town center - you can walk it in 25 minutes through interesting neighborhoods, take bus lines 10 or 33, or grab a taxi for €5-7. Taxis are reasonable and you can use Bolt app for reliable pricing.

Where to Stay

Old Town Historic Center
Gediminas Avenue Business District
Uzupis Bohemian Quarter
Antakalnis Residential Area
New Town Modern District
Airport Area Budget Zone

Food & Dining

Lithuanian cuisine centers around hearty dishes like cepelinai (potato dumplings), kugelis (potato pudding), and various meat preparations that reflect the country's agricultural traditions. The Old Town contains both tourist-oriented restaurants and authentic local spots - look for places where you hear Lithuanian being spoken for more genuine experiences. Traditional beer halls serve local brews alongside classic dishes, while the growing modern dining scene incorporates Nordic influences and seasonal ingredients. Prices remain reasonable compared to Western Europe, with good meals available for €10-15 and even upscale dining rarely exceeding €30 per person.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Vilnius

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

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Casa La Familia

4.5 /5
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Osteria da Luca

4.6 /5
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Da Antonio

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CASA DELLA PASTA - PC Akropolis

4.5 /5
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Firenze Vilnius

4.5 /5
(664 reviews) 2

Le Travi

4.6 /5
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When to Visit

Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the warmest weather and longest daylight hours, with summer bringing white nights where darkness barely falls. However, this period also brings the highest prices and crowds. Winter can be quite cold and dark, but it transforms Vilnius into a atmospheric, snow-covered city with excellent Christmas markets and lower accommodation costs. The shoulder seasons of April and October provide good compromises with mild weather, fewer tourists, and reasonable prices, though you might encounter some rainy days.

Insider Tips

St. Peter and St. Paul's Church often gets overlooked by visitors who stick to the Old Town, but it's genuinely more impressive than the main cathedral - the 20-minute walk from the center is absolutely worth it.
Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner service (typically 3-5pm), so plan your meal times accordingly or look for cafes that serve food all day.
The Vilnius City Card offers free public transport and museum entries, but calculate whether you'll actually use enough included attractions to justify the €24-48 cost.

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