Things to Do in Vilnius in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Vilnius
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Genuine shoulder season pricing - accommodations run 30-40% cheaper than summer peaks, and you'll actually have room to breathe at Gediminas Tower without fighting through tour groups
- The city transitions from winter to spring during March, meaning you catch both frozen mornings perfect for atmospheric Old Town photography and surprisingly mild afternoons (sometimes reaching 10°C/50°F by late month) when sidewalk cafes start opening
- St. Casimir's Fair (Kaziuko mugė) on March 4th is the real deal - Lithuania's largest annual craft fair with 300+ artisan stalls, traditional food vendors, and zero tourist-trap energy since it's primarily attended by locals
- Day length increases dramatically through March, from about 10.5 hours early month to nearly 13 hours by March 31st, giving you substantially more usable daylight than winter months without the intense summer crowds
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get snow one day and 12°C (54°F) sunshine the next, which makes packing frustrating and means checking forecasts obsessively becomes part of your routine
- Streets and sidewalks can be messy with melting snow, sand, and salt residue from winter maintenance, so those Instagram-perfect cobblestone shots require more careful framing than you'd expect
- Some outdoor attractions like Trakai Island Castle, while technically open, lose their magic in grey, muddy conditions - the lake views that look spectacular in summer can feel pretty bleak in early March
Best Activities in March
Old Town Walking Routes with Museum Stops
March weather makes this ideal - you're walking in crisp air that keeps you alert rather than summer heat exhaustion, and you can duck into Vilnius's excellent museums (National Museum, MO Museum, KGB Museum) whenever cold or drizzle hits. The variable conditions actually create dramatic lighting for photography, especially early morning when frost still clings to Baroque facades. Crowds are minimal, so you'll have Pilies Street nearly to yourself before 10am.
Soviet History Tours
The grey, cold March weather actually enhances the experience of visiting Soviet-era sites - it feels appropriately bleak when you're standing in front of brutalist architecture or exploring the KGB cells. The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights is indoors and powerful. March timing means you avoid the summer tour bus crowds that can dilute the somber atmosphere these sites deserve.
Uzupis Art District Exploration
This self-declared artists' republic is walkable year-round, but March offers a local perspective - you'll see actual residents going about their lives rather than summer's tourist swarms. Galleries and quirky cafes provide warm refuges every few blocks. The district's famous Angel of Uzupis looks particularly striking against grey March skies. Late March brings early signs of spring to the Vilnia River banks.
Traditional Lithuanian Cooking Classes
March is perfect for indoor cultural activities, and learning to make cepelinai (potato dumplings), saltibarsciai (cold beet soup prep for summer), or kugelis (potato pudding) gives you genuine insight into Lithuanian food culture. These are comfort foods that make sense in cold weather. Classes are intimate in March since tourist numbers are low, often just 4-6 people instead of packed summer sessions.
Day Trips to Trakai Castle
Worth doing if you get one of March's clear days - the castle on its island looks dramatic even without summer greenery. That said, be strategic: check weather forecasts and only go when it's above 5°C (41°F) and not precipitating. The 28 km (17 mile) journey takes 40 minutes by bus or car. Late March offers better odds of decent weather than early month. The castle interior is heated, which helps.
Lithuanian Sauna and Wellness Experiences
Traditional Lithuanian pirtis (sauna) culture is perfect for cold, damp March days. These aren't spa-resort experiences but authentic wood-fired saunas often followed by cold plunges, which locals swear by for winter health. Some facilities offer birch branch whisking (venik massage). It's a genuine cultural practice, not a tourist invention, and March is exactly when locals do this most.
March Events & Festivals
St. Casimir's Fair (Kaziuko mugė)
Lithuania's largest annual craft fair, held around March 4th (St. Casimir's Day) in Old Town streets. Over 300 artisan stalls selling traditional crafts, amber jewelry, linen textiles, wooden items, and Lithuanian food specialties. This is the real deal - locals come to buy handmade goods, not tourist souvenirs. Expect crowds of 100,000+ over the weekend, traditional music performances, and the smell of kibinai (meat pastries) everywhere. Arrives early (before 10am) for best selection and manageable crowds.
Lithuanian Independence Day (Kovo 11-oji)
March 11th marks Lithuania's 1990 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. Expect flag ceremonies at Cathedral Square, official events at Seimas (Parliament), and a generally patriotic atmosphere throughout the city. Some museums offer free admission. Not a tourist event per se, but worth experiencing if you're in town - it's deeply meaningful to locals and you'll see the city at its most nationally proud.