Things to Do in Vilnius in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Vilnius
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring bloom at its absolute peak - Bernardine Gardens and Vingis Park explode with lilacs, cherry blossoms, and tulips from May 5-20. Locals actually plan picnics around this two-week window, and the scent of blooming linden trees fills the Old Town courtyards.
- Extended daylight for exploration - you'll get 16+ hours of daylight by late May, with sunset around 9:30pm. This means you can comfortably visit Trakai Castle, explore the city, and still catch golden hour light on Gediminas Tower without rushing.
- Pre-summer pricing without the crowds - accommodation costs run 20-30% less than June-August rates, and you'll actually get tables at Uzupis cafes without reservations. The cruise ship groups haven't arrived yet, so Pilies Street feels like it belongs to actual residents.
- Outdoor cafe culture comes alive - by early May, every courtyard and street terrace opens for the season. Vilniaus Street transforms into an outdoor dining corridor, and you'll see locals doing what they've waited six months for: drinking Svyturys beer outside in shirtsleeves.
Considerations
- Weather unpredictability requires flexible planning - you might get 22°C (72°F) and sunshine one day, then 9°C (48°F) with drizzle the next. That 10-day rainfall average means roughly every third day sees some precipitation, usually brief but enough to disrupt outdoor plans.
- Shoulder season means some seasonal operations haven't fully ramped up - river cruises on the Neris might run limited schedules until mid-May, and some countryside guesthouses near Aukstaitija National Park operate weekend-only service until June. Always confirm operating hours before heading out.
- May evenings still require layers - while afternoons feel genuinely warm, temperatures drop 8-11°C (14-20°F) after sunset. That 9:30pm golden hour on Castle Hill will leave you shivering in just a t-shirt, which catches visitors off guard given the daytime warmth.
Best Activities in May
Old Town Walking and Courtyard Exploration
May offers the ideal temperature window for covering Vilnius's 3.6 square km (1.4 square mile) UNESCO Old Town on foot without the summer heat or winter ice. The 18°C (65°F) highs mean you can comfortably walk the 2.5 km (1.6 mile) circuit from Cathedral Square through Pilies Street to Uzupis and back without overheating. More importantly, May is when courtyard gates actually stay propped open - locals air out their apartments, and you'll discover the hidden Renaissance courtyards off Universiteto Street that remain locked in winter. The morning light between 8-10am hits the baroque church facades perfectly, and you'll have Literatu Street nearly to yourself before 11am.
Trakai Castle Day Trips
The 28 km (17 mile) trip to Trakai becomes genuinely worthwhile in May when the surrounding lakes thaw completely and the castle grounds green up. You're visiting before the peak summer crush when the narrow castle corridors become uncomfortably packed. The May temperature range means you can explore the castle interior comfortably, then walk the 1.2 km (0.75 mile) lakeside path without sweating through your clothes. Locals know May is when the Karaim community's lakeside restaurants open their terraces - you'll want to time lunch for the outdoor kibinai experience. The variable weather actually works in your favor here: morning mist over Lake Galve creates atmospheric photo conditions you won't get in summer's harsh midday light.
Curonian Spit Coastal Excursions
May is actually the secret window for visiting this UNESCO site before the Baltic beach season crowds arrive in June. The 98 km (61 mile) sand spit offers hiking conditions that are perfect right now - the Parnidis Dune's 52 m (171 ft) climb is manageable in 16°C (61°F) weather, and the Dead Dunes trail through Nida remains firm underfoot, not yet loosened by summer foot traffic. You're visiting when the Curonian Lagoon fishing villages like Juodkrante still feel authentically local, before seasonal tourists transform them into beach resorts. The amber washing season peaks in spring storms, so beachcombing actually yields results. That said, the 70% humidity means the 4-5 hour drive from Vilnius feels longer - most visitors prefer organized day trips that handle the logistics.
Soviet History and KGB Museum Visits
May's unpredictable weather makes this the perfect month to prioritize Vilnius's compelling indoor historical sites. The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, located in the former KGB headquarters, requires 2-3 focused hours in the basement execution chambers and prison cells - emotionally heavy content you'll want to process without time pressure. The 18°C (65°F) outdoor temperature means you can walk between the scattered Soviet-era sites comfortably: the Antakalnis Soviet Cemetery (2.1 km / 1.3 miles from Old Town), the Frank Zappa statue in Kalinausko, and the Lukiskes Prison complex. May 2026 timing is significant - you're visiting during the period when Lithuania reflects on its 1990 independence declaration anniversary events from March, so exhibits often feature temporary installations with living memory testimonials.
Aukstaitija National Park Nature Excursions
Lithuania's oldest national park, located 100 km (62 miles) north of Vilnius, hits its spring sweet spot in May. The park's 126 lakes thaw completely by early May, and the beech-pine forests green up without the dense summer canopy that blocks views. You can kayak the Baltusis-Luodis-Asalnai lake chain in comfortable temperatures, and the 4.5 km (2.8 mile) educational trail around Lake Baltusis remains quiet - you'll encounter more nesting cranes than tourists. The Ancient Beekeeping Museum in Stripeikiai operates full schedules by mid-May. The 70% humidity actually benefits forest hiking here, keeping dust down on the trails. That said, May evenings get genuinely cold at 7°C (45°F), so this works best as a day trip unless you're prepared for chilly lakeside accommodation.
Lithuanian Food Market and Cooking Experiences
May brings the spring harvest to Vilnius's food scene - Hales Market overflows with the first Lithuanian strawberries, wild garlic from Dzukija forests, and spring asparagus that disappears by June. The covered market structure makes this a perfect rainy-day activity, and you'll see actual Vilnius residents doing their weekly shopping, not tourist crowds. Cooking class experiences in May focus on seasonal dishes: sorrel soup, cold beet soup preparation for summer, and cepelinai making workshops. The 18°C (65°F) weather means market stalls extend onto outdoor sections, and vendors are genuinely chatty after the long winter. You're visiting when restaurant spring menus launch - chefs at Dziaugsmas and Sweet Root feature ramps, morel mushrooms, and young nettle in dishes you won't find other months.
May Events & Festivals
Vilnius Jazz Festival
Running since 1987, this typically occurs in late May with performances scattered across Old Town venues including the National Philharmonic and smaller jazz clubs like Tamsta Club. You'll catch both Lithuanian jazz musicians and international acts in intimate settings that sell out quickly. The festival coincides with perfect outdoor concert weather, and some performances happen in courtyard venues that remain closed in winter. Worth planning around if you're a jazz enthusiast, though exact 2026 dates won't be announced until early spring.
Museum Night
Part of the European-wide Museum Night initiative, Vilnius participates with 40+ museums, galleries, and cultural institutions opening free to the public from 6pm until midnight, usually the third Saturday of May. You'll find special exhibitions, performances, and workshops that don't happen other times of year. The extended May daylight means you can combine afternoon sightseeing with evening museum hopping. Expect crowds at popular venues like the National Museum and MO Museum, but smaller spots like the Tolerance Center remain accessible. The event transforms Old Town into a cultural festival with street performances connecting museum locations.