Last Updated on December 20, 2025
A Luxury Weekend in Vilnius
Thinking of a short festive break but unsure where to go? If you’ve already ticked off the classic European city breaks and are craving something different, let me point you toward Lithuania. Direct flights from London reach Vilnius in just two and a half hours, making it remarkably easy to get to, yet the city still feels wonderfully undiscovered.
Come winter, Vilnius transforms into a fairy tale: soft-lit Baroque streets, snow-dusted church spires, and lanes twinkling with Christmas decorations set a magical scene.
Cafés scented with cinnamon and a storybook Christmas market add irresistible seasonal charm.
Though one of Europe’s smaller capitals, Vilnius more than makes up for it in atmosphere, complemented by a rising food scene, world-class spas, and a refined collection of boutique hotels, making it a festive escape that feels effortlessly elegant.
My base was the luxurious five-star PACAI Hotel, combining historic architecture with contemporary design to create a space that is both elegant and supremely comfortable. Guest rooms pair original architectural details with minimalist Scandinavian styling, fine fabrics, and marble bathrooms. It is luxurious, but in that quiet, refined Baltic way, unfussy, warm, and unmistakably chic.
My beautifully appointed room overlooked the street, and one morning I woke up to see it blanketed in snow, simply gorgeous. Set in the heart of Vilnius Old Town, the hotel is just a short walk from key sights, including the Town Hall, Vilnius University, and Cathedral Square, home to the magical Christmas market and a hub of festive life.
I came to explore the city’s culture, cuisine, wellness, and nature, a combination Vilnius delivers with ease. Arriving late on my first evening, I was quickly impressed by how safe and welcoming the city appeared as I wandered its pretty streets. In the Old Town, an outdoor ice-skating rink, along with cafés and bars, brings the area to life.
Terraces remain lively after dark, with people wrapped in fur throws beneath softly glowing heaters, lingering despite the winter chill. I found a cosy bar and restaurant where I tried Vilnius’ local potato pancakes, golden and crisp, served with a dollop of kefir, a perfect winter snack.
Vilnius wears Christmas proudly, transforming the city into a festive playground of markets, music, and joyful traditions that welcome visitors. On my first morning, I was there to witness the launch of the Capital of Christmas event at the Money Museum on Totoriu Street, creating a “Christmas Before Christmas” which invites you to be five again.
Here, the Capital of Christmas celebrates with hot chocolate, doughnuts, elves, Santa, a choir, and a gingerbread bus, all adding to the storybook charm. The highlight was the unveiling of Christmas Currency by the Mayor and the Bank of Lithuania Governor, bright red fur cones redeemable for treats at partner spots.
Or hop on the free Christmas-themed bus, decked out for a festive ride through the city.
If you truly want to discover a Lithuanian Christmas, do not miss the “Magic of Lithuanian Christmas” at the Vilnius Tourism Information Centre. These festive sessions immerse visitors in the country’s rich holiday traditions, from the rituals of Kūčios (Christmas Eve) and enchanting folklore to tasting best-loved seasonal treats like kūčiukai, cranberry kissel, and traditional Christmas bread. It is a fantastic way to step into the heart of Lithuania’s holiday spirit.
This city offers a host of cultural activities and unique experiences. One of its more unexpected highlights is the Lukiškės Prison Museum, a former 19th-century prison. Fans of Stranger Things will recognise some of the locations from the series. What makes it extraordinary is its position, right in the heart of Vilnius. Closed in 2019, it has been reworked as one of the city’s most creative cultural spaces, buzzing with artist studios, residencies, and bold new ideas.
During Christmas, its courtyard transforms into an alternative holiday market, offering a slightly edgy, offbeat atmosphere that perfectly suits the building. I took a fascinating tour, exploring the prison’s corridors and grim cells (you’ll even find Putin behind bars) while learning about its multi-faceted history firsthand. With its combination of history and contemporary creativity, the space feels surprisingly alive and inspiring.
Another truly amazing experience was entering the Dreamworld – Čiurlionis, VR. I had never really experienced VR before, and this was the perfect introduction to an otherworldly adventure I would repeat in a nanosecond. The multi-sensory journey immerses you in the work of M. K. Čiurlionis, Lithuania’s most celebrated artist and composer. Floating landscapes, ethereal forests, and shifting colours accompanied by evocative soundscapes pull you directly into his surreal paintings. It is more than art viewing; it is a soothing, descending, magical, and poetic voyage through dreamlike kingdoms.
For something a little different, I highly recommend the Yugen Tea Workshop. This unique tea house brings authentic Japanese tea culture to Lithuania. We were guided through tastings of traditional teas, served in handmade tea-ware that felt both refined and elegant, each with its own distinct flavour. The experience continued with a hands-on session where we created our own tea blends with helpful direction throughout, a truly lovely and creative workshop that delights both the senses and the imagination.
Dining in Vilnius offers something for everyone, from cosy cafés and coffee bars to Baltic pubs, and for foodies, Michelin-starred restaurants.
I visited Augustin for lunch, a modern, Michelin-recognised sharing-plates restaurant in the heart of Old Town. Its vaulted, monastery-inspired interior with arches, candles, and a relaxed vibe is well-suited for a leisurely meal.
The vegetable-forward menu features inventive dishes like kohlrabi, fried eggplant with shiitake, and pumpkin with yoghurt or mango amba, with meat and fish used more as accents than the focus. Part of the group behind Momo Grill and Monai, Augustin blends European, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern influences, earning a Bib Gourmand. Under Chef Darius, 2025 Michelin Young Chef Award winner, every plate is precise, playful, and full of flavour.
Dinner at Pas Mus in Vilnius is an intimate, Michelin-starred tasting menu experience that feels like being welcomed into the chef’s own home. Chef Vita Bartininkaitė, the only female Michelin-starred chef in Vilnius, and her partner Matas Paulinas guide guests through a multi-course journey celebrating seasonal Lithuanian ingredients, many foraged or grown in Vita’s mother’s garden.
The rustic, candlelit space with wooden tables, an open kitchen, and bar seating creates a warm, home-like atmosphere where guests can watch the cooking unfold. Inventive plates blend Lithuanian produce with Nordic and Japanese-inspired techniques: scallop “pizza” on a crisp celeriac base, beef tartare with house-made brioche, and white asparagus gelato with caviar, alongside seasonal vegetables, fermentation, and pickling. Each course is a refined, playful exploration of flavour, memory, and place, making Pas Mus an unforgettable taste odyssey.
For a change of pace from Vilnius’ cultural buzz, we took a short 20-minute drive into the Lithuanian countryside to Sanctum Nature Retreat, tucked deep in a snow-covered forest that seemed just like stepping into Narnia. This stunning retreat opened in August 2025 and is designed as a nurturing, small-group experience rather than a commercial resort, blending deep rest, therapeutic support, and time immersed in wild landscapes.
Our afternoon began with a serene lunch created exclusively from ingredients sourced from the land and surrounding forest, a sensory celebration of nature that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.
Afterwards, we were guided through grounding outdoor rituals: slow breathing, forest walks, and gentle reconnection with the body, followed by a creative workshop with the resident artist exploring symbol, metaphor, and mindful expression.
Every moment, from the magical silence of the pine forest to the carefully held therapeutic practices, created a restorative rhythm that felt both profoundly calming and rejuvenating. This was truly something quite special.
The day concluded with an overnight stay at Esperanza Resort and Spa, a Michelin Key property set beside a tranquil lake, where character and charm meet modern luxury. My suite was a warm sanctuary with rich wooden interiors that carried the scent of pine, a sumptuous bed, and a sleek Scandinavian-inspired décor.
The expansive balcony stretched wide over the still waters, offering the perfect spot to pause and take in the view. The resort is devoted to wellness, with thermal circuits, indulgent spa rituals, and tranquil spaces designed for rest and reflection. Dining is equally indulgent: Oléa serves modern Greek cuisine in the evening, while breakfast combines continental classics with Japanese-inspired touches, including fluffy pancakes that are utterly memorable. At Esperanza, every moment feels curated for relaxation, allowing you to unwind in serene, lakeside luxury fully. I only wish I could have stayed longer, but London was calling.
Vilnius is the perfect spot for a short winter escape. Its Baroque rooftops, golden-lit streets, and busy Christmas markets make every corner feel festive, while quiet squares and cosy cafés offer a welcome pause from the holiday rush. There’s a unique mix of charm, culture and excellent cuisine.
Even just a few days feels like a proper getaway. Whether you’re exploring the city’s historic streets, tasting local treats, or hunting for holiday treasures at the markets, Vilnius manages to feel both lively and intimate. It’s compact, charming, and effortlessly magical, a winter break that leaves you wishing you could stay a little longer.
I stayed at:
Hotel PACAI 7, Vilnius, 01128 Vilniaus m. sav., Lithuania Phone: +370 5 277 0000
Esperanza Resort & Spa, Paunguriai village, Trakai district municipality, LT-21282, Lithuania.
I travelled to Lithuania via Stansted Airport, and the journey was effortless thanks to Holiday Extras, with seamless Meet & Greet parking at Stansted. From arrival to return, the process was smooth and stress-free. Before my flight, I relaxed in the Stansted Escape Lounge, a calm and comfortable space with food and drinks on offer—an easy, refined way to start the trip.
Holiday Extras is the market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges, and transfers – and last year its customers saved an average of £196 per trip by booking their airport parking in advance.
Booking Airport Parking means you can enjoy more holiday with less hassle. Plus with Flextras, if you need to cancel or amend, you can without charge. Four days Meet & Greet Parking at Stansted Airport is available for £85.00 based on arrival on 12/01/2026.
Entry into the Escape Lounge at Stansted Airport is available for £32.99 per adult based on arrival on 12/01/2026.
For more information and to book, HolidayExtras.com or call 0800 316 5678.
*All costs supplied are the cheapest available rates for the product specified, and therefore availability may be limited at this price. Prices are correct as of 19/12/2025.
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