Parks in Vilnius: rest in nature or active leisure?

Everyone sometimes wants to be in silence, return to nature and escape from the hustle and bustle for a while. And sometimes, on the contrary, we crave for active leisure and entertainment. In any case, parks come to the rescue. And yes, it‘s true that there are so many of them in Vilnius that it would take more than one article to list them all. But here you will find the most popular parks in the capital: both for spending time in nature and places loved by extreme sports fans.

For those seeking refuge in nature

Vingis Park

M. K. Čiurlionis St. 100

Vingis Park is 162 ha of green space in the city. In the park you can actively spend your free time, walk, run, or just sit on a bench. It is also a home to the legendary concert stage, where numerous festivals and world-class star concerts have taken place. At the stadium next to the stage in 1988, a really important rally was held here, and in 1993 Pope John Paul II organized mass here.

the park truly comes to life in the summer: there are attractions for children, cafes, a sports equipment rental point. In the warm season, the park even has a small zoo.

Vingis Park can be accessed through two entrances: from M. K. Čiurlionis Street and from Birutė Street. Nearby, on the side of M. K. Čiurlionis street, there is a classicist chapel and German soldiers graveyard.

Bernardine Garden

B. Radvilaitė St. 8A

The Bernardine Garden is in the very center of the old town of Vilnius and is very popular among the people of Vilnius. This is probably the most significant park in the city. From various points of the park you can see the panorama of Vilnelė and the Hill of Three Crosses. Also, the oldest oak tree in the city grows here - it can be seen at the gate to St. Bruno Bonifacius street. This tree, declared a botanical natural heritage site, is about 400 years old!

The history of the Bernardine Garden started in the 16th century, when bernardine monks established Bernardine, St. Anne‘s and St. Franciscan church complexes. The monks made a great contribution to the culture of the area, setting up charming gardens with ponds, an orangery and an apiary. In the other part of the Vilnia bend lay stood the farmyard of the castle, later named as the Sereikiškiai suburb.

in 2013 an authentic environmet of a 19th-century garden has been restored in the Bernardin garden. Because of that, today we can enjoy a system of open and closed spaces with green meadows, a central square designed by the artist Alexander Strauss, a rose garden and 20th-century rock garden with a pond. At the main point of the park there is a musical  fountain. During this period the park also regained its old name - from Sereikiškiai park to Bernardine garden.

Vilnius University Botanical Garden

Kairėnai St. 43 / M. K. Čiurlionio St. 110

For more than 240 years, the Vilnius University Botanical Garden has been an important part of the scientific, educational and social life of the university and the capital's community. This garden is located in two places: Kairėnai and Vingis Park and welcomes and provides various services to its visitors.

The total area of ​​the Botanical Garden is 199 ha. Many different plants bloom here every warm season: species and varieties brought from all around the world, as well as local grassland and trees. It‘s a great park in Vilnius for children and the whole family.

The first VU Botanical Garden was established in the old town in 1781, but was later closed and reopened in Vingis Park in 1919. Since 1974 the main branch of the VU botanical garden was moved to the Kairėnai manor homestead. Today it is the largest botanical garden in Lithuania, covering an area of ​​199 hectares, with many gardens, ponds and an innovative laboratory. The huge collection of 10,000 plants is considered one of the richest in the Baltic States.

Europa park

Joneikiškės village, 15148 Vilnius district.

The Europa Park, established in 1991, is an open-air museum founded by Gintaras Karosas. The park covers an area of ​​55 hectares and exhibits more than 100 sculptures, which were created by artists from 32 different countries. Some of them are - Dennis Oppenheim, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Sol LeWitt.

All the exhibits of the open-air museum combined weigh around 1000 tons – thats how much stone, wood, concrete and other materials were used to create the exhibits. One of the most impressive sculptures in the European park is called "LNK Infomedis" and it's made of TVs! Guinness World Records recognized it as the largest sculpture of its kind.

Many cultural events take place in the European Park. For example, conferences, poetry readings, meetings with artists. You can also rent and travel around the park with bikes. In 2008 The European Park was recognized as a cultural national project.

Chiune Sugihara Sakura Park

Upės St.

On the right bank of the Neris, next to the National Art Gallery, there is a Japanese sakura park. Every year in May, it decorates the city with pink blossoms. Although the park attracts the most interest during the cherry blossom season, it is a pleasant space for a walk at any time of the year.

The Missionary Gardens

Maironio St. 27A

Established between Paupys and Subačius streets, the garden of the former missionary monastery has a beautiful environment – ponds, there are plenty of maple trees. It‘s a perfect place to find peace in the old town.

Fairy Tale Park

Asanavičiūtė st.

The park, stretching from Karoliniškės to Lazdynai is special because of its decorations. There are many sculptures here, that reminiscent of fairy tales and mythological characters. The park is an ideal place to get to know Lithuanian folklore!

Sapieha Palace

Antakalnis St. 17

It is one of the oldest parks in the city. For a long time the space was closed, because a nursing hospital operated here, but now the park is accessible to everyone. Picnics and gymnastic classes are held here, there are cafes and the oldest linden tree in the capital grows near the entrance gate.

Mountain park

54.686790630825676, 25.298412669863446

The almost 25 ha park stretches between the left bank of the Nėris and the right bank of Vilnelė. The area consists of several hills - " The Hill of Three Crosses ". "Table Mountain". "Mount Gediminas". "Bekešo hill". You can view the beautiful panorama of Vilnius from the top of the mauntain.

Ozas Park

V. Gerulaitis St. 1A

Ozas Park is located near the Avia Solutions Group Arena. "Ozas" shopping center. The park has four ponds, where under natural conditions lives different types of water birds. The park is suitable for pedestrians, parents with strollers, people with disabilities. Cycling and fishing is prohibited. You can play football in the park, fly kites or play other games.

Pavilniai Regional Park

Belmontai St.

The most prominent highlight of the Pavilniai Regional Park is the Ribiškiai Pedestrian Track. If you start your walk on the path from Minskas highway 14, you will end your trip at the same spot. During the hike youcan try a route adored by hikers and skiers. You will see the Ribiškiai nature reserve. Its purpose is to preserve the great alluvial fans.

Verkiai Regional Park

Green lakes St.

2700 ha of extraordinary nature. Dozens of hiking trails. Architectural monuments. Green lakes. A special place in the capital, that everyone must see!

Skate and Wake parks in Vilnius

Skatepark in Pašilaičiai

Medeina St. 10

If you love skateboarding or rollerblading, we recommend you to improve and demonstrate your skills at the skate park in Pašilaičiai. The skateboard park at the intersection of Žemyna and Medeina streets awaits active leisure and sports enthusiasts.

The size of this park is the same as the White Bridge skate park, only the surface is different - the ramps in Pašilaičiai are wooden. In Pašilaičiai, visitors will find various elements to practice: a double ramp, a sliding table, a side trampoline, skating boxes, etc.

Hook Skatepark

Plytinės St. 17b

This is the first and largest indoor extreme sports park in Lithuania for lovers of skateboards, BMX bikes and roller skates. Enthusiasts have the opportunity to train all year round in unique indoor spaces. In addition, national and international extreme sports competitions are regularly held here.

Lazdynai Skatepark

Architektai St. 152

This is a spin ramp type skate park near the TV Tower. The park consists of flat street style equipment, two large half ramps and a spin ramp. The surface of the site is excellent, and the high-quality ramps for rollerblades, skateboards and BMX bikes are perfect for the active leisure time of Vilnius residents.

Wake Inn Vilnius

Ežeraičiai St. 2

This wake park is the largest in Lithuania, with three systems! This is a great place for both beginners and masters of waterboarding. The park has a course for those who want to learn with retracted figures, allowing you to swim confidently for the first time. For advanced players, there is a track with two M or L size trampolines.

The 400 m2 terrace located in the park area will accommodate everyone who wants to enjoy the summer. In addition to waterboarding, you can also try the inflatable obstacle course on the water and the little ones can have fun on the playground.

Amusement parks in Vilnius

ADVENTICA amusement park

Ozas St. 18

It is a family amusement park with a huge trampoline, various activities for young and old, and even 14 birthday rooms! Here you will find a Ninja trail, an eliminator, a giant inflatable trampoline, an electric go-kart track, a virtual spider and a play area for all ages.

UNO Park

Lizdeikos St.

If you are not afraid of heights and want to test your endurance, then this park is the place for you. In the climbing park located in Antakalnis, everyone will find a route according to their abilities.

VICHY water park

Ozas St. 14C

The theme of the VICHY water park is the exotic environment of the Polynesian islands, known as paradise on Earth. This spirit has inspired all areas of the park, from the changing rooms to the attractions, from the pools to the food and drinks served in the bars.

In the VICHY water park, you will find not only many attractions, jacuzzi for children and adults, but also sauna spaces. Adrenaline lovers are offered 9 roller coasters, "Canoe River" and other entertainment. Those who want to relax can visit the massage parlor or enjoy HAMAMO procedures. Warm up in Bora Bora, Lava or the outdoor sauna area.

This water park is also a great place to celebrate children's birthdays, bachelor or company parties. In the summer, children's summer camps are also held here.

Belmont Adventure Park

Belmontas St. 17

This is a place for adrenaline junkies. These climbing routes are located in the beautiful Belmont Park, so even those who do not like extreme entertainment will have somewhere to look around and walk.

Almost everyone can come here - from 3-year-old children to adults. The park is full of tracks of varying difficulty: obstacles, hanging bridges, pendulums, nets and a flight at a height of 20 meters over the Vilnelė River.