Shopping in Vilnius
You do not go to Vilnius primarily for shopping. Granted, the prices are low,
but the selection is not very different than in Norway when it comes to shoes
and clothes.
But you will still have fun by visiting some of the many craft and souvenir
shops. The most typical souvenir you can take home from Vilnius is undoubtedly
amber jewelry. You will find plenty of market stalls selling this along the
Pilies Gatve pedestrian street in the Old Town, and in Vilnius' oldest
street, Ausros Vartu Gatve. Here you can also buy crafts such as
religious statues, wooden dolls and toys, woven baskets and the classic eggs
with one grandmother (or Russian president) after another inside each other.
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In many places you can also come across objects from the Soviet era, so if
you wanted a Red Army hat, Soviet banknotes and coins, framed Stalin pictures or
a small hammer-and-sickle to the fireplace shelf, you have come to the right
city.
Gedimino Prospectus - the shopping street in Vilnius
The main shopping street in Vilnius is without doubt the new and beautiful
Gedimino Prospectus. Here you will find most fashionable clothing chains such as
Zara and Marks & Spencer.
Markets in Vilnius
You can also have great fun by visiting the morning market in Kalvarijos, in
the district of Snipiskes north of Neris. Here it is high tempo and an equally
high noise level, while vegetables, fruits, fish, meat and flowers are sold over
hundreds of dishes.
Shopping centers in Vilnius
If you prefer shopping centers, you have the Europa Tower in Snipiskees just
north of Neris and the Old Town, and a few kilometers further north is the
Baltic's largest shopping and entertainment center, the Acropolis, where you
will also find cinemas, bowling alley and ice skating rink. The designer shops
selling Armani, Dior and Escada can be found in front of Vilnius City Hall.
In general about shopping in Vilnius
Most shops in Vilnius are open from 8am. 1000 to 1800 on weekdays, and to
1500 on Saturdays. Sundays are mostly closed everywhere, except for the most
persistent souvenir shops. Don't forget to pay VAT, and on all purchases over
200 litas, or approx. 500 NOK, you can get a refund of the VAT on departure. Not
every business practices this scheme, so look for the Tax Free Shopping badge at
the entrance if you are going to buy some more expensive items and bring a
completed and stamped form and receipt.
Eating in Vilnius
Like the rest of Eastern Europe, traditional food in Lithuania is
characterized by meat and potatoes, cabbage and fatty, brown sauces. It should
be honestly admitted that Vilnius' restaurants are not world class in terms of
food or service. But the quality is decent enough, while your wallet comes out
relatively well from the meeting, even at the best restaurants in town.
A main course at a good restaurant is around a hundred pieces. As tourism
grows, ethnic restaurants have of course emerged, so you have plenty of options
if you prefer to eat Indian, Argentine, Chinese, Turkish or Swedish.
If you intend to take a bar-to-bar lap in Vilnius, at least you will not wear
out your shoe soles until it is time to go home. The dining places are close to
the Old Town, and you do not have to go far, no matter where in the city you are
when the thirst begins. Beer is the main drink in Lithuania, with vodka notched
in the heel.
The beer is often served with bars of deep-fried garlic bread, while the
vodka is served bar. Wine has no tradition in Lithuania. Of course, you can buy
wine at most restaurants and bars, but it is always imported and relatively
expensive compared to the options.
Of the restaurants in Vilnius, the itinerary of personal experience can
recommend these:
Sue's Indian Raja
Odminiu 3.
This Indian restaurant with an outdoor table by the cathedral square has a
sister restaurant in Riga that was recently named one of Europe's best.
Lokys
Stikliu str 8.
In a basement room in the Jewish quarters is this atmospheric medieval
restaurant where you can choose boats, beaver, wild boar and bear from the menu.
The less ambitious can choose fish or bird. Entrance via a steep and very narrow
stone staircase.
El Gaucho Sano
Pilies gatve 10.
In the Old Town's main street, this Argentine restaurant is at the heart of the
Atrium Hotel room. The specialty is tender, juicy steaks, served on planks with
lots of accessories.
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