As Vilnius’ major thoroughfare, you’ll likely walk along Gediminas Avenue without realizing it. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to get lunch or dinner, heading to the theater, or just admiring the architecture, you’ll soon see Gediminas Avenue is the city’s beating heart. It’s also regularly included on walking, scooter, and bike tours of Vilnius, typically to point out landmarks such as the Lithuanian Parliament, and Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights.
Gediminas Avenue is a flat street with wide sidewalks, shallow gutters, and ramped curbs, making it well-suited to visitors using wheelchairs and strollers.
There are public toilets just off Gediminas Avenue in Lukiškės Square.
City benches are fairly regularly located along this 1.1-mile (1.8-kilometer) street, meaning visitors with limited stamina will have regular opportunities to sit and rest.
Access to Gediminas Avenue may be limited if the street is hosting parades, such as Pride, or protests.
With one end of Gediminas Avenue starting in the Old Town of Vilnius by Cathedral Square, walking is the easiest way to reach the street when sightseeing. Many city bus and trolley bus routes travel across but not along Gediminas Avenue; nearby bus stops include Arkikatedra, Vincas Kudirka Square, and Independence Square. Cycling is a good way to travel along Gediminas Avenue, thanks to its dedicated bike lanes and Cyclocity bike stands.
As the main artery of Vilnius, Gediminas Avenue gets busy with the morning, lunchtime, and end-of-work rush. It’s lively during the evening thanks to its many restaurants and bars. For a more gentle stroll, visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon. Parts of Gediminas Avenue become pedestrian-only in the evening and on the weekend, which changes the feel of the street.
Standing on the western end of Gediminas Avenue, Seimas Palace is the building that hosts the Lithuanian Parliament. The architecture of this 20th-century building may not stand out among the impressive buildings on the street, but most interesting are the memorials outside the building, which remember the thousands of Lithuanians who defended it from the Soviet Army in 1991 as Lithuania sought independence.
