Vilnius is a city rich with history, art, and cultural diversity. Whether you’re fascinated by the stories of occupation, Lithuanian history, or Jewish heritage, the city’s museums offer something for everyone. Let’s dive into the must-visit museums, categorized by theme.
Museums of Occupation and History
KGB Museum (Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights)
Address: Aukų g. 2A, Vilnius
Website: https://olkm.lt/
Description: Housed in a former Soviet prison, this museum reveals the harrowing history of Lithuania’s occupation, detailing the struggles for freedom and the resilience of its people.
Lukiškės Prison 2.0
Address: Lukiškių skg. 6, Vilnius
Website: https://www.lukiskiukalejimas.lt/pasivaiksciojimai/
Description: Once a notorious prison, now a cultural hub — discover art installations, concerts, and immersive historical exhibits.
Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania National Museum
Address: Katedros a. 4, Vilnius
Website: https://www.valdovurumai.lt/lt/muziejus/
Description: Opened in 2009, this museum is located in the reconstructed Lower Castle of Vilnius. It showcases Lithuania’s statehood, archaeological treasures, and European art collections from Gothic to Baroque, while hosting educational and cultural events that foster historical awareness and national identity.
National Museum of Lithuania/ Castlellans-House
Address: Arsenalo g. 1, Vilnius
Website: https://lnm.lt/en/museums/castlellans-house/
Description: The Castellan’s House is the newest exhibition unit of the National Museum of Lithuania, presenting Lithuania’s history, culture and the people who contributed to the country’s development, as well as introducing visitors to the key ideas that shaped Lithuania’s identity.
The Old Arsenal
Address: Arsenalo g. 3
Website: https://lnm.lt/en/museums/the-old-arsenal/
Description: A historical museum featuring ancient weaponry, armor, and archaeological finds, showcasing Lithuania’s military past.
The House of Histories
Address: Kosciškos g. 3
Website:https://lnm.lt/en/museums/house-of-histories/
Description: The House of Histories is a space which invites visitors to experience history not as something fixed in the past but as integral to the reality we are creating today.
Gediminas Castle Tower
Address: Kosciškos g. 3
Website: https://lnm.lt/en/museums/gediminas-castle-tower/
Description: Gediminas Castle Tower is the most frequently visited branch of the National Museum of Lithuania. Its exhibition invites visitors to learn about the history of Vilnius as the centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and also to take in the most spectacular panoramic view of the city.
Wooden City Architecture Museum
Address: Polocko g. 52, Vilnius
Website: https://mmam.lt/
Description: A unique museum showcasing Vilnius’s wooden architecture, exploring both historical heritage and sustainable design through exhibits and workshops.
Vilnius Museum
Address: Vokiečių g. 6
Website: https://vilniausmuziejus.lt/plan-your-visit/?lang=en
Description: A museum dedicated to the city itself, displaying exhibits that tell the story of Vilnius’s development, people, and culture through the centuries.
Art and Design Museums and Galleries
MO Museum
Address: Pylimo g. 17, Vilnius
Website: https://mo.lt/en/
Description: A contemporary art museum showcasing modern Lithuanian and international artists, with rotating exhibitions and vibrant cultural events.
National Gallery of Art
Address: Konstitucijos g. 22
Website: https://www.lndm.lt/en/ndg/
Description: A vibrant space showcasing Lithuanian and international 20th–21st-century art. The gallery features modern and contemporary paintings, sculptures, installations, and video art, along with rotating exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events. It also hosts an info center, library, café, and is fully accessible for visitors with mobility needs.
Vilnius Picture Gallery
Address: Didžioji g. 4
Website: https://www.lndm.lt/vpg/
Description: Located in the historic Chodkiewicz-Puslowski Palace, this gallery presents 16th–early 20th-century Lithuanian and international art. It hosts exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and workshops, offering insights into classical art techniques and mansion history. The space is fully accessible.
The Radvila Palace Museum of Art (LNMA)
Address: Vilniaus g. 24
Website: https://www.lndm.lt/en/rrm/visiting/
Description: Featuring classical and modern artworks, this museum highlights Lithuanian artistic achievements through centuries.
The Museum of Applied Arts and Design (LNMA)
Address: Arsenalo g. 3A
Website: https://www.lndm.lt/en/tdm/
Description: A treasure trove of decorative arts, textiles, and innovative design pieces reflecting both local and global influences.
Vytautas Kasiulis Art Museum
Address: A. Goštauto g. 1, Vilnius
Website: https://www.lndm.lt/vkdm/
Description: Showcasing works by Lithuanian diaspora artists, this museum highlights the legacy and contemporary relevance of artists like Vytautas Kasiulis, with exhibitions, cultural events, and educational programs.
Samuel Bak Museum
Address: Naugarduko g. 10
Website: https://www.jmuseum.lt/en/samuel-bak-museum-2/
Description: Dedicated to the works of Samuel Bak, this museum explores themes of identity, memory, and survival through art.
Museums for families:
Energy and Technology museum
Address: Rinktinės g. 2, Vilnius
Website: https://etm.lt/
Description: The museum visitors not only learn about power plant building and its equipment and industrial heritage but also enjoy interactive science expositions.
Toy museum
Address: Šiltadaržio g. 2, Vilnius
Website: https://zaislumuziejus.lt/
Description: The Toy museum is the first family-oriented educational center in Lithuania dedicated to the history of toys and games.
VILNIL – museum of Illusions
Address: Vokiečių g. 8, Vilnius
Website: https://vilnil.lt/
Description: Permanent exhibition space where illusions meet scientific inventions and arts. Physics and optics are displayed together with mysterious artworks, interactive entertainment and classical riddles.
The Centre for Civil Education
Address: Totorių g. 28, Vilnius
Website: https://pazinkvalstybe.lt/#
Description: The Centre is a state-of-the-art educational space that presents in detail how the state functions and how its citizens participate in the creation and management of a democratic state.
Vilnius Auto museum
Address: Dariaus ir Girėno g. 2, Vilnius
Website: https://automuziejus.lt/
Description: The largest museum of Historical transportation in Lithuania from the carriages of the 19th century to modern classics.
Jewish Heritage Museums
Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum (Tolerance Center)
Address: Naugarduko g. 10/2, Vilnius
Website: https://www.jmuseum.lt/en/
Description: Delve into Lithuania’s Jewish history and culture through art, personal stories, and exhibits commemorating the Jewish community’s impact on the city.
Museum of Culture and Identity of Lithuanian Jews
Address: Pylimo g. 4A
Website: https://www.jmuseum.lt/en/about-the-museum-2/i/415/museum-of-culture-and-identity-of-lithuanian-jews/
Description: A space dedicated to preserving and celebrating Jewish traditions, with exhibits on everyday life, religious practices, and contributions to Lithuanian society.
Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or someone eager to understand the diverse cultural layers of Vilnius, these museums offer invaluable insights into the city’s multifaceted identity. Which one will you visit first? Let us know in the comments below!
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