Jewish Vilnius Walking Tour: Experience 'Jerusalem of Lithuania' in a 2-hour Historical Journey
5.0
121 Ratings
Vilnius
Step back in time and explore the rich Jewish history of Vilnius on a 2-hour walking tour. Discover the former Jewish quarter, the Small & Big Ghettos, and learn about the famous Jewish scholar Vilna Gaon.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Town Hall (Rotuse) - Our guide will meet you on the stairs of Vilnius Town Hall to give you an introduction to Jewish history in Vilnius before exploring streets of
    the former Jewish quarter.
  • M. Antokolskio gatvė - After learning about Jewish history in the city, the guide will take you to see the house where famous Russian Jewish sculptor from Vilnius was born. Learn about life during the times of Russian empire.
    You will continue to explore narrow winding streets where Jews started moving to in the 16th century.
  • Stiklių gatvė - You will pass Glassblowers’ street which name says it all.
    The guide will show one of the newest projects to commemorate Jewish past - “Walls that remember”
  • Žýdų gatvė - You will continue the tour to see the damages done to Great Synagogue of Vilna during WWII and Soviet period.
  • Vilna Gaon Monument - The guide will tell you the life story of famous Jewish Scholar who lived in Vilnius in 18th century.
  • Vokiečių gatvė - You will pass the new street of the Old town to get to the former territory of Big Jewish Ghetto from the Small Ghetto.
    A possibility to have a short break if needed.
  • Vilnius Choral Synagogue - Visit the only surviving synagogue in the city for additional 1 EUR fee.

Visit possible if opened. Might be closed during Jewish holidays/other reasons.

  • Map of the Ghetto - The guide will explain to you about creations of two Ghettos during WWII in the former Jewish quarter. You will also learn about life in the ghettos and it’s liquidation.
  • Žemaitijos gatvė - Visit the street where you can find preserved names of Jewish shops in Yiddish and Polish from interwar period. Towards the end of the street you fill find a building which served as library during Ghetto years.
  • Monument to Zemach Shabad - One of the most lovable statues in the city. Learn about famous doctor who lived in Vilnius
What's Included
  • Local guide
What's Not Included
  • Entrance to the synagogue (2eur/person - cash only)
  • Gratuites
Additional Information

Transport yourself back in time to familiarise yourself with the society that led Vilnius to be labelled as the ‘Jerusalem of Lithuania’, and the era that permanently modified Vilnius’s appearance. Explore the previous Jewish district, the Small & Big Ghettos during WWII, tracing remnants of history. Discover the home of the renowned Jewish scholar Vilna Gaon and learn more about the Jewish chronicles of Vilnius.

Location
Vilnius Town Hall
Didžioji gatvė
Look for the guides with yellow signs/bags on the stairs of Vilnius town hall.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(121 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Happiness58596657109
Mar 25, 2024
Outstanding Jewish city tour - What a great tour!! Our guide, Milda, was outstanding, very knowledgeable and made sure the tour flows, easy pace and lots of explanations. Love it and highly recommend it 🙏
Review provided by Tripadvisor
925siobhans
Mar 25, 2024
A great insight into a lost world - A fantastic insight into the almost total eradication of a people. Our guide was superbly knowledge and friendly and answered our many questions. Great to see Lithuania remembering the important contribution made by Jews to the life of Vilnius. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julala_20
Mar 22, 2024
Highly recommend this tour - Very interesting tour focused on the Jewish history of Vilnius. Great guide :) She was very knowledgable and answered all our questions.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Velourian
Mar 1, 2024
Extraordinary - This was an informed and insightful tour of Jewish heritage and memory in Vilnius. Fascinating, well-informed, thoughtful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ssanders18
Dec 15, 2023
Intimate and informative - Intimate and enjoyable walk through Vilinus, learning about the history of Jewish Europe not just Lithuania.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Liamq252
Dec 13, 2023
Fantastic - Fantastic tour, the guide sarunas was fantastic, very knowledgeable and kept it entertaining throughout highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travel806105
Oct 18, 2023
I hight recommend - This guided tour was so interesting. Our guide was lovely and gave us so much information & history about the Jewish quarter. He clearly knew his stuff and it was obvious he had a genuine passion for his subject, which came across so well. He had the ability to immerse you in your surroundings. At the time of the tour the Synagogue was unfortunately closed due to world events but our tour guide still gave us lots of interesting information about it. I would 100% recommend this tour. If you don't book in advance then don't worry they can normally accommodate you on the day. The tour meets on the stairs of the City Hall
Review provided by Tripadvisor
456phillipah
Oct 13, 2023
Outstanding..go back in time - Excellent. Informative. Emotive. The history of Lithuania was shared brilliantly. World really recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Niall_p
Sep 30, 2023
Informative, empathetic and objective. - Milda, our tour guide, was extremely helpful and informative in the subject material. She handled questions very well and shared her knowledge in a confident and competent manner. I would highly recommend her as a guide for this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Anitabara
Sep 25, 2023
Knowledgeable Guide - Šarunas was very knowledgeable about the history of Jews in Lithuania and handled questions with very thoughtful answers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 8 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today