The year 2024 was marked for the Vilnius Tourist Information Centre not only by exceptional and innovative projects or a move to a new space, but also by a significant increase in the number of visitors. It is estimated that last year the Vilnius Tourist Information Centre served 20 percent more people than in 2023, and most tourists came from neighboring and major European countries. Tourist interest in Vilnius shows that the Lithuanian capital is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for travelers looking for unique experiences and discoveries.
In 2024, Vilnius Tourism Information Center was visited by almost 65 thousand visitors, of which more than 82 percent were tourists, coming from abroad. This is as much as 20 percent more than in 2023, when 54 thousand visitors were served.
A particularly pronounced increase in tourist traffic was observed after the center moved to new premises. in the old town, at Pilies St. 7. Between April and December, the flow of visitors to the new tourist information center jumped by as much as 83 percent, compared to the same period in the previous premises.
It is estimated that the largest number of tourists to Vilnius last year came from Poland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the United States, Great Britain, Finland and Latvia. A growing flow of tourists from Asian countries has also been observed.
"In the summer, we received up to 10 thousand visitors per month at the information center, serving 300-400 tourists daily. This shows that we are an important link that helps travelers discover the beauty and uniqueness of Vilnius. Our team works responsibly every day to ensure that everyone who comes to the capital not only receives detailed information about places to visit, events or activities, but also feels hospitably welcomed," says Gediminas Šukutis, head of the Vilnius Tourism Information Center.
What are incoming tourists most interested in in Vilnius?
According to the head of the tourist information center, foreigners visiting Vilnius constantly emphasize the city's impressive Old Town, which is one of the largest and best-preserved in the region and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Arriving travelers admire the narrow streets of our capital's Old Town, Baroque architecture and the general historical atmosphere of the city.
Travelers are also attracted by Vilnius' green spaces, parks, modern, friendly and safe city atmosphere, and culinary diversity. Vilnius boasts excellent cafes and restaurants, four of which were awarded Michelin stars last year. For many gastronomic enthusiasts, visiting here is a truly unique experience.
Among the things that most surprise tourists in Vilnius are often named hot air balloon flights over the city, the unique Užupis Republic district, and the abundance of churches. Tourists also share their impressions of events and educational activities taking place in Vilnius.
"Many tourists returning to Vilnius emphasize that the capital of our country exceeded their expectations; before arriving, they did not expect the city to be so Western or modern. This encourages some travelers to return to Vilnius again and recommend it to others," says G. Šukutis.
He adds that tourist flows are growing not only during the summer, but also during the Christmas period: "The news about the past eventful Christmas in Vilnius has really spread and some of those who came know how beautiful it is here in the winter. In addition, Vilnius has been declared the European Christmas Capital in 2025 and this is another reason to come here this year."
A year marked by change and innovation
The tourism information center belonging to the Vilnius tourism and business development agency "Go Vilnius" moved to new, more spacious premises at Pilies g. 2024 in the spring of 7, where tourists are offered more services. For example, personalized routes are created with the help of artificial intelligence, digital versions of publications are created, and a self-service checkout is installed to make paying for purchased souvenirs even easier. The new tourism center also includes a modern hall that can accommodate several dozen guests, where visitors are invited to various education sessions and introduced to events taking place in the capital.
Last year Vilnius airport A new infoterminal has also been created, which provides tourist information, allows you to quickly and conveniently find out about events taking place in Vilnius, as well as view public transport routes or even call a taxi.
In order to create unique experiences for guests who have already arrived in Vilnius, the Tourist Information Center invites them to participate in the project "Meet a Local", which encourages tourists to meet local Vilnius residents and learn the stories of the city directly from the lips of residents. This initiative was very well received by the city's guests and received great feedback.
"The Meet a Local program is a wonderful idea, and Agnė is the perfect ambassador for it! Together we visited many places, accompanied by the history of the city and the country. For me, it was a special and very personal experience, from which the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Vilnius was especially memorable. In fact, standing on the "Miracle" tile made me want to return to Vilnius again and meet Agne again," shared a tourist from Canada.
Vilnius – ready for 2025
The past year was truly exceptional for Vilnius tourism, but 2025 promises new challenges and opportunities. The capital will host the Visitor Experience Expert Meeting conference, organized by the international organization City Destination Alliance, for the first time, and will bring together professionals from foreign tourism information centers.
"The prestigious event is held in a different European city every year." event attracts about 100 participants from various countries. Together, they share good practices, analyze tourism trends and present innovations. The conference program includes presentations, working sessions and study visits, as well as educational programs. This conference has a significant impact on both the image of cities and the experience of tourists, so we are glad that our capital has had such an opportunity this year,” says Vilma Daubarienė, Head of the Tourism Department of Vilnius Tourism and Business Development Agency “Go Vilnius”.
According to her, tourism trends show that travelers are increasingly interested in unique experiences and the lives of locals. “This means that Vilnius, with its combination of culture, gastronomy and innovation, has excellent prospects for becoming an even more visible and visited city,” says V. Daubarienė.
