Vilnius Christmas Market — Cathedral Square

Home to Lithuania's most-photographed Christmas tree, on Cathedral Square below the bell tower.

About this destination

Vilnius's Christmas market runs on Katedros aikštė (Cathedral Square) from late November through early January. The city has built a global reputation for the most-photographed Christmas tree in Europe — every year a new artistic design wraps a giant fir in custom ornaments (the 2016 'tower' tree, made from 70,000 baubles, went viral worldwide). Around it: a circle of wooden chalets selling karštas vynas (mulled wine), kūčiukai (poppy-seed Christmas biscuits), smoked sausages, gingerbread and linen. The white neoclassical Vilnius Cathedral and the separately standing 57-metre Bell Tower form the backdrop. A children's mini-train circles the square. A smaller second market typically runs by the Town Hall.

Best time to visit

Late November to early January; the tree is illuminated until ≈ 8 January.

Why a private transfer

Cold, snow and a strictly pedestrian Old Town make a chauffeur the easiest option. Meet at VNO airport in a heated SUV, fixed price, name sign — straight to your hotel or to the closest drop-off point for the market.