Jewish History Tour: Explore Vilnius' Rich Heritage

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 narrow winding streets where Jews started moving to in the 16th century.
    You will continue to explore narrow winding streets where Jews started moving to in the 16th century.
  • Stiklių gatvė - The guide will show one of the newest art projects to commemorate Jewish past - “Walls that remember”. You will also pass the famous Glassblowers’ street.
  • Žydų gatvė - You will continue the tour through the Jewish street 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 leave the Small Ghetto behind and will get to the former territory of Big Jewish Ghetto. A possibility to have a short break on the German street if needed.
  • Vilnius Choral Synagogue - Visit the only surviving synagogue in the city for additional 2 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 will 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 Jewish doctor who lived in Vilnius.
  • Žydų Kultūros Ir Informacijos Centras - Use the opportunity to get some extra information at the Jewish information office if needed, the guide will point you out the place.
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
4.9
(141 Ratings)
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Nycinbp
Jul 26, 2024
Excellent introduction of Vilnius’ and Lithuania’s Jewish history - Saurnis (spelling?) was well informed, spoke clearly and knowledgeably and provided us with a very good introductory tour of major Jewish sites and events in the city. Good value for money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A6107svlinan
Jul 22, 2024
Excellent tour! - The tour was entertaining, easy going and very informative! The price was absolutely worth it and we would recommend the tour to all our friends. Now we have a completely different view of the city as we stroll through the old little streets.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristinabw8200zo
Jul 22, 2024
Very knowledgeable and engaged tour guide - Our tour guide provided real insight supported by facts in a captivating way. Because of the experience with her as tour guide i signed up for other 'Vilnius with locals tours'. Her information was beyond you could read yourself by walking the city, still never overloading Info and easy to comprehend. I can definitely recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Deborah_o
Jul 19, 2024
Worthwhile! - There are so many unmarked, or minimally marked, sites that are important here. Having this tour to point them out and explain the significance was crucial. I really enjoyed and appreciated this thoughtful, and thought provoking, tour.
Review provided by Viator
Julie529
Jul 17, 2024
Among the best and most incisive walking tours I've ever taken. - This walk exceeded our expectations. Our guide Milda, who specialized in Jewish studies, was a fountain of information. Presenting the history and background of the Jews in Vilnius with plenty of context, she answered questions completely. She also spoke English and projected exceptionally well. Vilnius, called the "Jerusalem of the North," before WW2, was the center of Jewish culture and history. When Hitler exterminated 95% of the population here, he quite literally obliterated a significant major part of Jewish history. (Of note: there were no crematoriums in Lithuania because the Nazis just rounded up the Jews, marched them to the forest and shot them.) Milda explains this and more (showcasing mural art, sculptures, architecture along the way) in her excellent tour. A fascinating and rewarding experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M3336xhcorinnem
Jul 3, 2024
Not to be missed - Excellent tour of Jewish Vilnius, covering a lot in a short time - a rich legacy to discover or learn more about with a knowledgeable, congenial tour guide. I absolutely recommend this tour.
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Mike_g
Jun 18, 2024
I'd give it six stars if I could - It was brilliant. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about Jewish history in Vilnius and clearly loved the subject. She entertained us with some amusing anecdotes. The whole tour was well organised. We were a large group nearly 20 people so they split us into two groups (ours was about eight) which I thought was very considerate. Highly recommended
Review provided by Viator
Happiness11242164840
Jun 15, 2024
I'd give it 6 stars if I could - Brilliant. Tour guide was very knowledgeable about Jewish history in Vilnius and clearly loved the subject. She explained everything very clearly, listened to our comments and entertained us with some amusing anecdotes. We were a big group of nearly twenty so they split us into two groups (ours became eight) which I thought was very considerate. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anne_p
Jun 14, 2024
Moving and Informative Walk through Old Vilnius - The story about the boy who kept a diary, walking through the streets, visiting the site of the old synagogue, understanding what happened to the Jewish people who used to live in Vilnius. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and her English was excellent
Review provided by Viator
Mingo1972
Jun 11, 2024
Interesting yet somber - Friendly and very knowledgeable guide. Between the two regimes the destruction was so utterly complete that there are few standing buildings/monuments.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
September 2024
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