Vilnius: Jewish Quarter Walking Tour & Synagogue Entry

Summary

Walk Vilnius’ winding streets & feel Jewish history come alive

You’ll wander Vilnius’ old Jewish quarter with a local guide who brings lost stories back to life, see WWII ghetto traces, and visit (if open) the city’s last synagogue. Expect quiet moments, surprising details, and street corners where history feels close enough to touch.

What’s the experience like?

“You see this?” our guide, Tomas, said as he pointed to a faded sign in Yiddish above a shopfront on Jewish Street. “My grandmother used to buy bread here.” I didn’t expect that — it hit me how recent all this really was. The morning was cool and smelled faintly of rain on old stone. We met at the steps of Vilnius Town Hall, where Tomas started weaving together centuries of stories before we even left the square.

We wandered through narrow alleys that twisted behind the main roads — apparently, these were already full of life back in the 16th century. You could almost hear echoes if you listened hard enough (or maybe that’s just me). There’s an art project called “Walls that Remember” tucked into one corner; bits of faces and names painted onto crumbling plaster. I tried reading some Yiddish but gave up after two words — Tomas grinned and said most locals can’t either now. The main keyword for this tour is really just walking with someone who knows every crack in these pavements.

The Great Synagogue site stopped us for a while. Not much left except foundations and a strange quietness — it’s like the city holds its breath there. We moved on to German Street for a quick break (needed coffee by then), then crossed into what used to be the Big Ghetto during WWII. Tomas told us about the Vilna Gaon, this famous scholar whose name I’d only seen in books before. He made him sound real — like someone you might bump into at a market if you’d lived here long enough.

If you want, you can step inside the only surviving synagogue for a couple euros (bring cash). It wasn’t open when we passed by — Jewish holiday, apparently — but even from outside you could sense it’s still looked after with care. The last stop was a statue of a doctor everyone seemed to know; people touched his hand as they walked past, which felt oddly hopeful after everything else we’d heard. I still think about that gesture sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Jewish history and heritage

• Meet at Vilnius Town Hall stairs
• Introduction to Jewish history
• Walk narrow 16th-century streets
• See "Walls that remember" art
• Pass Glassblowers' street
• View Great Synagogue damages
• Learn about Vilna Gaon's life
• Visit former Big Jewish Ghetto
• Optional break on German street
• Visit surviving synagogue (extra fee)
• Learn about WWII Ghettos creation
• See preserved Jewish shop names
• Visit former Ghetto library building
• See statue of famous Jewish doctor
• Guide points Jewish information office

Top questions

Where does the Jewish Vilnius walking tour start?

The tour begins at the stairs of Vilnius Town Hall.

Is entry to the Choral Synagogue included?

Yes, entry is included if the synagogue is open; there’s a small cash fee (2 EUR).

How long is the walk through the former Jewish quarter?

The route covers several blocks around Vilnius Old Town’s former Jewish quarter; exact timing varies but expect a few hours on foot.

Can children or people with strollers join?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers; suitable for all fitness levels.

What will I see on this day trip in Vilnius?

You’ll see remnants of Small & Big Ghettos, preserved shop signs in Yiddish/Polish, art projects like “Walls that Remember,” and historic sites tied to Jewish history.

What’s included

Your day includes walking with a local guide through Vilnius’ former Jewish quarter and WWII ghetto sites, plus entry to the Choral Synagogue if it’s open (with small cash fee). There are breaks along the way and opportunities for extra info at the Jewish information office before finishing up near Old Town.