Gediminas Avenue, Vilnius

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Gediminas Avenue, Vilnius

Gediminas Avenue, Vilnius

Gediminas Avenue is the main thoroughfare of Vilnius, named after Grand Duke Gediminas, who ruled from 1315 to 1341 and is credited with founding the Lithuanian state and expanding its territory from the Baltic to the Black Sea.

Established in 1836, the street has undergone several name changes over the centuries: St. George Avenue, Mickiewicz Street during Polish rule, Adolf Hitler Street under Nazi occupation, and Stalin and Lenin Avenue during the Soviet era.

The section from Vilnius Cathedral to Vincas Kudirka Square was reconstructed in 2003 to mark the 750th anniversary of King Mindaugas’s coronation. Archaeological findings uncovered during construction have been documented and can be explored in local museums.

Gediminas Avenue hosts many of Lithuania’s governmental institutions, including the parliament and Constitutional Court, as well as cultural landmarks such as the Lithuanian Academy of Music, the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, and the Martynas Mažvydas National Library. In the evenings and on weekends, motorized traffic is restricted, allowing pedestrians to stroll and enjoy the cityscape.

The avenue offers a vibrant mix of shopping and dining. Visitors can browse boutiques, international brands, and local shops selling fashion, accessories, and Lithuanian crafts. Cafés, bistros, and restaurants serve both traditional Lithuanian dishes and international cuisine. Outdoor terraces provide ideal spots to enjoy a coffee or a meal while observing the lively street life, making Gediminas Avenue a cultural and culinary hub in Vilnius.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vilnius. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Gediminas Avenue on Map

Sight Name: Gediminas Avenue
Sight Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (See walking tours in Vilnius)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Vilnius, Lithuania

Create Your Own Walk in Vilnius

Create Your Own Walk in Vilnius

Creating your own self-guided walk in Vilnius is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Užupis District Walking Tour

Užupis District Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour

Vilnius Old Town Walking Tour

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Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is one of Eastern...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Historical Churches Tour

Historical Churches Tour

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One of the most famous temples in Vilnius...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles