As new EU entry rules reshape travel this summer, Vilnius combines fast arrivals with a rare mix of green space, compact living and a cultural calendar spanning everything from hot air balloons to the Vilnius Pink Soup Festival
Vilnius offers a different experience – already processing travelers in minutes, while also positioning itself as a compelling summer city break: a compact, genuinely green capital (ranked second in the world by the Green City Index), with a calendar of distinctive events including the Vilnius Pink Soup Festival and one of the region’s largest youth song and dance festivals.
As April 10, 2026, marks the full rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), meaning non-EU nationals will undergo biometric registration when entering the Schengen area for the first time. At already-stretched Western European airports, this additional step is expected to increase delay during peak summer travel time.
At the same time, travelers are seeking less crowded, greener city break destinations. Interest in “greenest city in the world” as a search term has surged by over 9,900% in the past year, according to Google Trends – a trend the city is well-positioned to meet. The Lithuanian capital’s green credentials are well established. The Green City Index ranks it second in the world, right after Oslo, while the European Commission named it European Green Capital for 2025.
With 61% of the city covered by green space and a dense urban forest canopy, the Lithuanian capital stands out as a true “city in a forest” – one of the few European capitals where hot air balloons drift over a UNESCO-listed Old Town. The city is also well suited for activities like forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), reflecting a growing interest in nature-based experiences.
“In other countries, benefiting from the meditative surroundings provided by the woods would require you to drive somewhere far away. Vilnius is special in the way it allows for a forest bathing session – well-planned or impromptu – to happen right in the heart of the city,“ says Kotryna Stankutė-Jaščemskienė, a certified forest bathing guide.
In addition to ample opportunities for spending time outdoors that include forest bathing, cycling, kayaking and much more, the city offers a number of niche events in the upcoming season. These include:
New Baltic Dance (April 23-25), now in its 20th edition, brings international contemporary dance into a distinctly Baltic cultural frame.
- Open House Vilnius (May 16-17) offers free access to more than 140 architecturally significant buildings normally closed to the public, from modernist structures and former industrial spaces to hidden courtyards and private gardens.
- Vilnius Mama Jazz (May 22-24) promises a 3-day marathon of live music and events featuring artists like Tom Skinner, Mammal Hands, and Cécile McLorin Salvant.
- Vilnius Half Marathon (May 23) provides an opportunity for amateur and professional runners to test their skills against the cobbled streets of Vilnius Old Town.
- Vilnius Pink Soup Fest (May 29-31). The unofficial start of summer, Vilnius Pink Soup Fest takes over outdoor venues across the city for three days – a celebration of Lithuanian culinary culture anchored by the country’s cold beet soup – šaltibarščiai.
- Culture Night (June 12) turns Vilnius into one large festival with light art installations, performances, concerts, and much more.
- The Lithuanian Youth Song Festival (July 3-6) brings together around 24,000 participants in a tradition of folk song and dance that has been part of Baltic cultural life for generations.
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