Improving conditions for pedestrians
Did you know that the capital is surrounded by 1,490 km of pedestrian trails? By walking, pedestrians, sometimes without even knowing it, bring great benefits not only to themselves but also to the city as a whole. The more walking, the less traffic congestion, air pollution and climate change. Walking is the best way to ensure physical and emotional well-being and to experience the vibrancy of the city up close.
Currently, around 15% of trips in the capital are made on foot. Our goal is to increase the percentage of trips on foot in the city to at least 29% by 2030.
Here’s what Vilnius has done and is still doing to encourage more walking:
- In 2023, 62 km of pedestrian trails were upgraded and built;
- New pavements and cycle paths were built in Fabijoniškės, Žvėrynas, Žirmūnai, Lazdynai, on the left bank of the Neris, and in Antakalnis in 2023;
- Pedestrian waiting times at the city’s 132 traffic lights are reduced to speed up walking;
- Accessibility of the environment for disabled people is improved;
- Infrastructure is created to enable children to walk to educational institutions.
One of the best ways to contribute to the growth of a green capital is to put your legs to work. For those who want to start walking more, the golden rule is to choose to walk distances of less than 3 km to work, educational institutions or other places. It will only take 30 minutes, but in that time you will not only contribute to sustainable urban mobility, but also improve your physical and emotional health.
Not sure where to start? We’re here to help you plan spectacular routes across the capital.
VILNIUS ON FOOT
There are currently as many as 16 daily walking routes in Vilnius that will help you get to know the city better. From Žvėrynas to the Cathedral Square or from Baltupiai to the King Mindaugas Bridge — we invite you to turn your next commute into an opportunity to exercise your legs, breathe in some fresh air, and admire the architecture of the capital.
If you have some free time, you can choose a longer walking route to get to know the surroundings even better. The capital offers 24 leisure pedestrian trails that reach the Karoliniškės Landscape Reserve, the Green Lakes, Trakų Vokė or even as far as the Lentvaris Manor.
For the truly adventurous, there is a 100 km trail around Vilnius. It can be completed all at once or divided into sections. Are you up for the challenge?
Discovering the city’s culture on foot
To prevent boredom, routes may be taken while listening to the many audio guides of the ‘Neakivaizdinis Vilnius’ capital discovery project to learn more about the city’s history, unique districts, streets, architecture, art, nature, and everyday life.
As you walk, you will not only improve your physical health but also gain knowledge. A perfect combination!
For those who want to avoid aimless wandering, the capital offers a whole list of places to visit in Vilnius city and district.