Have you heard? Vilnius has earned the title of European Green Capital for 2025! This prestigious title is awarded by the European Commission every year since 2008 to different European cities aiming to encourage communities around the continent to become more environmentally friendly and to create a healthier environment for their citizens. The jury, who crowned Vilnius, especially liked our down to earth approach: our motto “Vilnius - the greenest city in the making” is guided by a clear vision and tangible actions. The city intertwines its sustainability efforts with the happiness of its residents, connecting initiatives to clean air, clean water, biodiversity preservation, green spaces, and more.
Photo from zaliasvilnius.lt
So how can you be part of our effort to become more Eco-friendly? Here are a couple of ideas of how to adopt sustainable traveling practices while visiting Vilnius!
Getting around
The most sustainable way of getting around Vilnius is, of course, on foot. The center part of the city is easily walkable and it’s best to explore it like this, otherwise you might miss some of the most beautiful corners of Vilnius. Check this website out and find the best routes for discovering Vilnius by walking. Or join our walking tours. We'll be glad to show you around.
Photo by Saulius Žiūra
Bikes
Though if you’re looking for alternatives to walking, you should definitely consider renting a bike. Vilnius has a big orange bike renting system for which you’d only need an app (download from: App Store, Google Play). On the app select the plan that suits your needs, find bikes closest to you, follow the further instructions on the app and hop on! Your first 30 minutes will be free of charge. Click here for instructions. If you need a bicycle for a longer period of time, check our friends Velo Takas. They also offer self guided bike tours to Trakai or even Kaunas.
Public transport
If your Vilnius sightseeing route includes longer distances you may need to consider using public transport. Did you know that Vilnius city has an eco-friendly alternative to regular buses - trolleybuses that use electricity for power? But even our busses are becoming more environmentally friendly, so don't hesitate to hop on and discover the different neighborhoods of Vilnius. You can use public transport from Vilnius airport to the city center as well. Here is our short article "How to get from Vilnius airport to the city centre".
Find out how Vilnius public transport works here.
Now, if you are planning a day trip from Vilnius, we recommend taking a train. Many environmentalists agree that choosing the train over other means of transportation both reduces the ecological impact. You can reach Trakai, Kaunas, Klaipėda (the sea side) or Šiauliai ( the Hill of crosses) within a few hours and enjoy the beautiful Lithuanian scenery along the way. You can buy train tickets online or in the main train station (Geležinkelio str. 16)
Bring your own water bottle!
Getting thirsty after all the walking in Vilnius? Don't worry - Vilnius tap water is perfectly drinkable and among the cleanest in Europe too. This is because 100% of it is taken from abundant underground sources sheltered from human interference. Vilniaus vandenys (Lithuania’s largest water supply company ) exclusively sources its water from underground wells, which are drilled to depths ranging from 40 to 245 meters. The deepest well extends to 245 meters, and the company boasts a total of 287 wells in operation! So don’t hesitate to refill your bottle the moment you see a tap in Vilnius. In summer it’s even easier to do this since there are 40 public drinking fountains all around Vilnius city. Although these fountains only operate during the summer months (4 months from May to October), in 2024 people consumed more than 3,8 mln. cups of water and saved 194,68 tons of plastic waste! How do we know it? Each water fountain is equipped with detectors that track water usage, and this information is accessible via an interactive map.
Photo by D.Umbrasas
Refund scheme
Since 2016, when Lithuania introduced a deposit refund scheme for plastic or glass bottles and cans, we’ve been doing so well that even The Economist posted an article on it. The scheme works like this: when purchasing beverage packaging with a special symbol, a 0,10€ deposit fee is charged. After returning your used bottles or cans by putting them into special machines installed in supermarkets, the 0,10€ is paid back to you after scanning the receipt at the cash register and you can use the receipt to pay for goods purchased in the shop. The returned bottles and cans go directly to recycling centres. More information here.
Discounts at the cafés
Many cafés, coffee shops and gas stations offer discounts from 5% to 15% for those who bring their own reusable cups. The bigger coffee shop chains such as Vero Cafe, Caif Cafe or gas stations Circle K and others surely give discounts for green consumers. We can’t guarantee a discount from other smaller businesses, but at the end of the day the primary aim of zero waste movement is to pollute less. Just don’t forget to take your travel mug when coming to Vilnius!
Eating out
Transportation isn't the only contributor to CO2 emissions—food production also plays a significant role in impacting the environment. Fortunately, in Vilnius, you can enjoy a healthy and sustainable diet with minimal compromise. However, keep in mind that Lithuania is in the northern hemisphere, meaning the season for fresh fruits and vegetables is relatively short. So, don't expect fresh strawberries in December!
One of the best places to explore local, sustainable cuisine and seasonal goods is Senatorių pasažas (Dominikonų str. 11). Here, you can dine at a farm-to-table restaurant, shop for meat, cheese, and vegetables from the nearby Farmers Circle organic farm (less than 100 km from Vilnius), or indulge in a freshly baked pastry with your morning coffee—no need to rush.
Another favorite spot among our guides is Senamiesčio krautuvė (Literatų str. 5), a charming grocery store in Vilnius Old Town. As the first of its kind in the area, it quickly gained popularity with both locals and tourists. If you're looking for ecological products from local farms, this is the place for you.
For those with a plant-based diet, Vilnius offers an impressive selection of cafés, bistros, and restaurants specializing in vegetarian and vegan dishes. Here are some of our top picks:
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RoseHip Vegan bistro ( Pylimo str. 22D) - features as many as 7 types of burgers, also known for its’ Budda bowls.
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Vieta (Šv. Ignoto str. 12-1) - very small but very popular vegan lunch place. Not open on weekends! Serves generous portions so come hungry.
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KIRAS (Totorių str. 7) - known for its vegan desserts and delicious hot sandwiches and above all for its’ vibes.
Sustainable shopping
While sustainable living often involves reducing overall consumption, we still rely on many everyday items. Let’s be honest—not everyone is ready to embrace a fully zero-waste lifestyle from day one. However, making smarter choices by purchasing organic, eco-friendly products without sacrificing comfort is entirely possible. For instance, instead of buying a fridge magnet as a souvenir from Vilnius, why not invest a bit more in a high-quality hat you’ll cherish and use for years? Supporting local businesses not only benefits the environment but also strengthens the local economy. That’s not all—local products typically require less transportation, use minimal packaging, and help create more jobs, making them a more sustainable and impactful choice.
For example, did you know that the local textile brand Utenos Trikotažas was the first in the world to fully comply with Greenpeace's textile procurement standard? The company adheres strictly to the requirements for hazardous chemical management in its organic cotton supply chain. The Greenpeace standard represents the highest level of best practices, ensuring zero use of toxic chemicals while promoting fairness and transparency. You can find their shop in CUP shopping mall (Upės str. 9) - not too far from Vilnius Old Town.
In addition, there’s a great store called Local House ( Pilies str. 22). It is an independently owned store in the heart of Vilnius Old Town that presents hand crafted gifts and specialty food from local artists and crafters. They carry a wide range of products and unique gifts that come directly from a variety of small businesses.
Photo by Utenos Trikotažas
Now if you are looking for zero-waste shopping in Vilnius and Lithuania, find them all in one place here. It’s not only a list of all the stores or markets, but also a map, so you can check which spots are closest to you.
As you can see, it’s not too hard to make your stay in Vilnius sustainable, even if it’s baby steps towards a brighter future. If we all contribute at least a little bit, we will eventually make our planet Earth greener. As Mahatma Gandhi said, be the change you wish to see in the world.