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If you are looking for something a little different to do in Vilnius, Lukiškės Prison 2.0 should definitely be on your list.
Located just a short walk from Vilnius Old Town, this former prison operated for 115 years, from 1904 until 2019. Today, it has been transformed into one of the city's most unusual cultural spaces, bringing together artists, musicians, creative businesses and curious visitors.
But don't let the concerts, bars and creative atmosphere fool you — behind those walls lies a fascinating and sometimes unsettling history.
Photo: Go Vilnius
A Prison with More Than 100 Years of History
Lukiškės Prison opened in 1904 and witnessed some of the most dramatic periods in Lithuania's history. During its operation, it functioned under different political regimes, including the Russian Empire, independent Lithuania, Nazi occupation and Soviet rule.
Thousands of people passed through its gates, including political prisoners, resistance fighters and ordinary inmates.
The prison finally closed in 2019, ending 115 years of operation. In 2021, it reopened as Lukiškės Prison 2.0, a new home for culture, creativity and community.
What Is Lukiškės Prison 2.0 Today?
Today, the complex is home to hundreds of artists and creative professionals. Its former prison buildings and courtyards host concerts, exhibitions, cultural events, creative studios and even a bar.
It has also become a popular filming location — fans of Stranger Things might recognise parts of the complex from Season 4!
You can visit the territory, enjoy a drink, explore the creative spaces during selected events or simply experience the unusual atmosphere of this place.
Photo: Go Vilnius
But if you really want to understand what happened behind the prison walls, we recommend joining a guided tour.
Take a Guided Tour Inside the Prison
Walking through a former prison with someone who knows its stories is a completely different experience from simply visiting the courtyard.
Lukiškės Prison offers several guided experiences in English:
Guided Prison Tour in English – Step inside the historic prison buildings, explore the cells and corridors, and discover stories about everyday prison life, its inmates and more than a century of history.
Want to make the experience even more atmospheric? Try visiting after sunset! Exploring the prison in the dark adds an entirely different dimension to the experience. ;)
Tickets for standard tour available here.
Exclusive Lukiškės Prison Experience: A Story You Can Taste – History is not only something you see and hear. This unique experience takes things a step further with a tasting at the end. The selection of snacks is inspired by the memoirs and food memories of former prisoners, offering an unusual way to connect with the past.
You can book it here
Tours are led by trained guides who know the history and stories of the prison from extensive research and first-hand accounts.
We recommend booking in advance, especially during the summer season, as places on public tours are limited.
Photo: Go Vilnius
Is Lukiškės Prison Worth Visiting?
Definitely! Whether you are interested in history, architecture, Soviet-era stories or simply unusual places, Lukiškės Prison offers a perspective on Vilnius that you won't get from a regular sightseeing tour.
It is also a good reminder of how a place with a difficult past can find a completely new purpose — without erasing the stories that happened there.
If you have a little extra time in Vilnius, don't just look at the prison from the outside. Go inside.