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Sunset

Golden Hour at the Gate of Dawn

Grab a drink in the courtyard as the sun dips low, then watch the light fade over the old city walls.

Best time: 15 JanAbout 75 min

Timeline

  1. 15:38

    Artistai

    Head to the large courtyard of Artistai pub. It is a great place to relax and watch the sunset. The friendly service and live music set a pleasant tone before the main event.

  2. 16:18

    Gate of Dawn

    Walk to the Gate of Dawn. This is the last survivor of the walled city's nine gates. Arrive just before the sun sets to find a good spot near the chapel that straddles the gate.

  3. 16:23

    Gate of Dawn

    Watch the sunset. On this date, the sun sets toward the SW around 16:23. The golden light starting at 15:17 will have already bathed the stone facade in a warm glow.

  4. 16:53

    Balzac

    End the evening at Balzac. It is a traditional French restaurant with well-prepared cuisine and a great atmosphere, perfect for staying after the light fades.

Local tip

The courtyard at Artistai is the best vantage point for the sunset if you want to sit down first. If you prefer to stand and view the gate directly, walk from the pub to the Gate of Dawn (5 minutes).

Check before you go

  • Artistai is open until 24:00 on Sundays and Mondays, but closes at 17:00 on Saturdays. Check the specific day of your visit.
  • Balzac is open until 23:00 on weekdays and Sundays, and until 24:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Vilnius (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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