Guide to Vilnius in Lithuania.

Not to worry if Vilnius is unknown to you; you are not alone. Most European itineraries overlook Lithuania's capital, tucked awkwardly between Poland and Latvia like that somewhat odd friend who comes uninvited for dinner but somehow makes it way more fascinating. Still, Vilnius is quite exquisite. This is the kind of city that shocks you in ways you would not have wanted to be surprised.

Begin with the Old Town, which is paradoxically both elegantly cobbled and perplexingly labyrinthine. You might still feel as though you've stumbled onto a mediaeval Instagram filter even after hours of meandering through small lanes lined with Baroque churches, little cafes, and pastel-coloured buildings. Professional advice: Vilnius will make you late for everything, and you will forgive it, so wear comfy shoes and forget about all sense of urgency.

The Gediminas Tower is one of my personal favourites. If, like me, your exercise consists primarily of going to the fridge, climbing up is somewhat of a workout; however, the sweeping vista of the city is worth every somewhat sad stride. Vilnius, seen from above, seems like a fairy-tale city that, by accident, developed some contemporary structures in strange locations. You're supposed to be appreciating history from hundreds of years ago, but all you can consider is whether your legs would pardon you afterwards.

There are also lots of coffee shops in Vilnius. Lithuanians take coffee so seriously that your regular latte practice seems like amateur hour. Get a table at a cute little café around Pilies Street, order a cup, and observe the metropolis pass by. If you try a Lithuanian pastry, you get extra points, as saying them well is practically a rite of passage. Spoiler: You'll fail, but that's all right, as taste trumps syllables.

Check Užupis for something a little unconventional. The city has declared itself an independent republic with its own unique constitution. The location's artsy, defiant attitude makes you question if the creators had only a little too much coffee when creating laws about cat happiness. Walking around here, you can sense a society that doesn't take itself too seriously, and really, that's contagious.

Vilnius's nightlife is more about chill bars with live music, artisanal beers, and the odd surprise jazz performance than it is about pounding clubs. Spending an evening hopping between locations and befriending locals who are at once lovely and bafflingly multilingual is relatively easy.

Vilnius is not glitzy, and there are unquestionably not too many visitors there. Actually, that adds to its appeal. The city steals your heart softly, then leaves you wondering why you ever neglected it. It creeps up on you. Go ahead, add Vilnius to your map, wander, sip excellent coffee, and welcome the little anarchy of a place that's just OK being itself.