Car & Van Hire - Vilnius

The capital of Lithuania has long been a centre of trade. As a result, it has a distinctly cosmopolitan feel. If you're an architecture buff, you may be able to identify which buildings are designed in the German style, which places have a Russian influence, and so on. If you're not an expert, you'll still find plenty to admire as you wander the streets of this charming historic town.

Start your adventure in the old town, which is one of the largest and best-preserved in Northern Europe. Everywhere you look, you'll find a new feast for the eyes, from the castle to the cathedral. One of the saddest sights is the old Jewish quarter. Vilnius once had such a large Jewish population that the city was known as the "Jerusalem of the North". Tragically, only a few hundred of Vilnius' 40,000 Jews survived the Holocaust. The Jewish quarter was largely destroyed, but in recent years, memorial plaques, statues and murals depicting the city's Jewish residents have been placed in tribute to those who died.

For the best views in town, use your car hire in Vilnius to head to the Hill of Three Crosses. From here, you can enjoy full panoramic views of the city and beyond. It's a beautiful spot to admire the sunset. While most visitors focus on the panorama, it's also worth taking a look at the crosses themselves. Wooden crosses were first erected here in the 17th century, but the Soviets removed them after taking control of Lithuania. When the Soviet Union collapsed, new crosses were built, symbolising the rebirth of the Lithuanian nation.

Vilnius is awash with interesting religious buildings, including the charming St Anne's Church. This dates back to 1500 and has an incredibly detailed altar inside. The red-domed Church of St Peter and St Paul is a treat for the senses, with beautiful colours and intricate decorations. Best of all is Vilnius Cathedral, with its towering belfry and atmospheric catacombs.

Car or van hire in Vilnius lets you take day trips to explore the surrounding area. Why not drive to Trakai National Park? This is a great choice if you're in the mood for hiking, as it has many trails that run through the woods and alongside the lake. While you're in the park, you can admire Trakai Island Castle, which stands in the middle of the lake, and the charming Trakai Town. Its brightly coloured wooden houses are a delightful sight, and it's the perfect place to stop for a scenic lunch.

Driving around the old town of Vilnius can be awkward. To keep traffic down, the city council introduced a loop programme. This prevents drivers from cutting through the old town and using it as a shortcut to get to a destination on the other side. There are now four loops that run around the old town, and each one is a one-way system. You cannot move from one loop to another, so you'll have to plan your route in advance, paying attention to the old town entrance you need.

Vilnius' old town is small enough that you can cross it comfortably on foot, and exploring its nooks and crannies is a major draw for most visitors. With this in mind, you might prefer to park on the outskirts of the old town and travel around it as a pedestrian. This means you won't have to master the somewhat confusing loop system at all.

You'll find on-street parking and large car parks in Vilnius. In winter, a covered car park is usually the best option. If you're leaving your car for several hours, you might come back to find the windscreen frozen over. You can pay for parking at the meter, which accepts cash and sometimes cards, by SMS if you have a Lithuanian phone number, or by using a mobile app.

Winter tyres are a legal requirement from 10 November to 10 April. If you're coming to Lithuania in winter, you'll need to be prepared for snowy conditions. The country has a very harsh winter, with heavy snowfall. In general, the highways and city streets are regularly cleared of snow, but country roads and back streets are more dangerous. Watch out for the deadly black ice. From a distance, it looks like water on the road - but as you get closer, you'll realise just how slippery the surface can be. Drive slowly and carefully in the winter months, and pay close attention to local weather reports.

When driving in Lithuania, you are legally obliged to keep your headlights on at all times. If you forget, other drivers will often honk at you to remind you. There are many speed cameras and radars on the streets of Vilnius and on nearby roads - more than you'll find in most other European countries - so make sure you obey the speed limit.