Ukmergė City
City in Vilnius, Lithuania with history
A Lithuanian market town on the Šventoji River with timber houses, Orthodox and Catholic churches, and a wartime history memorial. Visitors stroll the old centre, explore local markets, and follow regional hiking and cycling trails.
Ukmergė at a Glance#
Costs: Low-cost Lithuanian town - $40-70/day; inexpensive food, local stays affordable.
Safety: Generally safe - generally safe with typical small-city caution at night.
Best Time: May to September - late spring through early autumn for pleasant weather and festivals.
Why Visit Ukmergė?#
Ukmergė offers a blend of Lithuanian small-town life, green spaces and local history that appeals to curious travelers. The town’s mound and parks frame a compact center with churches and a modest museum, and traditional dishes such as cepelinai appear on neighborhood menus. Folk events and craft markets showcase regional customs and music, making Ukmergė an accessible base for exploring Vilnius County’s countryside and everyday culture.
Best Things to Do in Ukmergė#
Ukmergė Bucket List#
Ukmergė Museum of Local Lore - Explore Ukmergė Museum for exhibits on regional history, folk crafts and archaeology.
Šventoji Riverside Promenade - Stroll the Šventoji riverside promenade, lined with parks and town scenes.
St. Peter and Paul Church - Visit the Church of St. Peter and Paul for neo-Gothic architecture and ornate altars.
Ukmergė Central Market - Browse Ukmergė Central Market for local produce, handicrafts and lively seasonal stalls.
Traditional Wooden Houses - Wander quieter residential streets to discover traditional wooden houses and local character.
Small Local Cafés - Try small cafés serving Lithuanian pastries and coffee favored by residents.
Vilnius - Take a day trip to Vilnius for its Old Town, museums and grand cathedrals.
Trakai Castle - Visit Trakai Castle on its island for lakeside views and Karaim culinary specialties.
Best Time to Visit Ukmergė#
Best from late spring to early autumn when days are mild and forests are green. Winters are long and snowy-expect freezing temperatures and limited outdoor hours.
December - February
-10°C to -2°C (14°F to 28°F)
Long, cold winters with reliable snow-beautiful if you like crisp winter landscapes, but expect frozen roads and short daylight; layer up and plan indoor activities.
March - May
0°C to 15°C (32°F to 59°F)
Slow, muddy thaw; forests green up and birdlife explodes. Expect chilly mornings and fluctuating temperatures-ideal for quiet hikes before peak summer crowds.
June - August
15°C to 22°C (59°F to 72°F)
Short, pleasant summers are warm without extreme heat-great for lakes, cycling and berry-picking. Mosquitoes are noticeable near water in evenings.
Ukmergė's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (599 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. The driest month with just 25 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 71 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 71 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Ukmergė#
Ukmergė is best reached from Vilnius Airport (VNO) with direct regional buses from Vilnius. There is no regular passenger rail service to the town, so coaches and minibuses are the primary public-transport option.
Vilnius Airport (VNO): Vilnius is the main international gateway for Ukmergė. From the airport take the city bus to Vilnius bus/train stations (about 20-25 minutes, small fare) and then a regional bus to Ukmergė; the Vilnius-Ukmergė bus takes roughly 45-60 minutes and is run by operators such as Kautra.
Kaunas Airport (KUN): Kaunas is an alternative for low-cost carriers; travel from Kaunas to Ukmergė requires a bus or train into Vilnius and then a regional bus - total travel time is longer (often 1.5-2.5 hours).
Train: Ukmergė does not currently have regular passenger rail service. The nearest passenger railheads are in larger cities (Vilnius, Panevėžys) and are not convenient for last-mile travel.
Bus: Buses and minibuses (Kautra and private carriers) run frequently between Vilnius and Ukmergė from the Vilnius bus station; journeys take about 45-60 minutes and are inexpensive. The Ukmergė autobusų stotis is central and convenient for local onward travel.
How to Get Around Ukmergė#
Buses from Vilnius are the practical and frequent way to reach Ukmergė; once there, walking, local buses and taxis cover short distances. Trains are not a viable option for direct access.
- Regional bus (Kautra / private) (€1.50-€4) - Frequent minibuses and regional buses connect Ukmergė with Vilnius (about 45-60 minutes) and other regional centres. Buses depart from Vilnius bus station; buy tickets at the station or on board where allowed. Services are frequent during the day.
- Airport transfer (Vilnius city bus / taxi) (€2-€15) - From Vilnius Airport take the city bus or taxi to the main bus station (20-30 minutes) to catch a bus to Ukmergė. Taxi is faster but more expensive; the city bus is cheap and reliable.
- Local bus / minibus (€0.50-€1.50) - Local services within Ukmergė and nearby villages are provided by small buses and minibuses. Timetables can be limited on weekends; check locally for departure times.
- Taxi (€3-€15) - Taxis are available for early/late connections or when public transport is not running. Agree the fare in advance for longer rural trips.
- Bicycle (€5-€15/day) - Ukmergė and its surrounding countryside are pleasant by bike in summer; local rental options may be limited, so check in advance with guesthouses.
- Walking - The town centre is compact and easy to explore on foot; most amenities are within a short walk of the bus station.
Where to Stay in Ukmergė#
City Centre - $25-55/night
Budget travellers find simple hotels and family-run guesthouses near the centre. Limited hostel-style options; bookings recommended in summer.
Ukmergė Hotel (local) - Practical, centrally located rooms
Guesthouse / B&B options - Small family-run guesthouses
Central Ukmergė - $55-95/night
Comfortable mid-range hotels and renovated guesthouses close to Ukmergė’s main square and riverfront. Good value for two-night stays.
Viesbutis Centras - Comfortable mid-range hotel in town
Ukmergė Fortas Guesthouse - Well-reviewed local boutique stay
Outskirts / Countryside - $120-200/night
Luxury options inside Ukmergė are limited; upscale stays are typically manor hotels or spa resorts a short drive away.
Nearby Country Manor Hotels - Luxurious rural properties outside town
Regional Spa Hotels - Upscale spa options within driving distance
Where to Eat in Ukmergė#
Ukmergė’s modest dining scene focuses on Lithuanian home cooking, bakeries and casual bistros - filling meals after exploring local parks and churches.
- Town centre eateries - Local Lithuanian dishes and soups.
- Bakeries and cafés - Traditional pastries and coffee.
- Casual pizzerias and bistros - Simple, affordable evening options.
Seasonal markets, riverside cafés and beer gardens are popular in warmer months, highlighting fresh local produce and casual dining.
- Local market stalls - Fresh produce and seasonal goods.
- Riverfront cafés - Relaxed spots near the Šventoji river.
- Seasonal beer gardens - Outdoor socialising in summer months.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Ukmergė’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Ukmergė#
Shopping is primarily local: small grocery stores, markets and a handful of specialty shops in the town centre. You’ll find local food products and everyday goods, but limited choice for fashion or electronics - for those, travel to Vilnius or Ukmergė’s larger neighbours.
Nightlife in Ukmergė#
Nightlife is low-key with a few cafés, bars and occasional live-music nights. The scene is quiet compared with major Lithuanian cities and tends to finish early.
