Presidential Palace (Office of the President)

What you're seeing

The Presidential Palace — officially the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania — is one of the most graceful buildings in Vilnius Old Town, fronting the broad Daukantas Square. Its classical façade dates from a 19th-century rebuild, but the site has hosted bishops, tsars and Napoleon's passing army over the centuries. Today it is the seat of the Lithuanian head of state, and most visitors come for the exterior, the square and the relaxed public courtyard.

That courtyard is the everyday highlight: a free, open space with a fountain, benches and a giant outdoor chessboard, pleasant for a short rest mid-walk. After dark, the palace is attractively floodlit.

• Address: S. Daukanto a. 3, Vilnius Old Town
• Cost: exterior, square and courtyard are free to visit
• Highlight: Sunday flag ceremony at 12:00 on Daukantas Square
• Look for: the fountain, seating and giant chessboard in the courtyard
• Photogenic by day and floodlit at night

Good to know

The exterior and grounds are freely accessible, but interior tours of the palace must be booked in advance through the official website and run on weekends with limited places. The set-piece to time your visit around is the ceremonial raising of the state, presidential and EU flags on Daukantas Square every Sunday at 12:00, performed by soldiers of the Honour Guard in ceremonial uniforms and historic armour; it lasts only a few minutes. As schedules can change for state events and holidays, confirm tour availability and ceremony times on the official site before you go.

The palace sits beside Vilnius University and a short walk from Cathedral Square, so it slots easily into any Old Town wander.