Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius
Vilnius, Lithuania

Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius

Outty Ranking 60 5.0 · 1 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $28
Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

60/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius worth booking?

Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius is a 2-hour experience in Vilnius, Lithuania, from $28 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
60 / 100
Rating
5/5 (1)
Duration
2 hours
From
$28 per person

They kept a snake in the house and fed it milk by hand; killing it brought disaster. That is where the walk opens, at the Bastion, with the Basilisk the city invented to explain its dead. From there: the Gate of Dawn and its wall of 8,000 silver hearts, legs and eyes left to buy a cure from heaven; three martyrs killed in 1347 whose bodies still refuse to decay; the Basilian Gate, built by the church that went over to Rome in 1596 to keep Moscow from claiming it; St Casimir's, built by a son to undo the nation his father turned Protestant; where Stendhal watched Napoleon's army freeze in 1812; the lane where a mob burned the rival church; and Cathedral Square, where a pagan fire burns under the cathedral of the last country in Europe to give up its gods. Led by Dr Simonas Strelcovas, PhD historian and former museum director, from his own research, not a script. Not what year a building went up, but how ordinary people believed. For curious travellers and readers of history.

What you get

    About this experience

    They kept a snake in the house and fed it milk by hand; killing it brought disaster. That is where the walk opens, at the Bastion, with the Basilisk the city invented to explain its dead. From there: the Gate of Dawn and its wall of 8,000 silver hearts, legs and eyes left to buy a cure from heaven; three martyrs killed in 1347 whose bodies still refuse to decay; the Basilian Gate, built by the church that went over to Rome in 1596 to keep Moscow from claiming it; St Casimir's, built by a son to undo the nation his father turned Protestant; where Stendhal watched Napoleon's army freeze in 1812; the lane where a mob burned the rival church; and Cathedral Square, where a pagan fire burns under the cathedral of the last country in Europe to give up its gods. Led by Dr Simonas Strelcovas, PhD historian and former museum director, from his own research, not a script. Not what year a building went up, but how ordinary people believed. For curious travellers and readers of history.

    What's included

    Included

    • A ~2-hour guided walking lecture in English, led by a PhD historian

    Not included

    • Meals
    • Any optional church donation

    What you'll see and do

    1. Artillery Bastion (Basteja)

      This is the meeting point and the tour's opening scene — the site of the pagan household snake, once fed milk by hand as a sacred guardian, and the reputed lair of the Basilisk of Vilnius, a monster whose gaze alone could kill.

      15 minutes here

    2. Gate of Dawn

      The miracle icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the wall of roughly 8,000 silver votive offerings — hearts, legs, eyes — left by pilgrims seeking a cure, viewed from the street and the chapel entrance.

      15 minutes here

    3. Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit

      The resting place of the three martyrs of 1347 — the holy dead whose bodies, tradition holds, never decayed.

      15 minutes here

    4. Holy Trinity Church and Basilian Gate

      The gate and former Uniate church, created after Vilnius's Orthodox congregations entered union with Rome in 1596 while keeping their Eastern rite.

      15 minutes here

    5. Church of St. Casimir

      The first Baroque church built in Vilnius, and the story of the family that turned the nation Protestant and back again within two generations.

      15 minutes here

    6. Didzioji Gatve

      The building where a young French officer, Henri Beyle — later famous as the novelist Stendhal — took shelter during Napoleon's frozen 1812 retreat. Thousands in army's mass grave, found in 2001.

      15 minutes here

    7. St. Michael's Church (Sv. Mykolo Baznycia)

      Two rival churches facing off across one narrow lane, and the mob confrontation that settled the dispute between them.

      15 minutes here

    8. Vilnius Cathedral Square

      The saint whose body reportedly never decayed, the mysterious three-handed painting, the pagan temple believed to lie beneath the cathedral, and the eternal flame marking the last pagan state in Europe. The walk ends here.

      15 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Vilnius

    Meet in front of the main entrance to Bastėja (the Bastion), on Bokšto g. 20.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The walk ends at Vilnius Cathedral and Cathedral Square, next to Gediminas' Tower.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Simonas Strelcovas

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius, photo 2Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius, photo 3Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius, photo 4Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius, photo 5Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius, photo 6Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius, photo 7

    Traveler reviews

    1 verified traveler reviews for Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Olinatal · October 2026

    Highly recommend

    Had an amazing time with Simonas. He is a fabulous story teller, I recommend his tour 100%, you will see Vilnius with different eyes after.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $28 to $35
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    0
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 60

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)84
    Review evidence (18% weight)13
    Booking momentum (14% weight)0
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)51
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Vilnius.

    How much does Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius cost?

    +

    Prices start at $28 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Vilnius usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius take?

    +

    Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Vilnius is not rushed.

    Is Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Vilnius, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius?

    +

    Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Vilnius can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Vilnius and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Vilnius within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Vilnius?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Vilnius experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Admission Ticket at Auto Museum Vilnius, Regular walking tour of Soviet Vilnius, Regular walking tour of Jewish Vilnius. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Vilnius?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Vilnius?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius?

    +

    Included: A ~2-hour guided walking lecture in English, led by a PhD historian. Not included: Meals; and Any optional church donation. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius?

    +

    Meet in front of the main entrance to Bastėja (the Bastion), on Bokšto g. 20. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Vilnius. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Heaven Hell & the Snake Walking Tour by PhD Historian in Vilnius.

    Pick your date