For those who love the idea of a holiday but need their beauty sleep to last, look no further than this city
Forget beaches and sunshine – for many of us, the prospect of five nights of quality sleep on holiday is more than enough. If this sounds like your getaway priority, look no further than Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital – which has just been named the top European destination for sleep tourism.
With its profound wellness culture, Vilnius provides exactly what “sleepcation” travellers are seeking: saunas, spas, and local rituals, designed for deep relaxation, according to Go Vilnius. You can also effortlessly take day trips to the UNESCO dunes on the Curonian Spit or meander through the surrounding forests of Neris National Park. Assessing air quality, light pollution, green space, nightlife, rainfall, and nighttime temperatures, the research examined 300 cities, reports the Express.
In the city, 61% of the urban area is green, trees blanket 48% of the city, and 95% of residents live within 300 metres of greenery. “In Vilnius, I always find ways to relax, no matter the time of the year. During the warm season, I enjoy spending time outdoors in Vilnius’ numerous green spaces or the nearby forests and lakes. In winter, relaxing walks around the Old Town improve my sleep, while the city’s numerous spas and saunas help me unwind after a long day or week,” said Madu Melo, Brazilian expat and marketing professional, living in Vilnius for five years now.
Lithuania, already crowned the World’s Best Wellness Destination by the ITB Health Tourism Awards 2025, has seen its capital Vilnius dubbed the European Sleep Capital, making it a rising star for restful getaways. Here are five unique wellness rituals, woven into city life, that ensure locals and visitors in Vilnius enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Held in the vaulted cellar of the refurbished 17th-century Pacai Palace, this multi-sensory ritual brings Lithuania’s coastlines and forests into a tranquil treatment. The experience kicks off with a four-hand full-body massage and a soft tolling of Old Town bells, mixed with the soundscape of the Baltic Sea and Curonian Lagoon (a tribute to the UNESCO-listed dunes).
Guests are then offered a taste of natural birch sap, invited to inhale the scent of handpicked linden, chamomile, and clover, and to appreciate the beauty of Lithuanian nature for total sensory relaxation. Located beneath the Bokšto Square complex in restored medieval cellars, this circuit alternates between heat and recovery. The 25-meter, four-lane pool sets the rhythm for rounds of traditional sauna, salt sauna, and hammam, punctuated by brief cold dips.
The standout feature is Cloud9, a short vibro-acoustic session on a gently swaying bed that aids the nervous system in unwinding. In a cosy boutique setting on Kalvarij Street, just a stone’s throw from the city centre, groups remain small, allowing the sauna master to maintain the perfect pace.
Visitors can look forward to timed garas (steam waves), traditional birch or oak vanta whisking, aroma infusions of natural scents, and simple breath-work, with each round concluded by a refreshing cold-water dip. After the New Year, an igloo-shaped outdoor sauna will be unveiled in the courtyard of the former Lukišks Prison, now a cultural hub. This unique sauna experience combines brief heat sessions with cold-water baths. The small groups and the thick walls of the igloo ensure tranquillity, enhancing the hot-cold contrast and making it easier to concentrate on breathing and pace.
Nestled next to Sudervl stream and a 1923 windmill, three bathhouses – the Old, the Great, and the Small – offer leisurely, expert-led rituals. Over approximately three hours, guests are treated to measured steam dosings and vanta whiskings, paired with applications of honey and salt, all while enjoying peaceful intervals by the pond or river.
The forest setting and preserved wooden buildings complete the experience, helping visitors unwind without leaving the city. The conversation about wellness and sleep will continue in Vilnius on 22 November at Sleep Fest. The event will feature international experts such as Dr. Daniel Amen, Leslie Kenny, and others, who will share insights on how to incorporate sleep science into everyday routines to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.
“Sleep Fest is about bridging the gap between science and real-life challenges. We’re trying to show that better sleep and calmer minds aren’t luxuries, but necessities anyone could have through building everyday habits that help to improve the overall wellbeing,” said Diana Augunait, the organiser of the Sleep Fest.
Vilnius’ recent accolades, including the European Green Capital and European Christmas Capital 2025, highlight the city’s tranquil atmosphere: plentiful green spaces, traditional stress-free Christmas celebrations, and much more.
Conveniently reachable via Frankfurt, Copenhagen, or Helsinki, Vilnius is ideal for a comprehensive European wellness journey or simply a dedicated “sleepcation”.