Located on the right bank of the Neris River, Žvėrynas is today not only one of Vilnius’ most charming districts but also a popular filming location chosen by both Lithuanian and international filmmakers and advertising crews. Vilnius Film Office invites you to take a walk through this authentic neighborhood and discover the many “roles” its streets and buildings have played on screen.
Before setting off on your walk, it’s worth learning a bit more about the area’s history.
From the 16th century until the mid-19th century, the lands of present-day Žvėrynas belonged to the noble Radvilos family, who kept a private hunting reserve here. This is, in fact, where the district’s name – meaning “animal park” or “menagerie” – comes from. By the late 19th century, Žvėrynas began attracting the city’s wealthier residents, who developed it into a resort-like suburb. A horse-drawn tram once ran here, wooden villas and houses were built, later joined by summer cottages and public bathing spots.
Today, Žvėrynas enchants visitors with its greenery, preserved wooden architecture, distinctive villas, and peaceful atmosphere.
Žvėrynas Streets – In a Film About Dogs and Their Owners
You’ll enter Žvėrynas by crossing the Žvėrynas Bridge leading out from Gediminas Avenue. Turn onto Vytauto Street, continue along J. I. Kraševskio Street, and then make your way to Kęstučio Street. You’ll soon notice a change in atmosphere – less city bustle, more trees and calm.
Many filming projects take place in this part of the district – one of them quite recently, in the autumn of 2025. Here, scenes were shot for Dovilė Šarutytė’s second feature film Šeimininkai, which explores the world of dog owners. During filming, pedestrian and vehicle traffic were restricted – a common practice in Vilnius when capturing city scenes.
The Composers’ House – In the Middle of Political Decisions
Continue towards Birutės and Traidenio streets, but on the way make sure to stop by A. Mickevičiaus Street. In 1966, the Scandinavian-style Composers’ House opened its doors here. Designed by architect Vytautas Edmundas Čekanauskas, the building is considered one of the first masterpieces of post-war modernist architecture in Lithuania – and a magnet for filmmakers.
In the series Whiskey on the Rocks, the building appears against the backdrop of key political negotiations – transformed into offices and retreat spaces for government officials.
The leading political roles were masterfully performed by an international cast: Swedish actor Rolf Lassgård as Prime Minister Fälldin, Lithuanian actor Kęstutis Stasys Jakštas as Brezhnev’s confidant, and British actor Mark Noble as President Reagan.
The Famous Wooden Houses that Became Stockholm
Continue your walk among the district’s famous wooden houses – head toward Traidenio and Birutės streets. As mentioned earlier, in 2023 the Swedish TV series Whiskey on the Rocks was filmed in Žvėrynas. This political drama takes viewers back to the tense period of Ronald Reagan’s and Leonid Brezhnev’s leadership, and to the 1981 crisis sparked by a Soviet submarine stranded in Sweden’s naval protection zone.
The wooden and Scandinavian-style houses that define Žvėrynas became, on screen, 1980s Sweden – specifically a Stockholm residential neighborhood where the series’ political figures lived.
Traidenio Street has played “Sweden” more than once – in the Swedish series Lea, it also stood in for part of Stockholm.
A Film for Children – Shot in a Courtyard
Not far away, you’ll find Moniuškos Street. Here, scenes were filmed for Horse on a Stick, a film aimed at younger audiences. The story follows two bored teenage girls living in Munich who dream of fame and popularity on social media. Searching for new and exciting activities, they discover an unexpected sport – hobby horsing, or jumping over obstacles with a toy horse head on a stick. What first seems silly and embarrassing soon draws them in so deeply that they decide to compete in the world championship in Finland.
Scenes for this project were filmed both inside a building and in its courtyard on Moniuškos Street.
Slightly Eerie but Fascinating – The Former Government Guest House
The final stop is for those who’d like to end their route with a longer walk. On the edge of Žvėrynas, in a quiet park-surrounded area, stands the former Government Guest House – easy to reach by following Latvių Street.
In the 1970s, the number of visits by Soviet government officials to Lithuania increased. At that time, Vilnius had few hotels, and those that existed did not meet strict security requirements. It was therefore decided to establish a special guest house in Žvėrynas.
Among its guests were several high-ranking international figures – Richard Nixon, Mikhail Gorbachev with his wife Raisa, Lech Wałęsa, and Valentina Tereshkova.
The former Government Guest House often catches the attention of filmmakers. On the Netflix platform, the German sci-fi thriller Paradise, directed by Boris Kunz, features scenes filmed in Vilnius, including this building. The story takes viewers into a near future where genetic engineering has advanced to the point that people can transfer years of their lifespan to one another. Those on the fringes of society sell their youth, while a powerful corporation profits from this life-altering technology.
Against this dystopian backdrop, a young couple desperately tries to reclaim 40 lost years of life – that’s the story told in Paradise.
In the film, as the main characters flee their pursuers, they find temporary refuge in the Government Guest House – hiding from the outside world and those who are chasing them.
