‘You haven’t been to Kaunas if…’ - you bet there are many ways to finish this sentence! For some, meeting your date at the fountain on Laisvės Alėja is essential, or visiting a Žalgiris game. Others consider it vital to eat a doughnut at Spurginė, get lost in Oak Grove and see a tiger at the Lithuanian Zoo. We’ve compiled a list of must-dos in Kaunas – how many of these can you squeeze into one long weekend?
The magnificent history of our city is remembered by the lone castle tower dating back to the 14th century. The building (and the museum inside) is the starting point for many Kaunas first-timers. The romantic side of our history can be found further down Santaka Park, at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers. It is said that it was in the embrace of these two that Kaunas actually began.
The building nicknamed “The White Swan” has long been the most important in the city. It was once a prison and, more recently, an architecture school. Freshly renovated, the White Swan is back on the charts again starting July 12, featuring an extensive exhibition of the Kaunas City Museum. There’s a tourist information desk here, too, as well as a souvenir shop.
For decades, artists have been coming to this hill to watch the old Kaunas (and its new neighbourhoods rising behind the churches) and get inspired. How are you interested, too? Cross the Aleksotas bridge, hop on the historic funicular, and head to the observation deck.
You could spend all day on this street! Think: a hearty brunch at Holy Donut, an intense exploration of the Historical Presidential Palace, watching passers-by on the terrace of one of a dozen cafés, taking pictures of medieval buildings, souvenir hunting, discovering museums, bars and galleries hiding in the surrounding streets, the street art, the Kaunas Cathedral, the Town Hall, and the sounds of music…
More than a decade ago, artist Vytenis Jakas, who had bought a flat in this courtyard, noticed that the neighbours weren’t talking to each other, as if they had forgotten their shared past. When he began to transfer the photos of the Jewish families who once lived here onto the walls, Jakas received a lot of support, and the courtyard became open to all, with new pieces of art constantly filling its walls.
Grab a coffee or juice at one of the trendy spots by the Soboras, and head along one of the longest pedestrian streets in the region. It’s over a hundred years since it was named after Liberty, but its history dates back even further. Today, the boulevard is home to the most significant theatres and restaurants included in the Michelin guide, as well as all kinds of coffee, trendy shops, and the most stylish Kaunas citizens with their pets.
Even before its opening, this unique science promotion centre had become one of the most Instagrammed objects in Kaunas. No wonder - the ultra-modern shapes of this building, which seems to have grown out of the river Nemunas Island, meet all the criteria for a beautiful shot. We can’t wait to immerse ourselves in the exhibitions and, practically, settle in the island - after all, there’s nature, the Žalgirio Arena, a swimming pool, and a new museum - what more do you need?
Imagine that 15 years ago there was no arena in Kaunas … but there was Žalgiris, the iconic basketball club that began writing its history in the 1940s. All its fans were trying to fit in the old sports hall. Now, we have an arena that fits 15 thousand people, and practically all Euroleague games are sold out well in advance. The green-and-white army of fans is considered one of Europe’s strongest. Before or after the match, you can visit the Olympic-size pool next to the arena.
In September 2023, the world and Lithuania met the long-awaited news –Kaunas Modernism has finally been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site! If you haven’t yet discovered this architectural and social phenomenon, we invite you to start with two stops. These private museums were founded by the same couple - Karolis Banis and Petras Gaidamavičius. Thousands of visitors to the Art Deco Museum and the Amsterdam School Museum are grateful to them for their sincere initiative, insight and authentic experience in the immersive tours.
One building, sometimes called the crown of Kaunas modernism, is home to two centuries-old museums that are important not only for the city and the cultural community but also for Lithuania’s statehood. In the first museum, you will see not only the works of our great symbolist, M .K. Čiurlionis, but also the legacy of folk masters, examples of modern art, and constantly changing exhibitions. The Vytautas the Great War Museum has hundreds of exciting exhibits, ranging from the authentic remains of the Lituanica aircraft to a miniature partisan bunker. After both visits, a rest stop in the lively Vienybės Square. Maybe you’ll even catch a carillon concert?
This modernist church, a symbol of independent Lithuania, had to patiently wait for its prime time as seven decades passed between its construction and consecration. During the Soviet occupation, the unfinished church housed a radio factory. After the restoration of independence, the sanctuary was returned to the faithful. The Basilica’s terrace offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Kaunas. The iconic highlight of Žaliakalnis can be conveniently reached from the centre by a historical funicular.
The Pažaislis church and monastery ensemble is one of the most striking and beautiful masterpieces of mature Baroque architecture in the region. Not only architectural connoisseurs and pilgrims swoon over it, but also writers, filmmakers and even movie stars. Today, the monastery is home to the Congregation of the Sisters of St Casimir, a museum, and the Monte Pacis hospitality complex featured in the Michelin guide. It is also a venue for classical and contemporary music concerts. The Pažaislis Church and Monastery complex was voted the best filming location in Europe for 2020 for the TV series Catherine the Great.
The most modern fort of the tsarist Kaunas Fortress, completed just before the First World War, is familiar to anyone who has travelled along the A1 motorway. It is impossible to miss the impressive monument to the victims of Nazism, built in 1984 (sculptor A. Ambraziūnas, architects G. Baravykas and V. Vielius, painter K. Morkūnas). Near the memorial, you will also visit the impressive installation by Christian Boltanski, and in the fort itself, the history museum’s immersive exhibitions.
In summer, even on weekdays, the shores of this lake are teeming with holidaymakers, who not only swim and sunbathe but also delve into various activities. The UNO Adventure Park, one of the longest wakeboarding tracks in Europe, water jumps, and a beach bar are at your disposal.
People in Kaunas love to spend their time by the rivers. The Panemunė beach is a great spot to relax after a walk in the adjacent grove. There’s a trendy pizzeria called Ipanema on the beach. If it wasn’t there, you’d feel like you did between the wars when the elite of the Provisional Capital chose Panemunė. Your time here can be a short break between jobs, a sports workout or an actual hike.
A century-old botanical garden is set in an old manor house; the location alone is enough to plan a visit. With significant collections of roses, tulips, dahlias, and many more varieties of plants, both traditionally Lithuanian and very exotic, the VMU Botanical Garden is a year-round wonder. When the weather permits, the garden becomes an open-air venue suitable for concerts, poetry readings, tastings and many other events, during which the knowledge of nature is harmoniously intertwined with art and culture. The little ones will love discovering miniature elf houses hidden in various locations!
For more Kaunas attractions, top news and best-kept secrets, visit the Kaunas IN Tourist Information Centres at Laisvės al. 36 and Rotušės a. 15.