For some travellers, shopping is a significant part of their holiday routine. Sounds familiar? Here’s an updated Kaunas checklist – just in time for summer sales. Everything from pocket-sized souvenirs and Lithuanian designer items to perfume, vintage records and even carpets. In fact, many of the boutiques we recommend are located in the Old Town of Kaunas, specifically on M. Valančiaus street. Make sure you have enough space in your luggage!
SOUVENIRS
KAUNAS IN TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE
Rotušės a. 15
visit.kaunas.lt
Located in the Town Hall, our centre is a one-stop-shop for all things kaunastic, including maps, postcards as well as t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, pins, toys and tote bags.
FASHION
MINIMAL MUSE
M. Daukšos g. 16
www.minimalmuse.eu
Probably the best boutique for those interested in Lithuanian design – from dresses to bags, the owners know their thing and select the goods very carefully. The name speaks for itself. We recommend checking out the BABE UNIVERSE label.
MOODS STUDIO
Pilies g. 1
themoodsstudio.com
Exclusive shoes, original jewellery, trustworthy bags and clothes for all shelves of your closet. We love the ironic t-shirts by EGYBOY!
KOKO BOUTIQUE
Pilies g. 1
kokoboutique.lt
Lithuanian fashion at its best, together with best picks from around the Baltics and beyond. Great perfume selection, too.
KRISTI ANDRESS
Kurpių g. 25
kristiandress.eu
Established in 2006 by fashion designers Kristina Kalinauskaite and Andrius Segejenko, the label soon became renowned for high-quality, unique designs and their love and attention for hand-crafting traditions. The brand's mission is to offer original designs, paying attention to the aesthetics of the garment, inside and out.
BALTAS IR BUTIKAS
I. Kanto g. 18
Made in Lithuania and located in the very centre of Kaunas! Visit this boutique for fresses, bags, coats etc. by some of the most exciting local designers.
SPACE STYLE BOUTIQUE
Šv. Gertrūdos g. 51
spacestyleboutique.com
Frequented by some of the biggest fashion influencers in the country, the boutique is your one-stop-shop for outfits made to impress, whatever the time of the day or the location.
The history of the relationship between Japan and Lithuania dates back to the 19th century, but the truth is we lacked the possibility to discover Japanese design and lifestyle in Kaunas until recently. Opened by a true lover of Japanese culture, the house of fashion and design presents cherrypicked brands and artists from the far-away country.
DIANA VAPSVE / MODI DU.LT
Vilniaus g. 70
www.dianavapsve.eu
Diana Vapsve entered the Lithuanian fashion world in 2012, and she’s here to stay. Always striving for both elegance and quality, she’s loved by women of all ages and lifestyles. The kids and husbands of her clients haven’t been forgotten, too!
KARTU
K. Donelaičio g. 24
kartustudio.com
In search of a unique yet affordable leather bag? Look no further. The design studio offers just that, as well as other pieces of fashion designed by emerging Lithuanian artists.
LAKŠTINGALA IR ROŽĖ
Laisvės al. 27
lakstingalairroze.com
Inspired by the story written by Oscar Wilde, the boutique offers a neat selection of fine quality fashion, accessories and jewellery for all ages, created by Lithuanian designers.
RAMUNĖ PIEKAUTAITĖ
Laisvės al. 45
ramunepiekautaite.com
Kaunas got lucky when the legendary Lithuanian fashion designer decided to open her boutique here, too. Her classy, elegant and subtle designs never get old - they mature.
HAPPEAK
Laisvės al. 45
happeak.lt
A family venture started off the need to dress up their own kids, and everyone else seemed to love the outcome. Right now, HAPPEAK also sews clothing for adults, and their shop is worth a visit at least for the interior.
YURGA
S. Daukanto g. 18
yurgajewelry.com
Jurga Karčiauskaitė-Lago is by far the best-known jewellery designer in Lithuania and one of the ambassadors of the craft abroad. A visit to the boutique full of unique pieces of art can lead to unforgettable experiences. We have warned you!
DROPS BY TONI CABAL
Šv. Gertrūdos g. 51
www.dropslietuva.com
With love from Barcelona by Toni Cabal, this is a must-visit if a smell is more than just a scent for you. Dozens of combinations to choose from, in a bottle size you prefer. Don’t be afraid if you don’t know what exactly you want! Find your perfect perfume with the help of an interactive screen inviting to pick your favourite aromas.
HOME
KVAPŲ NAMAI
Vilniaus g. 37
aromata.lt
It’s much more than a natural perfume shop - it’s also a place for exciting events (smell contemplation sessions, for example) and lively, ever-changing space for learning and discovering.
MINIMALIST
minimalist-store.com
Four admirers of fresh interior design got together to create a place where you can discuss the aesthetic revival of your home or check out what Lithuanian and foreign artists are up to.
PERSIAN CARPET GALLERY “LAUROS NAMAI”
M. Valančiaus g. 10
laurosnamai.lt
Laura Bohne has been nurturing her interest in Persian carpets for some time now, and she’s by far the best expert in this field in Lithuania. Her trade isn’t limited by the borders of our country, as the passion for authentic Persian carpets and textile is a trend that will never fade. Together with a unique exposition of Persian carpets that were made in 19th and 20th centuries in Iran and the northern Caucasus, there are more exclusive items for your home in the gallery, including kilim cushions, bags and exclusive porcelain.
JAUKŪS NAMAI
A. Juozapavičiaus pr. 21
www.kimono.lt
Located in a former tank factory in the trending neighbourhood of Šančiai, the high quality and original design linen manufacture mainly focus on the Japanese market. You can even purchase linen goods with a Sugihara stamp here. The shop has just turned 12. Congratulations!
JOTJOT
Drobės g. 66
www.jotjot.com
We’re not sure it’s possible to carry a sofa or a mirror in your luggage, but it’s worth stopping by the showroom of jotjot just to get inspired by their tremendous achievements in the field of interior design. The Kaunas-based company collaborates with the finest Scandinavian artists and has already been awarded the design ‘oscar’ – the NYCxDESIGN award.
BOOKS AND RECORDS
PLOKŠTELIŲ PARDUOTUVĖ
Kęstučio g. 7
ploksteliuparduotuve.lt
Česlovas is your local record dealer, and he has more than 20’000 – both in the store and at home. Mostly rock and jazz, some world music, some disco and Lithuanian rarities. Time runs unnoticed here as you can listen to all the records.
DIDELI KOMPAKTAI
Dideli_Kompaktai
Kaunasians who collect, listen to and understand vinyl records must already know the brand Dideli Kompaktai. Rap, electronica, trip-hop, jazz, some Lithuanian stuff and some oldies – they offer quite the selection.
KNYGŲ MINISTERIJA
Laisvės al. 29
Interestingly enough, the bookstore is located in the premises of one of the first bookshops in Kaunas (opened in 1905). It’s amazing the new owners got to keep the vintage bookshelves – they’ve become the central element of the interior. Fresh coffee and vegan cakes are a great bonus to the wide selection of books!
CENTRINIS KNYGYNAS BOOKSTORE
Laisvės al. 81
Opened in the 60s, this is the longest-working bookstore in Kaunas at the moment, yet the foreign language section is limited. But you can feel the spirit of literature and nostalgia, so it’s worth to pop in just to appreciate the space.
ŽMONIŲ KNYGOS
M. Valančiaus g. 16
A place to bring, exchange, buy and even rent books. They’ve got a neat record selection, too. The name means “People’s Books”, in case you wonder.
TŪKSTANTIS IR VIENA KNYGA BOOKSTORE
Vilniaus g. 11
humanitas.lt
The artbook sanctuary (its name means '1001 book') was opened 22 years ago, so they really know what they’re doing. This is also a great place to get some Kaunas-themed postcards and English-language reads.
MALLS
AKROPOLIS MALL
Karaliaus Mindaugo pr. 49
www.akropolis.lt
Everything you need and beyond, open daily from dusk till dawn. The shopping mission can be tiring at times, but there are plenty of refreshment options and the architectural decision of the mall kind of lets you imagine you’re outside. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants for you to chill out, as well as a cineplex and a SPA.
MEGA MALL
Islandijos pl. 32
www.mega.lt
The tallest marine aquarium in the Baltic States with a shark in it, a multiplex and the one of the two H&M’s in Kaunas. If you’re into these kinds of things, MEGA is worth a detour.
MOLAS
K. Baršausko g. 66A
www.molas.lt
A new tablet, pair of sneakers, a matching outfit, a bag full of healthy snacks and a new pair of glasses? Everything can be crossed out of your shopping list after a visit to this shopping mall very close to the city centre.
URMAS SHOPPING TOWN
Pramonės pr. 16
www.urmas.net
Urmas is the relict of the wild 90s (that was the time when our country embraced capitalism, and everyone became a merchant). The shopping town is much more civilised now, is home to dozens of shops and food options and boasts an extraordinary mural (60 m long). It took 3 years and 8 artists to finish the mural! A flea market buzzes there every Sunday.