15 Best things to do in Kaunas
In June 2022 we made a 2-week road trip in the Baltic States. We started in Vilnius (Lithuania), rented a car, and explored as much as we could on the way to Tallinn (Estonia) while stopping by Latvia.
Kaunas was our third stop. We went from Vilnius to Kaunas by car in the morning and took the afternoon to visit the second biggest city of Lithuania with 339 000 or so inhabitants.
Kaunas is also the most important port of the Baltic states and have a few nice places to see. But half a day was quite enough for us.
If you too are planning a trip to the Baltic states and to Kaunas, you will most probably stop by Kaunas on your way to the coast. Let ‘s dive in these best things to do in Kaunas.
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
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Getting there
To reach Kaunas the easiest is by car. It is only 1h15min (105km) from Vilnius. Both city are directly connect by a main road. But you can also get there by public transportation:
- By train, there are direct train going to Kaunas from Vilnius. The ride takes 1h to 1h30min depending on the line and cost approximately 6-10€. There are around 10 departures per day.
- By bus, there are daily departures. The fastest takes 1h20min and is a bit cheaper than the train.
- By plane, Kaunas has an airport located south of the city.
Moving Around
You will be able to do most of the best things to do in Kaunas on foot. Only a few attractions will either require a car or the use of public transportation:
- Monastery: 50min by bus from the city center
- 9th Fort: 40min by bus
When to Visit
Kaunas is like Vilnius. So, you can visit it all year round but be aware that temperature varies from the extreme 30°C in summer to freezing -25°C in winter. Also, the length of the day varies a lot from 4h in winter to almost 18h in summer.
The touristic season is mostly July and August and is made of local tourism. Generally, the Baltic states are not the most touristic countries in the world nor in EU.
The best time to visit it in term of weather are from May to September but we would without a doubt recommend June as the best month to visit it. Out of 16 days in the Baltic states, we only got 2 of them with rain. It wasn’t yet too hot and wasn’t too cold and really enjoyed it.
Where to Stay
We personally stayed one night there, and we believed it to be enough to see most of the city :
- (€): Laisves ave. Apartments Mini
- (€€): Laisves ave. Apartments
- (€€€): Radisson Hotel Kaunas
What to Eat
We personally tried a local vegetarian place called “Vilties vaistinės arbatinė”. It was a nice local restaurant where we tried beetroot soup, local dumplings, and a lentil stew.
We also took some local buns at “kepyklele” for our road trip when living the city.
Best things to do Kaunas
9th Fort of the Kaunas Fortress
When we first arrived at Kaunas, we made a stop at the 9th Fort of the Kaunas Fortress before heading to the city center. We visited it on Monday so the museum (located in the prison) was closed but we could visit the main memorial and all around the fort. In fact the place is quite big and you can walk all around the prison and memorial. We recommend visiting it even on Monday. While we were there, we even got to see local student practicing a play.
The Ninth Fort is a part of the Kaunas Fortress constructed in the late 19th century. During the occupation of Kaunas and the rest of Lithuania by the Soviet Union, the fort was used as a prison and way-station for prisoners being transported to labour camps. After the occupation of Lithuania by Nazi Germany, the fort was used as a place of execution for Jews, captured Soviets, and others.
St. Michael the Archangel's Church
St. Michael the Archangel’s Church or the Garrison Church is a beautiful Roman Catholic church located at the end of the main pedestrian street Laisvės alėja. Built between 1891 and 1895 when Kaunas was part of the Russian empire, in Neo-Byzantine style largely for the use of the Russian Orthodox garrison of Kaunas Fortress.
Laisvės alėja
Laisvės alėja literally Liberty Boulevard or Liberty Avenue is the main pedestrian street of Kaunas. It is a nice street to walk along as it stretches on 1.6km all the way to the old town. It is in fact the longest pedestrian street in Eastern Europe and as motor vehicle cannot go along it, plus it is filled with trees.
Vytautas the Great War Museum
The great war museum can either be a stop on your way to admire it from outside as it was built in Art deco and early functionalism style. Or to visit to learn more about historical artefacts pertaining to Lithuania and Kaunas from prehistoric times to the present day
The pink elephant & Street arts
A cool thing to do in Kaunas is to stroll around to discover street arts. Our favourite was the pink elephant.
Historical Presidential Palace, Kaunas
This neo-baroque building served as the Presidential Palace during the interwar years. Today, the palace is a branch of the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum.
It is Ok to pop by on your way to or from the old town to Kaunas. A small park is in front.
Kaunas Old Town
One of the best things to do in Kaunas is to stroll around its old town. With 1.5km², you can spend from a few minutes to a few hours in it. Don’t miss Vilnius Street, the main and oldest street of old town and if made of cobblestone and surrounded by beautiful buildings.
Unfortunately for us, the street was being reconstructed during our visit there.
Cathedral-Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul
Every city has its own cathedral, this one is yet another nice one to stop by. The Cathedral Basilica of apostles St. Peter and St. Paul of Kaunas is a Roman catholic building from 1624 with gothic style.
Kaunas Town Hall
The stunning Kaunas Town Hall is located on the main square of the city. This baroque building from the 16th century mixed Gothic, Baroque and Classicism style. It also houses a Museum of Ceramics.
Kaunas Castle
First built in the 14th century in gothic style Kaunas Castle is the second-largest castle in Lithuania. Though what’s left of it makes it look like a small medieval castle as only 1/3 of it is left.
Today the castle is one of the main places in town where people come to chill or play with kids.
Kauno Šv. Jurgio Kankinio
Or the Church of St. George the Martyr is a Roman catholic church which stands in front of Kaunas castle. It is a prominent example of Gothic architecture in Lithuania
Confluence of Nemunas and Neris
A bit further from the Kaunas castle, you can find the confluence of 2 main rivers in Lithuania Nemunas and Neris. It is a nice walk within a park to get there.
House of Perkūnas
The House of Perkūnas is one of the most original and Gothic buildings. Built by Hanseatic merchants, it served as their office from 1440 until 1532 and was sold in the 16th century to the Jesuits who had established a chapel there in 1643
Vytauto Didžiojo Švč. Mergelės Marijos Ėmimo į dangų bažnyčia
The Church of Vytautas the Great is one of the oldest churches in Kaunas. It is a nice landmark to pop by as it is made of old bricks.
Aleksotas Observation Deck
To get the best view of the city of Kaunas, the Aleksotas Observation Deck is the place to go. It can be reach by a few stairs or even by a funicular. Located right next to the city center, it is must-to-do stop in Kaunas.
More things to do
If you have more time or wants to do more, here are things to do in Kaunas we would consider
- Vytautas Magnus University Botanical Garden
- Kaunas Christ’s Resurrection Basilica
- Pažaislis monastery and church
- Devil’s Museum
- K. Ciurlionis National Art Museum
An amazing 1-day Kaunas Itinerary
We spent one day in Kaunas, and we honestly things it was enough. We couldn’t see everything the city has to open as it was closed on Monday, but we got enough of it.
- Start by heading and visiting the 9th Fort of the Kaunas Fortress
- Get back to the city center and visit the St. Michael the Archangel’s Church
- Walk along the Laisvės alėja
- Stop to admire the Vytautas the Great War Museum
- Take a shot of the The pink elephant
- Sit on a bench for a few minutes at the Historical Presidential Palace, Kaunas
- Stroll around the Kaunas Old Town
- Pop by the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul
- Hang around the Kaunas Town Hall
- Walk past the Kaunas Castle and the Church of St. George the Martyr
- Sit and admire the Confluence of Nemunas and Neris
- Head to the House of Perkūnas
- And walk along the The Church of Vytautas
- Enjoy the full city from Aleksotas Observation Deck
Įdėk kojinę į tai – Put a sock in it (when you want someone not to bother you)
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