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Kaunas
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Kaunas, Lithuania blends medieval Old Town streets, interwar modernist architecture, riverside walks, museums and lively cultural experiences for travellers.

Between Two Rivers

Kaunas stands at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers in central Lithuania, a setting that has shaped both its history and its atmosphere. The city combines a compact medieval core with broad interwar avenues, wooded hills and long riverside views. Its Old Town gathers around Town Hall Square, where Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings line a network of cobbled streets leading towards Kaunas Castle and the rivers. Vilniaus gatvė, the principal historic street, links the castle quarter with the newer city centre along Laisvės alėja.
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A Modernist Capital

Kaunas became Lithuania’s temporary capital between 1919 and 1939, when the country’s political and cultural institutions relocated here after Vilnius came under Polish control. This period transformed the city. Architects created streamlined civic buildings, villas and commercial premises influenced by international modernism but adapted to Lithuanian materials and traditions. The districts of Naujamiestis and Žaliakalnis preserve this distinctive architectural landscape, recognised by UNESCO as the Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919–1939 World Heritage property. The funiculars climbing Žaliakalnis and Aleksotas add a practical and historic dimension to the city’s hilly geography.

Culture, Memory and Green Space

Kaunas has a strong cultural identity, associated with composer and painter M. K. Čiurlionis, contemporary street art and institutions such as the M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art and the Devils’ Museum. The Ninth Fort Museum presents a sobering account of Nazi occupation, mass murder and Soviet imprisonment, while Pažaislis Monastery offers a quieter encounter with late Baroque architecture beside the Kaunas Reservoir. Parks, riverbanks and pathways around Nemunas Island soften the urban setting, making the city suitable for exploration on foot, by funicular or along its scenic green spaces.

When is the best time to visit Kaunas?

Best: June–August · 23–24°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January125
February222
March621
April1420
May2025
June (best)2435
July (best)2443
August (best)2337
September1731
October1233
November631
December329

Getting to and around Kaunas

How to get there

Kaunas International Airport is located near Karmėlava, north-east of the city, and is the principal air gateway for visitors flying directly to Kaunas. Bus connections link the airport with the urban area, while taxis and pre-arranged transfers are also used. Kaunas railway station has domestic services to Vilnius, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and other Lithuanian cities, with onward international rail travel possible through connections elsewhere in the region. The city is also served by long-distance coaches, particularly from Vilnius, Riga and other Baltic destinations. Major roads connect Kaunas with Vilnius, Klaipėda and Poland, making it a practical base for travel by car.

Transportation

Central Kaunas is manageable on foot, with the Old Town, Laisvės alėja and much of Naujamiestis linked by pedestrian-friendly streets. City buses and trolleybuses serve the wider urban area, including Žaliakalnis, Aleksotas and districts beyond the centre; routes and payment arrangements should be checked locally because services can change. Taxis and app-based ride services are useful for the airport, Ninth Fort and other dispersed locations. The historic funiculars to Žaliakalnis and Aleksotas are both transport links and attractions. Cycling is practical along some river routes and parks, although traffic and hills can make longer cross-city journeys more demanding.

Best attractions in Kaunas

Kaunas’s attractions unfold in a compact sequence from medieval fortifications to twentieth-century cultural institutions. Kaunas Castle introduces the city’s role on the Nemunas–Neris frontier, while the Old Town leads through Town Hall Square, Vilniaus gatvė and the Gothic House of Perkūnas. In the centre, the M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art explores Lithuania’s best-known symbolist artist, and the Devils’ Museum offers a playful yet culturally revealing collection. Naujamiestis and Žaliakalnis are attractions in their own right, with interwar villas, civic buildings and design details included within the Modernist Kaunas World Heritage property. The Ninth Fort Museum provides a serious account of occupation and mass violence. For greener surroundings, Nemunas Island, the riverside paths and Pažaislis Monastery beside the reservoir extend sightseeing beyond the central streets.

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Best landmarks in Kaunas

Kaunas Castle is the city’s defining medieval landmark, a fortified complex at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris whose surviving tower and walls recall the strategic importance of the site. Nearby, the red-brick Church of Vytautas the Great and the Cathedral Basilica of St Peter and St Paul represent different chapters of the city’s religious and architectural history. Town Hall, known locally as the White Swan, anchors the historic square and reflects the civic importance of the Old Town. The House of Perkūnas is a distinctive late Gothic merchant building, while the monumental Christ’s Resurrection Basilica rises above Žaliakalnis as a visible symbol of interwar Lithuania. Across Naujamiestis and Žaliakalnis, modernist banks, villas and public buildings embody the temporary-capital period and form the architectural basis of Kaunas’s UNESCO-recognised heritage.

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Neighbourhoods in Kaunas

Best restaurants in Kaunas

Kaunas’s food culture combines Lithuanian home cooking with a growing contemporary restaurant scene concentrated around the Old Town, Laisvės alėja and Naujamiestis. Traditional menus may include cepelinai, potato-based kugelis, žemaičių blynai, cold beetroot soup known as šaltibarščiai and dark rye bread, while seasonal mushrooms, berries and freshwater fish reflect the country’s landscape. Cafés and bakeries along the central streets provide a natural pause between museums, and market stalls offer a more informal introduction to local produce. Žaliakalnis and the areas around the Old Town also contain independent eateries ranging from modern interpretations of regional dishes to international cooking shaped by the city’s student and cultural communities. The historic Jewish presence remains an important part of Kaunas’s culinary and social story, even though the community was devastated during the Second World War.

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Best bars in Kaunas

Kaunas’s evening life is concentrated mainly in the Old Town, Vilniaus gatvė, Laisvės alėja and the streets around Naujamiestis. Historic buildings house low-key beer bars, wine bars and cafés, while the student population supports a less formal late-night scene than the city’s grand avenues might suggest. Live music, DJ nights and cultural events appear in independent venues, and the Žalgiris Arena hosts major concerts and sporting occasions on the Nemunas Island. The Kaunas State Musical Theatre and other performance spaces provide a more traditional evening programme, complemented by cinema, galleries and seasonal festivals. Nightlife is generally walkable across the central districts, though quieter areas and riverside paths are better approached with ordinary urban caution after dark. Openings and programmes vary, so checking current arrangements is sensible.

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Best nightclubs in Kaunas

Kaunas’s evening life is concentrated mainly in the Old Town, Vilniaus gatvė, Laisvės alėja and the streets around Naujamiestis. Historic buildings house low-key beer bars, wine bars and cafés, while the student population supports a less formal late-night scene than the city’s grand avenues might suggest. Live music, DJ nights and cultural events appear in independent venues, and the Žalgiris Arena hosts major concerts and sporting occasions on the Nemunas Island. The Kaunas State Musical Theatre and other performance spaces provide a more traditional evening programme, complemented by cinema, galleries and seasonal festivals. Nightlife is generally walkable across the central districts, though quieter areas and riverside paths are better approached with ordinary urban caution after dark. Openings and programmes vary, so checking current arrangements is sensible.

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Best shops in Kaunas

Shopping in Kaunas ranges from independent boutiques and design studios to traditional food markets and large contemporary retail centres. Laisvės alėja is the principal central shopping promenade, with cafés, bookshops, fashion retailers and small businesses extending towards the Old Town. The historic centre contains galleries and craft shops where visitors may find Lithuanian ceramics, linen goods, amber jewellery, woodwork and locally designed souvenirs, though quality and provenance vary. Food markets provide opportunities to examine rye bread, smoked products, honey and seasonal produce in a more everyday setting than souvenir shops. Akropolis offers mainstream retail and entertainment in a modern complex, while smaller neighbourhood markets give a less polished view of local commerce. Contemporary Lithuanian design is particularly visible in independent studios around Naujamiestis and the central districts.

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Kaunas essentials

Currency and Payment
Lithuania uses the euro, with the international code EUR. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, museums, restaurants, shops and urban transport-related services, although small market stalls, independent sellers and some smaller cafés may prefer cash. ATMs are available in the centre and shopping areas, but visitors should use bank-operated machines where possible and check any fees or currency-conversion prompts before confirming a withdrawal. Carrying a modest amount of euros is useful for markets, smaller purchases and situations where card terminals are unavailable.
Safety
Kaunas is generally straightforward to explore, but ordinary urban precautions remain sensible. Keep phones, wallets and bags secure in crowded areas, on public transport and around busy nightlife streets, and avoid leaving valuables visible in parked cars. The Old Town and central districts are comfortable for evening walks when normal awareness is maintained, while quieter riverbanks, parks and unfamiliar outer areas deserve more caution after dark. Winter conditions can produce ice and poor visibility, so footwear and attention near steps, river paths and steep streets are important. Follow local guidance around traffic, cycling routes and construction areas.
Emergency Situations
Lithuania’s single emergency number is 112, covering police, fire and ambulance services. It can be called for urgent assistance and is suitable for visitors who do not speak Lithuanian; explain the location clearly and follow the operator’s instructions. For non-urgent medical needs, pharmacies and local medical centres can advise on appropriate care, while travel insurance details should be kept accessible. In an emergency, carry identification and relevant health information where practical. The European Health Insurance Card may provide access to necessary state healthcare for eligible visitors, but it does not replace travel insurance or guarantee that every service is free.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress neatly and quietly when entering churches, monasteries and memorial sites, and ask before photographing people or religious ceremonies. Keep voices low and behave respectfully at the Ninth Fort and other locations connected with wartime persecution. In restaurants, service charges and tipping practices vary, so check the bill and leave a modest gratuity for good service rather than assuming a fixed percentage. Queue patiently, give priority to passengers leaving buses before boarding, and validate or purchase transport tickets according to the current system. Lithuanian is the national language; a polite greeting and thanks are appreciated, while speaking loudly about sensitive twentieth-century history should be avoided.
Local Tips
Plan the city in contrasting sections: combine the castle and Old Town with Vilniaus gatvė, then devote separate time to the interwar streets of Naujamiestis and the hillside villas of Žaliakalnis. The M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art and the Devils’ Museum offer different perspectives on Lithuanian culture, while the smaller galleries and street-art works around the centre reveal contemporary Kaunas. Pažaislis Monastery and the Kaunas Reservoir are worthwhile additions on a longer stay, but they are outside the central walking circuit. River viewpoints are particularly rewarding in clear weather, while winter visitors should allow flexibility for icy paths and shorter daylight.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloLabas[lah-bahs]
GoodbyeViso gero[vee-soh geh-roh]
YesTaip[taip]
NoNe[neh]
Please/You're welcomePrašau[prah-shau]
Thank youAčiū[ah-choo]
Excuse me/SorryAtsiprašau[aht-see-prah-shau]
How are you?Kaip gyveni?[kaip gee-veh-nee]
Fine. And you?Gerai. O tu?[geh-rai. oh too]
Do you speak English?Ar kalbate angliškai?[ahr kahl-bah-teh ahng-leesh-kai]
I don't understandAš nesuprantu[ahsh neh-soo-prahn-too]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseNorėčiau pamatyti meniu, prašau[noh-reh-chiau pah-mah-tih mee-nyoo, prah-shau]
I don't eat meatAš nevalgau mėsos[ahsh neh-vahl-gow meh-sohs]
Cheers!Į sveikatą![ee svee-kah-tah]
I would like to pay, pleaseNorėčiau sumokėti, prašau[noh-reh-chiau soo-moh-keh-tee, prah-shau]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Pagalba![pah-gahl-bah]
Go away!Eik šalin![ayk shah-leen]
Call the Police!Paskambinkite policijai![pah-skahm-been-kee-teh poh-lee-tsee-yai]
Call a doctor!Paskambinkite gydytojui![pah-skahm-been-kee-teh gih-duh-toh-yoo-ee]
I'm lostAš pasiklydau[ahsh pah-see-kloo-dow]
I'm illAš sergu[ahsh sehr-goo]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Norėčiau pirkti...[noh-reh-chiau peerk-tee]
I'm just lookingAš tik žiūriu[ahsh teek zhee-oo-ree-oo]
How much is it?Kiek tai kainuoja?[kyeek tahy kahy-noo-oyah]
That's too expensiveTai per brangu[tai pehr brahn-goo]
Can you lower the price?Ar galite sumažinti kainą?[ahr gah-lee-teh soo-mah-zeen-tee kahy-nah]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Kiek valandų?[kyeek vah-lahn-dooh]
It's one o'clockViena valanda[vyeh-nah vah-lahn-dah]
Half past (10)Dešimt valandų pusė[deh-shimt vah-lahn-dooh poo-say]
MorningRytas[rih-tahs]
AfternoonPopietė[poh-pyeh-teh]
EveningVakaras[vah-kah-rahs]
YesterdayVakar[vah-kahr]
TodayŠiandien[shahn-dyehn]
TomorrowRytoj[rih-toy]
1Vienas[vyeh-nahs]
2Du[doo]
3Trys[treese]
4Keturi[keh-too-ree]
5Penki[pehn-kee]
6Šeši[sheh-shi]
7Septyni[sehp-tee-nee]
8Aštuoni[ahs-too-oh-nee]
9Devyni[deh-vee-nee]
10Dešimt[deh-shimt]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Kur yra...?[koor eer-ah]
What's the address?Kokia adresas?[koh-kyah ah-dreh-sahs]
Can you show me (on the map)?Ar galite man parodyti (žemėlapyje)?[ahr gah-lee-teh mahn pah-roh-duh-tee zheh-meh-lah-pyeh]
When's the next (bus)?Kada yra kitas (autobusas)?[kah-dah eer-ah kee-tahs ow-toh-boo-sahs]
A ticket (to ....)Bilietas (į ....)[bee-lyeh-tahs ee]

History of Kaunas

Early Settlement and Castle Origins

The confluence of the Nemunas and Neris offered a strategically important location long before the emergence of modern Kaunas. A settlement developed around the river junction and the routes crossing central Lithuania, while a masonry castle was established in the fourteenth century to defend the area against the Teutonic Order. Kaunas is first recorded in written sources in 1361. The castle, repeatedly damaged and rebuilt, became the military and symbolic centre of the medieval town. Its position also connected the community to river commerce, helping Kaunas grow as a regional market and trading settlement.

Medieval Trade and Civic Rights

Kaunas received Magdeburg rights in 1408 under Grand Duke Vytautas, providing a framework for municipal government, commerce and legal administration. The town benefited from the expansion of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and from its position on waterways leading towards the Baltic Sea. Merchants dealt in grain, timber, wax and other regional products, while the central market developed around what is now Town Hall Square. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries Kaunas became an important commercial centre, and its participation in long-distance trade is reflected in the surviving Gothic merchants’ buildings and the House of Perkūnas.

Wars and Imperial Rule

Kaunas suffered during the wars that unsettled the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, including the Swedish invasion of 1655. After the partitions of the Commonwealth, the city became part of the Russian Empire. Its strategic role increased during the nineteenth century, when military fortifications were built and new transport links changed its economic prospects. The railway reached Kaunas in 1862, connecting it with Vilnius, the wider Russian imperial network and the port of Liepāja. Industrial growth, administrative reform and migration gradually extended the city beyond its medieval core.

The Temporary Capital

In 1919, after Lithuania restored its independence, Kaunas became the country’s temporary capital because Vilnius was outside the control of the Lithuanian government. Over the following two decades the city expanded rapidly as ministries, schools, banks, theatres and businesses established themselves there. Naujamiestis and Žaliakalnis acquired villas and public buildings in the modernist language associated with the interwar republic. The period also encouraged the development of Lithuanian cultural institutions and a new urban identity. Much of the architecture created between 1919 and 1939 survives, giving Kaunas an unusually coherent record of a young state building its civic capital.

Occupation, War and Loss

The Second World War brought successive Soviet and German occupations, profoundly altering Kaunas’s population and institutions. The city’s Jewish community, which had been central to its commercial and cultural life, was devastated during the German occupation. Mass executions took place at the Ninth Fort and in the surrounding area, while the Kaunas Ghetto was established in Vilijampolė. Soviet rule returned in 1944 and continued for nearly five decades, bringing political repression, censorship and the incorporation of the city into the industrial economy of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic. Museums and memorial sites now preserve evidence of these traumatic years.

Independence and Cultural Renewal

Lithuania declared the restoration of its independence in 1990, and Kaunas subsequently adapted to the political and economic changes of the post-Soviet period. Industrial areas were reshaped, private enterprise expanded and the historic centre gained new cultural and commercial life. The city’s interwar architecture became a central part of its public identity, leading to conservation work and international recognition. In 2022 Kaunas was European Capital of Culture, a programme that brought exhibitions, performances and community projects into neighbourhoods across the city. In 2023 its interwar modernist architecture was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Kaunas, Lithuania

Discover Kaunas with Evendo's 100% free app-based travel guide! Explore attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and more with curated local tips.

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Explore Kaunas like never before with Evendo, your comprehensive, free travel guide app. Discover attractions, book tours, and navigate the city with ease.

  • History of Kaunas and travel essentials
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Discover the historical charm of Kaunas Castle, stroll through the bustling Laisvės Alėja, or marvel at the stunning architecture of the Ninth Fort. For art enthusiasts, the M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art is a must-visit. Hungry? Evendo's curated list of restaurants will guide you to local favorites like Monte Pacis and Numan, ensuring you experience authentic Lithuanian cuisine.

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