The Top 10 Things To See And Do In Kaunas Lithuania

No trip to Lithuania would be complete without visiting Kaunas, the country’s second largest city and former temporary capital. Kaunas boasts some beautiful architecture, kooky museums, and historically important sites, making any trip worthwhile. Visitors can easily reach Kaunas from Vilnius via a quick an inexpensive train ride, making it an easy, educational, and fun day trip.

Laisves Aleja (Freedom Avenue)

The main shopping avenue in Kaunas, Laisves al., is a lovely tree-lined pedestrian street flanked by shops, cafés, and restaurants. Visitors will find some of the best cafés and restaurants along this street including Green Cafe and Spurgine. Additionally along Laisves pr., visitors will note the large St. Michael the Archangel Church, which is a Russian Orthodox Church formerly used by the Soviet army, located in a small square.

Green Cafe, Laisvės al. 46, Kaunas, Lithuania,+370 612 44335

Spurgine, Laisvės al. 84, Kaunas 44250, Lithuania, +370 37 200355

Old Town

Kaunas’ stunning medieval old town holds rather different architecture than what can be found in Vilnius’ old town. Historically, Kaunas was important as a trade center during the times of the Hanseatic League, thus many buildings in the old town have touches of German architectural influence. Additionally, Kaunas faced less destruction during Soviet times, so more of the old architecture is original, especially when compared with Vilnius. The most beautiful street in the old town is Vilniaus gatve. To reach the old town from Laisves pr. and the new part of the city, visitors will need to use an underground passage, which is quite difficult to access with strollers.

1. Town Hall Square

Market

Kauno Rotuse | © Creative / Wikimedia Commons

2. Santakos Park

Park

Located past the old town, at the confluence of the Neris and Nemunas Rivers, Santakos Park provides a chance to escape from the busy city. It features a playground and large grassy area where visitors will spot couples strolling arm in arm.

3. Ninth Fort

Memorial, Museum

9th Fort | © mantas j photography / Flickr

4. Devil's Museum

Museum

This one-of-a-kind museum holds a collection of more than 2,000 depictions of the devil from all over the world. Visitors will see paintings, carvings, sculptures, and even soft toys depicting the devil, all with descriptions of their age and origin. Descriptions of the objects in English are hit and miss, although a visit to the museum is more about observing these items than reading each and every detail. Visitors looking for something a bit quirky and different will appreciate the Devil’s Museum.

5. Kaunas Castle

Park, Ruins

Kaunas Castle | © Wojsyl / Wikimedia Commons

6. Pazaislis Monastery

Church, Monastery

Pazaislis Monastery, Kaunas | © DAVID ILIFF / Wikimedia Commons

7. Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul

Cathedral

Located in the old town, the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul (also called the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica) features an interior from 1800 and houses an icon from the 17th century that supposedly has performed miracles. The exterior of the cathedral is entirely of red brick and has features of both Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. Visitors shouldn’t forget to look up at the stunning organ in the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul.

8. Vytautas the Great Church

Church

Built in the 15th century, Vytautas the Great Church has seen a varied history as a Catholic church, storage space for ammunition by Napoleon’s army, and Orthodox church, and again as a Catholic church. Situated right next to the Nemunas River, Vytautas the Great Church has been flooded several times throughout history, thus it has seen numerous reconstructions with the largest renovations occurring in the 1930s and late 1970s.

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