Kaunas Travel Guide 2026: Modernist Architecture, Old Town, Museums, Costs & Tips

Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city, sits at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers, about 100 km west of Vilnius. Between the two World Wars, when Vilnius was part of Poland, Kaunas served as Lithuania's temporary capital (1920–1939), and the young state built a remarkable collection of modernist buildings, from Art Deco offices to functionalist villas. In 2023, Modernist Kaunas: Architecture of Optimism, 1919–1939 was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Kaunas was also European Capital of Culture 2022, which brought new festivals, street art and cultural spaces. The city combines a charming Old Town with a medieval castle and the elegant Town Hall, nicknamed the "White Swan", with the long pedestrian boulevard Laisvės alėja, excellent museums such as the M.K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum and the quirky Devils' Museum, and a lively student atmosphere. This Kaunas travel guide covers the best time to visit, top places, where to stay, how to get there and around, costs, entry rules and practical tips.

Best Time to Visit Kaunas

Summer (June–August): Warm days of about 20–25°C, outdoor cafés, festivals and river walks.

Spring (May) and early autumn (September): Pleasant weather and fewer visitors. The Kaunas Jazz Festival and other events take place in spring.

Autumn (October–November): Golden colours and cultural events, but shorter days.

Winter (December–March): Cold and snowy, with a Christmas market and festive lights in the Old Town.

Events:

• Kaunas Jazz Festival (spring).
• Kaunas City Days (May).
• Hanseatic Days (May).
• Kaunas Biennial: Contemporary art (check the edition dates).
• Basketball season: Kaunas is home to Žalgiris, one of Europe's top basketball clubs, with games at the Žalgiris Arena.

Top Places to Visit in Kaunas

1. Kaunas Old Town and Town Hall Square

Explore the cobbled streets around Town Hall Square, dominated by the 16th-century Town Hall, known as the "White Swan". Nearby are the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica, the Gothic Perkūnas House and Vytautas the Great Church.

2. Kaunas Castle

A restored 14th-century castle, one of Lithuania's oldest, at the confluence of the rivers.

3. Laisvės alėja (Liberty Avenue)

A 1.6 km pedestrian boulevard lined with trees, shops, cafés and modernist buildings, ending at the St Michael the Archangel Church, a neo-Byzantine landmark.

4. Modernist Architecture

Discover UNESCO-listed buildings such as the Central Post Office, the Bank of Lithuania, the Officers' Club, Vytautas Magnus War Museum and the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, whose rooftop terrace offers panoramic views.

5. M.K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum

Dedicated to Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Lithuania's most famous painter and composer, whose dreamlike works are unique in European art.

6. Devils' Museum

A quirky museum with more than 3,000 devil figures from around the world.

7. Ninth Fort

A former fortress used by the Nazis as a site of mass murder, mainly of Jews, during the Holocaust. A museum and a striking memorial commemorate the victims.

Also worth visiting: Pažaislis Monastery, a baroque masterpiece on the Kaunas Reservoir, the Aleksotas Funicular and viewpoint, the Sugihara House, honouring the Japanese diplomat who saved thousands of Jews, Kaunas Picture Gallery, the Lithuanian Aviation Museum, and the street art of the Kaunas Yard Gallery.

Beyond Kaunas

• Rumšiškės Open-Air Museum: One of Europe's largest open-air museums of rural life.
• Kaunas Reservoir Regional Park: Hiking, cycling and boating.
• Trakai: The island castle, about 1 hour away.
• Vilnius: The capital, about 1 hour 15 minutes by train.
• Birštonas: A spa town on the Nemunas.

Suggested 2-Day Kaunas Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Kaunas Castle, the Old Town, Town Hall Square, and walk Laisvės alėja to St Michael's Church.

Day 2: Visit the Čiurlionis Museum, the Devils' Museum, the Resurrection Church rooftop, and take the Aleksotas Funicular for sunset; or visit the Ninth Fort and Pažaislis Monastery.

Kaunas Food Scene

Try Lithuanian classics such as cepelinai (potato dumplings filled with meat or curd), šaltibarščiai (bright pink cold beetroot soup), kugelis (potato pudding), kibinai (pastries), šakotis (tree-shaped cake) and rye bread. Kaunas has a growing craft beer scene and modern restaurants in renovated buildings.

Practical Planning Notes

Kaunas is also great for families, with interactive museums and parks.

To understand Kaunas's interwar architecture, look for the information plaques and QR codes on many buildings, or join a guided walk. The Kaunas Modernism routes highlight dozens of buildings, from grand public institutions to residential villas in Žaliakalnis. Street art is another highlight: large murals cover walls across the city, including the famous Wise Old Man in the Old Town. Kaunas also has a strong café culture, so take time to sit in one of the interwar-style cafés on Laisvės alėja.

Kaunas is compact and walkable, with the Old Town and Laisvės alėja forming a continuous route. Modernist buildings are spread across the centre and the Žaliakalnis neighbourhood on the hill, reachable by funicular. Many museums close on Mondays. Kaunas is easily combined with Vilnius, Trakai or Klaipėda by train or bus, making it a great stop on a Lithuanian itinerary.

Lithuanian Culture in Brief

Lithuania was the last country in Europe to adopt Christianity (in 1387), and pagan traditions survive in festivals such as Joninės (Midsummer, 23–24 June). The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was once one of Europe's largest states. Lithuania declared independence from the Soviet Union on 11 March 1990, the first Soviet republic to do so, and joined the EU and NATO in 2004. Basketball is almost a religion, and Lithuanians are proud of their language, one of the oldest living Indo-European languages.

Where to Stay in Kaunas

• Old Town: Boutique hotels near historic sights.
• New Town and Laisvės alėja: Modern hotels close to shops and restaurants.
• Žaliakalnis: Quieter residential area with modernist villas.
• Near the station: Convenient for day trips.

Compare hotel prices and availability in Kaunas here.

Getting There & Around

Flying to Kaunas

Kaunas Airport (KUN) is about 14 km from the centre, with low-cost flights across Europe. Vilnius Airport (VNO) is about 1 hour away. Search and compare cheap flights to Kaunas or Vilnius to find the best fares.

By Train

Trains connect Kaunas with Vilnius in about 1 hour 15 minutes. Check current international connections via Rail Baltica towards Poland.

By Bus

Buses connect Kaunas with Vilnius, Klaipėda, Riga and Warsaw.

Getting Around

• Walking: The centre is compact.
• Trolleybuses and buses: Cheap and frequent.
• Ride-hailing apps: Bolt is widely used.
• Bikes and scooters: Available for rent.

Travel Costs in Kaunas

Lithuania uses the euro (€). Kaunas is affordable.

Visa & Entry Rules

• Schengen Area: Lithuania is part of the EU and Schengen. Many visitors, including citizens of the US, UK, Canada and Australia, can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• EES: Non-EU travellers have their fingerprints and facial images registered at the external Schengen border.
• ETIAS: Expected in the last quarter of 2026 at €20 for visa-exempt travellers, though the date could change. Check the official EU website.
• Belarus and Russia borders: Crossings to Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad region are heavily restricted and can close at short notice. Check official advice before travelling near the borders.

Local Tips for Kaunas

• Check museum opening days.
• Try a Žalgiris basketball game.
• Use the funicular to reach viewpoints.
• Cards accepted widely.
• Staying connected: EU roaming applies for EU SIM cards; others can buy a local SIM or use a travel eSIM. Get your Lithuania eSIM here.

Tours & Experiences

• Modernist architecture walking tours.
• Street art tours.
• Jewish heritage tours.
• Pažaislis and Rumšiškės day trips.
• Food and craft beer tours.

Browse and book the best tours in Kaunas here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kaunas

Why was Kaunas the capital of Lithuania?
It served as the temporary capital between 1920 and 1939, when Vilnius was part of Poland.

What is Modernist Kaunas?
A UNESCO World Heritage Site recognising the city's interwar modernist architecture.

How do I get from Vilnius to Kaunas?
By train in about 1 hour 15 minutes or by bus.

Is Kaunas worth visiting?
Yes, for its Old Town, modernist architecture, museums and lively culture.

What is the Devils' Museum?
A museum with more than 3,000 devil figures from around the world.

Kaunas pairs a charming Old Town with the world's largest surviving collection of interwar modernist architecture — walk Laisvės alėja, visit the Čiurlionis Museum, and ride the funicular up to Žaliakalnis for sunset.