Why go to Kaunas? Explaining how to get there, where to stay and what to do

Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania with a population of almost 320 thousand. It is known for its unique cultural and natural landscape, as well as being the capital of Lithuanian basketball.

You should plan at least a day or two to visit the city, and you won’t have time to see all the sights, Michelin restaurants and museums in that time anyway. To get the most out of your trip, we strongly recommend you use these three maps. It includes the most important sights, street art and objects of interwar modernism, which is why Kaunas is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

How to Get There

By bus or train: take a direct bus from Riga or a train with a transfer in Vilnius

Several bus companies operate between Riga and Kaunas—you can easily check them on autobusubilietai.lt. The journey takes between 4 and 6 hours, depending on the operator and whether there are any changes.

Flixbus offers 6 rides per day from €10 per ride, with a journey time of 4-5 hours. Transport operator Ecolines has 4 routes per day from €8 per ticket.

Alternatively, you can travel from Riga to Vilnius by train or bus and then go to Kaunas.

By air: Kaunas international airport

If you are flying into Kaunas, the city is served by Kaunas Airport, one of Lithuania’s three international airports, located 15 km north-east of the city centre. If you are arriving late in the evening, you can take the number 29 bus into town, which departs after the last flight lands each day. For your convenience, please remember to buy your ticket from the driver when you board the bus. While there are no direct flights from Riga, reaching Kaunas from other locations by air is still possible. For instance, you can fly from Tallinn with a connecting stop in Stockholm, arriving in Kaunas in approximately 4-5 hours.

By сar: 270 km

The distance from Riga to Kaunas by road is about 270 km, which means that it takes 3-4 hours by car.

Where to Stay

Chain Hotels

There are several options for accommodation in hotel chains. The cheapest is Amberton Hotel (from €61 for two people per night), located at the confluence of the Neman River and decorated in a modern classical style. You can also choose one of the two IBIS hotels (from €82). They are opposite each other, next to the bus station on Vytautas Avenue.The main difference is the design: Ibis Centre is more casual, while Ibis Styles has a basketball-themed interior.

The third option is the The Radisson Hotel (from €90) in the heart of the city is the largest in Kaunas, with 206 Scandinavian-style rooms and an on-site casino, restaurant, fitness centre, spa and sauna. It also offers one of the largest meeting and event centres in the region.

Good City Hotels

Small city hotels such as Berman House (from €75), in a beautifully restored early 20th-century industrial complex, are a good alternative to chain hotels. Also don’t miss the Kaunas City Hotel (from €127), simple-looking but with a really good view of the city centre.

Boutique Hotels

One of the newest boutique hotels in Kaunas, Bōheme House (from €144), tells various stories of the bohemian art movements of the interwar period. From architecture and scenography to music and photography, you can choose the option that suits you best. There are original works of art in the apartments, which guests can buy or simply spend the night in the art gallery.

Another boho style hotel is Moxy (from €76) with avant-garde interiors. It’s a unique project of the Marriott chain, with an emphasis on experiential design that encourages social interaction.

Unique Options

The most unforgettable hotel experience can be found in two places: Hotel Monte Pacis (from €90), located in a 17th century monastery, is the only hotel in Lithuania to have been carefully restored and accepted into the prestigious Heritage Hotels of Europe Federation.

The other is Villa Grabyte (from €80), which is also highly regarded by restoration experts. The original wooden building was built in 1928. It was renovated in 2021 to become a guest house full of fine details and antique furniture.

More variants of accommodations in Visit.Kaunas

8 Things to Do

1. Explore Kaunas modernism

The history of present-day Kaunas is deeply intertwined with its transformative role as Lithuania’s temporary capital from 1919 to 1940. In a remarkable burst of growth, Kaunas went from being a modest town to a capital city of European standards almost suddenly. This rapid development was driven by a collective spirit of ambition, investment and belief in the city’s future.

Capturing the full essence of Kaunas on a single map is a daunting task. From 1919 to 1940 alone, the city saw the construction of 12,000 new buildings, most of them preserved to our times. To truly experience the architectural and historical richness of the city, we recommend exploring key areas on foot. Start with a stroll along V. Putvinskio street, once home to foreign diplomats in the interwar years, and continue along K. Donelaičio, Kęstučio, Maironio and Mickevičiaus streets. Venture around Trakų and K. Būgos streets near Ramybės Park and make your way up to the Radio district. Walk along Vaižganto and E. Fryko streets and Perkūno Avenue. Don’t miss a visit to the Kaunas County Public Library, Christ’s Resurrection Church and immerse yourself in the charming residential architecture of Lelijų, Radastų and Tulpių streets, where you can still find historic wooden houses.

Map of the modernism

2. Visit the zoo, reopened last year after renovations

The Lithuanian Zoological Garden, founded by the esteemed naturalist Prof. Tadas Ivanauskas (1882-1970), has been dedicated to wildlife conservation and education since it first opened its doors in 1938. It has recently been restored and reopened. The zoo has a deep ravine, so the area is on two levels. You can move between these levels either by stairs, a steep road or a lift. There is a viewing platform on the upper level.

The original zoo’s purpose was to raise awareness of the importance of protecting nature and preserving endangered species, a mission that remains central to its work today. Visitors to the zoo can see over 2,000 animals representing 200 species from around the world, from the smallest insect to the majestic giraffe. Many of these species are threatened with extinction as their natural habitats disappear.

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3. Ride the funiculars

Don’t miss this opportunity—Kaunas is the only city in Lithuania with funiculars. These charming “little houses that climb the hill” are used for both transport and entertainment. One of them, the Aleksotas funicular, has been connecting the historic city centre with the Aleksotas slopes since 1935. It links the old and new parts of the city and offers a wonderful, breathtaking view of the city and the Nemunas River.

The slightly older Žaliakalnis funicular, in operation since 1931, offers a short but scenic journey of just over a minute. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view of the city, including the impressive Church of the Resurrection, a unique example of a cathedral built in the interwar modernist style.

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4. Visit the Čiurlionis Museum—dedicated to Lithuania’s most famous symbolist artist

One of the oldest and most important art institutions in Lithuania—the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum, founded in 1921. Today, its main mission is to promote understanding of cultural and artistic developments by preserving, studying and exhibiting the M. K. Čiurlionis Collection, as well as Lithuanian and world cultural heritage.

The museum houses the largest collection of Čiurlionis’ paintings and graphics, and you can listen to his music in the museum’s Music Hall. There are also various temporary exhibitions. It is an excellent opportunity to explore the development of Lithuanian and international art and culture from ancient times to modern times.

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5. Visit the Čiurlionis Museum—dedicated to Lithuania’s most famous symbolist artist

One of the oldest and most important art institutions in Lithuania—the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum, founded in 1921. Today, its main mission is to promote understanding of cultural and artistic developments by preserving, studying and exhibiting the M. K. Čiurlionis Collection, as well as Lithuanian and world cultural heritage.

The museum houses the largest collection of Čiurlionis’ paintings and graphics, and you can listen to his music in the museum’s Music Hall. There are also various temporary exhibitions. It is an excellent opportunity to explore the development of Lithuanian and international art and culture from ancient times to modern times.

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6. Take a stroll through the beautiful park at the confluence of the Nemunas River

Known as the cradle of Kaunas, the place has many legends – some say there used to be a holy forest dedicated to Milda, the Lithuanian goddess of love, marriage and freedom. For no surprises, this area is a popular place among romantics, making it a popular spot for special moments like proposals or just outdoor activities: street basketball, volleyball, frisbee, jogging, Nordic walking, and leisurely picnics. Nearby attractions include the historic Kaunas Castle and St. George’s Church, where visitors can take in stunning city views and see the statue of Pope John Paul II.

It also still hosts some pagan events. Every Thursday in Confluence Park, a Romuva ritual is held at the aukuras, or fire altars. Romuva, an ancient Baltic religion revived in modern times, is followed by over 5,000 people who gather to celebrate their traditions.

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7. Check out the street art at Yard Gallery

A courtyard with various art installations near Laisves Aleja—the main boulevard of Kaunas. The story of this place began more than ten years ago, when the artist Vytenis Jakas moved here. He noticed that the neighbours were disconnected and had lost touch with their shared history. In response, Jakas began to paint photos of the Jewish families who once lived here on the walls, and received strong support from the community.

Gradually, more artwork appeared, new artists contributed, neighbours began to celebrate and tourists began to visit. This is undoubtedly one of the largest collections of street art in the Baltic States. But before you come, it’s important to remember that the people who live here have a right to peace and quiet.

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8. Attending basketball game at Žalgirio Arena

Kaunas Žalgirio Arena, the largest and most versatile venue in the Baltic States, is the ultimate destination for a wide range of events. Whether it’s hosting exciting basketball, handball, volleyball and indoor football matches, bodybuilding and fitness contests, figure skating competitions or concerts, the arena’s adaptability is unmatched. It also serves as a dynamic space for artistic performances, film festivals, exhibitions and private functions.

Most notably, the Arena is the proud home of BC Žalgiris Kaunas, a leading team in Europe’s elite professional basketball league, making it a central hub for high-profile sports and entertainment.

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Restaurants

Kaunas has 5 restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide. Four of them are located in a centre around the Laisves Aleja. Uoksas is all about reinventing Lithuanian cuisine using modern techniques in a Nordic style; DIA is more casual, offering everything from burgers to fine steaks, with popular daily specials including freshly caught fish. At Nüman you’ll find dinner with delicious homemade bread. And Arrivée is a good option for special occasions: it’s a French restaurant in a former 17th-century Dominican monastery.

The fifth Michelin restaurant, Monte Pacis, is located away from the centre, in a monastery on the grounds of the hotel of the same name. As well as good food, it has a unique wine collection: the owner is a passionate wine lover and qualified sommelier, so it is naturally a highlight, with more than 200 bottles individually and lovingly described.

In addition to Michelin’s, Kaunas has many good and affordable places for breakfast and dinner: the cosy Višta Puode with home-style cooking, the Mexican Agave, the Italian PICCOLA ITALIA, seafood restaurant inspired by Hemingway’s ‘The Old Man and the Sea’, Senis ir jūra, and Radharabe for vegans.

Find more restaurants in Visit.Kaunas

Coffee and Desserts

Kaunas has a huge number of pastry shops and bakeries. It is not known whether this is due to the fact that this city was called ‘Little Paris’ before the Second World War, but croissants, eclairs and other pastries are definitely loved here. At least try this one: La Petite Pâtisserie, Motiejaus bakery, Jo Malonė, Spurginė, Bundu. And don’t forget the coffee—just like in Vilnius, the roasting and brewing methods here are excellent. Aside from pastry shops and bakeries, you can enjoy it in coffee chains such as Vero, Caif or Caffeine, as well as in unique places: Habits, Koffee Lab, Kavalierius.