Location: Kaunas
Top Things to do in Kaunas
What to do and see in Kaunas, Kaunas County: The Best Things to do
Kaunas (/ˈkaʊnəs/; Lithuanian: [ˈkɐʊˑnɐs] ( listen); also see other names) is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the centre of a county in Trakai Municipality of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. In the Russian Empire, it was the capital of the Kaunas Governorate from 1843 to 1915. It served as temporary capital of Lithuania during the interwar period, while the traditional capital of Vilnius was part of Poland between 1920 and 1939. During that period Kaunas has been nicknamed the Little Paris because of rich cultural and academic life, fashion, construction of countless Art Deco, Lithuanian National Romanticism architectural style buildings as well as popular furniture, interior design of the time and widespread café culture. The city interwar architecture is regarded as one of the finest examples of the European Art Deco and received the European Heritage Label, it also resulted in naming Kaunas the first city in Central and Eastern Europe as a UNESCO City of Design. In 2022, Kaunas will be the European Capital of Culture, together with the Luxembourgish city of Esch-sur-Alzette.
Restaurants in Kaunas
1. Museum of History of Lithuanian Medicine and Pharmacy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By ramintapan
Very interesting exposition, super helpful staff. Loved it. Authentic details, much to learn ant to be surprised.
2. Ninth Fort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 459 reviews
Reviewed By andTilly - Bratislava, Slovakia
You can walk around the place even if the musem is closed. It takes at least 30 min to see everything just from the outside - and it’s nice to go after hours - less crowded and you get to see it anyway. The area is large, clean and cared for. From the top of the fort (it looks like a little hill) there is a nice view over the city, though it’s a very sad place, knowing that tens of thousands souls ceased the exist here, and the remains lay under your feet. P.S. Dogs are not allowed at all, and there are no trash bins on the site.
3. National M. K. Ciurlionis Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By PetraTre - Helsinki, Finland
I have never before been to a museum where a staff member comes to ask if I would like to hear music composed by the artist. The woman was very polite and advised me to sit down in the concert hall and listen to the symphony I had chosen. I spent about a half an hour listening to it. It was beautiful, and also relaxing after a long day. The artwork of Ciurlionis was touching and skillful, with many layers and interesting (also sad) themes. A great visit!
4. Sugihara House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
Chiune Sugihara memorial museum is an institution dedicated to commemoration of the deeds of Japanese consul Chiune Sugihara. He was working in Kaunas in 1939-1940 and is mostly remembered for saving more than 6000 Jewish refugees.
Reviewed By OlivierH1041
What Sugihara did was exceptional especially knowing that his honor and respect To his superiors could have been tarnished in his society. Remember that if his wife did not push and support him saving Jews, would Sugihara still have done it?
5. Pazaislis Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
Reviewed By CAPerth
We visited the Pažaislis Monastery and the Church of the Visitation during our vehicle transfer from Riga to Vilnius. It was closed by the time we arrived but our guide from Traveller Tours was able to persuade the nuns to let us in for a brief visit. The architecture and particularly the ceiling paintings are absolutely stunning and well worth a visit, even if it is a bit out of town. There is also a small crypt in the church but we did not have time to explore this or the main Monastery.
6. Old Town Kaunas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,132 reviews
Reviewed By UriusT - Vilnius, Lithuania
Kaunas Old Town is the heart of Lithuania, particularly Santaka and the confluence of the Neris and Nemunas rivers. The most spiritual, central core of the nation. This coming from a Vilnius resident. The Old Town proper is a distinguished collection of gorgeous and ancient structures and styles, pointing to the complex and diverse history of the city. Going through much renovations and restorations over the last decade in particular, the slow but steady gentrification of Kaunas Senamiestis is increasing at a break neck pace. While not nearly as gentrified and tourist focused as Vilnius Old Town, nonetheless the process is killing of some of the more organic cultural elements of the neighborhood in favor of concentrated capital and tourism.
7. Akropolis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 334 reviews
Reviewed By L9985ZRsimont - Silsden, United Kingdom
Great shopping centre for literally anything you want. In the main supermarket you can get a 100Gb data (for a week) for €5!! No more roaming worries ????????
8. Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 237 reviews
Reviewed By 773nicholasn - Copenhagen, Denmark
Really nice cathedral and it was free to get in there. The alter statues are really beautiful. Definitely worth a visit.
9. Devil's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 431 reviews
Reviewed By BrowsingAtlas
As a travel blogger, I always look for unique places to visit. While in Kaunas, Lithuania, this seemed like a must see. It was full of art and sculpture and folktales. I loved seeing all the different variations of the devil and shared some of the stories on my blog. This is A great rainy day activity. It’s the only museum like it in the world.
10. Kaunas Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 725 reviews
Kaunas Castle built in the 14th century is the oldest historical object in Kaunas and one of the oldest Lithuanian brick castles. At present, the castle is a Kaunas City Museum branch. The restored castle tower houses an exhibition dedicated to the history of the castle. The exhibition presents the most significant historical moments and personalities, as well as the metamorphosis of castle buildings and the change of its function from the 14th century to the present day. In addition, the temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists are organized and cultural events take place here.
Reviewed By Adelet-Le - Kaunas, Lithuania
The beautiful Kaunas Castle-one of the best historical places in Kaunas old city. Inside you can visit museum. Near there are a beautiful panoramic: the largest rivers Nemunas and Neris in Lithuania.
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