Location: Kaunas
Top Things to do in Kaunas
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Top 10 Things to do in Kaunas, Lithuania
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. Ninth Fort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Reviewed By Teubs - Manchester, United Kingdom
Impressive fortress with many thousands of metres of tunnels, used as a concentration camp in the Second World War. Many Jewish people were shot here as well as French.
There is an extremely impressive sculpture built as a commemoration to all those who died at the camp
The tickets are very good value, cost just over eight euros for the four of us, and there is an interesting museum to start off with. If you actually want to look at the fortress you have to hire a guide but again this was included in the price for us and he was very good, good English and was informative.
2. Rumsiskes Open-Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
Open Air Museum of Lithuania is a unique and one of the largest (195 ha) open-air ethnographic museums in Europe. It has the biggest quantity of exhibits (90820 exhibits). The museum presents the mode of life, works, and traditions of peasants and townspeople of all Lithuanian ethnographic areas: Dzūkija, Aukštaitija, Suvalkija, Žemaitija and Lithuania Minor. It was established in 1966, in Rumšiškės on a picturesque coast of Kaunas Lagoon. There are fragments of the villages, authentic farms, century-old buildings with flower Gardens, orchards and vegetable Gardens, with crosses and wooden roofed poles, technical facilities - mills, forges, a fulling-mill and oil-mill lining along 7 km circular route, meandering between Forests, meadows and hills. In the centre of the museum there is a fragment of a township with its typical buildings, where pots are shaped, amber and wood works are done and weaving process of linen is presented. The painful past of Lithuanian history is reminded in the sector of Deportation and Resistance. The guided tours, educational programs, calendar feasts, folk group Concerts are being organized in the museum, horseback riding club.
Reviewed By craigluscar - Dunfermline, United Kingdom
What a large park for this unique collection of Lithuanian houses and buildings from all areas of the country it must have been quite an undertaking to transport and rebuild them We have never seen anything like it on this scale.You will need more than a couple of hours to walk round so leave yourself plenty of time
3. Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
Reviewed By mWrite - Helsinki, Finland
First some of the photos are from wrong church. This Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul or Kauno Šv. apaštalų Petro ir Povilo arkikatedra bazilika is made of bricks, so if you are standing in Old town next to town hall, then you see reddish brick church in east, it is this one.
This Cathedral was finished 1624 in Gothic style. For me main striking detail is big white statues around the altar. The organ is nicely decorated also. Enjoy the decorations inside of the church. Entrance is free.
4. Museum of History of Lithuanian Medicine and Pharmacy
Overall Ratings
5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By andysm2015 - London, United Kingdom
They have an English speaking guide, who'll take you through the Exhibitions. 4 rooms and a basement, of medical equipment of all sorts, all very preserved.
5. Old Town Kaunas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 862 reviews
Reviewed By BasilJr
Spent several hours just walking around. Very cute place, small buildings, nice people around. Visited Christmas market.
6. Laisves aleja (Liberty Boulevard)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 330 reviews
Reviewed By Ted M - Ramuciai, Lithuania
It is central pedestrian street in Kaunas. It is not very much like an Oxford street ,but there are still many shops ,restaurants and bars. Before huge shopping mall Akropolis was built main street was more important for shopping and leisure. But now major flow is linked to Akropolis. It is a must to walk along this street if You are visiting Kaunas. It is windy there in winter, but it is pleasant place for cup of coffee or glass of bear when sitting in open roof cafés at high season.
7. Akropolis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
Reviewed By Herr-Schlappschuss - Bavaria, Germany
We went to the Akropolis because it was a little bit too rainy, but we could spent some nice time in it. The Akropolis offers a great selection of primary fashion stores and restaurants. The attraction of it is the hockey rink in the 3rd floor with some restaurants around so you have a great view to the ice.
8. Sugihara House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By Tony P - London, United Kingdom
The normal rooms are there but I understand Sugihara family living quarters will be open from later this year too.
9. National M. K. Ciurlionis Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By Expectapostcard
Once your coat is in the cloakroom and you are wearing the special blue slip on slippers you can explore this gallery which I found fascinating.
It focuses on the work of M.K Ciurlionis who was a man of many talents including composing music but here his art works take centre stage although it would have be nice to be able to hear his music somewhere in the exhibition. His work is both Lithuanian and cosmic with titles such as Etetnity, the zodiac and fairy tale. It is quite a unique take on the world.
Also in the gallery at the moment is an exhibition called "New Acquisitions -2011 - 2016 which was thought provoking and colourful.
10. Pazaislis Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
Reviewed By genibre69 - London, United Kingdom
Went here today and was relatively quiet which I appreciated! Not supposed to take photos in the basilica interior but... no one watching so I did :) It's quite a lovely Rococo/Baroque interior. The museum on site is also really interesting and well put together on the monastery's history. English translations for everything. Cheap price to enter as well, just a few euros. The surrounding landscape is lovely. Best in good weather. I took the public bus from Old Town, which costs 80 cents and takes an hour. Worth the trip!
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