Ultimate Itinerary For 1 Day In Kaunas, Lithuania 2026

Kaunas is a gem of the Baltics – Lithuania’s second city where grand interwar buildings line leafy pedestrian boulevards, medieval churches sit nestled in the Old Town, wooden funiculars still rattle up green hills for skyline views, and rivers meet quietly at the edge of the castle.

Kaunas is compact, easy to navigate, and refreshingly low-key. Which is why in this blog I’m sharing my ultimate tried and tested itinerary for the best day trip including the must-see sights, cosiest coffee shops and tastiest restaurants.

Read on from the top for all the details or use the options below to jump to the sections you’re most interested in. Let’s go!

1. Is Kaunas worth visiting & is one day enough?
2. Where is Kaunas?
3. How to get to & around Kaunas
4. When to visit Kaunas
5. Best things to see & do
6. Best places to eat & drink
7. Best places to stay
8. What to pack & know before you go
9. How much a trip to Kaunas costs

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links, so if you do make a purchase through them I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Kaunas at a glance:

• My favourite affordable hotel: Moxy Kaunas Center (from £60 per night)
• Best coffee shop in the city: NYC Coffee Co.
• Must-visit traditional donut shop: Spurgine
• Easiest Lithuania eSIM: Airalo (from just £3.50)
• Cheapest flights to Kaunas

Is Kaunas worth visiting & is one day enough?

Before we get into the detail, you might be wondering if Kaunas is actually worth visiting. This blog may be a bit of a giveaway but my answer would be, yes, but it does depend on what you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for an affordable, accessible European city break with plenty of history, beautiful leafy boulevards, delicious hearty food, and great views then look no further than Kaunas. The atmosphere here is really calm and friendly, the perfect escape for those who want to dodge the crowds but still see and do interesting things.

But if you’re craving more energy, outdoor pursuits, shopping, or wow-factor attractions, Kaunas is probably not the one for you. While Kaunas has a quiet confidence and plenty of gems to see, you might find the buzz of the capital, Vilnius or Tallinn in Estonia a better fit.

When it comes to how long you need in Kaunas, as it is a relatively compact city, I would say one day is enough. Within that time, you’ll be able to see all of the major sights and still have time time to relax in the sun or a cosy coffee shop. As Kaunas is so close to the capital, Vilnius, it also makes for a really easy day trip.

Find my complete itinerary for 2 days in Vilnius here!

That said, we did spend the night here and it was lovely to see Kaunas lit up in the evening. So if you do have the time to spare in your agenda, I’d also recommend a night in pretty Kaunas. Find my hotel and apartment recommendations later in this blog 👀

Where is Kaunas?

As you can see from the map below, Lithuania’s second city of Kaunas sits almost perfectly in the heart of the country.

As the city is so central, it makes the perfect base for exploring more of Lithuania – whether that’s making the short trip to the capital, Vilnius like we did, heading to the pretty coastal towns around Klaipeda, or venturing north towards the famous Hill of Crosses and Latvia’s border towns.

How to get to & around Kaunas

Now you know if Kaunas is the right destination for you and where it is, let’s talk getting there. Depending on where you’re travelling from, there are a few easy and generally affordable travel options. I’ll break them down here…

By air:

As Kaunas has its own international airport, if you’re travelling from outside of Lithuania or the Baltics, by far the easiest and quickest option is to fly. I live in Copenhagen and found flights to Kaunas for under £50 return for the short 1.5 hour flight. I’ve seen similar reasonably priced flights from other destinations across Europe including the UK, so it’s worth checking your flight options first.

Find the best prices for flights to Kaunas here

Plus, Kaunas airport is only a 20 minute drive or 40 minute train away from the heart of the city so finding your way into town is a breeze.

By train:

If you’re travelling to Kaunas from other parts of Lithuania like Vilnius, then the best option is to take the train. The train network in Lithuania is great and we found the trains to not only be super comfy and affordable but on time and reliable too.

There are many direct services between Vilnius and Kaunas each day and the journey only takes just over an hour. So sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful forest views en route!

Check the timetable and book your train tickets here

By bus:

If you’re travelling from a neighbouring Baltic country or Poland, the most affordable option (and often the fastest) is to take a bus. Here are the major routes:

Bus from Riga, Latvia to Kaunas: journey takes 4 hours, tickets cost £12

Bus from Tallinn, Estonia to Kaunas: journey takes 8 hours, tickets cost £20

Bus from Warsaw, Poland to Kaunas: journey takes 5 hours, tickets cost £25

Once you arrive in Kaunas, the easiest ways to get around the city are by foot, taxi or bus. As Kaunas is a smaller city, we found it easiest to just walk between the sights. You get to see more of the city that way too!

To get to and from the airport and to sights slightly out of central Kaunas, we used Uber. Uber is available everywhere in Lithuania and we found the prices to be fair so I’d recommend that if you do want to take a taxi. Of course you can also find local taxi firms, just make sure they’re registered and agree a price or meter rate in advance.

Don’t fancy walking? Kaunas also has a great public bus network that connects each part of the city. Download the Trafi app to see live bus schedules and use the Žiogas app to buy tickets in advance. You can also now buy tickets on the bus with contactless cards and devices – if you do tap in this way, tickets cost €1 each way).

When to visit Kaunas

As you can see from the table below, the temperature varies quite dramatically throughout the year in Kaunas. So depending on whether you visit in summer or winter, you could have pretty different but equally magical trips. Here’s what you can expect in each season…

March – May: Best time to visit for spring flowers, fewer tourists and slightly milder weather, just don’t be surprised if you get a little late snowfall!

June – August: Best time to visit if you want to spend more time exploring outdoors or head off the beaten track into nature. The temperatures are lovely and warm but with it comes more tourists so bear that in mind if you want to dodge the crowds.

September – November: Best time to visit for pretty autumn foliage and fewer crowds while the temperatures are still relatively mild. This is when I chose to visit and in October the skyline was painted with beautiful fall colours. I’d definitely recommend a visit to Kaunas in autumn – just be prepared for a slightly higher chance of showers!

December – February: Best time to visit for Christmas markets and festive fun but prepare for seriously cold weather. To be honest, unless you’re travelling for the Christmas markets specifically, I wouldn’t recommend visiting Kaunas in winter as you won’t really be able to enjoy the city’s green spaces and nature. It’s just so cold!

Month	Average High Temperature	Average Low Temperature	Average Number of Rainy Days
January	-2°C	-6°C	11 days
February	-2°C	-7°C	9 days
March	3°C	3°C	10 days
April	11°C	2°C	11 days
May	18°C	7°C	10 days
June	20°C	11°C	12 days
July	22°C	12°C	11 days
August	21°C	12°C	12 days
September	16°C	8°C	11 days
October	11°C	4°C	13 days
November	4°C	0°C	13 days
December	-1°C	-4°C	11 days

Best things to see & do

Now that’s the logistics covered, let’s get onto the fun part – the best way to spend your day in Kaunas. Here’s what I’d recommend…

Admire the Church of St Michael the Archangel + stroll Freedom Avenue

Start your day of exploring in the heart of the city at one of the most picturesque spots – Freedom Avenue. This is the longest pedestrianised street in Eastern Europe that stretches 1.6km from the oldest part of Kaunas to the magnificent Church of St. Michael the Archangel.

At the centre of the street stands Freedom Monument – a symbol of Lithuania’s independence and national pride, as well as a memorial to those who fought for the country’s freedom.

Not only is this an important cultural landmark but it’s also incredibly beautiful. The main avenue is lined with big leafy trees, multiple sculptures and bustling cafés which is why it’s the perfect place to get your bearings. Take the time to wander the length of the avenue and start soaking up the atmosphere.

As I mentioned, at the end of the avenue you’ll arrive at the Church of St. Michael the Archangel. This striking church was built in 1895 when Lithuania was still part of the Russian Empire and as a result, was designed to suite Russian Orthodox practices.

However, as Lithuania fell from Russian control to German occupation in WWI, the church bells were cut down and sent to Germany, effectively closing the church until 1919. It was during the interwar period that the church was converted to Roman Catholicism which has remained ever since, even while under Soviet rule during the later part of the 20th century.

Today, the church is equally historic as it is beautiful and you can enjoy one of the best views of it by standing on Freedom Avenue and looking down towards its domed roof. You can also head inside to see the church from within for free.

TOP TIP: The church (and Freedom Avenue) are equally beautiful at night so if you are spending a night in Kaunas, be sure to walk back over after sunset to see the avenue and church lit up.

Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier + the Vytautas Great War Museum

From Freedom Avenue it’s just a five minute stroll to the next sight. Here you’ll find another important monument – the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

This memorial was created in 1930 to honour those who gave their lives fighting for Lithuanian independence. It features a designated burial site, an altar and an eternal flame. There are also other statues and memorials around the tomb commemorating freedom fighters and other important figures in national history. So in my opinion it’s an important place to see to understand more of Lithuanian history, and as it’s in a public space, it’s open and free to explore at all hours.

Right next to the tomb is the grand Vytautas Great War Museum opened in 1930 at the 500-year anniversary of Vytautas the Great, the Grand Duke of Lithuania. The museum houses exhibits and artefacts related to the history of Lithuania and Kaunas including large collections of historic weapons and the famous plane, Lituanica which flew a nonstop route from New York City to Kaunas.

Even if you don’t plan to enter the museum, it’s worth stopping by to admire the building from the outside adorned with the colours of the Lithuanian flag.

If you do want to see the exhibits, the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and stays open until 7pm on Wednesdays. Tickets cost €5 per adult and can be bought on site.

Learn about the historic Presidential Palace

Just a 15 minute walk towards the Old Town and you’ll come to another important building in Lithuania’s history. This is the Presidential Palace built in 1846 by a local aristocrat who sold it to the Russian government to use as an administrative building. During World War I, Kaiser Wilhelm II even briefly stayed in the palace while visiting the Eastern front in 1915.

After Lithuania restored its independence in 1918, the government took control of the building and used it as the country’s official palace while Vilnius was under Polish control. Kaunas became the temporary capital and the palace was the main residential home of the president. But by 1940 change was afoot again and the Lithuanian parliament held their last meeting of government here on the night of June 14th before the Soviets invaded and occupied the country.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union and independence of Lithuania, the building has been carefully restored and now houses a gallery space. It costs €5 to enter and the gallery is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm (with late closing at 7pm on Thursdays) and from 11am to 4pm on weekends.

TOP TIP: In the small park area surrounding the palace, there’s also now statues depicting members of the interwar Lithuanian government and a series of information boards about the important role Lithuanian women played in setting up parliament, ensuring votes for women and developing the country. This part is free to enter so if like us you don’t want to pay to step inside, I’d still recommend seeing the building from the outside and visiting this exhibition in the palace park. Plus, in autumn the trees here are stunning!

Stop by the pretty Church of St Gertrude

A five minute walk from the Palace will take you to a beautiful little church – this time the Church of St. Gertrude in the heart of Kaunas Old Town. This is one of the oldest brick churches in Lithuania built in the 16th century and it’s seen its fair share of dramas.

It was damaged in 1655 during the Russo-Polish war, had a wooden hospital attached to it in 1750, was abandoned for a period during the late 1700s, was damaged by a major fire in 1812, and was closed in 1864 after the January Uprising until finally being restored and reopened in 1991.

Today, it’s a beautiful example of gothic architecture and a lovely stop on your way through Kaunas. You can head inside the church to see the decorated interior for free outside of mass hours.

TOP TIP: Don’t miss the candle-lit basement around the back of the church where prayers are made. There’s a small set of stairs that takes you down to a small viewpoint that feels very special to see.

Explore the works in community-run Yard Gallery

A further five minute walk and you’ll come to Yard Gallery. As the name suggests, this is an open-air free to enter art gallery in a literal yard.

The artworks here were first created ten years ago by local artist, Vytenis Jakas to commemorate the lives of the former Jewish residents of the buildings. The courtyard’s walls have become the canvases to tell stories and keep the memories of local people alive. From portraits and artefacts to abstract pieces and vibrant murals, there’s a lot to see here to learn more about life in this area.

Stop by to wander through and soak it all in. The gallery area is open every day from 9am to 7pm and is free to enter. Just be mindful that people do live in these buildings so try to keep your voice low and be respectful.

Enjoy panoramic views from the Church of the Resurrection rooftop

After a morning in the heart of the city, it’s time to head above it for the best views of the day. Walk over to the Church of the Resurrection which only officially became a working church in 2004, but its life started much earlier than that…

Plans for a church here date back to 1918 when Lithuania first regained its independence. To praise God for this blessing, the city of Kaunas was chosen as the perfect site for a new church. However, it took until 1933 for a design to be approved and the first cornerstone was only laid in 1934. As construction continued, the costs increased and raising enough money to keep funding the project was a challenge. Through private donors in Lithuania and abroad, they were able to finish the major work by 1940.

But shortly after that, WW2 started and Lithuania was occupied by the Nazis who used the new church as a storeroom. Once the Soviets took control, Stalin decreed that in 1952 the church was to be used as a factory and the cross demolished at the top of the tower. Incredibly, the church continued life as a radio factory until 1990 when Lithuania gained independence from the Soviet Union. But by that point the building had been mistreated so badly that it took nearly 15 years for it to be restored ready to be used as a church again.

Today, the church stands not only as an incredibly striking building, but a testament to what can be overcome by the people of Lithuania – and a visit to the rooftop is a must! From its position on the hill surrounding Kaunas, you get amazing panoramic views all across the area.

It’s free to enter the main body of the church (there was a wedding on when we visited), but if you do want to go up onto the roof, you’ll need to pay €5 but in my opinion it’s definitely worth it. Just be sure to have cash as I don’t think they accept card – it’s just a small payment kiosk. Then you’ll be able to walk up the stairs or take the lift to the top.

TOP TIP: As this church is a 20 minute walk from Yard Gallery, it can be tempting to take an Uber but I’d recommend you don’t. The walk to this spot is interesting in itself and you’ll get some additional great views. Just be sure to head there via the Saulės Laiptai staircase. This is a route built in 1988 and decorated with sculptures and monuments along the way. As you climb the stairs, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views and if you’re visiting in autumn, the trees glow beautiful oranges and reds.

Feast on traditional donuts at Spurgine 

After taking in a feast for the eyes, you’ll be ready for a feast for the stomach. For that, it has to be Spurgine. This is the must-visit spot on Freedom Avenue that’s been making freshly-fried donuts and soup for nearly four decades.

There’s no reservations, no credit cards and only older local ladies staffing this special little spot. So turn up, grab the available seats around the bar in their retro restaurant and get ordering.

You can order as much or as little as you like but I’d absolutely recommend starting things off with a steaming hot bowl of chicken soup. Then order a range of savoury donuts to try – there are fillings like mushroom, different meats and curd cheeses. After that, round things off with a classic sweet jam donut.

Just don’t forget, they only accept cash so have some ready. But the prices are incredibly reasonable, we only paid €12 for everything we ordered for two of us. Also, don’t expect lots of English to be spoken here, be prepared to point at what you want and have Google translate at the ready.

TOP TIP: After our lunch, we also ordered some donuts to take away for later. When 4pm rolled around, we were so grateful for our earlier quick thinking. Such a great afternoon treat!

Visit towering Kaunas Cathedral of Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul

After lunch, wander back towards the Old Town to see more of its historic gems. First stop is the main city Cathedral built by the Grand Duke of Lithuania in 1413. But like many of the buildings in Lithuania, it’s experienced a lot of change during its lifetime.

It suffered damage during the war with Russia in 1655, was damaged again in 1707 during the war with Sweden, and was damaged by fire in 1732. It was fully renovated in 1800 into the building we see today which is much more grand and gothic.

The cathedral is impressive from the outside, but it’s definitely worth heading inside to admire all the artwork and carving on the church’s interior. The church is open every day from 6:30am to 7:30pm and is free to enter.

Explore Old Town and stop by the Town Hall + House of Perkunas 

As you continue to explore Kaunas Old Town, you’ll come across two more famous buildings – the town hall and the House of Perkunas. The beautifully elegant town hall dates back to 1542 with a tower reaching 53 metres high. While it also has a storied past, today it acts as a civic space for weddings, official city guests and other town ceremonies.

Just around the corner from here, you’ll find the House of Perkunas. This is one of the oldest Gothic buildings in the city, built in 1440 by Hanseatic merchants who used it as their office. It was then sold to Jesuits who established a chapel there in the 1600s before serving as a school and theatre in the 19th century. It was during this time that a model of the Baltic pagan god of thunder and the sky, Perkunas was found in one of its walls – hence the name!

Today, it once again is owned by Jesuits and houses a small museum dedicated to the Polish poet, Adam Mickiewicz. The opening hours here are quite limited so I’d recommend just stopping by to admire this place from the outside. You’ll still get to enjoy all those gothic features!

Visit Kaunas Castle

Now it’s time for the big hitter – one of Kaunas’ most famous sights, its medieval castle dating back to the 14th century.

For centuries this acted as a strategic outpost protecting nearby towns and trading routes – and that was a necessary precaution as in 1362 it was attacked by the Knights of the Teutonic Order. At that time, the castle walls were said to be 11m high and it housed 400 Lithuanian soldiers, yet after three weeks of besiegement the knights breached the walls and took the castle. Sadly, only 36 of the Lithuanian soldiers survived.

Incredibly, the Lithuanians were able to reclaim the castle, only for it to be re-captured by the Teutonic Knights again in 1384! However, the Knights’ presence threatened the rest of the defences along the river and so an army was mustered to reclaim the castle as Lithuanian once and for all. After this, the walls were thickened and the castle further fortified for 600 soldiers.

After that, the castle was used for administrative purposes, as a prison, as a country escape for the Grand Duchess of Lithuania, housed law courts, frequently flooded, and was eventually abandoned until the 1950s. At this point, restoration work began to excavate the original parts of the castle and restore it to its former glory.

Incredibly, what’s left of the castle today are thought to be the original structures dating back to the 1300s. So while not huge amounts of the site are still intact (around one third), what is there is really rich in history.

Today, you can visit the castle museum and exhibitions from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays, and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Tickets cost €4 per person.

I would also say, even if you don’t want to pay to enter the castle as not that much of it is open to visitors, it’s worth stopping by to admire this site from the outside. It’s still a very impressive structure and you can just imagine how pivotal this fortification was at one time.

Wander along the pretty riverside

After a stop at the castle, continue walking on through the park and you’ll come to the bank where two rivers meet – the Neris and Nemunas. This is a really pretty spot with lovely paths through the trees and views across the river to the hills beyond. Spend some time here just wandering and exploring and look out for some sculptures along the way!

Ride the funicular to Aleksotas Hill

Start heading back towards the city but instead of entering the Old Town, cross the river and make your way to the funicular railway on Aleksotas Hill. Here you can ride the 132m track up the hill in the original vintage carriages from 1935 for sweeping views from the top.

This is a lovely way to see more of Kaunas from a different perspective and soak up a little more history.

The ride takes about 10 minutes and services run really frequently (see timetable here). Tickets cost €1.20 each way or €2 for a return journey and can only be bought in cash – so make sure you’re prepared! There’s also a staircase beside the funicular if you’d rather take the train up and walk back down.

Visit thought-provoking Ninth Fort

If you still have energy in the afternoon and want to see more of the sights beyond the city, I’d recommend heading to Ninth Fort or Pazaislis Monastery.

Ninth Fort is one part of the much larger Kaunas Fortress (consisting of nine forts in total) that at one time encircled the city. Work to build this final fort began in 1902 and was completed by the eve of WWI. From 1924 it was used as the city’s prison until the Soviet occupation in 1940-41 when it was used by the Soviet secret police to house political prisoners.

Unfortunately, things only got worse at Ninth Fort as the century continued. When the Nazis took over, they used the fort to commit mass murder of around 50,000 Jews in what became known as the Kaunas massacre. As the Soviets moved back in to occupy Lithuania again later on, the fort was converted back into a prison.

By 1958, more awareness had spread about the atrocities that had taken place at Ninth Fort and a museum was created to catalog the crimes and evidence. This collection of artefacts and information has continued to grow as more is understood about the events that took place. In 1984, a large memorial was built on the site to remember those who lost their lives here.

So as you can see, there’s a lot of important stories being told at Ninth Fort, and if you are interested in learning more about this part of Lithuanian history, the exhibition here is really excellent.

Entrance costs €8 per person and the fort is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. To get there, I’d recommend just hopping in an Uber as it’s only around 15 minutes drive from the centre of town.

Explore historic Pazaislis monastery 

Last but by no means least, if you’d rather see more of Lithuania’s beautiful baroque architecture, there’s no place better than Pazaislis monastery.

Sat just outside the city on the edge of the river, this picturesque monastery is the largest in Lithuania. It was founded in 1664 by Lithuanian noblemen to house an order of Catholic monks and took until 1755 to be fully completed.

By 1832 it was converted into a Russian Orthodox church, then a German war hospital during WWI, and a Soviet psychiatric hospital during WWII until finally being returned to the sisters of the Lithuanian convent in the 1990s.

Today, you can visit parts of the beautiful monastery and grounds. Opening hours vary throughout the year so it’s best to check their website here. Entrance costs €10 per person.

As the monastery is a little way outside the city, the best way to get there is to take an Uber – the drive is only around 15 minutes.

Best places to eat & drink

After all that exploring, you’ll have worked up quite an appetite. So for the best coffees, breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and dinners, here are my favourite spots as well as tips on local Lithuanian dishes to try.

NYC Coffee Co. $

For the best coffee in town, don’t be fooled by the American name – this is a truly Lithuanian spot run by a local team who were inspired in the mountains of Alaska.

Today, they serve some of the best rated coffee in the city and after trying it myself, I can confirm it’s excellent. So if you’re in need of a caffeine boost to get your day of exploring started, head over to their cosy spot. They offer some breakfast and brunch dishes that were delicious too.

Green Cafe $

For great breakfast, brunch and lunch options, head to Green Cafe. This is a bright and fresh spot with plenty of seating, friendly staff and a good selection of delicious dishes. We headed here on our last morning in Kaunas and it was the perfect way to start the day with a yoghurt bowl and tasty filled croissants.

Bundu $

If like us you’re soon in need of another coffee hit (this time with a sweet treat) – head to Bundu bakery. This is a really lovely spot with cosy seating, plenty of indoor plants and sunlight streaming in through the windows. The perfect place to enjoy a little rest and sample their home-baked cinnamon buns, cardamom knots and lots more.

Plus, if you’re veggie or vegan, they also make lots of baked goods to suit different dietary requirements so you’re in good hands!

Kava Vire $

For the most incredible cookies in the city (probably the whole country), it has to be Kava Vire. Head into their cute bakery to select from flavours like gingerbread, pistachio, apple, classic chocolate chip and so many more. Trust me, just look at the photos on their Google reviews…

Bernelių Užeiga $$

When it comes to dinner, if you want to try traditional Lithuanian dishes with a fun atmosphere, choose Bernelių Užeiga. This restaurant makes the most of Kaunas’ medieval heritage with classic comfort-food dishes from the region, period decor, and waiting staff dressed in beautiful traditional dresses too.

Now I know what you’re thinking, sometimes that can feel gimmicky – not here. This felt well-done, classic and just a really nice way to experience more of the history and heritage of Kaunas. If you’ve been to Olde Hansa, the medieval restaurant in Tallinn, Estonia and liked it, you’ll like this. It’s a more relaxed version with a Lithuanian twist.

It’s here that I’d recommend trying some classic Lithuanian dishes – here’s what to look out for…

Saltibarsciai (cold beetroot soup): this is a cold, creamy and refreshing dish loved by Lithuanians throughout the year, but especially as an antidote to warm summers. It’s made with beets, kefir, dill, hard boiled eggs and always served with hot boiled potatoes on the side. Definitely one to try during your visit!

Mushroom soup served in a bread bowl: mushrooms are also a large part of the Lithuanian diet and their creamy mushroom soup is a delicious winter staple. Even better when it’s served in its own hollowed out bread bowl!

Cepelinai (meat-filled potato dumplings): these traditional potato dumplings are also known as Zeppelin due to their airship-like shape and named after the inventor, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin. While they can be filled with veggies or meat, it’s most common to find them stuffed with ground meat and served with sour cream and bacon bits.

Balandeliai (stuffed cabbage rolls): you’ll find a variation of cabbage rolls across Eastern Europe but the Lithuanian ones are stuffed with ground meat and rice, and served with a tomato sauce – delicious!

Kvass (a type of beer made with fermented bread): dating back to the 16th century, this is a lightly alcoholic type of beer made with fermented dark rye bread. The result is a light and tangy beer with malty notes.

Mamma Kitchen Stories $$

For a more modern take on Lithuanian dishes and flavours, choose Mamma Kitchen Stories. Their dishes get rave reviews, their restaurant is sleek and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

Chačapuri Bistro $$

For something a little different, seize the opportunity to try excellent Georgian food. This is Chačapuri Bistro – a modern and fresh restaurant serving classic Georgian dishes packed with flavour.

They also have a restaurant in Vilnius that we visited and it was brilliant – the staff were super friendly and helped us understand the menu, the dishes were so fresh and delicious and the prices are really reasonable for good size portions.

Piana Vyshnia $$

If you’re after something sweet to finish – look no further than Piana Vyshnia. These are little cherry liqueur bars you’ll find all across the Baltics, Poland, and Ukraine. The drink itself originated in Lviv, Ukraine where it was traditionally made by housewives across the city. Today, we can enjoy this fruity liqueur across Eastern Europe in little bars that are often easy to spot as they’re so popular. Look for the gatherings of people and get involved!

Knygnesys Bar $$

For something a little more exclusive, head underground to sample the incredibly delicious cocktails created by the Knygnesys Bar mixologists. In this cosy candle-lit bar they get creative with flavours, garnishes and presentation to offer the best cocktails in town.

Best places to stay

Of course, as I’ve mentioned you could easily explore a lot of Kaunas in a day trip from Vilnius. But if you do want to spend the night like we did, then there are lots of great hotels, apartments and hostels to suit every budget. Here are my top picks…

Budget: The Monk’s Bunk (from £17 per night)

If you’re on a tight budget, look no further than really highly reviewed hostel, The Monk’s Bunk. Their dorm rooms are spotlessly clean and spacious, their common areas are perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring or cooking dinner, and their staff are super friendly and helpful.

Plus, this spot is just off the main pedestrianised road through the city and super close to all the major sights.

Mid-range: Moxy Kaunas Center (from £60 per night)

For a little more privacy, choose Moxy Kaunas. This is where we chose to stay and everything was perfect – like their other hotels around the world, the room was spacious, well-decorated and super comfortable.

There’s also some nice areas to relax, co-working spaces and a fitness centre (we didn’t use these but if we had been travelling for work or had a little more time, we probably would). The hotel is also perfectly positioned for easy walking access to Kaunas Old Town and all the major sights. Overall, I’d highly recommend staying here if you want a super easy, comfortable and affordable night in Kaunas.

Luxury: Kaunas Old Town Apartment with Parking (from £106 per night)

For a little more luxury and space of your own, consider renting an apartment like this in the Old Town. With its own living room, kitchen, two spacious double bedrooms and and a beautiful modern bathroom, there’s plenty of space here to kick back and relax.

Choosing an apartment is also a great option if you want to cook more of your own meals. With a fully fitted kitchen and all the appliances and equipment you need, you can easily whip up breakfasts, lunches or dinner in this apartment.

But what makes this spot particularly special is the view. The large windows offer sweeping views of the Old Town and pretty riverside – just take a look at the photos and you’ll see how stunning this place is inside and out!

What to pack & know before you go

As with any new destination, there are always tips and tricks it’s helpful to know in advance. So here’s what you need to know before you go from my experience.

Not everywhere takes credit card: As I’ve mentioned in this blog, there are some cafés, attractions and establishments that only accept cash so be sure to have some Euros ready – around €20 should be plenty unless you’re heading further off the beaten track.

Pack comfy shoes: The best way to see Kaunas is on foot so prioritise packing supportive and comfy trainers, boots or sandals (depending on when you’re visiting). There’s nothing worse than having to cut your itinerary short because of blisters!

Be prepared for showers: As I discussed in the weather section of this blog, Lithuania does get a decent amount of rain. But a sudden light shower shouldn’t stop you from exploring – just be sure to pack a waterproof jacket or umbrella!

Don’t expect everyone to speak English: While many younger people will speak great English, we found that the older generations were less likely to. Of course, this in a way is one of the joys of travelling and forces you to try to engage in other ways or learn a little of the local language. But it’s just something to be aware of and prepared for. In situations like this, I always have the Google Translate app on my phone ready to go!

Lithuania on the whole is very safe: Lastly, I want to mention safety as this is a key consideration when planning trips, especially if you’re a solo female traveller. Rest assured, statistically Lithuania (Kaunas included) is a very safe country with little violent crime. As a couple exploring in the day and after dark, we found this to be true too. We felt safe the entire time and the atmosphere if the city is incredibly relaxed and family-friendly. Of course, as with any city, keep an eye on your belongings to avoid pick-pockets but other than that, have a brilliant time!

How much a trip to Kaunas costs

That leaves just one final question – how much do you need to budget for your trip to Kaunas? The good news is, Lithuania as a whole is still a pretty affordable destination and you can definitely see and experience a lot without breaking the bank.

So if you are on a tight budget, expect to spend as little as £45 on one day in Kaunas including one night in a hostel, the main activities mentioned in this blog, and affordable food and drink.

If you have more budget to play with and want a more luxurious experience, expect to spend around £100 or more on one day and night in Kaunas including a hotel stay, all activities, and restaurant-quality meals.

There we have it – that’s my ultimate tried and tested itinerary for the best day in Kaunas. I hope you enjoy your time here as much as I did and if you have any other questions or recommendations of your own, let me know in the comments box below. Happy travelling!

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