All citiesKaunas Things to do and walking itinerary
Lithuania Kaunas travel guide
24 things to do in Kaunas, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
All Kaunas guide sections (8)
Top things to do in Kaunas
- Kaunas Cathedral Basilica: The archcathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, seat of the Archbishop of Kaunas. (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Kaunas Castle: A Gothic castle built in the mid-14th century on a rise where the Nemunas meets the Neris. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Lithuanian Zoo: Lithuania's oldest scientific zoo, set on 15.66 hectares in the Ąžuolynas oak grove. (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Church of Vytautas the Great, Kaunas: The oldest church in Kaunas and the only Gothic church in Lithuania with a cross-shaped plan. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Žmuidzinavičius Museum: Begun by painter Antanas Žmuidzinavičius, the collection displays devil figures from around the world. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- St. Michael the Archangel Church: Closing the view down Laisvės alėja, the Neo-Byzantine church was built in 1891-1895 for the Russian garrison. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Vytautas Magnus University Botanical Garden: The Vytautas Magnus University botanical garden, in the Freda district south of the centre. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Kaunas Synagogue: Also called the Choral Synagogue, Ohel Yaakov is an Orthodox synagogue still in use. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum: A group of museums devoted to the painter and composer M. K. Čiurlionis. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Christ's Resurrection Church: Consecrated in 2004 and completed in 2005, it is the largest basilica-plan church in the Baltic states. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Church of St. Gertrude: church building in Kaunas, Lithuania (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Church of St. Francis Xavier: church building in Kaunas, Lithuania (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kaunas Mosque: Sunni mosque in Kaunas, Lithuania (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Church of the Holy Cross (Carmelites), Kaunas: Roman Catholic church in Kaunus, Lithuania (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Church of St. George: church building in Kaunas, Lithuania (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum: museum in Lithuania (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Seventh Fort: defensive fortification and museum in Kaunas, Lithuania (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Kaunas musical theatre building: theatre buildings in Kaunas, Lithuania (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Napoleon's Hill (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Eighth Fort: fort of Kaunas Fortress, Lithuania (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Museum of the History of Lithuanian Medicine and Pharmacy: museum in Kaunas, Lithuania (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church: eastern Orthodox Church in Lithuania (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Maironis Lithuanian Literature Museum: museum in Kaunas, Lithuania (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Ramybė Park: cemetery in Kaunas (visit ≈ 45 min)
2-day Kaunas walking itinerary
Starting point: Old Town (Senamiestis). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated. Distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 8.6 km · 11,670 steps · 1 h 54 min on the way): Church of Vytautas the Great, Kaunas → Vytautas Magnus University Botanical Garden
- Day 2 (≈ 6.6 km · 8,900 steps · 1 h 29 min on the way): St. Michael the Archangel Church → M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum → Žmuidzinavičius Museum → Kaunas Synagogue → Kaunas Cathedral Basilica → Kaunas Castle
Where to stay in Kaunas
- Old Town (Senamiestis): On foot to the town hall square, castle and churches.
- Laisvės alėja (New Town): Modernist buildings, museums and cafés along the long pedestrian avenue.
Getting from the airport to Kaunas
- Kaunas (KUN): Taxi or city bus, ≈ 12 km to the centre
Getting around
Walk from the old town to Laisvės alėja. The modernist buildings of the new town are on the UNESCO list. Take the Aleksotas funicular up the slope for a view over the city.
Classic places to eat
- Etno Dvaras: Traditional Lithuanian food on the town hall square.
- Bernelių užeiga: Generous Lithuanian cooking in a rustic setting.
Good to know before visiting Kaunas
- Fine: Drinking alcohol in streets and public places is banned.
- Fine: In Vilnius buy and activate transit tickets in the app. Fare dodgers are fined.
- Fine: Headlights must be on during the day.
- Fine: Pedestrians must wear reflectors in the dark.
- Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
- The drinking age is 20. Shops sell alcohol in limited hours, shorter on Sundays.
- Emergency: 112
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO: Foreign travel advice: Lithuania, Wikivoyage: Lithuania, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı: Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only. Rules change, so check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Kaunas travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Kaunas?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 6 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Kaunas?
- Highlights: Kaunas Cathedral Basilica, Kaunas Castle, Lithuanian Zoo, Church of Vytautas the Great, Kaunas and Žmuidzinavičius Museum. The map has 24 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Kaunas?
- Old Town (Senamiestis): On foot to the town hall square, castle and churches. Other options: Laisvės alėja (New Town).
- How do you get from the airport to Kaunas city centre?
- Kaunas (KUN): Taxi or city bus, ≈ 12 km to the centre
- How do you get around Kaunas?
- Walk from the old town to Laisvės alėja. The modernist buildings of the new town are on the UNESCO list. Take the Aleksotas funicular up the slope for a view over the city.
- What is the emergency number in Kaunas?
- Emergency: 112.
- Do you tip in Kaunas?
- About 10% is customary.
Nearby cities
Trakai · Vilnius · Riga · Minsk · Gdańsk · Warsaw · Pärnu · Tartu
Lithuania travel guide: all cities · All cities