Kaunas

Day 1: The elegant spine and river origins

Ease into Kaunas at a strolling pace that matches the city’s understated confidence. Today blends interwar elegance, street art, and the city’s founding geography at the confluence of two rivers.

• Morning: Wander Laisvės alėja with a coffee and a spurga from the old-school spurginė (note: it often closes in July). Look up for modernist details, duck into side courtyards (try the one with Kultūra cafe), and greet with a simple “Laba diena” — locals warm quickly to polite, low‑key curiosity.
• Midday: Drift into the Old Town via Vilniaus g. for the Town Hall Square and Kaunas Castle. Pick a relaxed lunch on a side street (quieter and better value than the main drag), then follow the Street Art Route to find the Wise Old Man mural and other memory‑rich pieces.
• Afternoon: Walk Santaka Park where the Nemunas and Neris meet; it feels primordial and calm. In warm months, bring a book and sit on the grass; in winter, plan a short, meditative loop before a cosy cafe stop (think jaukus: warm, simple, unpretentious).
• Evening: Cross to the base of Aleksotas Hill and ride the creaking funicular for a sunset panorama back over the Old Town and Laisvės alėja. Dine back in the Old Town or along the river; in summer try casual riverside pop‑ups, in cooler months choose a snug wine bar and keep voices low — Kaunas values quiet.

Day 2: Modernism on the hill and the city’s creative edges

Today is about the interwar golden age and its living legacy. You’ll pair UNESCO‑listed modernism with parks and an evening in a post‑industrial creative pocket.

• Morning: Take the Žaliakalnis funicular to Christ’s Resurrection Church and climb to the roof terrace for skyline views. Ramble the villa‑lined streets of Žaliakalnis to spot clean modernist lines; on Saturdays, swing by the Old Town farmers’ market earlier for local bread and cheese before heading uphill.
• Midday: Stroll or trolleybus to Ąžuolynas (Oak Grove) for a green breather; autumn is glorious under the oaks. Lunch nearby, then choose between the M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art (soulful, synaesthetic Lithuania) or the quirky Devils’ Museum next door.
• Afternoon: Drop to the New Town for Kiemo Galerija (Yard Gallery) on E. Ožeškienės g. — an intimate, community‑made memorial that rewards unhurried looking. Coffee in a back‑courtyard cafe; if architecture is your thing, book an Experience Kaunas modernism walk to decode façades and “tarpukaris” context.
• Evening: Head to Šančiai for wooden houses, big skies by the river and evolving art spaces (check what’s on at Drobės fabrikas). If visiting in September, the Fluxus procession or Audra electronic festival electrifies the evening; otherwise grab craft beer and soak up the district’s bohemian grit.

Day 3: Memory, music and the green‑white heartbeat

Close with Kaunas’ deeper currents: remembrance, baroque serenity, and the city’s collective passion. If it’s a game day, you’ll feel the energy build from morning.

• Morning: Visit the Ninth Fort Museum and memorial for sober reflection on 20th‑century traumas (plan 2–3 hours; dress for wind). Alternative for families or bad weather: the Aviation Museum at S. Dariaus ir S. Girėno aerodrome for a lighter, local‑hero take on flight.
• Midday: Ride to Pažaislis Monastery by the reservoir for baroque calm; lunch at Monte Pacis pairs well with the setting. Summer brings lakeside swims and the Pažaislis Music Festival; in winter, linger over a slow meal and candlelight.
• Afternoon: Return to Nemuno sala for a loop of the island and a look at Žalgirio Arena; pick up a scarf if there’s a match. If not game day, continue the Street Art Route or browse small design studios tucked off Laisvės alėja.
• Evening: If Žalgiris are at home, join the green‑and‑white tide to the arena — arrive early for the anthemic build‑up and stay for the city‑wide afterglow. No game? Opt for live jazz in April (Kaunas Jazz), classical in summer (Pažaislis), or contemporary dance in October (Aura), then cap the trip with a last, unhurried promenade down Laisvės alėja — the city’s runway.

By Air

• Kaunas International Airport (KUN), Karmėlava – about 14 km from the centre.
  • Bus 29G to the centre/rail station: ~30–40 min.
  • Taxi/ride‑hailing: ~20–25 min. Car hire available.
  • Mostly low‑cost flights to major European cities.
• Vilnius Airport (VNO) – ~100 km east.
  • Coach to Kaunas: ~1 h 30–1 h 45 (frequent).
  • Train: airport shuttle to Vilnius station (~8 min), then Vilnius–Kaunas train 1 h 05–1 h 30; total ~1 h 40–2 h.
• Riga Airport (RIX) – ~260 km north; direct coaches to Kaunas ~4–4.5 h.
• Warsaw Chopin (WAW) – ~400 km south; coaches ~6–7 h; rail typically 6–7 h with changes.
• Palanga (PLQ) – ~230 km west; drive ~2.5–3 h; buses via Klaipėda ~3.5–4.5 h.

By Train

• Main station: Kaunas Railway Station (Kauno geležinkelio stotis).
• Key routes (LTG Link):
  • Vilnius–Kaunas: frequent; ~1 h 05–1 h 30.
  • Kaunas–Klaipėda: limited direct services; ~3.5–4.5 h (buses faster).
  • Kaunas–Šiauliai: ~2.5–3 h (limited).
  • Cross‑border (seasonal/weekend): Kaunas–Białystok ~4.5–5 h.
• Tickets: ltglink.lt or station offices. The rail and bus stations sit next to each other.

By Bus/Coach

• Main hub: Kaunas Bus Station (Kauno autobusų stotis), adjacent to the rail station.
• Domestic:
  • Vilnius: every 15–30 min; ~1 h 30–1 h 45.
  • Klaipėda: every 1–2 h; ~2.5–3 h.
  • Šiauliai: ~2–2.5 h; Druskininkai: ~2–2.5 h.
• International:
  • Riga: ~4–4.5 h (Ecolines, FlixBus, Lux Express).
  • Warsaw/Białystok: ~6–7 h / ~4–5 h.
  • Tallinn: ~8–9 h via Riga.
• Tickets online (operators’ sites/apps) or at the station.

By Car

• From Vilnius: A1 (E85) motorway, ~100 km; ~1–1.5 h.
• From Klaipėda/Curonian Spit: A1, ~220–230 km; ~2–2.5 h (plus ferry if coming from Neringa).
• From Riga: E67 (Via Baltica) via Panevėžys, ~270 km; ~3.5–4 h.
• From Warsaw: E67 (Via Baltica) via Suwałki–Marijampolė, ~400 km; ~5–6 h.
• Central parking is metered in the Old Town and centre; pay at machines or via app. Winter conditions can affect travel times.