Kaunas

Kaunas Old Town offers a more intimate, less polished counterpoint to Vilnius, with a lively local energy and a strong interwar modernist legacy. At its heart stands the imposing Kaunas Castle, a reminder of the city’s medieval importance, while the Town Hall Square—often called the “White Swan” for its elegant tower—anchors a charming ensemble of Gothic, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau buildings. The Laisvės Alėja (Liberty Avenue), one of the longest pedestrian streets in Eastern Europe, links the old town to the New Town, passing interwar architecture that reflects Kaunas’s role as Lithuania’s temporary capital. The city’s museums, street art, and café culture give it a creative, slightly rebellious edge, making Kaunas a rewarding stop for travelers interested in 20th-century history and contemporary urban life.

Set on a wooded peninsula by the Kaunas Reservoir, Pazaislis is one of the finest examples of Italian Baroque in the region. Founded in the 17th century by the Camaldolese order, its church and convent are adorned with elaborate marble inlays, frescoes, and stucco work. The tranquil lakeside setting and the monastery’s harmonious proportions make it a place of quiet beauty, especially in autumn when the surrounding forests blaze with color.

This striking Neo-Byzantine church, with its five domes and red-brick façade, anchors Kaunas’s Laisvės alėja. Built in the late 19th century for the Russian military garrison, it now serves as a Catholic parish. Inside, the richly decorated iconostasis and frescoes offer a vivid glimpse into Orthodox-inspired sacred art, standing in quiet contrast to the bustling pedestrian boulevard outside.

Perched at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers, Kaunas Castle is one of the oldest stone fortifications in Lithuania. Originally built in the mid-14th century to fend off the Teutonic Order, its stout round tower and partial walls evoke the city’s medieval frontier past. Today, the compact ruin hosts small exhibitions and offers atmospheric views over the river junction.