Located in Northern Europe, Lithuania is a perfect country for those who prefer cooler travel times but are not really into Arctic vibes.
So you are into sports while your significant other prefers live music; you want burgers, and they demand gourmet options. Your dream tempo is 20,000 steps a day, while they dream of a spa session. These and many more combos are totally possible in one weekend in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Located in Northern Europe, Lithuania is a perfect country for those who prefer cooler travel times but are not really into Arctic vibes. September, October and November are ideal months for visiting; this is the time when the scenery is gold-and-red, and falling leaves make everyday prose slightly more poetic.
Modernist Gems
In terms of architecture, Kaunas is the perfect combo of the aged and the fresh. Firstly, its dense interwar architecture network is protected by UNESCO and cherished by city dwellers. Numerous modernist houses in the centre are public institutions you can visit free of charge; two top-rated private museums, the Art Deco Museum and the Amsterdam School Museum, offer immersive tours (a glass of bubbly included) that showcase much more than lovely interiors.
Whole Weekend in One Island: Mission Possible
The riverside of Nemunas is lined with brand-new business-class buildings showcasing slick shapes and high-tech solutions. In central Nemunas island, next to the multifunctional Žalgiris Arena and Olympic-size swimming pool, is the Science Island, a science and innovation centre set to open in late 2024. The arena mentioned above is home to BC Žalgiris, the most-awarded basketball team in the history of Lithuania and one of the strongest in Europe. Visiting a Euroleague game and being one of 15 thousand green-and-white fans of Žalgiris is one of the most emotional experiences one can have in Kaunas, but be sure to plan in advance as most of the international duels are sold out. Regarding concerts, 30 Seconds To Mars will perform in Žalgiris Arena on October 4. This band’s first tour in more than five years! On October 19, Kaunas will host the cello metalheads Apocalyptica.
Staying in and going out, Hellen Mirren-style
With a history dating back to the 15th century, the old town of Kaunas is packed with Gothic and Renaissance buildings. One of the region’s finest Baroque architecture examples is the Pažaislis monastery near the artificial Kaunas Lagoon. The monastery is home to a boutique hotel and restaurant called Monte Pacis, included in the Michelin guide. HBO’s Catherine the Great was shot in Pažaislis – while filming, Hellen Mirren stayed at Monte Pacis and loved every minute of it! By the way, the Pažaislis Church and Monastery Complex is the winner of the EUFCN Location Award for best European location in the film and TV industries.
Other Michelin-guide options in Kaunas are Arrivèe, Dia, Nüman and Uoksas; for a more down-to-earth after-hours vibe, locals suggest visiting Kultūra and Vingiu Dubingiu for beers, Kamerinis for cocktails, and Kuhne for food.
Cultural Adventures
In 2022, Kaunas was the European Capital of Culture. In the period of preparation for the title, many contemporary cultural traditions were born and are continued to this day. One of the craziest – and most fun to participate – is the Fluxus Festival, inviting everyone to unleash their artistic alter egos. The highlight of this event, scheduled for September 21 this year (the date coincides with a traditional Autumn Market perfect for souvenir shopping), is a massive climb up Parodos Hill, which will be open to traffic but open for dress-up enthusiasts.
Later this fall, in October, Kaunas will host the International Photography and Media Art Festival, various classical and jazz music concerts, a contemporary dance festival AURA 34, and a blues music festival, Kaunas Blues, which will extend from traditional concert halls to train station cafes and Wallographer’s notes
Those 20 thousand won’t accumulate themselves, right? Kaunas has a particular term for those favouriting street art – such people are called wallographers here. Taking pictures and mental notes is essential for a wallographer, and Kaunas offers dozens of options.
Start your street art tour in Courtyard Gallery (Kiemo galerija), established by renowned local artist Vytenis Jakas, and always being added to and developed. Jakas moved into this courtyard more than a decade ago and helped his neighbours reconnect with their shared local courtyard history through a series of artistic projects.
Once you mark a weekend dedicated to Kaunas in your calendar, don’t forget to also squeeze in explorations of the 19th-century Kaunas Fortress, visiting the National M. K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art, and many more. Find out more at visit.kaunas.lt or during a visit to our Tourism information centres at Laisvės al. 36 and Rotušės a. 14 (Kaunas Town Hall).
