During the Nazi Germany times, the Ninth Fort served as a site of massacres, Jews in particular. After World War I, it was used as a prison and now it hosts a museum in memory of the victims. The fort is located near the Mega shopping center..
Address: Žemaičių pl. 75, Kaunas
Admission: €3 per adult ticket
Kaunas Castle is the oldest building in Kaunas and the first stone structure in Lithuania built in the XIV century to protect the city from the attacks of the Teutonic Order.
During the battles, the castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Today, only a part of it has remained, embracing two towers and a few walls. In the Round Tower, there is a museum where you can get acquainted with the local history. Around the castle, music festivals, battle reconstructions and children’s activities are often held.
The castle is located at the intersection of the Neman and Neris rivers, right in the old town. You do not need a whole day to visit it but rather accompany it with other attractions of Kaunas.
Address: Kaunas, Pilies g., 17
Admission: €2.50
Kaunas Old Town is the oldest part of the city located to the east of the intersection of the Nemunas and Neris rivers. It embraces preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, especially in the western part of the Old Town. A walk to the Town Hall Square with the main building of the old Kaunas, the City Hall, is a must.
You may conveniently park your car near Kaunas Castle and proceed to the Old Town.
The museum was founded in 1919 by the scientist and professor Tadas Ivanauskas. The collection features more than 175,000 exhibits: stuffed items, skeletons of small and large animals, anatomical specimens, a wide range of birds, insects, fish, reptiles, shellfish, etc. In the museum, you can listen to the voices of various animals and learn a lot of curious and educational information.
Address: Laisvės alėja 106, Kaunas
Admission: €3 per adult ticket, €2 per child/student/senior ticket
Liberty Boulevard is the longest pedestrian street in Eastern Europe – 1.6 km long. Construction of the avenue dates back to 1849, having involved demolishing of dwelling houses and relocation of their residents. Initially, it employed a horse-driven tram but in 1975, the whole street became pedestrian.
Liberty Boulevard is lined with linden trees and beautiful flower beds, and also features a fountain, benches, restaurants and shops. This is a truly great place for walking and shopping.
In 2018, the alley was fully restored.
Map location: Laisvės alėja
This is a very peculiar museum in the center of Kaunas, located in the courtyard of a residential building. The gallery’s creator, artist Vytenis Yakas, highlights the problem of alienation of people and neighbors.
On the walls, you can see the stories of the inhabitants of this courtyard, which was once a part of the Jewish ghetto. These stories are mostly not so jolly, even tragic, some narrate about the Second World War and the Holocaust. But despite this, the gallery has become a favorite meeting place for neighbors, artists, citizens and tourists.
Address: E. Ožeškienės g. 25
You can visit it at any time of the year free of charge.
This is the only museum of devils in the world with more than 3000 exhibit: works of fine and applied art, souvenirs and masks from Lithuania and 70 other countries.
Address: V. Putvinskio g. 64, Kaunas
Admission: ~ €4
The oldest funicular in Lithuania built in 1931 is one of the oldest fully operational vehicles of this type in the world. You can take a ride from the Military Museum named after Vitovt the Great to the Church of Christ Resurrection. The length of the route is 142 meters, and the journey time takes less than 2 minutes.
Address: Aušros g. 6, Kaunas
Admission: ~ €1
This is the biggest basilica in the Baltic countries capable of accommodating about 5,000 people. The construction of the church was finally completed in 2005. The church looks quite unusual, but the interior is very humble and minimalistic.
Christ’s Resurrection Basilica has two towers and a chapel at the top level of the main tower.
By taking the elevator you can get to the roof and enjoy the panorama of the city from the top of the green hill of Kaunas, Žaliakalnis.
Address: Žemaičių g. 31A, Kaunas
Admission: €1.2 – to the viewing platform on foot / €2.4 – by elevator
This tiny green island within the city is connected to the center of Kaunas by two bridges. Here you can often come across locals walking their dogs. On warm days, cyclists and athletes come here to make use of the well-equipped open-air sports ground. The island has a couple of restaurants and a large sports complex with an arena.
On cooler days, the island becomes the most foggy part of the city.
Map location: Nemunas island
This 1.3 km long hiking trail is the longest equipped walking path in the Kaunas region, partly wooden, partly natural.
The object is located on the edge of a cliff by the Kaunas lagoon where steep slopes are covered with rich grass and bushes. Junipers grow here in their natural environment.
Address: Kadagių slėnio g, Kaunas
Admission: €1
The largest monastery complex in Lithuania is also a magnificent example of Italian Baroque and a cultural monument. Founded in 1662, it is located on a peninsula in the Kaunas Reservoir next to the Kaunas Yacht Club. The monastery embraces 140 original frescoes by 17th-century Italian masters.
Facilities of the Pažaislis complex open to tourists (tickets required):
Church Yard
Northern Servants’ Building (today the Chancellery)
Southern Servants’ Building (today the Pažaislis History Museum/Exhibition)
Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth
Graves
Monastery courtyard
An international music festival is held here every year.
The Pažaislis Culture and Tourism Centre is closed on Sundays, except for Holy Mass at 11:00 AM.
Monday is a day of silence, visits are prohibited.
Address: Pažaislio vienuolynas
Price: €10 per adult
This museum is a whole open-air city with a market square, a church and houses furnished according to the styles of Lithuanian regions of the late 18th – early 20th century. It has recreated people’s authentic lifestyle: how they lived, weaved cloths and manufactured amber jewelry. ⠀
Address: L.Lekavičiaus g. 2, Rumšiškės, Lithuania
Admission: €4 per adult ticket, €2 per child/student/senior ticket
You can visit all the objects from the list in 2-3 days.
Route is made by Juliana Iljina
