A small city is hailed by visitors for its natural beauty and stunning architecture. Yet, it remains deeply underrated among many holidaymakers.
The Lithuanian city of Kaunas is just 64 miles west of the capital Vilnius which has become a major travel hub, with nearly 1.2 million guests visitors last year, according to data collected by Go Vilnius.
In comparison, the Kaunas City Tourist Information Centre reported just 18,752 visitors, including 1,781 foreigners in 2022.
But though this small city of less than 500,000 people is less travelled by, its architectural grandeur and rich artistic scene makes it a hidden gem for those seeking an unusual weekend away.
In 2023, the second city’s interwar modernist buildings were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a year after it was awarded the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture.
It’s unsurprising the city, which is sat at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers, finally got the nod given its rich cultural scene. The Kaunas Biennial contemporary art festival continues to be one of the biggest international festivals of its kind in the Baltics.
And as part of the City of Culture celebrations, the city created a new “Street Art Route”, showcasing the amazing work that commissioned by artists across the city.
The favourites among visitors include the Wise Old Man – a towering mural painted on one side of a former footwear factory on Jonavos g. 3 – and the Kiemo Galerija on E. Ožeškienės g. 25 – a street gallery in a courtyard covered with works celebrating the lives of the people who live above, Wanderlust reports.
And if art isn’t your thing, there’s a jazz festival in April, a brass band festival in May, and a Modern Dance Festival in October to add to the long list of things to do.
The Old Town where the Wise Old Man resides is a must-see according to holidaymakers, with the 14th century Kaunas Castle – one of the country’s oldest brick castles.
Travellers also recommend visiting the city’s Ninth Fort Museum, which offers a bleak but necessary insight into the atrocities which were carried out in the city during the time of the Nazi occupation.
Meanwhile, the Atomic KGB bunker museum is the second highest-rated thing to visit, offering a huge collection of Soviet relics, surveillance equipment and devices.
There’s also a wealth of food options, including Motiejaus Kepyklėlė a bakery beloved by locals. The eatery serves a well-reviewed omelette with fresh bread, poppyseed cake and coffee, The Independent reports.
Other stand-out food options include Medziotoju Uzeiga, which serves up game dishes like boar medallions as well as classic national staples like kepta duona and herring.
The outlet also recommends Vista Puode a highly-rated restaurant that uses seasonal ingredients to craft Lithuanian classics with a modern twist.
There are direct flights to Kaunas Airport from various UK airports including London Stanstead, Bristol Airport, Belfast Airport, and Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Non-stop flights take around two and a half hours.