Where to Stay in Kaunas – A Guide to Lithuania’s “Little Paris”
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania after Vilnius. Located in the centre of the country, at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris Rivers, Kaunas is famous for its historical sights, Art-Deco architecture, museums and manicured parks. In this post, we will explore the best areas to stay in Kaunas, Lithuania.
The main cultural attractions in Kaunas’s old town and city centre include Kaunas Castle, Kaunas Town Hall, the Devils’ Museum, the Vytautas Great War Museum, Laisvės alėja boulevard and the M.K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art. See accommodation in Kaunas City Centre.
Nature and park lovers and those travelling with kids will probably enjoy Kaunas sights such as the Lithuanian Zoo, Kaunas Reservoir, the Vytautas Magnus University Botanical Garden and Confluence Park.
Other must-see attractions in Kaunas include the Ninth Fort, and the Žaliakalnis Funicular Railway.
Due to its inland location, Kaunas has a humid continental climate. Winters are long, cold and snowy, with temperatures that typically range between -5 and -1 ºC. Meanwhile, during the summer, average temperatures hover between 13 and 23 °C. The best time to visit Kaunas is from late spring to early autumn (May through October), as temperatures are still pleasant enough to enjoy outdoor activities during these seasons.
To get to Kaunas by air, the city is served by the Kaunas Airport. Located 14 km northeast of the City Centre, this airport, the second-busiest in the country after Vilnius Airport, offers connections by traditional and low-cost carriers to cities in the Baltic States, Scandinavia and some destinations in the rest of Europe.
Kaunas is well-connected via train to the rest of the country and neighbouring nations. Kaunas Railway Station, the city’s main rail hub, is located in the city centre and offers frequent direct train services to Vilnius, Warsaw, Kaliningrad, Kharkiv and others. See train routes, schedules & fares.
To get to the city by bus, several long-distance bus companies also offer intercity travel to several domestic and international destinations. See bus routes, schedules & fares.
When it comes to moving around the city, Kaunas has an efficient and well-developed intermodal public transport network consisting of trolleys and buses. Tourist boats and a sightseeing bus are also available.
Kaunas also has taxis and mobile apps and you can choose to rent a car during your stay.
The best area to stay in Kaunas is the Old Town. This lively central district is home to the city’s main historical and cultural attractions and museums, the most vibrant nightlife venues and restaurants and some of the best accommodation options. See accommodation in Kaunas Old Town.
Another great area to keep in mind when choosing the best location in Kaunas is around Kaunas Railway Station.
Keep reading to find more about the best areas to stay in Kaunas, LT.
The Best Areas to Stay in Kaunas, Lithuania
1. Recommended area: Old Town
Kaunas’s Old Town is located at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris Rivers.
This lovely area stands out for its medieval architecture and historical sites.
Here, you’ll find a tower of the Castle of Kaunas, from which you can catch excellent views of the whole city.
Other attractions in the area include the City Hall, the House of Thunder, the Devils’ Museum and the Vytautas Great War Museum.
The City Centre includes the Old Town and the New City or “New Town Kaunas,” a district linked to the area by an underground corridor.
It is in New Town Kaunas where the longest street in Europe is located: Laivés Aléja.
This street, which translates to Freedom Avenue in English, has a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, galleries, theatres and shops.
The Old Town is the best area to stay in Kaunas and has hotels, apartments and guest houses for all tastes.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Kaunas:
- Best area for sightseeing
- Great public transport connections
- Historical monuments
- Good nightlife
- Best area for business travellers
- Shopping area
Accommodation in this area
-
Top Choice
Daugirdas Old City Hotel
The luxurious Imperial Hotel & Restaurant is located in the historic centre of Kaunas and offers air-conditioned rooms with a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. The boutique property is housed in a 16th-century building renovated in 2005.
-
Budget
Chocolate hostel
Chocolate hostel is located in the historic centre of Kaunas, a 4-minute walk from the castle and Kaunas City Hall. The property has a bar. All rooms have a shared bathroom.
-
Luxury
BEST WESTERN Santakos Hotel
The BEST WESTERN Santakos Hotel is located in Kaunas, less than 100 metres from the historic centre. It offers air-conditioned rooms with cable TV and free Wi-Fi. Free private parking is provided.
2. Near the train station and Akropolis Mall
The eastern end of Kaunas Centre includes the city’s main train station and the Akropolis Mall.
The Akropolis Mall is one of the largest shopping centres in the city, and the Kaunas train station is an important transport hub with direct connections to Vilnius and Warsaw.
There are several leisure and entertainment places around the train station and the Akropolis Mall. These include shops, cinemas and restaurants, as well as a few tourist attractions.
This area has some of the best transport connections in the city. In addition to the train station, it has several bus stops that make it one of the best areas to stay in Kaunas if you’re travelling around Lithuania or the Baltic States.
As it is near Old Town, you can take a pleasant walk to the icons of Kaunas and the shopping street Laivés Aléja, the mecca of daytime and nighttime fun.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Kaunas:
- Central location
- Train station
- Akropolis Mall
Read this in other languages
