Kaunas is in the south centre of Lithuania and is the fourth largest city in the Baltic States.

It was once nicknamed “Little Paris” due to its rich cultural and academic life, art deco architecture, fashion and café culture.

Kaunas was Lithuania’s capital between 1929 and 1949 and has a population of 300,000.

Named the capital of culture in 2022, Kaunas boasts numerous cultural events throughout the year including the traditional yearly jazz festival which attracts local and international talent.

Aleksoto Apzvalgos Aikstele

Rather than trying to pronounce the above, we’ll call it the Aleksotas observation deck.

It’s reachable with one of the oldest cable cars in Europe because I couldn’t imagine having to walk up in the snowy winter weather conditions of Lithuania.

It’s not located too far out of the centre, it’s walking distance. It isn’t one of the observation decks that you’ll spend too much time at.

After the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011, the students of Aleksotas school made gifts for kids in Japan. As a symbol of support a pine tree near the observation deck was planted.

Kaunas Castle

Kaunas’s medieval castle is the second largest in Lithuania.

Built in the 14th century, it is Kaunas’s oldest historical landmark and the oldest castle in Lithuania. The restored and reconstructed tower is home to exhibitions dedicated to the castle’s history.

The location is on the banks of the Nemunas River near the meeting point of the Neris River. This was strategic as it acted as an important defence during fights against Crusaders.

Originally the castle had four towers. Over centuries the Neris River washed them away.

It’s one of the more unique castles in terms of its settings. I’ve never known a castle to be in an open space in and around a field.

Sorboras

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel, or Sorboras as it’s known locally is a Roman Catholic Church near the main pedestrian street in Kaunas.

Also known as the Garrison Church, the construction of the church was ordered in 1895 by Russian Czar Alexander III and designed by Russian architects.

Initially the church was meant to be a representation of luxury and wealth before being transformed into a Catholic Church in 1919.

After the restoration of independence, the Church hosts concerts and performances while exhibitions are continually on display.

Pazaislio Vienuolynas

The Pazaislis Monastery and Church is the largest monastery complex in Lithuania.

Based on the banks of the Kaunas reservoir, the monastery dates back to the 17th century and hosts various cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year.

The area offers various ways to make the most of your time, from enjoying a walk through the gardens, to lunch in the restaurant and stopping off to chill by the reservoir. There’s also a small museum here.

The walk to the reservoir is one you can do on your way out. There are pathways that lead you down and alternative ones to go on the way back to the bus stop. It’s an area you imagine would be busy in the summer.

To get here is a 30 minute bus ride from the centre of Kaunas and a 10 – 15 minute walk.

Kaunas is a good for a short break.

When comparing it to other European cities, It’s small and you can see in a day and half or two days at most without breaking a sweat.

For a small city it has a decent food scene. There’s a bit of a street art scene here as well for all you creatives and people who enjoy street art hunting.

It was here where it dawned on me how under prepared I was for the Baltic winter. Make sure you go to Decathlon and grab what ever you can because you’ll need it.

Or alternatively just come here in the summer and you can save yourself the grief of having to worry about bringing layers.