Castle

This once ruined castle was originally built in mid-14th century by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and it has mostly been reconstructed to its former glory. The castle area is often used as a stage for concerts and performances and its round tower houses an art museum.

Town hall

In the heart of the Old Town lies the Renaissance Town Hall. Built in the 15th century, it is part of the historic Kaunas, and it has the nickname ”The White Swan” thanks to its beauty. Nowadays it is used for wedding ceremonies and official events of the town. It also houses the Museum of Ceramics in its cellar. The City Hall Square is a popular cafe area and the Old Town has a lot of restaurants, bars, coffee-houses, museums, art galleries and hotels.

House of Perkunas

Another gem of the Old Town, the Gothic House of Perkunas was constructed originally by Hanseatic merchants and it served as their headquarters from 1440-1532. In the 16th century it was sold to the Jesuits, who changed its purpose to a chapel in 1643.

The ruined house was rebuilt in the 19th century and served as a school and theatre. Today, it once again belongs to the Jesuits, and it currently houses a museum dedicated to the art and works of Polish writer Adam Mickiewicz.

Cathedral

This Roman Catholic cathedral basilica was first mentioned in a written source in 1413. It was originally Gothic, but it was rebuilt with some Renaissance features in 1671. The present day shape of the building is from a further renovation in 1800. The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, with its neo-Gothic furnishings, was built as an independent extension in 1895.

Shopping

Urmas shopping area (Pramones pr. 16) in the eastern part of the city, is equipped with specialized meat, fruit, vegetable and fish markets. Decorated by an antique passenger train, Urmas is an idyllic bazaar for getting cheap souvenirs.

• In the shopping center Mega, located on the Vilnius – Klaipéda highway, there are 72, 000 square meters of retail space, 2,500 parking slots, several shops selling everything from fashionable clothing to household appliances and building materials. It also features a supermarket, restaurants, a bowling alley and a five-screen cinema. There is also a large aquarium full of fish from all over the world.

• The shopping mall Molas contains shops, restaurants and a bowling alley.

• Bagažinių Turgus is a classic car boot fair.

• Linas-Medis is a little shop located in the Old Town selling local linen and traditional wooden toys.

• Vilijampolės Turgus is a large market selling meat, fish, daily products, clothes and household goods. It also has several restaurants.

• Centrinis Knygynas, which is a reminiscent of a bygone era, is a bookstore selling guidebooks, maps and some English novels.

• From Gintarinis Suverynas, you can get local souvenirs, made from materials like amber, linen or wood.

• Girstupio Turgus, located east of the city center, is a traditional market, from which you can get local products such as honey, berries, mushrooms and flowers.
• Jaukūs Namai, located southeast of the city center, near the Aukštieji Šančiai Cemetery, sells hand-made linen products such as curtains, tablecloths and slippers.

Top 5 in Kaunas

1. Old Town
2. House of Perkunas
3. Cycling
4. The Kaunas Castle
5. Vytautas’ Bridge