Where to stay in Kaunas — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Kaunas is Lithuania's second-largest city, sitting where two rivers meet — the Nemunas and the Neris. As the country's provisional capital from 1920 to 1940, it filled up with interwar modernist architecture that earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2023. Wander a medieval Old Town, a riverside castle, the 1.6 km Laisvės alėja pedestrian boulevard, and a buzzing student scene — all at prices far gentler than most European capitals.
Why stay in Kaunas
UNESCO modernism
Interwar architecture (1919–1939) across Naujamiestis and Žaliakalnis was inscribed by UNESCO in 2023 — around 1,500 buildings sit within the heritage zone.
Old Town & castle
Stroll a medieval Old Town with its Town Hall square and old churches, then reach Kaunas Castle right where the two rivers converge.
Student energy
Several universities give the city cafes, bars, street art and creative spaces — especially in the bohemian Naujamiestis quarter.
Great value
Hotels, food and daily costs run well below Western European capitals, and the compact centre is easy to explore on foot.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Kaunas
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Old Town (Senamiestis)The historic heart — cobbled streets, the Town Hall square, the castle, and lively cafes and restaurants. Walkable to every landmark and ideal for a first stay.
Coming soonNaujamiestis (New Town / Laisvės alėja)The UNESCO modernist quarter around the Laisvės alėja boulevard, packed with shopping, cafes and creative culture — the most convenient base for sightseeing.
Coming soonŽaliakalnis (Green Hill)A leafy hillside of wooden houses, the Christ's Resurrection Basilica, and a vintage funicular. Quiet and scenic — great for couples and architecture lovers.
Coming soonStation areaThe best transport links in the city, easy for onward trips to Vilnius and beyond, with a comfortable walk to Laisvės alėja. Handy for travellers on the move.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Kaunas
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Kaunas stay reviews — meanwhile search Kaunas hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Kaunas
- 1🥔
Cepelinai
Huge zeppelin-shaped potato dumplings stuffed with minced pork or mushrooms, topped with fried bacon and sour cream — the must-try national dish.
📍 National dish - 2🥣
Šaltibarščiai
A vivid pink cold beet soup made with kefir, cucumber, spring onion and boiled egg, served with hot potatoes — perfect on a summer day.
📍 Cold pink soup - 3🥟
Kibinai
Flaky baked pastries filled with lamb, chicken or vegetables — a Karaite tradition that's been in Lithuania for over 600 years.
📍 Stuffed pastry - 4🧀
Kepta duona
Deep-fried garlic rye bread served with cheese sauce — the classic snack to share over a beer in any Old Town pub.
📍 Beer snack - 5🥓
Vėdarai & skilandis
Vėdarai (baked potato sausage) and skilandis (traditional smoked sausage) — hearty country dishes found in authentic Lithuanian taverns.
📍 Country fare - 6🍺
Lithuanian craft beer
Lithuania has a deep beer heritage and a strong craft scene — easy to find in Old Town pubs and the bars along Laisvės alėja.
📍 Drink
- 1🏰
Kaunas Castle
A beautifully restored medieval fortress at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris rivers, with a surviving tower and a small museum on the city's history.
📍 Landmark - 2🚶
Laisvės alėja (Liberty Avenue)
A 1.6 km tree-lined pedestrian boulevard packed with boutiques, cafes, bars and restaurants — the social heart of the city.
📍 Pedestrian street - 3⛪
Christ's Resurrection Basilica
The largest white modernist basilica in the Baltics. Take the lift to the rooftop terrace for sweeping views over the city from Žaliakalnis hill.
📍 Panoramic view - 4🕯️
Ninth Fort
A 19th-century fort turned Holocaust and Soviet-era memorial on the city's edge, with a museum and a striking monument to those who died here.
📍 Memorial - 5😈
Devil's Museum
Three floors of devil figurines from around the world mixed with Lithuanian folklore — one of the most unusual museums you'll find anywhere.
📍 Quirky - 6⛪
Pažaislis Monastery
A late-17th/18th-century Baroque monastery by the Kaunas Lagoon, often called a pearl of northern European Baroque, with an annual music festival.
📍 Baroque gem - 7🚡
Vintage funiculars
Interwar funicular railways climbing the Žaliakalnis and Aleksotas hills — a beloved city symbol and a fun ride for the views.
📍 City icon - 8🏛️
M.K. Čiurlionis Museum
The national art museum dedicated to Lithuania's most famous painter-composer, alongside folk art and rotating exhibitions.
📍 Art
Things to do in Kaunas
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Kaunas — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Kaunas hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 8.8Upper-midRadisson Hotel Kaunas
Top-rated international brand, modern rooms
★ 8.8Upper-mid
★ 8.6Upper-midBest Western Santakos Hotel
Great value, free parking near Old Town
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในKaunas
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
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🚆 Getting around Kaunas
Kaunas Airport (KUN)
Kaunas International (Karmėlava) sits 15 km northeast of the city. Bus 29/29G runs to the centre in about 40 minutes; a single ticket is roughly €1.
Buses + trolleybuses
Red buses (routes 00–68) and bright-green trolleybuses (routes 1–16) run roughly 04:30–22:30. A Kaunas (Žiogas) card drops fares to about €0.70 a ride.
Funiculars
Vintage funicular railways climb the Žaliakalnis and Aleksotas hills — both a means of transport and a cheap, fun tourist experience.
On foot
The centre is compact: you can walk from the Old Town along Laisvės alėja all the way to the Resurrection Basilica — the best way to explore.
To Vilnius & beyond
Frequent buses and trains reach Vilnius in about 1–1.5 hours. The train and bus stations sit near the centre, making onward travel easy.
Where to go next near Kaunas
VilniusAn honest guide to Vilnius — choosing the right base, the UNESCO Old Town's best sights, Lithuanian food to try, and the easy day trip to Trakai Castle.
See this city's guide →
KlaipėdaAn old Prussian-German Baltic port — gateway to the UNESCO Curonian Spit dunes and the fishing village of Nida.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Kaunas
How many days should I spend in Kaunas?+
2–3 days is ideal. Day one for the Old Town, castle and Laisvės alėja; day two for the modernist architecture, the Resurrection Basilica rooftop and a funicular ride; day three for the Ninth Fort or Pažaislis Monastery. Vilnius is an easy day trip if you have extra time.
Is Kaunas safe and easy to visit?+
Very safe and easy. The centre is compact and walkable, English is reasonably widely spoken (especially among younger people), and the currency is the euro (EUR), with cards accepted almost everywhere.
Which area should I stay in?+
For a first visit, base yourself in the Old Town or around Laisvės alėja — you can walk to everything. Choose Žaliakalnis for a quieter, scenic stay, or the station area if you want the easiest onward connections.
Ready to book your Kaunas stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking