Known as the Pearl of the Baltics, Kaunas is Lithuania’s stunning second city. It actually served as the capital during the interwar period after Vilnius was occupied by Poland. This meant that Kaunas experienced a remarkable degree of cultural and economic prosperity compared to much of the rest of Europe during this time, and this is particularly evident in its groundbreaking modernist architecture that was recognised by UNESCO for its Outstanding Universal Value in 2023. As one of Lithuania’s oldest cities, it also has a beautiful historic centre, making it well worth the trip from Vilnius. Our private excursion to Kaunas by train is designed to help you delve into the stories of the city through its eclectic architecture and rich cultural heritage.
On your full-day private excursion, you will:
- Spend a day discovering the city of Kaunas with a local guide well versed in Lithuanian history and culture;
- Embark on a comfortable journey from Vilnius with pre-arranged train tickets;
- Explore the historic Old Town of Kaunas and learn about the origins of the city, which is said to have been founded almost 1000 years ago;
- See key landmarks like the majestic Town Hall and the 14th-century Kaunas Castle;
- Stroll along Laisvės Alėja (Freedom Boulevard), the city’s grand main avenue and learn about how it has evolved from the 19th century until the present day;
- Find out about Kaunas’ pivotal role as the provisional capital of Lithuania in the interwar period and how it transformed the fortunes of the city;
- Admire the city’s iconic Modernist architecture as you pass by buildings such as the Central Post Office and the Romuva Cinema;
- Get the lowdown on the architects who made their mark on Kaunas and how they adapted trends in international Modernism to the context of contemporary Lithuania;
- Stop at the Church of St. Michael the Archangel to take in its intriguing Neo-Byzantine design and uncover how its history is intertwined with the different eras of the city.
Leave Vilnius behind for the day and discover another side of Lithuania on a private full-day excursion to Kaunas, a city whose story unfolds at the crossroads of medieval ambition and 20th-century reinvention. Travelling by train with tickets pre-arranged, the journey itself becomes part of the experience. As you depart Vilnius in the morning, your local guide uses the relaxed ride to introduce Kaunas, setting the historical and cultural context of Lithuania’s second city and explaining why it has played such a decisive role in the country’s development.
Upon arrival in Kaunas, you’ll head straight to the Old Town, where the origins of the city come into focus. Situated at the confluence of two rivers, the city grew as a strategic stronghold and trading centre nearly a thousand years ago. Walking through its compact historic core, your guide brings medieval Kaunas to life as you pass landmarks such as the House of Perkūnas, a striking Gothic merchant’s residence steeped in legend, the elegant Town Hall with its tall white tower (nicknamed the 'White Swan'), the picturesque Priest Seminary, and Kaunas Castle, whose 14th-century walls recall the city’s role in defending the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. These early chapters provide an essential foundation for understanding how Kaunas evolved over the centuries.
After a pause for lunch at a local restaurant of your choosing (lunch not included), recommended by your guide to suit your tastes, the tour moves beyond the medieval centre and into the layers of more recent history. Passing the historic Presidential Palace, you’ll hear how Kaunas once served as the heart of Lithuanian political life, before continuing to Laisvės Alėja, the city’s grand main avenue. Here, Kaunas begins to reveal the chapter that has earned it international recognition: its remarkable interwar architecture. As the provisional capital of Lithuania between the two world wars, the city experienced a period of intense growth and confidence, expressed through a bold wave of Modernist design.
Strolling along this broad boulevard, your guide highlights some of the most notable buildings from the interwar period, including the Central Post Office and the Romuva Cinema, while explaining how local architects adapted international Modernist ideas to the ambitions and identity of a young nation. The walk also pauses at the end of the Eastern end of Laisvės alėja to take in the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, whose Neo-Byzantine form tells a story that spans multiple eras, from its origins under the Russian Empire through Soviet secularisation and finally its restoration in independent Lithuania. It stands as a powerful symbol of the city’s resilience and transformation.
As the day draws to a close, you’ll return to the train station for the journey back to Vilnius, carrying with you a deeper understanding of Lithuania beyond its capital. This excursion offers an elegant introduction to Kaunas for travellers eager to explore the country’s history, culture, and architecture through the lens of one of its most compelling cities.
