If you dream of a slow, elegant, and inspiring weekend, then you’re in luck: this autumn, during the Indian Summer, we invite you to relax in Kaunas.
A foggy morning in an old oak grove, a water meditation in a modern pool, a rich and healthy breakfast, a contemporary art exhibition, a visit to a cosy bookshop, and a ticket for a time machine to the golden interwar period. If you dream of such a slow, elegant, and inspiring weekend, then you’re in luck: it’s just around the corner. This autumn, during the Indian, or Second Summer, we invite you to relax in Kaunas.
Where to Stay?
First things first: accommodation. We recommend choosing a hotel or apartment in the city centre, as many of Kaunas’s interesting spots are within walking distance. If you need to reach Pažaislis Park or another green space further away, it’s only a few minutes by car. For a golden getaway without losing the city buzz, the stylish Moxy hotel is an excellent choice. For those who appreciate a more classic style, the Kaunas, Victoria, or Radisson hotels are wonderful options.
For Rest and Relaxation
As soon as you’ve dropped your suitcase in your room, it’s time to grab your swimming costume and indulge.
A massage at ‘East Island SPA’ or ‘Saulėja SPA’ is always a good idea, though you won’t need your bikini for that. For a dip, you should know that the stylish ‘Aušra SPA’ complex, with its pools and saunas, offers day passes and is located right next to the Kaunas bus station. Nearby, you will also find a branch of the ‘Eglė’ sanatorium and the ever-popular swimming pool at Žalgiris Arena.
If you’re travelling by car, consider a visit to the ‘Girstutis’ swimming pool, located a little further from the city centre but right next to the newly renovated and very stylish Gričiupis Park.
Can’t live without your morning run? We completely understand. In that case, pack a pink accessory, because on 5 October, the traditional ‘Pink Run’ charity event will take place to raise awareness for breast cancer.
For Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, or…?
Any local with a sense of style will tell you: if you haven’t had brunch at ‘Habits’ or ‘Brunch Bar’, you haven’t truly been to Kaunas. We have collected even more ideas for early and late breakfasts, which you can find in the link.
For dinner, try the fashionable ‘La Papa Loca’ or ‘Ancho’ on Laisvės Alėja for southern flavours, or perhaps you’d prefer to stick to the classics? In that case, head to ‘Monte Pacis’, a restaurant located in the stunning Pažaislis Monastery. Its host, Indra Ramanauskienė, is a renowned sommelier, and its wine list has been awarded by the Star Wine List, so a complete experience is guaranteed. By the way, Pažaislis Monastery has been awarded as one of Europe’s best film locations, which gives you a great idea for a photo shoot.
For flavour hunters, we have more suggestions that will require a little walking. The gourmet shop ‘The Mood’ in Šančiai invites you for a pepper tasting; near Kaunas Castle, the aromas of cheese waft from ‘Vieno prancūzo sandėliukas’ (‘A Frenchman’s Pantry’); and ‘Lucci’, ‘Bundu’, or ‘Bon Tost’ tempt with sinfully delicious pastries. Meanwhile, the ‘New York Café’ on Maironio Street can proudly say that its cappuccino was enjoyed by Rod Stewart himself.
You can also get excellent coffee at ‘Kava virė’ or ‘Kavalierius’. Yes, the people of Kaunas can’t imagine their day without this dark brew, so the selection is truly wide.
Worth Booking in Advance
If you have not yet tried the experiential tours at the private Art Deco and Amsterdam School museums, furnished with love and historical care, start your weekend planning by booking a visit to one, or both. In just a couple of hours, you will experience the true spirit of the interwar capital, learn stories and meet heroes not mentioned in textbooks, and see Kaunas in a completely new light.
If you have already visited these museums, perhaps we can interest you in an experiential visit to the Sugihara House, an interwar villa in the prestigious Žaliakalnis district. Here, hospitality is combined with a sensitive historical narrative. You can even use a special (and totally free) audio guide ‘From Freedom Avenue to Freedom’ to get there.
The theatres in Kaunas are extremely popular with locals and visitors alike, so we recommend booking tickets for your desired performance well in advance. This season, the Kaunas State Musical Theatre presents Anželika Cholina’s new show ‘Carmen’, while the National Kaunas Drama Theatre features guest performances, a focus on young audiences, and unconventional love stories like ‘The Unification of the Two Koreas’.
Although it opened a year ago, Science Island continues to attract crowds. So, if you have been dreaming of a planetarium show, do yourself a favour and book your seat in advance. We are also delighted that the Science Island gift shop is now open, and it is a real treasure trove for anyone looking for original souvenirs.
A Journey Through Art
This autumn, Kaunas is especially welcoming to art lovers. The 15th Kaunas Biennial is taking place at the historic ‘Stumbras’ factory, the temporary Čiurlionis Gallery, and the Kaunas Artists’ House, presenting works by 30 international artists. Another major highlight is ‘Spectral Drift’, a contemporary art exhibition that is a legacy of the ‘Audra’ festival, which has flooded the Kaunas Picture Gallery with the colour blue. The gallery is also home to ‘Kultūra’, one of the city’s most iconic bohemian cafés, so be sure to stop for a break.
Another historic building that is a must-see this autumn is the former ‘Amlit’ garage on the corner of Kęstučio and Maironio streets. Throughout October, this stylish historic building will host an International Festival of Photography and Media Art.
Screenings and Events
For the latest Lithuanian films or cinema classics worthy of a post-show discussion in a nearby café, look no further than ‘Romuva’. It is Lithuania’s oldest cinema, boasting stunning architecture.
In the Old Town, you will be tempted to visit the Kaunas Photography Gallery, the Kaunas City Museum and the Maironis Lithuanian Literature Museum with their new expositions, and the ‘Meno parkas’ gallery. This autumn, the workshop-museum of the visionary sculptor Rimantas Šulskis will also open its doors nearby.
This year, Lithuania is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the country’s most famous artist, M. K. Čiurlionis’s birth, and therefore we invite you to visit the M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art. It is the only place where so many of the genius’s original works are gathered in one place. What’s more, it features a VR cinema showing the globally acclaimed virtual reality films ‘Trail of Angels’ and ‘Creation of the Worlds’ daily.
To the delight of music lovers, the ‘Kaunas Blues’ festival returns to the city on 10-11 October, filling not only the Kaunas Sports Hall but also public spaces. That same weekend, the Kaunas Book Fair will have its debut. Whether you visit the fair, the independent bookshop ‘Kolibris’, or the historic Kaunas Central Bookstore, you will certainly find plenty to read for a lazy Sunday in your hotel bed. If you choose the fair, know that with a single ticket, you can visit all the exhibitions happening at Žalgirio Arena that weekend, including ‘Woman’s World’ and ‘Choose a Lithuanian Product’.
Embraced by Nature
We began this story in Ąžuolynas Park, but we must also recommend Panemunė Pinewood, Santaka Park, and the Juniper Valley. All the joys and advantages of city life in Kaunas are wrapped in a carpet of nature. And it is in early autumn that this carpet is painted in the most beautiful colours. The century-old Vytautas Magnus University Botanical Garden is magnificent in all seasons, and its conservatory is the perfect place to feel like you are in the tropics, especially if an autumn rain shower catches you by surprise.
By now, you have probably realised that it doesn’t matter whether you choose a quiet weekend with a book and spa treatments or dive into a whirlwind of culture and flavours. The golden autumn in Kaunas is ready to delight, surprise, and inspire you. Allow yourself to indulge; after all, that’s what the Indian Summer is for.
