Hotels near Kaunas Old Town

Kaunas Old Town occupies a compact triangle between the Nemunas and Neris rivers, anchored by Town Hall Square (Rotuses aikste) and its distinctive white Town Hall building, nicknamed the White Swan for its slender tower. The cobblestone streets here date to the 15th century, and the architecture is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque that reflects the city's shifting fortunes over 700 years. Vilniaus gatve, the main pedestrian artery, is lined with cafes, small galleries, and restored merchant houses.

Town Hall Square itself serves as the social centre of old Kaunas. On weekends, a small market sometimes sets up along the edges, and in summer the outdoor terraces fill with locals drinking coffee and Lithuanian craft beer. The square is flanked by the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, one of the largest Gothic churches in Lithuania, and the Jesuits' Church of St. Francis Xavier with its ornate Baroque interior. Take time to wander the side streets off Vilniaus gatve - small courtyards and crumbling brick facades reveal layers of history that the main drag only hints at.

Pro Tip: Visit Town Hall Square early on a weekday morning when the tourist groups have not arrived. The light at 08:00 in summer catches the White Swan tower at its best, and you will have the square nearly to yourself for photos.