Stay at Kaunas, Lithuania

Lithuania became my 56th country, kicking off a trip through all four Baltic-area nations before winter set in. I chose Kaunas over the capital Vilnius - wanted to see a more everyday Lithuanian city rather than the tourist-heavy center.

Lithuania is the largest and southernmost of the Baltic states, with 2.8 million people. It was the first Soviet republic to declare independence in 1990, and that fierce independent streak still defines the national character. Basketball is practically a religion here - they've won multiple European championships and Olympic medals.

What I Experienced

Kaunas was quiet. Really quiet. The rain didn't help, but even accounting for weather, the streets and shops were half-empty. In the old town center, I encountered maybe 2-3 other tourists the entire time. It felt like having a city to myself.

The Old Town has genuine charm - the confluence of two rivers, the ruins of Kaunas Castle, the cobblestone streets of Laisvės alėja (Europe's longest pedestrian street). The interwar architecture is particularly interesting - Kaunas was Lithuania's temporary capital when Vilnius was occupied by Poland, and the city built accordingly.

What struck me was how authentic it felt. No tourist traps, no souvenir shops on every corner. Just Lithuanians living their lives in a mid-sized European city. The cafes were cozy and cheap, the people were reserved but friendly when approached.

Practical Notes

• Euro is the currency
• Lithuanian is the most archaic living Indo-European language - fun linguistic fact
• English is common among younger people, less so among older generations
• Kaunas is well-connected by bus to Vilnius (1.5 hours)
• Try šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup) if you're feeling adventurous

Sometimes the best travel experiences are in places that aren't trying to impress you. Kaunas was one of those places.

Aerial photography from Lithuania is available for purchase with commercial license - ideal for Baltic travel marketing, authentic European city content, or Eastern European destination wall art.