We interviewed family members, co-workers, and passers-by on the street. We snuck into institutions and rattled the locks on gates. We tested locations early in the morning and at sunset and sometimes had to fight for the most photogenic spots. All of this was done to create this guide to the cultured picnic spots in Kaunas.
This text was published in the June 2025 issue of ‘Kaunas Full of Culture’ magazine.
Funiculars
A quick lunch on the Žaliakalnis and Aleksotas funiculars can become a journey through time, which is an adventure in itself, although noisy and not free (as much as the ticket). But the views and discoveries that await on the upper decks deserve a separate article. In Žaliakalnis, you’ll come across the little café Funikulierius, and in Aleksotas – a full observation deck. The downside? The funiculars often stop running earlier than you’d like, especially if you’re hoping for a romantic evening.
Writers’ gardens
The House museums of Balys and Vanda Sruoga, Juozas Grušas, Salomėja Nėris, and Bernardas Bučas are cultural oases filled with literature and Kaunas history. A picnic here can turn into an intellectual encounter with the past. But we can already hear you asking: is it really allowed? So we’ve looked into it. Apparently, yes, you are allowed but you should call a specific branch of the Maironis Lithuanian Literature Museum and inform them that you will be arriving with a picnic basket. Of course, it would not be polite to stay longer than the specific museum is open, so this idea is just for lunch.
A. Žmuidzinavičius Creations and Collections (Devil’s) Museum Garden
Despite being in the city center, this garden is surprisingly remote and peaceful. Having brunch or lunch in the painter’s garden surrounded by modernist buildings which, along with the house was transformed into a museum after the death of its owner, is therefore a pleasant and even intimate experience. The only danger is the steep slope. Keep your sandwiches from rolling down the hill to the horned ones! You won’t be able to hang out with the devils, as the museum is usually open until 5 p.m., and only slightly longer on Thursdays.
With the Presidents
You won’t share a sandwich with Antanas, Kazys, or Aleksandras, but you can certainly have lunch in the shade of the Presidents’ statues. The garden of the Historical Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania in Kaunas always features an interesting photography exhibition, so you can nourish your spirit as well. The staff asked us to let you know that you are welcome any day the gates are unlocked, but without dogs.
Love Bay
You will need a car, a bike, or a yacht, but if you want to start writing your own love story, it is worth the effort. It may be a bit too warm for lunch here, but the views of the Kaunas Lagoon will make up for it, the main thing is to throw sunscreen in your picnic basket. And in the evening… Well, we won’t spoil the surprise for you – you’ll experience it all yourself.
VMU Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden is lovely year-round, and some of the people featured in this issue revealed that it’s even possible to picnic here when it’s snowing. In such a case, we might take shelter in the greenhouse… The only danger here is that after such a scenic lunch, you may find yourself wanting to become a gardener – or at least start a balcony garden. And if you own a plot of land, you should know that the century-old Botanical Garden also has its own nursery garden.
Owl Hill
After climbing up to the historical forge of Kaunas and all Lithuanian artists, stop by the gallery at the Kaunas College Academy of Arts (open even on Mondays) to see the new exhibition before spreading your picnic blanket on the lawn. We also recommend a quick visit to the Juozas Zikaras House Museum for a light, informal tour and even lovelier views from the terrace of this charming wooden house. You’ll have plenty to talk about later while munching on sandwiches and sipping fermented drinks.
Kaukas Stairs
Even before its renovation, the upper terrace of the Kaukas stairs once hosted a full-on cultural festival. Today, if you settle at the top, you might get lightly splashed by the fountain but there are also plenty of other cozy spots around the stairs for lounging or sitting with friends. Admittedly, there’s a steady flow of foot traffic here, but the slopes of Žaliakalnis are open to all. If you forgot to pack lunch, drop by the nearby family-run café Kaukita for a bite.
Railway Station
Dear romantics, if you’re a travel junkie, just sit on a bench at a railway station, watch a train leave, or meet an arriving train, and your mood will instantly improve. We have a game idea for you: while sipping tea or munching on a salad (you will have to bring them from home or a restaurant since there are no tasty options in the Railway station after the closing of a vegan cafe Ridikas), observe the passengers and make up stories about their fates. By the time the last train siren sounds, you will have written your dream scenario!
Šančiai beach
This is the beach where you won’t find a single trendy bar, unlike the numerous ones found in various resorts around the world. You won’t find a bunch of tanned lifeguards looking after identical holidaymakers. Quite the opposite. Here, you’ll meet long-time residents of Šančiai and newcomers who’ve discovered the genius loci of this unique part of Kaunas. They reach the Nemunas via finger-long streets that stretch toward the river and are referred to as krantai (riverbanks). You’ll hear the symphony of nature, admire land art, and gaze across the water at Napoleon’s Hill rising on the opposite shore. This is the real Kaunas – its lungs and its soul.
Three Parks
Yes, a park is an obvious choice for a picnic, and there are a couple of dozen such options in Kaunas. Each has its own advantages. But only in Santara, Dainava, and Kalniečiai parks do the reading rooms of Kaunas Vincas Kudirka Public Library operate in the summer, and they will be happy to lend you a book for the afternoon. And sometimes there are dance evenings or concerts in the vicinity (check the internet for programs and opening times). You’ll have to forget about barbecues, though, you can’t barbecue in Kaunas parks and other public spaces. But who says that cold beetroot soup or a sandwich with an exotic filling is a less appealing option?
