Stadium: Kaunas Arena

Located at the confluence of the Memel and Neris rivers, Kaunas is one of the most important cities in Lithuania with a population of almost 300,000. You could say that it is a metropolis that has never accepted its role as the country’s second-largest city.

Kaunas considers itself to be the epicentre of Lithuanian culture, tradition and history just waiting to be discovered. You can experience the wonderful character of Lithuania by strolling through Kaunas’s cobbled streets past the beautiful 16th century buildings along Vilnius Street and around Town Hall Square, wandering through one of the city’s many parks on the trail of the old pagans and enjoying the blend of modern and traditional businesses, cafes and bars on Laisves Avenue.

Kaunas has something for everyone to see and do, from the macabre collection of almost 3,000 demons at the Devil’s Museum to exhibitions showcasing the distinctive artistic styles of composer and painter M.K. Ciurlionis and J. Maciunas, founder of the avant-garde Fluxus art movement.

Near the confluence of Lithuania’s two major rivers, the Memel and the Neris, stands Kaunas Castle, which was built in the 14th century and towers above the historic old town. The town hall and the impressive House of Perkunas are also worth a visit. If you are looking for a place of harmony and relaxation, the city’s numerous spa centres offer an oasis of calm.

Visitors keen to experience all of Lithuania in one place should visit the open-air museum in Rumsiskes, with its collection of authentic wooden settlements representing Lithuania’s different regions: Zemaitija, Aukstaitija, Dzukija, Suvalkija and Lithuania Minor.