Overview
Kėdainiai offers one of the best-preserved Old Towns in Lithuania outside of Vilnius, with 17th-century architecture lining Didžioji gatvė and a multicultural history shaped by Scottish merchants and a once-thriving Jewish community. The town is home to an unusual 25-metre Ottoman-style minaret built by a Russian general who served in the Russo-Turkish War, a decorative structure with no associated mosque.
Architecture · Budget Travel · Day Trips · History · Museums
Before you go
Connectivity
5G available from Bite; 4G from Tele2 and Telia as of January 2024.
Food
Traditional Lithuanian restaurants line Didžioji gatvė in Old Town. Supermarkets include Maxima, Lidl, and Norfa.
History
Kėdainiai has a multicultural heritage shaped by 17th-century Scottish merchants and a large Jewish community, commemorated in the Multicultural Centre exhibition.
Money
Lithuania uses the euro (€). Museums charge around €3 admission. Accommodation ranges from €50-60 per double in Old Town hotels.
Safety
Kėdainiai is a small Lithuanian city with low crime rates typical of the region. Standard urban precautions suffice.
Transport
Kautra buses run twice hourly from Kaunas (1 hour journey); four daily trains from Vilnius (90 min). Bus station is south side of town, railway station 2 km north on Route 195.
