Kaunas, Lithuania

Capital City

The population of 305,120 may seem modest, but Kaunas packs a punch as Lithuania's economic and cultural powerhouse. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city grapples with its Soviet legacy, but its interwar architectural gems and thriving university scene offer plenty of upsides. With a frigid continental climate and a history of anti-Semitic violence, Kaunas is best suited for those drawn to its role as the resilient heart of Lithuanian independence.