Aleksotas Funicular

Kaunas has two working funiculars from the interwar decades, and Aleksotas, opened in 1935, is the one that matters for the view: wooden cars with brass fittings, passing each other halfway, hauled up a short steep track on the south bank of the Nemunas, taking a minute and a half, to a terrace looking back over the river at the old town, the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris, and the spires of the centre. Both funiculars are protected as heritage and still run as public transport with a conductor and paper tickets, which is much of the charm. The Žaliakalnis funicular of 1931 on the other side of the city serves the same purpose for the Christ's Resurrection church.

The main sights

• The 1935 wooden cars - original fittings and a conductor on board.
• The old town view - Kaunas and the river confluence from the terrace.
• The short steep track - a ninety-second haul up the slope.
• Working heritage transport - a funicular still used as a bus route would be.

When to go

Year round; the funicular runs on weekdays and limited weekend hours, which catches people out. Clear days give the best view. Autumn colour along the rivers is good from the terrace.

Before you go

Opening hours are limited and it closes on some days entirely, so checking before crossing the river is worth doing. The ride is very short. The viewing terrace is small and has no facilities beyond a bench.

Nearby

Kaunas old town lies across the river; the Žaliakalnis funicular is northeast.

Key facts