Laisves aleja — Freedom Avenue — is the central axis of Kaunas's New Town: a 1.6 km pedestrianised boulevard lined with trees, fountains, benches, and an almost continuous run of shops, cafes, and restaurants. It connects the Old Town at its western end to Independence Square at its eastern end, and at any time of day it is the most animated public space in the city.
The boulevard dates from the interwar period, when Kaunas was being rebuilt as a modern capital. The buildings along it are a remarkable collection of Art Deco and modernist architecture, now recognised by UNESCO as an exceptional ensemble of 20th-century design. Look up from street level — the facades are far more interesting than the shop fronts at eye level suggest. At weekends, the whole boulevard fills with walkers, cyclists, and families, giving it the feel of a southern European promenade.