Located on the Nevėžis River, this Lithuanian city has numerous parks, active breweries, and historic churches. Students make up a large part of its population, adding to its dynamic atmosphere.
Panevėžys, Lithuania's fifth-largest city, lies halfway between Vilnius and Riga along the Via Baltica highway. Walk through the Culture and Recreation Park along the Nevėžis River, watch a unique performance at the Puppet Wagon Theater, or explore the artwork at the new Stasys Museum. The city's Jewish quarter tells the story of its pre-war community, while the riverside paths and local markets give you a sense of daily life in northern Lithuania.
Getting to Panevėžys
You can reach Panevėžys in two hours from both Vilnius and Riga by car on the Via Baltica international highway. Buses depart multiple times daily from both capitals to the central Panevėžys bus station. You can walk between most city points within 20-30 minutes.
Parks and Nature
The Nevėžis River flows through Panevėžys, with connected green spaces along its banks. In the 39-hectare Culture and Recreation Park, you'll find paved walking trails, sports courts, and children's playgrounds. The Senvagė district includes a central pond where locals gather for summer events, with wooden benches and walking paths circling the water.
Cultural Life
Children and adults can watch performances at the Puppet Wagon Theater, where puppeteers move their stage on wheels - the only such theater in Europe. Director Antanas Markuckis won the Hans Christian Andersen Prize in 2003 for his creative productions. The Stasys Museum, which opened in 2024, exhibits paintings and posters by Stasys Eidrigevičius across three floors. Basketball fans can catch local games at the Kalnapilio Arena, which also hosts music concerts.
Historic Jewish Quarter
Walk through the Slobodka quarter to see buildings from Panevėžys's pre-war Jewish community. Before 1940, this neighborhood contained several synagogues, study halls, and the Ha-Kibuts ha-Ponivezhi yeshiva. The area was once a center of commerce, with Jewish-owned textile factories and banks. Today, you can follow the original street layout and see preserved buildings from this era.
Modern City Life
Daily life in Panevėžys centers around Freedom Square, where locals meet and shop. The St. Peter and St. Paul's Church Cathedral rises above the surrounding streets lined with apartments and shops. The city has 89,100 residents, with 96% being ethnic Lithuanians, maintaining strong local traditions through markets, festivals, and community events.
