Jonava: Cultural History, Trails and Leisure

Jonava combines a clearly defined architectural and museum history with trails by the water and a range of leisure activities. If you are planning an overnight stay in Jonava, you can start by choosing what interests you: should cultural history, a walk or a sporting activity shape your plans? The sights and activities offer different focal points and can help you structure your day.

Cultural history in Jonava

The present-day Church of St James the Apostle was built in 1791 and consecrated in 1793 in the name of its founder, Bishop Juozapas Kazimieras Kosakovskis. The remains of members of the Kosakovski family rest in its crypt. The two dates mark different stages in the church’s history: its construction and its later consecration. The family history is also part of this historical context, through its connection to the founder and the burial site in the crypt.

The complex of buildings that once served as a horse-post station represents a different historical period; it was built between 1833 and 1835. The Jonava Regional Museum opened in the station in 1992, and its basement houses a permanent archaeological exhibition. This offers two different ways to explore the area’s cultural history: the history of the church and the later use of a historic building as a museum. The Jonava Jewish cemetery is another heritage site in its own right; it was restored in 1989.

Trails by the ponds and the Neris

Jonava has four ponds: Joninių, Lakštingalų, Gulbių and Gervių. Walking and cycling trails run around them; there are also children’s playgrounds and beaches. Along the Neris, you will also find walking and cycling trails for strolls and views of the river. The facilities mentioned differ in their specific features: the ponds have playgrounds and beaches, while the trails along the Neris focus on walking and river views.

When planning your time outdoors, you can use these differences as a guide: the ponds combine trails with several other leisure facilities, while the riverside trails draw attention to the Neris. These offer different ways to enjoy your stay, depending on whether you would rather focus on the area around the ponds or on a walk by the river.

Sports and leisure activities

Jonava’s disc golf park is located in Joninių Valley and around Joninių Pond. It has 18 baskets and throwing areas and is free for residents and visitors to use. Both its facilities and its access policy are clearly specified. You can consider the park a standalone sporting activity, distinct from the walking and cycling trails in its focus on disc golf.

The Jonavos Slidinėjimo centras ski centre has lifts and four shaped downhill runs. Its facilities include skiing, equipment rental and ski instructor services. Unlike the disc golf park, the focus here is on the downhill runs and associated ski services. You can therefore choose between these two sporting activities based on what you would like to do: disc golf with baskets and throwing areas, or skiing with lifts, runs, equipment rental and ski instructor services.

Plan your journey

Jonava railway station has an LTG Link ticket machine. If you are planning to travel by train, you can take this service into account when buying your ticket. Planning your journey and choosing the focus of your stay are two separate steps: the station is a specific point of reference for buying a ticket, while the church and museum history, trails by the water and sporting activities can shape your choice of things to do.

Discover more destinations: Gabšiai, Birštonas, Pašuliai, Kaunas, Čekiškė, Ramučiai, Ringaudai, Kulautuva.

View the broader travel overview: Kaunas District.