No wonder that Lithuania is positioning itself as an eco friendly country more and more. Eco tourism is encouraged, promoted and loved by many. During the Corona time local people (re)discovered Lithuanian countryside and some decided to start their own eco tourism businesses.  

In ancient times, almost till the end of the 17th century, the so-called Culture of Honesty was still widespread in Lithuania. At the core of it was the respect for everything that surrounds us, on all – still, vegetative, animal and human – levels. Back then people had a very close connection with nature and felt all its laws and processes, on the level of this material world and beyond.

Now more and more local people are turning to the best of traditions, which are nature and human friendly, sustainable, do not require a lot of resources and become admired by visitors.

The most admired forest in Lithuania

Most of our tours have a “green” element, but some especially. One can discover Lithuanian countryside by visiting the Anyksciai area. Anyksciai itself is a resort town with a small nice old town and the highest church in Lithuania, but the forest that surrounds the town, the famous Anyksciai Pinewood, has even more to offer. Besides unique spa’s and eco friendly hotels there is a Treetops walking path, the only treetop path in Eastern Europe. The path is on the level of tree crowns and it lasts for 300 meters, evenly going up to 21 meters high. And at the footsteps of this path you will find the biggest stone in Lithuania.

Not far from the treetop path is the famous Horse Museum, which is not only about horses and the work they did, but also presents various crafts – visitors can observe the work of a weaver, ceramicist and a bread baker, also a blacksmith, jeweller and a wood carver.

National parks of Lithuania

Lithuania has five big national parks and we invite you to discover the biggest one – Dzukija National Park, which is to the South-West of Vilnius, the capital city. The park offers not only monuments of nature, but also one of the oldest ethnographic villages in Lithuania, where people settled already in the stone age. The famous Grutas Soviet-theme Park of soviet sculptures is also included in this tour.

You can also choose a tour to Curonian Spit National Park, which is the most distant from Vilnius, but it’s worth those miles. The Curonian Spit is 97 km long peninsula, which separates the fresh water Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. There we explore Juodkrante village, which is famous for the old growth forest and the Hill of Witches. There you’ll find more than 80 oak sculptures, which form a huge impressive ensemble. And further south we marvel at the ethnographic architecture of fishermen’s houses, old fishing boats, moving sand dunes and other natural wonders of Nida town.

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Discover Dzūkija National Park – the largest national park in Lithuania

What makes Dzūkija national park unique is its territory stretching over 55,000 hectares, making it the largest national park in Lithuania. Almost all of it is situated in Varėna region, with smaller parts located in Alytus and Lazdijai. Čepkeliai nature reserve surrounded by the park is the largest wildlife island in Lithuania and the only Lithuanian site enjoying membership of the European Wilderness Society since 2019. During the Dzūkija national park tour the Discover Lithuania team will take you to the most picturesque and authentic villages in Dzūkija region as well as unique architectural and cultural monuments, giving you a glimpse of the fruits of nature and picturesque landscape of Dzūkija.

A region where history meets natural wonders

During your visit at Dzūkija national park you must see the village of Zervynai. This is an authentic and still populated ethnographic village dating as far back as the Palaeolithic period. Cute wooden huts, carved shutters, wooden fences look like an open-air museum. There are 52 homesteads having the status of a cultural monument, 8 homesteads and 32 decorated buildings.

It is through this location that the fastest river of Lithuania – the Ūla river – is flowing. River banks overgrown with forests and the picturesque precipice of Mančiagirė are favourite tourist attraction site. Those opting for private tours in Lithuania must visit the mystical Eye of Ūla – a round fount several metres wide from the bottom of which water is bubbling out as if boiling. There are several legends about the Eye of Ūla, the most famous of which claiming this water having miraculous healing and beautifying powers.

During Dzūkija national park tour visit the Grūtas park, still full of the Soviet spirit

Grūtas park, which takes you back to the Soviet times, has been recognised as one out of ten weirdest museums in the world. Following the restoration of Lithuania’s independence in 1990, the majority of sculptures from the then important locations were brought here. To its visitors Grūtas park unveils the Soviet ideology which used to inhibit and destroy our national spirit. With its watch towers, fragments from concentration camps and other abundant Soviet relics, the whole territory of 20 hectares resembles severe conditions in Siberia. Grūtas park is also home to a zoo, restaurant and picture gallery.

Mesmerising little towns of Dzūkija

Discover Dzukija National Park and visit the most picturesque little towns of this region, such as Liškiava, situated on the left bank of the Nemunas river. Liškiava is a Baroque gem in southern Lithuania, often visited by tourists from all over the world. The ensemble of the Holy Trinity Church and Dominican Monastery is the site attracting many visitors.

Very close to Liškiava visitors may go to the famous Merkinė – one of the oldest populated territories of Lithuania, a town of glorious past, and a former defence, administrative, commercial, educational, and religious centre. Visitors are welcome to climb up the hill of Merkinė and a 25-metre-high Merkinė observation tower offering a remarkable view of the landscape.

In Dzūkija travellers may also visit the famous Veisiejai – one of the oldest settlements in Lithuania, the authentic part of which has been declared an urban monument. Meanwhile, the village of Meteliai in Lazdijai region is regarded as a fishermen’s settlement boasting Meteliai observation tower with its splendid panoramic view. If you fancy a realm of birds, Žuvintas must be your next stop to take a closer look at the world of nature and visit Žuvintas biosphere reserve.

Visit Dzūkija with Discover Lithuania

Pine forests in Dzūkija national park, mainland dunes, marshland and rivers hide a unique natural world, which is home to many rare species of flora and fauna. There are 3 reserves and 28 protected areas, 42 natural heritage sites, of which 18 have been declared natural monuments. Dzūkija national park tour presents a possibility to set off on an adventurous journey to experience the magic of untouched nature and visit exclusive sites in Dzūkija national park. Discover Lithuania is your private tour operator in Lithuania, offering travel solutions refined to the last detail and accommodating individual traveller needs.

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