Vilnius Lakes

Here’s one thing that makes Vilnius so charming – when you feel like the midsummer heat is too much, all you have to do is get on a bus and, within 30 minutes, you’ll be lounging on the shores of a river or a lake. If you feel like exercising, just put on your running shoes and jog there from the city centre. After a good run, there’s nothing better than plunging into cool, refreshing water and watching rows of tall pine trees sway back and forth as you float on your back. All in all, Vilnius boasts roughly 90 lakes and several public beaches, such as those in Salotė, Tapeliai, Balžis, and around Žalieji ežerai (Green Lakes). In addition, some hotels and tourism-oriented rural cabins have their own private beaches. So take your pick! The beach of Lake Salotė, easy to reach by foot or by bike, is an ideal spot for some R&R near the city centre. Clear water, lots of sand, a rescue station, a cosy beachside cafe, free barbecue grills, picnic tables, changing rooms, and two fields for team sports – everything you need for a short, yet memorable weekend outing. Located to the northwest of Vilnius, Lake Balžys is one of Lithuania’s 80 lakes that exceed the depth of 20 metres. Its dry and wooded, as well as sand- and meadow-covered shores are especially attractive to the locals during hot summer days. The lake’s two beaches offer shady gazebos, bridges for bathing and sun-tanning, free barbecue grills, bio-toilets, changing rooms, and even a wakeboarding park. Valakampiai, one of the capital city’s most prestigious locations, has not one, but two beaches. The first, larger beach is usually attended by those seeking active recreation, as it offers basketball and volleyball courts, playgrounds, campfires, a potable water fountain, and several grilling stations. The second beach is smaller and more popular with families, as well as with people looking for some peace and quiet. There’s also a nudist beach nearby.