Alytus County: River Landscapes, Nature and Dzūkija Culture

In Alytus County, striking landscapes meet experiences centred on regional craft and food culture. The Nemunas flows through the area; Lake Žuvintas covers 970 hectares. There are also trails through protected areas, an exceptional bridge in Alytus and activities where you can discover Dzūkija baked goods. When choosing your accommodation, consider whether nature, outdoor activities or cultural experiences are the main focus of your trip.

Key facts

• The Nemunas flows through Alytus County.
• Lake Žuvintas covers 970 hectares.
• A 19-kilometre loop of the Nemunas encloses Punios šilas.
• The Vidzgiris Botanical Reserve has a marked 9-kilometre walking trail.
• The 52-kilometre Way of St James in the Alytus area passes through Punia and includes the Church of St James in Punia.
• Alytus is home to Lithuania’s highest pedestrian and cycling bridge: the White Rose Bridge.

Explore the river and protected areas

The Nemunas shapes the landscape in different ways: it flows through the county, and its 19-kilometre loop encloses Punios šilas. Visitors are free to enter the Punios šilas Landscape Reserve. If you plan to visit this natural area, check the information about the area and its trails before you go.

You can also explore nature along a marked walking trail in the Vidzgiris Botanical Reserve. The route is 9 kilometres long. These two places offer practical ideas for your plans: a forest embraced by a river loop and a designated trail through a botanical reserve. Plan your walk according to current conditions and your own preferences.

Alytus and routes for active days

In Alytus, the White Rose Bridge connects the cycle paths on both banks of the Nemunas. As Lithuania’s highest pedestrian and cycling bridge, it is also a prominent landmark. If you would like to include the bridge in a cycling tour or walk, check current access conditions and route information in advance.

Another way to combine landscape and culture on a tour is the 52-kilometre Way of St James in the Alytus area. It passes through Punia and includes the Church of St James there. Route details and directions may change, so check the latest information before setting out.

Dzūkija baked goods and crafts

At Pivašiūnų amatų centras, visitors can make butter themselves to go with the Dzūkija pastry “buikelė” and then taste it. You can also prepare and sample a range of Dzūkija baked goods there, including potato bandos, buckwheat babkas, cakes, pastries and kūčiukai. This experience lets you discover regional food culture and take part in preparing the food. Check the arrangements before your visit.

At Alovės amatų kiemelis, the organisation “Susiedai” offers the educational programme “Duonos kelias iki stalo” (The Journey of Bread to the Table). It takes place in an authentically reconstructed 19th-century farmhouse interior and is presented as a theatrical experience. Bread is the theme that connects this activity with the baked goods at Pivašiūnų amatų centras, but each experience has its own setting. Check before your trip whether the programme is available.

Activities for different interests

Dapiškis Manor in Dapkiškiai also offers different ways to spend your time: it has educational activities for children and guided tours for adults. These activities are aimed at different groups, so they should not be considered one shared programme for all ages. Ask about current arrangements before your visit.

Whether you prefer a marked walking trail, a longer route, river scenery or a hands-on activity, the experiences described here have different focuses. Choose your base and accommodation according to which of these interests matters most for your trip, and check the relevant visitor information before making specific plans.

More destinations

Lazdijai: Lazdijai, Šventežeris, Alytus, Varėna, Druskininkai Municipality, Alytus District Municipality, Lazdijai District Municipality, Varėna District Municipality; Žiogeliai, Dyviliškiai, Ilgininkai, Atesninkai I, Leipalingis, Latežeris, Daugai, Gailiūnai; Taikūnai, Vilkanastrai, Žalioji, Grūtas, Vytautai, Perloja, Daugai Eldership, Ricieliai and Stračiūnai.