What could be more romantic than an island vacation? Experiencing an adventure in a patch of land surrounded by water on all sides is also possible in Lithuania. National Tourism Promotion Agency "Travel in Lithuania” and tourist information centers share information about the most impressive islands of our country, which you can access and swim in, or - enjoy privacy and enjoy exceptional nature. Discover the islands near the capital, an island with a hill, a lake, a mansion.
Island with a mound (Molėtai district)
Vainikiu Island is located in Lithuania's longest Asvejos lake, whose waters wash Molėtai, Švenčioni and Vilnius districts. This island is interesting because it has a recently discovered and unexplored Ionian mound. It can be seen from the steep slope of Liudgards, located on the shore of Lake Asveja between the mouth of the Baluša stream and the village of Giraičiai. According to the directorate of the Asvejas Regional Park, Vainikai Island can be accessed by kayaks, paddleboards, and boats.
Lake on the island (Ignalina district)
Ilgasalė in Lake Baluoš is the only island in the Lithuanian lake, in the middle of which a separate lake is hidden. This lake in the lake is called Baluš's eye, and its depth reaches over 7 m. It can be entered by a stream from Lake Baluš. The island can be seen from the shore of Trainiškis village, and it can be reached by the most convenient means of water transport - boat, kayak, paddleboard or other. This lake is located on one of the most popular kayaking routes Būkas ūpė-Ginučiai water mill.
Island where Baltic music sounds (Zarasu district)
Zarasai Lake's Big Island (Zarasai) is the second largest island in Lithuania. She is well known to many, because she is always in the whirlwind of events. The longest waterboarding track in the Baltic States and a trampoline park, basketball and volleyball playgrounds, entertainment and recreation areas, and beaches are located here.
However, do you know another island in the Zarasai region - Dūburis or Astravos? It is the largest in Dūburis lake. A cozy and almost wild island with swimming pools has also become the residence of the annual contemporary Baltic culture and alternative music festival Mēnuo Juodaragis. In the past, there was a mansion on the island, to which workers used to go by raft, now it can be accessed by a causeway.
Castle island in Platelei (Plunge district)
There are 7 islands in the largest Platelia lake in Žemaitija (Pilies, Briedsalė, Veršiau, Pliksalė, Ubagsalė, Gaidsalė, Šončelios). The most famous of them is Castle Island. In it in the 300th century. stood a castle belonging to Lithuanian nobles. The island was connected to Šventorkalni, where the old settlement of Plateliai was, by a bridge of almost XNUMX m, the piles of which have survived to this day. It is convenient to disembark at this island, there is a good sandy coast where it is convenient to swim.
An information stand has been built on the island and a winding natural footpath, very rare species of lichens, mushrooms and mosses grow here. You can get to the island by water bikes, boat, catamaran, transparent boats. While sailing on them, the transparent bottom will allow you to see the vegetation of Lake Platelia, colorful fauna and even the poles of the sunken historical bridge.
Islands near Vilnius (Vilnius district)
Lake Gėla in the Nemenčinė district (about 2 km east of the city of Nemenčinė, 54.849704, 25.50924) is often called a free natural spa - its shores are covered with white clay, covered with pine trees, and it is also one of the cleanest in the Vilnius area. There are many tables and benches in the area, there are swings, changing cabins, toilets. Here you can go for a walk, swim or fish. In the middle of the lake there is a small island with a linden, individual vacationers come to it in their own boats.
The forested island, which can be reached by boat, is also located in Riešė lake, Riešė borough (54.786203, 25.113014), as well as in Vilnoja lake, next to which there is a park of stone sculptures (54.794093, 25.088399).
Stories of the islands of Galve Lake (Trakai)
There are as many as 21 islands in the well-known Lake Galvė and no less legends related to them. They bring to mind a secret tunnel from Sapiegi Island to Vilnius, a hermit on Pustelnik Island, the myriop cries of the condemned on Laudai Island, a seven-headed dragon on Bareika Island or heart-shaped swans on Nameless Island.
The Trakai Tourism Information Center has included each of them in a special route "History of the islands of Galve Lake". By renting boats, paddle boats or water bikes on the shores of Galvė and Luka (Bernardinė) lakes, you can sail around the islands in a day. It's just important not to get into the rowing lanes.
Mother-in-law's tongue and son-in-law's hiding place (Kupiški district)
The fourth largest artificial body of water in Lithuania – the Kupiškis lagoon has two unique islands. Mother-in-law's tongue island (55.855460, 24.978666) is a dendrological park. Pedestrian paths, rest areas with gazebos, and a pier for the disabled are equipped here. The park can be reached from the side of the village of Pajuodupės by a bridge or from the Aukštupėnai recreation area by a pontoon bridge (it is removed in the cold season to avoid crushing the ice). Mother-in-law's Tongue Island is so named because of its shape. As a joke, when the mother-in-law's tongue is nearby, the son-in-law needs to hide somewhere, which is why another island in the Kupiškis lagoon is called the son-in-law's hiding place.
Unlike Mother-in-law's Tongue, Zhent's Hideout Island (55.899984, 25.008154) can only be accessed by water - a pontoon raft with a metal rope is equipped for this purpose. It is necessary to have sturdy gloves with you, as pulling the rope with your bare hands is both uncomfortable and can injure you. The island is suitable for relaxation - it has a gazebo, benches and a fireplace. By the way, both islands are very popular with fishermen.
In the land of lakes - escape to an island for one (Ignalina district)
The city of Ignalina is surrounded by a dozen lakes. Here is the island of Love, a village surrounded by four lakes, and even a private island. For example, if you choose the route of 8 lakes around Ignalina, you will find an island in the middle of the Paplovinis lake bridge, which the locals call "Island of Love". There are several benches on the island where you can sit and admire the fountain in the lake.
There are two villages named Salos on the peninsula surrounded by four lakes. One of them, Salas II, stands out for its unique architecture, which is why the Salas cultural reserve was established here. Salas II can be reached on foot from Ladakalnis, crossing the pass connecting the lakes.
Or - rent an island! An inflatable water platform that can accommodate up to 10 people can become a personal island in any lake of Ignalina. After rowing to the desired place, you can drop anchor, jump into the water, swim, sunbathe and enjoy the summer.
Bird Island (Varėna district)
You can only get to the island of the Song Valley in Varėna via a bridge. It is a popular venue for city events and concerts.
However, there are two islands in Nemuna near Varėna, where only birds and animals reign. One of them is perfectly visible from the Merkinė mound, the other - Pastrauja - from the observation tower. It is not possible to enter the islands. In summer, cows and sheep graze here, whose job is to destroy low-value plants. On the small island, red-footed grebe, common grebe, shore grebe, grebe, pimps were observed, and on Pastrauja island there are pempes, shore grebes, ducks, and partridges.
Rusne island (Šilutė district)
Rusnė is the largest island in Lithuania, famous for its natural beauty, variety of birds and spring floods (55.301772,21.379419). The total area of the island is 47 km². It includes, in addition to the town of Rusnė, the villages of Vorusnė, Šyškrantė, Pakalnė, Uostadvaris and Skirvytėlė. The only way to Rusna is the bridge over Atmata.
There is a hanging "monkey" bridge at the end of the ethnographic village of Skirvytėlė on the island of Rusne, and in the village of Uostadvaris there is an octagonal bridge, dating from the 18th century. high Uostadvaris lighthouse. By the way, the island is called the capital of the tastiest smoked fish. There is no shortage of active water activities here - if you want, you can go fishing, sail in boats, kayaks, or swim on the beach here.
Crow Island in Moose Lake (Kelmės district)
The name of Bridvaišis lake is derived from the stories that the moose that came to feast on its delicious water once feasted on it. In this lake, the deepest part of which reaches as much as 42,8 meters, there are two islands - Didžioji and Varnų (55.590245, 23.216244). A bridge leads to the Big Island, from which you can look over the entire lake and rest on the benches installed on the island. Both islands can also be reached by boat or paddle board (they can be rented right on the shore of the lake). The lake has a large beach.
Manor on an island resembling the shape of Lithuania (Rokiškis district)
One of the largest, inhabited and most visited islands in Rokiškis district is the town of Islands. You can get to the town by bridge or by raft. The main attraction here is the majestic Isles Manor. Currently, the estate is hosted by the Rokiškis folk artists' association, which conducts various activities here: children's summer camps, education and creative workshops, painting classes, different events. It works in the palace restaurant, and alpacas, ostriches and ponies happily welcome visitors in the manor park. Since the estate is located on an island surrounded by Lake Dviragi, the park has two swimming pools with bridges, swings, and changing cabins.
It is interesting that you can also find another, unique island-raft in the park of the Salai Manor Palace (55.810799, 25.367428). A palm tree grows here, there is a bed. You take snacks and drinks, climb to the island and sail out into the wide expanses of Lake Dviragi waters for a full day's rest.
Place of Eternal Oath - Love Island (Rokiški district)
The youth of the Ilzenberg settlement on a small island liked to celebrate various holidays, especially St. John's Day. An old oak tree grows in it, a symbol of strength and longevity. So the girls believed that the words of love spoken on this island would remain as strong as that oak tree. Therefore, they tried to persuade the boys to swim to this island. It is said that when one guy, John, confessed his love for a girl named Eve, their love remained strong despite the fact that they had not seen each other for 12 years - the guy was in the army. He returned no longer expecting to meet the love of his youth, but she was waiting for him all the time. This is how this island got the name Love Island.
Love Island can now be reached via the bridge leading from the Ilzenberg Manor Park, or by e-catamaran, new this season.
Dumblynes island jewelry (Rokiškis district)
There are 8 islands in Lake Sarti. All of them can be admired from the Sarta observation tower. One of the most interesting is Dumblynė Island (55.800968, 25.830313). People living here can only get to it by water transport, usually by boat.
The history of the site of Dumblynė Island dates back to 1976, when local resident Alfonsas Šimonėlis presented the artifacts found on this island to the National Museum of Lithuania - XNUMXth-XNUMXth century. amber and blue glass necklaces, metal plates, etc. During the research, a settlement was found on the island, but the history of the island is still shrouded in mystery.
Island of United Fates (Druskininkai)
One section of the Nemunas surrounding Druskininkai is particularly attractive to romantics. This is Love Island in the middle of the river. Here on both sides of the banks of the Nemunas bonfires were burning on St. John's Day, girls and boys wove wreaths and sang by them. When darkness enveloped the Nemunas, young people would release wreaths with a candle and their names into the water. According to the legend, if the Nemunas vortex connected the wreaths of a girl and a boy near the Island of Love, they were destined to be friends.
Now Meilė sala is a botanical reserve of Druskininkai, which can be viewed up close while traveling on the Nemunas boat or admired from the exposure of the Nemunas bank. It can be reached by a footpath along the waterfront.
Private holiday islands (Molėtai district)
In the middle of Lake Bebrusi (Šaukšteliškiu village, Luokesos sen., Molėtai district) there are private islands specially designed for vacationers.
On the island-campsite "Žvejų rojus" there is a summer house for two persons, a gazebo, a smokehouse for fish, hammocks, a fire pit, swings, a bio-toilet. In the dark, the island is illuminated. You can pitch tents on the island and bring pets. A raft for romantics and fishermen with a table, bench, barbecue, a bag of firewood for the day and a summer house for two.
Robinson Island Campground also has a fishing raft, a spacious summer house for three, a table under the roof, a fire pit, a barbecue, firewood, a bio-toilet, a fish smokehouse, hammocks, swimming on the sandy shore and complete tranquility surrounded by nature.
On the island of another lake in the Molėtai district - Grabusot - there is a camping site "Obuolii sala". It is named so for a reason - a hundred green apple trees were planted here by naturalist biologist Pranciškus Baltrus Šivickis, who once purchased this island to study lake fauna. Now his homestead has a camping site, a cafe, rest houses have been built, and you can rent a boat and a paddle board.
Island of Love in Žagare (Joniškis district)
Not only birds or mammals nest in the Žagarė Regional Park. The island with the intriguing name of Love (56.34756, 23.214251) in Lake Žvelgaičiai was inaccessible to visitors and locals for a long time, unless someone sailed by boat. However, after a pontoon bridge over 100 m long was built to the island, it was rediscovered by lovers and newlyweds.
A sculpture by Dalius Udrakis, a folk artist from Žagar, was built on the island, depicting a couple and a snake wrapped around it. Next to it, there is a bench, the environment is arranged, a metal fence is installed, on which the newlyweds can hang a lock. The fence is surrounded by yews, the so-called iron trees, also a kind of symbol of eternal love. The Žagarė ozo educational trail winds around the lake.
Rabbit Island (Šiauliai district)
According to Šiauliai District Tourism and Business Information Center, one of the most beautiful and attractive islands in Šiauliai District is Naisiai. In summer, the artificial circular island is one of the main attractions for children from all over Lithuania. Rabbits graze with their young on the island, there is a pond, different types of lilies are blooming, there is a beach, a food bar, and plenty of swings around the island.
Malūnos island (Kelmė district)
Užventis Island in the Venta River (55.7865546, 22.6560291) tourists and visitors will find it when they visit the Užwentis Manor Mill. The island can be accessed by a bridge. It hosts Užventis artists' plein airs, various festivals, sculptures created during the plein airs are exhibited. Around the island - XNUMXth century. manor park, and the picturesque area is often called "little Italy". The writer Shatrijos Ragana once lived and worked in the mansion. Now one of the few remaining buildings of the manor - the mill - houses a wellness complex with a swimming pool, sauna, gym, as well as a hotel and a conference hall.
City islands (Kaunas)
The roads of many Kaunas residents and visitors to the city of Kaunas lead to Nemunas, or Carmelite Island, because in it - "Žalgiris Arena", the island park, the Water Sports Center with an Olympic swimming pool will open its doors in the summer, the modern science museum "Mokslo sala" is being built. The island can be accessed by several bridges.
City islands (Klaipėda)
Here, Klaipėda, in the Curonian Lagoon - Pig back island. True, it has no beaches, no buildings, and no attractions. According to the Klaipėda Tourism and Culture Information Center, one of the largest islands of Lithuania cannot be disembarked because it is an object of strategic importance (the SDG ship "Independence" is moored at the quay), but you can pass by it by boat and see if it really resembles a pig's back.
City islands (Panevėžys)
For the people of Panevėžys, the Nevėžio river that flows through the city and its surroundings is special - the name of the city came from its name. However, probably not everyone knows that in the very center of the city, in a certain section from one bridge to the other, the Nevėžis does not flow in its natural course, but in an artificially dug channel - Senvage. Currently, it is one of the most beautiful places to relax in the city - On the island of Senvaga rest areas, benches, sculptures are provided events. You can also observe the 36-meter-long and almost 18-meter-high floating musical fountain of lights and projections, which is considered the largest not only in Lithuania, but also in the Baltic States.
City islands (Marijampole)
Marijampole's Mary Park, surrounded by water on all sides, is a great place for picnics and swimming. There is a campsite next to Šešupės bend, nearby is the "IKI" grill area, in the summer there is a wakeboard park "WakeTown Miami" or a water trampoline park "Zero Miami Park". Mariu Park Peninsula easily accessible by both car and bike.
Source: Travel in Lithuania
