Nothing like a swim to cool you off on a hot summer day. But what if there’s no opportunity to get out of the city? Well, there are plenty of beaches in Vilnius.
Blue Flag beaches
Beaches can be awarded the international Blue Flag Award for outstanding environmental and service quality. This summer, seven Lithuanian beaches have been awarded Blue Flags, including three in Vilnius.
The beach at Lake Balsis is often referred to by locals as simply the Green Lakes Beach. It is one of the largest and most beautiful public beaches in Vilnius, with a well-developed infrastructure for active recreation and picnics: there are three piers for swimming and sunbathing, changing rooms adapted for the disabled, and a specially designed swimming area for people with reduced mobility. The beach has sun loungers, container toilets, a library, fitness equipment, volleyball and basketball courts, nine picnic tables and eight free barbecues. Bicycles can be safely left at the racks.
Nearest bus stop: Verkių Riešė.
Žirmūnai Beach is located in the central part of the city, making it easily accessible on foot or by bicycle. This public beach in Vilnius has a well-developed infrastructure for active recreation and picnics, which is somewhat more modest than that of Lake Balsis, but is not inferior to it in terms of entertainment possibilities.
There is also a swimming and changing area for people with reduced mobility. The beach has a floating pier, fitness equipment, a playground, container toilets, eight picnic tables and barbecues, a shower, a 3x3 basketball court, a beach volleyball court, bicycle racks and drinking water.
Nearest bus stop: Valakampių Tiltas.
Valakampiai 1st Beach is another Blue Flag beach, located in the heart of Antakalnis pine forests. The beach is easily accessible by public transport or by bicycle. It is not accessible to people with reduced mobility, but it offers more opportunities for active leisure. The beach has a floating pier, changing rooms, fitness equipment, six renovated beach volleyball courts, basketball and beach football courts, 13 picnic tables, six free barbecues, a children’s playground, bicycle racks and toilets.
Nearest bus stop: 1-asis Paplūdimys.
Other beaches in Vilnius
Valakampiai 2nd Beach is for a quieter time by the water and has a separate nudist area. It is also surrounded by the pine forests of Antakalnis and is easily accessible by public transport or bicycle. There are the usual amenities: changing cubicles, permanent toilets, picnic tables, free barbecues, fitness equipment, and bike racks.
Nearest bus stop: 2-asis paplūdimys.
The 1st and 2nd beaches of Lake Balžis are two more natural oases surrounded by the pine forests of Antakalnis. Lake Balžis (Šilas), like the city’s other public beaches, is easily accessible by public transport or bicycle. The beaches are suitable for water sports: there are ski jumps, piers for sunbathing, swimming for people with reduced mobility, changing rooms, picnic tables, free barbecues, biotoilets and bicycle stands.
Nearest bus stop: Balžio.
The beaches of Lake Tapeliai are nestled in the pine forests of Antakalnis. The beaches of this lake are designed for recreational fishing, so in addition to the usual facilities for jumping into the water and sunbathing, you will also find a fishing pier for people with reduced mobility.
Nearest bus stop: Karačiūnai.
Salotė Lake beach is a beach on the outskirts of Pilaitė with facilities and entertainment options. There is everything one may want for a comfortable stay: changing rooms, two sports fields, four picnic tables, free barbecues, permanent toilets, bicycle stands.
Nearest bus stop: Taurupės.
Gilužis Lake beach is located at the edge of Pilaitė and is easily accessible by bike or on foot. The beach features a large floating pier, five picnic tables, five free barbecue grills, a children’s playground, bio-toilets, and bicycle racks.
Nearest bus stop: Gelūžės.
The Vingio Park beach is located on the bank of the Neris River and is pet-friendly. There are five picnic tables, four free barbecue grills, benches, bio-toilets, and bicycle stands.
Nearest bus stop: Vingio Parkas.
Dvarčionys Lake beach is another delight in the pine forests of Antakalnis, with all the necessary amenities: changing rooms, a beach volleyball court, picnic tables, free barbecue grills, biotoilets, and bicycle racks.
Nearest bus stop: Lazerių.
Grigiškės Beach is located in a bend of the Vokė River. The beach, like the other ones, has all the necessary facilities: changing rooms, a beach volleyball court, five picnic tables, five free barbecue grills, as well as benches, biotoilets, and bicycle racks.
Nearest bus stop: Šviesos.
Naujoji Vilnia beach is still under developed. At the moment, swimming is not recommended here as the water quality does not meet hygiene standards.
Nearest bus stop: Karklėnų.
Information about water temperature and quality here
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
