Start with the essentials
Plan Dzūkija and Southern Lithuania at a glance
- Service base
- Druskininkai
- Park gateways
- Merkinė and Marcinkonys
- Useful time
- 3 to 5 days
About Dzūkija and Southern Lithuania
Why explore Dzūkija and Southern Lithuania
Southern Lithuania balances a developed spa town with a far quieter forest and river landscape.
Use Druskininkai for services, then choose Merkinė or Marcinkonys when the national park is the main purpose of the stay.
Plan the region
Druskininkai has the widest accommodation and transport choice.
Merkinė and Marcinkonys provide two different gateways into the national park, so choose between them according to the intended route.
Choose where to spend your time
Places to explore
2 guides
Druskininkai
Druskininkai is a green spa town on the Nemunas and a practical base for museums, parks and southern Lithuania’s forest landscapes.
Open guide
Dzūkija National Park
Dzūkija National Park protects southern Lithuania’s pine forest, river valleys and villages, with useful gateways at Merkinė and Marcinkonys.
Open guideBuild a coherent route
Plan by area
Druskininkai
Parks, museums and a practical service base.
Dzūkija National Park
Pine forest, rivers and villages reached through selected gateways.
See the main travel bases
Druskininkai and Dzūkija National Park on the map
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Use the markers to understand the main bases and the distance between them. Open a marker for its destination guide.
Match the route to your time
What fits into your trip
Short visit
Choose one base and one nearby outing.
Useful stay
Combine the main base with two contrasting places.
Slower route
Allow separate days for museums, landscapes and transfers.
Link the stops sensibly
Routes and day trips
Keep each day focused on one area and confirm any rural return journey before leaving the main base.
Suggested regional routes
Town and park
Use Druskininkai first, then move to a planned park base.
Open destination guideFocused short stay
Keep a short trip around Druskininkai and one well-researched outing.
Open destination guideRegional itineraries
Druskininkai and southern Lithuania in 5 days
Five days divide the trip between Druskininkai and one rural base near Dzūkija National Park, combining spa-town services with southern forest landscapes.
Choose transport by destination
Getting around Dzūkija and Southern Lithuania
Coaches serve Druskininkai. Rail and bus options for park gateways vary, so confirm the exact route and return before departure.
Coach
The usual public transport choice for Druskininkai.
Car
Most flexible for dispersed park trailheads and villages.
Choose dates that suit the route
When to visit
Late spring to early autumn offers more daylight for forest routes.
Wet or icy conditions can change the suitability of paths and rural roads.
Read the seasonal guide for LithuaniaAvoid common route problems
Planning checks
Check current access
Use visitor-centre guidance for current park access.
Keep the route realistic
Do not rely on a rural return connection without checking it first.
Quick answers
Questions about Dzūkija and Southern Lithuania
Is Druskininkai inside the national park?
No. It is a separate town and practical regional base.
Which villages are useful park gateways?
Merkinė is useful for the river confluence and visitor information, while Marcinkonys provides access to forest routes.
Is a car necessary?
Not for Druskininkai, but it is helpful for a multi-stop park route.
How long should I stay?
Three to five days works for the town and a separate park section.
How this guide is checked
Sources and review
Reviewed 3 September 2026, next review due 3 March 2027. Services, access rules and opening arrangements can change, so check the official source before travel.
- LTG Link timetables, LTG Link
- Druskininkai, Lithuania Travel
- About Dzūkija National Park, Dzūkija National Park and Čepkeliai Reserve Directorate
- Dzūkija National Park, Dzūkija National Park Directorate
- Dzūkija National Park visitor centres, Dzūkija National Park Directorate
- Druskininkai visitor information, Druskininkai Tourism and Business Information Centre
Continue through Lithuania
Regions that connect naturally
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Vilnius, Trakai and Kernavė form a practical heritage route through Lithuania’s capital and its lake and hillfort landscapes.
Aukštaitija
Aukštaitija brings together lake country, forest, villages and Anykščiai, with a route that needs a clear base and transport plan.
Continue planning
See more of Lithuania
Use the country guide to compare Dzūkija and Southern Lithuania with other regions and destinations in Lithuania.