Baltic Visitor

The top spot in Lithuania for a spa break, Druskininkai – set among pine trees at a bend in the Nemunas River – has been a popular resort since the 19th century. During the Soviet period huge sanatoriums for medical treatment and recuperation were built alongside the more attractive early 20th century villas, but since independence the town has been focusing once again on upmarket spa tourism. It is particularly busy in July and August.

Popular spa centres in the town include:

• Druskininkai Spa concentrates on the medical side of spa treatments, with a particularly wide range of baths available including a vertical bath, carbonic acid bath (which is presumably less scary than it sounds) and turpentine bath (ditto). There is no accommodation at the spa itself although it is connected to the Europa Royale Druskininkai, part of a high-end chain which also has hotels in the Baltic capitals.
• Spa Vilnius is a more straightforward spa hotel, with a swimming pool, massage, mud treatments, etc. Rather handily, it is possible to charge spa treatments – as well as items from the restaurant and bar – to your room bill,  simply by swiping your room’s card key.

While the town’s spa facilities are more likely to be of interest to adults, the new Aqua Park is has definite family appeal. There are several pools (including a wave pool), waterslides, five saunas and eighteen baths. It is possible to pay just for the more active ‘water entertainment complex’ or for a package which also includes the saunas and baths.
Other than its recreation options, the town is best known as the childhood home of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875-1911), an artist and composer who strongly influenced the development of Lithuania’s national consciousness. There is a memorial museum in the town, and throughout the summer concerts are held as part of the Druskininkai Summer with M.K.Čiurlionis Festival.