By Rūta Ribačiauskienė, LRT TV, LRT.lt.

Growing interest in outdoor recreation and swimming is driving demand for public beaches across southern Lithuania, prompting municipalities to invest in new waterfront infrastructure and acquire lakeside land to expand public access.

Local residents say clean water remains the most important factor when choosing where to swim.

“The most important thing is that the water is clean – not polluted by pollen or other debris,” one beachgoer said. “I swim in many different places.”

Near the resort town of Druskininkai, residents and visitors are taking advantage of lakes and beaches throughout the region. At Lake Ilgis, located near the village of Neravai, travellers heading to Druskininkai often stop for a swim, while local residents tend to favour another nearby beach equipped with recreational facilities, including a children’s playground, sports courts and a newly installed pier.

“We add sand every couple of years as needed, and we repair or replace infrastructure and small architectural elements whenever they wear out to ensure safety,” said Alvydas Varanis, elder of Viečiūnai.

Read more: LRT.LT