Vijūnėlė Park: travel spot in Lithuania

Vijūnėlė Park - a sea of daffodils and sakura in Druskininkai resort

Vijūnėlė Park is the most popular recreation park in Druskininkai, surrounding Lake Druskonis and the nearby artificial Vijūnėlė Pond. It is best known in spring, when hundreds of thousands of daffodils bloom and a Japanese cherry, or sakura, alley planted in memory of Bronislovas Lubys opens along the path. A roughly 4.5 km cycling and walking route, sandy beach, fountain, and children's areas make the park a favourite resort rest place.

Blooming daffodils and paths in Vijūnėlė Park by the pond in Druskininkai

Place

Druskininkai Municipality

Region

Druskininkai

Type

resort recreation park

Address

Turistų g., Druskininkai, by Lake Druskonis and Vijūnėlė Pond

Coordinates

54.01540, 23.96660

Visit duration

1-2 hours

Best time

second half of April for daffodils and sakura; summer for the beach

Names and variants

Daffodil Park, Vijūnėlis Park

Vijūnėlė Park: a sea of flowers by the pond

Vijūnėlė Park is a landscaped resort recreation park in the south-western part of Druskininkai, surrounding Lake Druskonis and Vijūnėlė Pond to its west. It is one of the most popular active-rest spaces in the resort for both visitors and residents.

Vijūnėlė Pond is artificial. Around 1983, a pond was dug where a marsh had stood, and the present orderly park was shaped by the 2011 reconstruction. Almost half of the park area is water, so views here always revolve around the pond and the lake.

Daffodils and the sakura alley

The park's best-known feature is its daffodils. The first 130,000 bulbs were planted in autumn 2011; by 2014 there were about 220,000; and by 2019 the flowers filled almost all free park space, about half a million blooms. In spring the park becomes a true sea of flowers and is sometimes called Daffodil Park.

In 2012, an alley of Japanese cherry trees, or sakura, was planted along the path by the pond in memory of Bronislovas Lubys, a signatory of the March 11 Act and a businessman; the saplings were donated by his widow. This lakeside path was named after B. Lubys. The sakura blooms soon after the daffodils, so spring in the park comes in two waves.

Pond, beach, and paths

A walking and cycling path of about 4.5 km winds around the pond and Lake Druskonis, popular with cyclists, skateboarders, and walkers. The shore has a sandy beach, wooden piers, a lifeguard post, showers, a children's playground, a volleyball court, and a cafe.

A fountain operates in Druskonis Pond, and the park contains decorative sculptures and rest areas. In summer, the park becomes a beach and active-rest centre; in other seasons it is a convenient place for walks and cycling close to the resort centre.

Daffodil Bloom Festival

At peak bloom, in the second half of April, the Daffodil Bloom Festival is held. In the evenings the flowers are illuminated, and there is live music, theatrical tours, and entertainment for the whole family. It has become a resort-scale spring event that traditionally draws many visitors.

The festival dates vary slightly each year, so check the exact programme on the official Druskininkai page. If you want to see the daffodil sea without crowds, come on a weekday morning.

Visiting

The park is open, free, and accessible at any time; no ticket or registration is needed. It is most convenient to enter from the Turistų Street side, where parking is available nearby.

The best time is the second half of April for daffodils and sakura, while summer suits the beach and swimming. A visit is easy to combine with the Lake Druskonis promenade, the resort centre, the water park, or Snow Arena.

Vijūnėlė Park: frequently asked questions

Where is Vijūnėlė Park?

It is in the south-western part of Druskininkai, by Turistų Street, between Lake Druskonis and Vijūnėlė Pond. The resort centre is only a few hundred metres away.

When do the daffodils and sakura bloom?

Daffodils usually bloom in the second half of April, when the Daffodil Bloom Festival is held; the sakura blooms soon after. Exact timing depends on the spring, so check dates before travelling.

How many daffodils grow in the park?

Planting began in 2011 with 130,000 bulbs. By 2014 there were about 220,000, and by 2019 about half a million. In spring the park is known as a sea of flowers.

What else can you do in the park?

Around the pond runs an approximately 4.5 km walking and cycling path. There is a sandy beach, piers, a fountain in Druskonis Pond, children's and sports areas, a cafe, and sculptures.

Is the park paid?

No. It is an open, free urban recreation park accessible year-round; no ticket or registration is needed.

Why is the alley named after Lubys?

In 2012, a Japanese cherry alley was planted here in memory of Bronislovas Lubys, a signatory of the March 11 Act and a businessman, and the lakeside path he liked was named after him.