The Nemunas is Lithuania's longest and most important river, and Druskininkai sits on its banks at a particularly attractive stretch. The river here is wide and slow-moving, flanked by pine forests on both sides, with sandy banks that serve as informal beaches in summer. A riverside promenade runs through the town, and kayak and canoe rental is available for exploring the river at water level.
The forests along the Nemunas south of Druskininkai extend toward the Dzūkija National Park, the largest in Lithuania, where mushroom-picking, blueberry gathering, and forest walks are serious local traditions. In summer, the river banks fill with Lithuanian families; in autumn, the forest paths are busy with mushroom hunters. The quietest and most atmospheric stretch is just south of the town, where the river bends and the forest closes in on both sides.