Birstonas resort Mayor Nijole Dirginciene: 'We invest in quality, not quantity, and both residents and visitors notice the changes!'

Birstonas, a fast-growing Lithuanian resort town known for its wellness traditions and located just a stone’s throw from the country’s second-largest city and its airport, is undergoing a transformation under the leadership of its long-serving mayor, Nijole Dirginciene. The year 2026 will be exceptional for Birstonas – the gem resort will celebrate its 180th anniversary. “We want Birstonas to be recognized as a modern, sustainable, and European resort where wellness traditions, culture, innovation, and community spirit come together harmoniously,” Dirginciene told The Baltic Times Magazine.

You recently received the Association of Lithuanian Municipalities’ “Golden Krivule” award for “Developed infrastructure adapted for physical activity and sports.” Why is this award important to you?

This award is a significant recognition for Birstonas, highlighting the municipality’s consistent and purposeful work. It reflects our long-term vision – to create a resort where physical activity and a healthy lifestyle naturally blend into everyday life. Birstonas is home to a modern multifunctional sports center with facilities for athletics, indoor football, basketball, volleyball, strength training, aerobics, combat sports, and conference spaces. We have an athletics and football stadium, outdoor tennis, beach volleyball, basketball and petanque courts, skate and bike ramps, and the Nemunas River has become a natural area for water sports. Birstonas also has a well-developed network of pedestrian and cycling paths – about 40 kilometers across the municipality. The fact that Birstonas is chosen by professional athletes – from track and field competitors to the Lithuanian national basketball team – shows that our infrastructure meets the highest standards. The resort successfully combines the needs of sports professionals and enthusiasts with the expectations of residents, tourists, and businesses. 

What achievements of Birstonas in 2025 would you highlight?

Birstonas is a green, modern, and steadily growing resort where investments translate into visible change. Birstonas’ overall Quality of Life Index value has increased by 85 percent since 2013. The city is among the leaders in Lithuania in healthcare services, public infrastructure, living environment, and safety indicators, offering the highest living standards. 

The resort continues to invest in infrastructure improvement. The pedestrian and cycling path network is expanding – there are now around 40 km of paths, including a newly built 4 km route between Birstono Vienkiemis and Nemajunai. We are modernizing educational spaces and strengthening public health and social services. 

Tourism numbers have grown in recent years: in 2024, Birstonas surpassed 200,000 visitors for the first time – a record. The number of foreign tourists also increased. New hotels and apartments have opened, modern residential buildings are being built, and Birstonas leads Lithuania in the proportion of renovated apartment blocks. These are signs of a vibrant, sustainably growing resort: we invest in quality, not quantity, and both residents and visitors notice the changes. 

Located close to major Lithuanian cities and airports, Birstonas has recently been rapidly developing as a conference destination. How does the municipality encourage conference tourism?

Birstonas, just an hour from major cities and airports, is becoming one of the most attractive conference destinations in Lithuania. The resort offers what is often missing in big cities – a harmonious combination of tranquility, high-quality services, and modern infrastructure: cozy accommodation, professional service, contemporary conference halls, and opportunities to combine work with complete relaxation. 

In 2025, Birstonas hosted the EUROPARC conference with more than 300 environmental experts from 30 countries – proof that the city can host high-level international events. Professionals in other fields – dentistry, medicine, construction, education, and more – also increasingly choose Birstonas. Conferences here are often combined with wellness programs, spa experiences, sports activities, or active leisure – something that sets us apart from other cities. Nestled among the meandering loops of the Nemunas River, Birstonas is an oasis of rest and wellness, where nature, modernity, and centuries-old healing traditions merge into harmony. The city has a strong green direction – investing in sustainable mobility, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, parks, and public spaces, creating an environment where work, leisure, and daily life form a balanced experience. For several years in a row, Birstonas has been one of the safest municipalities in Lithuania.

Birstonas’ accommodation facilities operate year-round and can host nearly 3,500 guests at once. Have new hotels or spas opened in recent years?

Tourism is one of the key elements of Birstonas’ identity, and its success is reflected in the numbers. In 2024, the resort surpassed the threshold of 200,000 visitors. The number of foreign tourists grew by 34 percent, mainly from Latvia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Overnight stays increased by 5 percent, and visitors stayed longer. Up to 3,500 guests can stay in Birstonas at the same time. 

The resort has become a four-season destination with stable visitor flows throughout the year. Recent years brought several new accommodation options. At the beginning of summer, the new conceptual hotel Lajos opened, offering a unique blend of work and leisure with co-working and relaxation spaces framed by the greenery of Vytautas Park and the scenic views of the Nemunas. 

The Harmony Birstonas hotel, which opened last year, introduced a modern multifunctional conference hall and a cozy Roman-style spa area this year. It received recognition as the best hotel project at the Baltic Real Estate Investment Forum. Among new accommodation options are the Pievos apartments, where every interior detail is crafted with exceptional care.  Birstonas offers high-quality services and a culture of work and leisure grounded in peace, aesthetics, and comfort.

What is the status of the investment project for the pedestrian bridge over the Nemunas, which will connect both sides of the Birstonas resort?

The Nemunas River, the country’s longest river, is the heart of Birstonas – shaping its identity, landscape, and development direction. It connects the unique nature of the Nemunas Loops Regional Park, recreation, active lifestyles, and investment opportunities. 

One of our most important projects is the pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Nemunas. It is not only a transport infrastructure object but also a new symbol of Birstonas, connecting two sides of the resort – its present and future. The design proposals are now being finalized, and preparations for the construction permit are underway. 

Living in Birstonas means more time for yourself and your family. Everything is within walking distance! The resort has modern educational institutions, no waiting lists for kindergartens, and abundant opportunities for children and youth. Cultural life is active year-round – from chamber concerts to the renowned Birstonas Jazz Festival and the annual resort celebration. Birstonas is attractive not only to residents but also to businesses. New jobs are being created, and strong wellness, hospitality, dining, and service sectors operate here. Birstonas is certainly a place where you can work productively, relax, raise a family, and live a full, balanced life!