Vilnius to Trakai, Lithuania: how to get there and what to do
I recently spent a couple of days in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. I’d already visited the other two Baltic capitals, Tallinn and Riga, and wanted to see whether Vilnius was very different.
Fortunately, I wasn’t disappointed and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the old town, visiting the museums, and going to the castle on the hill.
Vilnius is relatively small as capitals go. This makes it a perfect place for a short break. It also means you’re likely to have time to get out of the city and explore the nearby attractions.
For my day out, I decided to go from Vilnius to Trakai, a stunning spot with a fairytale castle on a lake I’d seen in countless guidebooks, and the old capital of Lithuania. I was curious to see whether it lived up to its hype as a must-visit day trip from Vilnius (it’s said to be one of most popular tourist sites in the country) and how easy it was to get there.
Spoiler alert: I loved it, and I’d recommend you put it on your list for a day out from Vilnius.
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Where is Trakai?
Trakai is a small historical town less than 30 kilometres from the centre of Vilnius.
It’s a distinct contrast from the city, as you’ll see when you arrive. The main part of the village is small and sits within Trakai Historical National Park, which covers an area of over 8,000 hectares and 32 lakes.
Trakai town sits beside Lake Galve, one of the deepest lakes in the country.
How to get to Trakai
As Trakai is close to Vilnius, getting there is not a problem.
You can drive via the A16 highway or catch public transport.
Local buses go from Vilnius bus station. Multiple buses go out to Trakai and back, so there are plenty of buses to choose from if you don’t want to be tied to a specific departure time. The train also runs to Trakai from Vilnius train station several times a day.
Note, however, that if you go via either bus or train, these will drop you a couple of kilometres outside of the main centre of Trakai. This means you will either have to walk in, or if you’re arriving by bus, swap to the Trakai City Bus.
A Vilnius to Trakai trip by minibus
As I was travelling on a time budget, I chose to book a trip to get from Vilnius to Trakai. Note that I say ‘trip’, rather than ‘tour’ as it’s very much a means of getting there: once you arrive, you’re given free time to independently explore the area.
For me, this was the best way to get there. You catch a minibus from the side of Odminiu Square, one of the main areas in Vilnius, not far from the cathedral. Forty minutes later you’re dropped in a small car park in the small town of Trakai.
En route, you’re given headphones and can listen to an audio guide which gives you a potted history of Lithuania and some interesting facts about it.
The drop-off point was less than a ten-minute walk from the castle and lakeside. We then got about two and a half hours in Trakai, making this a half day trip overall.
Although this is a more expensive way of getting from Vilnius to Trakai, as Lithuania is a relatively cheap country compared to other places, I thought it was reasonably priced. It was also very convenient, so is a great option.
Trakai and Paneriai Memorial tour
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to visit with a tour guide who can give you more information on the history of the area, you can book this day trip from Vilnius.
This takes to you out to Trakai Castle via the Paneriai Memorial Park (you can read more about this period of the country’s WWII history here). If you’re interested in history, this might be a tour to consider.
After the visit to Panerai, you visit Trakai, get a guided tour of the castle, and have some free time to explore the area on your own.
Why visit Trakai?
If you’re like me, you’ll probably want to visit because you’ve read that it’s one of the main tourist sites in Lithuania (apparently a million people visit every year).
You’ll have also seen these types of images of Trakai castle on a small island in a lake – enough said…
However, when you get to Trakai, you’ll realise that it’s not only a beautiful place, but an historically significant site for Lithuania, and there’s lots of learning to be had here. There are also a few other things you can do as part of your time in Trakai.
About Trakai
Although Trakai sits in a massive national park, you’re likely to focus on the town centre if you’re only going out for a short trip. It is tiny, with a small high street flanked on either side with coloured wooden buildings.
You can also see the town’s kenesa (the temple of the country’s Turkish Karaites), which dates from the late 1500s. It is said to be the oldest in the country. There is a small ethnographic museum nearby if you want to learn more.
A short walk further on, however, is the main attraction: Trakai Island Castle. This gothic castle sits on one of the islands in Lake Galve and can be reached by crossing two wooden bridges.
Trakai Island Castle
Trakai Castle dates from the 14th century and was home to the Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This reflects the fact that the town was once the country’s capital. The castle then sat unused for a couple of centuries before being renovated in the mid-1950s and reopening to include a section of the Trakai History Museum.
The castle is extremely eye-catching. Although you obviously won’t see it as presented in the stunning aerial shots that the guidebooks show, when you view it via the long wooden bridge leading up to it, I’m sure you’ll be glad you came.
You’ll see a red-brick fortress with an arched entrance and tall turreted towers on the corners. I visited on a sunny day, and it looked gorgeous with the bright blue sky in the background. If you visit in winter, no doubt it’s just as striking, especially if it’s covered in snow.
Inside Trakai Castle
After you’ve paid the entrance fee at the ticket office, you’ll come to a wide-open courtyard (spot the old medieval torture apparatus dotted around, including stocks and cages!).
You can then go to the left-hand side of the castle to the 12 museum rooms. There are all sorts of interesting displays and artefacts in these: one of the displays on a wall said there were over 300,000 on show.
These include stamps from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, old pipes, porcelain and glassware, and hunting trophies. Some rooms have been reconstructed with old furniture from different centuries.
You can also wander around a few palace rooms and see the high vaulted rooms, art on the walls, and more historical collections.
There is some interesting information on the information boards that tell you more about Lithuanian history, the Grand Dukes, and how Trakai evolved over the centuries.
Note that some of the rooms inside of the castle will require you to climb steps, some of which are temporary structures due to renovation work underway. If you have mobility issues, you may just want to see the castle from the outside or wander around the lower levels.
The castle is open year round, but check the website for its opening times on specifc days (these differ by season, and it appears that outside of the summer months, it may not be open every day of the week).
Other things to do in Trakai
Although it’s quite likely that a visit to the castle will be your main reason for going out to Trakai, there are a few other things you can do here if you have time. Most of these are along the edges of the lake.
You could go for a walk – either a stroll outside the castle itself or along the lakeside after you’ve crossed back over the bridges. With the summer sun beating down, the boats and pedaloes moored along the water, and the people wandering around with ice creams, it had an almost beach-like feel to it when I was there.
And for something a bit more unique on the lake, you could go paddleboarding!
You can also stop off for lunch by the lake: it’s a popular spot, and there are several eateries and places to grab a drink.
If you fancy browsing for some souvenirs, there are stalls along the lake and on the pathway that takes you from the main road down to it. Several handmade jewellery stalls almost tempted me to buy something.
And back in the town, there is the aforementioned kenesa and ethnographic museum, plus a chocolate sculpture museum!
These might be good options if you visit on colder or wetter day. Or if you’re feeling energetic, you could go snow shoeing or walk around the lake which apparently freezes over in winter.
Trakai boat trips
My main recommendation if you visit in summer, as I did, is to take a boat trip around the lake. This is a great way to see the castle from a different perspective. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a clear day, you’ll see the castle reflected beautifully in the water.
There’s a choice of pedaloes if you fancy sailing around the castle on your own. Or you can hop onto one of the small boats that are moored up.
I opted for the latter and paid 5 euros for a 30-minute trip. We sailed around the castle and, further on, up to part of the outside of the white Užutrakis manor house. This is said to be one of the best-preserved houses of its kind in Lithuania.
On the return journey, you see more of the lake and its surroundings.
For me, the boat trip was more than worth the money. It was a fabulous way to see more of the lake and the beautiful scenery surrounding it. And if you visit on a hot sunny day, you can cool down a bit on the water.
If you fancy doing this, there are plenty of boats moored along the water’s edge. You’ll probably be approached and asked whether you want to hop on one when you walk back from the castle. If not, you’ll be able to find one within just a few paces of stepping off the bridge.
Is a Vilnius to Trakai trip worth it?
Yes: as day trips from Vilnius go, this is a good one to choose.
Trakai castle is a major landmark in the country. The castle is worth seeing, and you can do a few other things while you’re there. The two and a half hours I had there was enough, and meant I was back in Vilnius by mid-afternoon to continue my sightseeing there.
Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply fancy some time away from the city in an area with stunning scenery, I’d say a day tour to Trakai Castle is a must-do on any Vilnius itinerary.
Other ideas for short European breaks or day trips
If you’re looking for inspiration for other places to visit in Europe – either for a short break or day trip, check out my website.
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Written by Emma Marshall