Trakai is a city in Lithuania. The city is surrounded by lakes and the best places to visit in Trakai are situated either in the lakes and around it. You can expect to see palaces, castles, manors and museums while exploring this city. You can also enjoy forests, lakes, hiking, boating and many outdoor things to do in Trakai. The city has an almost unearthly surroundings. One of the best ways to begin Trakai sightseeing is with a hot air balloon ride. Lake Galve with its many islands is a marvelous sight.
The biggest one of Trakai attractions is the city’s eponymous castle. The Trakai Castle sits in the middle of the lake on an island. There are also more castles and manors to explore on the periphery of the same lake. The entire collection of lake, islands and castles falls under Trakai Historical National Park. Majority of the things to see in Trakai are covered in this park. Another major historical aspect of this city is the Ethnographic museum dedicated to Karaite people. This is city is one of the very few places where you will get to know about this sect of Judaism and hence is among important Trakai tourist attractions.
Besides history, you can explore a variety of activities and adventurous activities in Trakai travel like kayaking, canoe ride, hot air balloon ride, boat cruise, hiking and more. On cultural side, you should definitely try out the food here. The city is the place of origin for Trakai Kibinai Pastry, a desert preparation with a variety of fillings. It has been an attraction in the city since 14th century and you should not miss out on it when you visit Trakai.
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The Best 10 Tourist Places to Visit in Trakai
1. Trakai Island Castle (Trakų salos pilis)
This castle is definitely top among Trakai attractions. It is well known for its Gothic architecture as well as its mystical location on an island between the lake. There is much to explore inside this castle so you will need at least 2 to 3 hours here from Trakai travel.
2. Trakai Peninsula Castle
This castle sits at the southern side of Lake Galve and was built during the 1300s. If you are wondering what to see in Trakai aside from the city’s eponymous castle, this is the place to visit. You will need about an hour for this historical fortress.
3. Trakai Historical National Park
This historical national park is home to several interesting places to visit in Trakai including historical buildings, lakes and forests. You would need a full day to cover all attractions in this park.
4. Old Trakai Castle (Senieji Trakai Castle)
Also known as Senieji Castle, it was built by the Grand Duke Gediminas who made Trakai the capital of Lithuania during his reign. Though not as elaborate in architecture as other royal buildings, this castle is still an important part of Trakai sightseeing and its history. You will need an hour for the old castle.
5. Trakai History Museum, Karaite Ethnographic Exhibition
This museum is dedicated to the history of the region and the history of Karaite people, a Jewish sect which originated in Baghdad. You will need an hour for this museum when you visit Trakai.
6. Church of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This church was founded under Grand Duke Vyautas in the 15th century. It is known for its Baroque alter and gothic architecture. The ecclesiastical art collection of this church is also among the most wonderful things to see in Trakai. You will need an hour or so for this church.
7. Kenesa Prayer House
This wooden prayer house is one of the last surviving works of Karaite architecture. You will need 30 to 45 minutes for this prayer house.
8. Lake Galvė
This lake is the top attraction for outdoor things to do in Trakai like hiking, kayaking, boat cruises and more. The lake has 21 islands including the one where Trakai castle stands. You will need at least 3 hours to explore this lake with content.
9. Užutrakis Tiškevičių Manor (Užutrakio dvaras)
This manor house sits on the northern side of Lake Glave opposite to the Trakai castle. The manor has an interesting history of being passed from one family to another, which in a way tells the story of the region as well. You will need about an hour from Trakai travel to explore this manor.
10. Akmena Lake Beach
If you are looking to chill after a lot of Trakai sightseeing, then come here to cool off. The beach offers boat rides, hot air balloon rides, birdwatching and several other activities. You can easily spend a couple of hours at this Trakai beach.
If you are looking for more places to visit in Trakai, check out the sections below.
Things to do in Trakai
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Trakai
- Trakai Island Castle
- Trakai Historical National Park
- Uzutrakis Tiskeviciu Manor
- Trakai History Museum
- Peninsula Castle
- Trakai Old Castle
- St. Virgin Mary Church
- Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos
- AJ Sokolado Sculpture Museum
- Karaite Ethnographic Museum
- Lentvaris Manor
- Count Tyszkiewicz Lentvaris Manor
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Trakai
- Lake Galve
- Pilies Sala Lake
- Tororiskiu Ezeras Lake
- Varniku Pazitinis Takas Forest
- Lake Babrukas
- Skaistis Lake
- Akmena Lake
- Piliskiu Ezeras Lake
- Lake Baltis
- Margis Lake
- Birva Lake
- Sulininku Ezeras Lake
- Alsakys Lake
- Ciuksiu Ezeras Lake
- Lukna River
- Viesai Lake
- Lentvario Lake
- Didziulis Lake
- Ilgutis Lake
- Varene Lake
- Pazintinis Takas Forest
- Vilos Upelio Krioklai Parkingas Waterfall
- Monaitis Lake
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Trakai
- Hill of Angels
- Trakai Mound
- Dino Amusement Park
Shopping in Trakai
- Gintaro Parduotuve Mall
- Traku Krasto Tradiciniu Amatu Center
Beaches & Island in Trakai
- Akmena Lake Beach
Offbeat Places & Adventure Activities to Do in Trakai
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Boat Ride
- Swimming
- Canoe Ride
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Trakai
- Bona Lounge
- Kybynlar
- Senoji Kibinine
- Kiubete
- Traku Dvarelis
- Mojo Cafe
- Argo
- Bona Pizzeria
- Markizas
- Pirosmani
- Fransua
- Le Vivier
- Maisto Manija
Where to Stay in Trakai?
Here we have listed popular all mid-range and budget Hotels in Trakai
- Apvalaus Stalo Klubas Hotel
- R&R Spa Villa Trakai
- Viva Trakai
- Argo
- Augutes Zurlienes Sveciu Namai
- Trakaitis Holiday Home
- Modern Apartments near Lake in Trakai City Center
- BnB Trakai
- Prie Lukos Ezero
- Prie Ziedo
Custom Tours Package in Trakai
How to Reach Trakai?
By Air
The closest airport for Trakai travel is Vilnius International Airport. You can check out our article on Vilnius to learn more about direct flights connected to this airport.
You won’t get direct transport to reach Trakai from the airport, you will either have to get to the train station or the central bus stop for this journey.
By Road
There are regular trains running between Vilnius and Trakai. You can purchase a ticket at the station or in the train as well. The bus network is quite widespread and is connected with several cities, towns and villages of Lithuania.
If you are planning to visit Trakai by car, you should head for route A16 or E28.
By Water
There are no direct water routes to visit Trakai.
Image Reference
- Trakai Island Castle (Trakų salos pilis) – vietnam-lt / PixaBay
- Trakai Peninsula Castle – Pudelek / Wikimedia Commons
- Trakai Historical National Park – Sharunas Jurevic / PixaBay
- Trakai History Museum, Karaite Ethnographic Exhibition – Bogdan Tapu / Flickr
- Old Trakai Castle (Senieji Trakai Castle) – Julius / Wikimedia Commons
- Church of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Juliux / Wikimedia Commons
- Kenessa Prayer House – Anita Gould / Flickr
- Lake Galvė – Brian Toward / Flickr
- Užutrakis Tiškevičių Manor (Užutrakio dvaras) – Sharunas Jurevic / Flickr
- Akmena Lake Beach –
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