Lying to the west of Vilnius, Trakai is a real life fairy-tale city. Eternally popular with Lithuanian holidaymakers, the lakeside resort is known for its quaint red brick castle, charming wooden houses and beautiful lakeside location. Trakai is also a fantastic place to soak up traditional Karaites culture, sample famous “Kybyn” pies, and explore Lithuania’s fascinating past.
By far, the town’s most popular attraction is the gorgeous Trakai Island Castle. Built in the 14th century, Trakai Island Castle has been beautifully restored and is now a Lithuanian icon. Sailing on Trakai’s lakes is a fantastic way to soak up the storybook setting, with other visitors choosing to stroll through the forests or simply relax with an espresso at one of the city’s cafes.
Just 28 kilometres from Vilnius, Trakai is an easy day trip from the Lithuanian capital. The drive takes 30minutes, with the public transport trip just 5 minutes longer. The city is located in Trakai Historical National Park, with the majority of the town perched on a two-kilometre-long stretch of land nestled between Lake Luka to the east, and Lake Totoriškių to the west.
While today Trakai is a popular tourist resort, it has been coveted by royalty for centuries. In the 1320s it was chosen as the capital by the Grand Duke of Lithuania, with medieval ruler Kęstutis basing his court here in the 14th century.