Trakai Island Castle
Trakų salos pilis
A red-brick Gothic castle on a small island in Lake Galvė, connected to the shore by a wooden bridge. It is Lithuania’s most photogenic site and can be reached on a half-day trip from Vilnius.
Trakai lies about 28 km west of Vilnius, surrounded by numerous lakes. In the 14th century it was one of the capitals of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Island Castle was built from the late 14th to the early 15th century under the direction of Grand Duke Kęstutis and his son Vytautas. It is the only island castle in Eastern Europe. Its red-brick Gothic walls, towers and main building are reflected in Lake Galvė, creating a picturesque scene. The castle was destroyed during 17th-century wars and rebuilt in its original form in the mid-20th century. It now houses the Trakai History Museum, which displays the history of the Grand Duchy, court life, weapons and coins. Admission is about 10–12 euros (check the official website). Along the shore, you can rent rowboats or pedal boats, or take a boat tour around the castle. In summer, there are also sailboats and stand-up paddleboards on the lake. The town of Trakai is home to the Karaites, a Turkic people brought from Crimea by Vytautas in the 14th century. Their colorful wooden houses with three windows and the traditional pastry kibinai are must-try foods. Getting there: take a bus or train for about 30–40 minutes from Vilnius bus or train station. From the stop, it is about a 2 km walk to the castle, passing the ruins of the peninsula castle.
Opening hours
Castle museum about 10:00 AM–6:00 or 7:00 PM (shorter in winter; closed some Mondays in certain seasons; check website)
Nearby sights
- Paneriai Memorial
- Kernavė Archaeological Site
- Vilnius TV Tower
- Lukiškės Prison 2.0
- Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights (KGB Museum)
- National Gallery of Art
- MO Museum
- Gediminas Avenue