Trakai
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Trakai is a town in Lithuania, located approximately 20 km west of Vilnius, on the shores of some of the many lakes in the area.
Get in
By train or by bus from Vilnius. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Tickets for the bus can be purchased at the bus station in Vilnius and cost about 6 Litas (one way).
Trakai is located along Lithuanian road A16 (part of European Route E28) and therefore easily accessible by car.
Get around
The town is small enough for everything to be reached on foot, but there are also buses running from the bus station (where the buses from Vilnius also arrive/depart) to the castle.
See
- Trakai Castle Museum, Kęstučio str. 4, ☎ +370 528 53 941, e-mail: info@trakaimuziejus.lt. 10:00-19:00. Museum HQ located near the main street in a former Dominican Monastery near Peninsula Castle. The museum has several affiliates. The Island Castle, a reconstructed residence of Lithuanian dukes in 14th century, is the most famous castle in Lithuania, probably a symbol of medieval Lithuania itself. Many concerts and plays in summer. 14 LTL.
- Užutrakio estate, Užutrakio st. (Peninsula between Galvė and Skaistis lakes, north of Island Castle), e-mail: tinp@seniejitrakai.lt.
- Trakai Kenesa. The kenesa (synagogue) of the local Karaite community.
Do
- Cycling around Galvė lake.
- Sailing on the Galvė lake.
Buy
Alongside the lake with the castle, there is a small boulevard with many kiosks. You can buy a wide range of souvenirs here, ranging from booklets to authentic Soviet military headware.
Eat
- Kybynlar, Karaimų str. 29, ☎ +370 528 55179. Newly opened Karaitian cuisine restaurant.
- Senoji kibininė, Karaimų str. 65, ☎ +370 528 55865, e-mail: info@kibinas.lt. 11.00 - 23.00. Oldest working restaurant dedicated to famous Karaitian dish, the kybyn. Opened in 1979. ~30 LTL.
Sleep
- Apvalaus stalo klubas, Karaimu st. 53A, ☎ +370 528 55595.