Things to Do in Trakai

Trakai sits about 30 kilometers west of Vilnius, and honestly, it feels like stepping into a medieval fairy tale that somehow survived intact. The town's claim to fame is its stunning island castle - a red-brick Gothic fortress that rises dramatically from the waters of Lake Galvė. What makes Trakai particularly fascinating is its unique cultural blend; this was once the heart of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and you'll still find descendants of the Karaim people here, a Turkic ethnic group brought to Lithuania in the 14th century. The whole place has this almost surreal quality - the castle looks so perfectly preserved that you might wonder if it's actually medieval or just very good reconstruction work (it's actually both). Beyond the obvious castle draw, Trakai offers lovely lakeside walks, traditional Karaim cuisine that you won't find anywhere else, and a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere that makes it feel worlds away from the bustle of Vilnius, despite being less than an hour's drive.

The food scene here revolves around traditional Karaim cuisine, which you genuinely can't find anywhere else. Kibinai are the local specialty - savory pastries that make perfect handheld meals while sightseeing. Kibininė is the most famous restaurant, though Senoji Kibininė offers similar dishes with shorter waits. For something different, several lakeside restaurants serve fresh fish and Lithuanian classics with castle views. The portions tend to be generous, and prices are reasonable - expect to pay €8-15 for main courses. Worth noting that some places close early or have limited hours in winter, so checking ahead saves disappointment.

Late spring through early autumn (May to September) offers the warmest weather and longest daylight hours, though this is also peak tourist season. July and August can get genuinely crowded, especially on weekends when day-trippers arrive from Vilnius. I actually quite like late September and early October - the autumn colors around the lakes are spectacular, crowds thin out, and the weather is often still pleasant for walking. Winter has its own charm with the possibility of snow-covered castle views, though some lake activities obviously aren't available and daylight hours are short.