A Tour of Lithuania’s Medieval Capital and Trakai Island Castle

Trakai is home to Lithuania’s characteristic bright blue lakes and breathtaking scenery. On this walking tour, you’ll get to know the medieval capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and soak up its rich history and its surrounding natural beauty.

The tour starts at the Trakai History Museum and winds through Karaite Street, where you can admire its colorful wooden houses. At the Karaite Ethnographic Museum, I’ll tell you about the Caraite nation who arrived from Crimea 600 years ago. You’ll reach Galve Lake, one of five lakes in the town, and listen to local folklore as you cross the bridge to Trakai Island Castle, the town’s main attraction which dates back to the 1300s.

As you walk around its perimeter, I’ll share stories about medieval battles at this gothic castle, and its place in modern Trakai and Lithuania. Our tour ends here, where you’ll have the option of exploring the castle’s interior.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Discover Karaite culture and traditions, and how they grew famously crunchy cucumbers
• Follow the majestic story of Vytautas Didysis the Great, who built the castle and extended Lithuania from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea
• Marvel at Lake Galve, a former medieval fishing area and more recently a centre for yachting and boating
• Hear about dukes and duchesses’ daily in the castle
• Taste local Karaite cuisine in Trakai, with insider tips on what to eat and where to find it

By the end of this 45-minute tour, you’ll have learned about Trakai’s history, and you’ll have a greater appreciation for the city’s top attractions and local delicacies.