Trakai Island Castle

Visiting Trakai Island Castle was like stepping into a living piece of Lithuanian history. The moment you cross the wooden bridge over Lake Galvė, the red-brick towers appear in full majesty — calm, proud, and full of stories. Inside, each hall has its own character: the Grand Duke’s chamber feels royal and atmospheric, the armory impresses with real swords and armor, and the exhibition about Vytautas the Great brings the medieval world to life. I loved how well-preserved everything is — you can almost imagine knights, musicians, and nobles walking through these halls centuries ago. Helpful Tips for Visitors: Arrive early, especially on weekends — it gets crowded quickly. Book tickets online in advance to skip the queue. Take a guided tour or audio guide — it adds so much depth to the visit. Bring cash for local shops or snacks — not all vendors accept cards. Don’t miss the inner courtyard and lake views — perfect for photos. Families with kids should visit the dungeon and towers — they’re always a hit! After the castle, try the legendary kibinai at “Senoji Kibininė” nearby — the perfect finish to your day. Trakai Castle isn’t just a tourist attraction — it’s a real time machine that lets you feel the spirit of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. A must-see for anyone who loves history, architecture, or simply beautiful places that make you pause and breathe in the past.

Amazing place!!! There were very few people (maybe because the holidays passed) so the atmosphere was quite and nice. The walk there looked magical, as everything was covered in snow. It's also heated inside every gallery we went in. Would love to come again in the summer also.

Had a few days in Vilnius and decided to pop to this castle. It was a Sunday, lucky it was open. Closed on a Monday. We took the train to Trakai station and was there in 30mins. Then a bolt to the castle. On the was back we walked about 35mins. €10 in winter. Nice lake with a few shops which sadly was closed. The souvenirs shops were open. I downloaded the app for €0.89 which explained all 10 exhibits. There were no instructions where to start or a map etc. The lady at ticket office should have told us but we found it all. The museum is in the main courtyard on the left dont miss out on that ...then u enter the castle. Worth a visit..we spend about an hour there. The toilet facilities were well maintained.

10 stars for that magical place. In February I could walk to the castle though the frozen lake. Visiting fee is 10 EUR for adults and is you get a lot for that money. There is a direct train from Vilnius to Trakai, look at LTG Link website because Google maps suggests different way to travel. Schedule around one hour and a half, or a bit more to explore inside.

Trakai Island Castle is a truly magical place and one of Lithuania’s most iconic sights. Set on an island in the middle of Lake Galvė, the red-brick castle looks like something straight out of a fairytale, especially as you approach it across the wooden bridge. The castle is beautifully restored, with fascinating exhibitions that bring medieval Lithuanian history to life. Wandering through the courtyards, towers, and halls gives a real sense of the past, while the views over the lake and surrounding countryside are absolutely stunning.

I visited Trakai Castle in October, and it was absolutely stunning. The autumn colors made the entire island look like something out of a fairy tale — golden leaves reflecting on the calm lake, with the red brick walls of the castle standing proudly in the middle. The weather was cool but pleasant, perfect for exploring without crowds. The walk across the wooden bridge to the castle is beautiful and gives you plenty of photo opportunities. Inside, the museum is well-organized, with interesting exhibits about Lithuanian history, the Grand Dukes, and medieval life. There’s also a sense of calm and history that you can really feel as you wander through the courtyards and towers. Even though some areas felt a bit touristy (like the souvenir stalls near the entrance), it didn’t take away from the experience. I’d recommend stopping at one of the nearby cafés to try kibinai, the local pastry — warm and delicious on a chilly autumn day. Overall: A must-visit if you’re in Lithuania. Trakai Castle in autumn is simply magical — peaceful, picturesque, and full of history.

Stunning castle in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. We were lucky with the weather as it had been raining all day the previous day. The restauration of the castle is amazing and still ongoing. Certain areas were closed because of that and because we visited out of season. But still lots to see with a huge number of period artefacts. Gives you an idea of how important trade was. Tranquil setting with nice walks in the area. Not many visitors but I can imagine it gets very busy in Summer. Good restaurants around on the lake side leading to the castle. It's a good walk from the station, about 3km, but beautiful along the lakes. The whole experience was magnificent and the on site toilets were immaculate. Access for wheelchair users a bit tricky and you need to be fairly sure footed due to the old cobbled roads and paths. But what a place. Return rail ticket from Vilnius was about €6.

A must-see when in Lithuania. A 45-minute ride from Vilnius. I went during the winter, so less crowds than typical, but I can see this place being a popular spot during the summer months, thus the reason I would recommend getting tickets in advance. It was foggy day, but it created an eerie ambiance that made it memorable going through an old castle in the middle of an island. The exhibits were informative and interesting to experience - from the history of the duchy, the castle and the surrounding town. The items were also pretty cool to look at ranging from medieval coins and armory to 17th-19th century furniture. The bathrooms were modern and clean - just don't be like me and stand in one place and not move, because the lights are motion censored and they turn off without a moment's notice. It's quite an experience when its completely pitch dark inside and outside, and you're by yourself in a centuries-old castle.