Discover Trakai District Municipality through its cultural history, waters and designed landscapes. Trakai was granted the status of a resort or resort area in 2008. The Island Castle and its museum exhibition, Lake Galvė, the Užutrakis park ensemble and trails in the Varnikai area each offer a different focus.
Castle and cultural history
Since 1962, an exhibition of the Trakai History Museum has been housed in the central building of Trakai Island Castle. Visitors can explore the old castle and view exhibits there. As the exhibition is in the castle’s central building, a museum visit and the castle come together in one place.
The Vytautas the Great Trail runs between Trakai and Senieji Trakai. It was opened to the public in 2000 and comprises nine stations and nine wayside shrines. These commemorate important events and achievements in the life of Vytautas the Great. This shared historical connection gives the route a clear theme, distinct from a visit to the exhibition in the Island Castle.
Senieji Trakai is also home to a monastery built in the early 15th century during the time of Vytautas the Great, which visitors can explore. Senieji Trakai was also granted the status of an archaeological protected area. Daniliškės offers a different historical perspective: its Old Believer community was established in the 18th century and is the oldest community of its kind in the Vilnius region. The municipality thus brings together historical themes from different periods.
Water, park and trails
Lake Galvė is used by water tourists and divers; rowing and sailing teams train and compete there. Visitors can circumnavigate the Island Castle on stand-up paddleboards as part of water tourism in Trakai. Check in advance whether SUP rentals are available for your visit.
Užutrakis Manor House is a restored manor house and park ensemble on the shore of Lake Galvė. The 80-hectare park is laid out in a mixed style and includes more than 20 artificial ponds. This adds a distinctive park landscape to the lake activities. The route to the manor house follows the old “Potato Road.” Check the access conditions before visiting.
The Varnikai Ecotourism Trail has three viewpoints and ten rest areas. These features are a practical guide if you want to choose trails based on available viewpoints and places to rest.
Choose the right focus for your trip
This way, your choice of hotels can be guided by your specific plans, without assuming a fixed order for visiting the destinations.
The attractions appeal to different interests: the exhibition and the Vytautas Trail focus on history, the lake offers several ways to enjoy the water, and the Varnikai Trail has viewpoints and rest areas. Choose places based on which of these themes you would like to explore during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Gratiškės, Vilniaus rajono savivaldybė, Ukmergė District Municipality, Elektrėnai Municipality, Ukmergės rajono savivaldybė, Švenčionių rajono savivaldybė, Švenčionys District Municipality, Vilnius District Municipality.
Back to the broader travel overview: Vilnius County.
