Trakai, Lithuania

Footbridge, Trakai Castle

The town is surrounded by big lakes and has a beautiful old castle, the main reason tourists visit. I took the train both ways between Vilnius and Trakai. The tiny train station in Trakai (not always open) is about 2 km from the castle. There are also buses to Trakai that drop you at a bus station about 500 meters closer to the castle, but I dislike buses so always choose trains when they are a practical option. Lithuania’s trains are really nice – modern and clean.

Lake at Trakai

The Trakai lakes were OK – just standard lake scenery, nothing amazing. The castle was beautiful from the outside. I didn’t go inside – I was content to take pictures of it from the outside, and I have been inside enough castles to satisfy me. The town of Trakai was nothing particularly special, but it looks like a pleasant place to live or relax. I spent maybe four hours there. A bike wouldn’t work for me with my camera gear, but exploring the whole area by bike would probably be a lot of fun.