About this experience
The town of Trakai is famous for its amazing, almost pastoral landscapes and the ancient castle in the middle of the lake. We will stroll through the quiet streets and talk about the Karaites and their traditions, see the Karaite kenesa and try local dishes. You will explore the halls of the fortress, hear the history of this place and feel the spirit of the Middle Ages.
What to expect
Ancient town
We will meet at the Trakai bus station, and in the guide's 'storage room' you will hand over all the worries about organizing the walk. I will take you through the streets of the town to the Town Hall Square, where you will hear about the trade privileges of the ancient town and find out what Trakai has in common with Prague. I will tell you that there was even a peninsula castle here, and introduce you to its history. We will follow all the rules to send our cherished wishes to the 'heavenly office'. And on Karaim Street, you will learn the 'secret' of the guides and understand when you can and cannot believe our stories.
Visiting the Karaites
We will separately talk about the Karaites, their lives, and traditions. You will see traditional colorful houses with three windows, the Karaite holy place-kenesa, and I will explain its uniqueness. I will also show you national costumes and take you to a restaurant owned by real Karaites. Here you will hear about the national cuisine and try its dishes.
Castle on the island
Past souvenir shops, over swan bridges, we will approach the medieval castle. The fortress repelled the raids of the Crusaders and hosted foreign ambassadors and nobles in the early 15th century. The exhibits will help you feel the spirit of the Middle Ages and tell you about the customs of that time. You will also mark yourself in the knightly 'visa center' and hear the legends of the picturesque Lake Galve.
If you have children with you, on the way to Town Hall Square we will visit a cafe-chocolate shop where you can take a break while your child explores the chocolate rooms of a small museum. You will also receive recommendations for visiting a Karaite restaurant and independent leisure time in Trakai.
Who is this tour for
This walking tour is suitable for both adults and children. The program is tailored to your interests.
Organizational details
- The tour starts in Trakai. From Vilnius to Trakai, you can take a bus, the ticket costs 2 euros per person.
- Separately paid are tickets for the castle exhibitions (8 euros for adults and 4 euros for children), tasting of Karaite cuisine (3-5 euros), and a visit to the museum of chocolate sculptures (5 euros for adults, free for children).
- During the peak tourist season, the tour will be conducted by one of the guides from our professional team. Replacement of the guide must be agreed upon at the time of booking.
