Trakai

Trains and buses from Vilnius take about 40 mins. There are ten trains a day but some long gaps between them; the last train back to Vilnius departs at 21:30. Buses are at least hourly, though the schedule is a bit hit-and-miss: buy tickets from the driver, for about €2 one way.
From the it's 3 km to the castle, a 20-min walk; ten mins more if you're coming from the train station.
Trakai is on Highway A16 (part of European Route E28) and therefore easy to reach by car. Best bet for parking is the free at the northwest end of Varnikai village, 1 km to the castle via two footbridges over the lake.

The town is small enough for everything to be reached on foot, but there are also buses running from the bus station (where the buses from Vilnius also arrive/depart) to the castle.

• Trakai Castle Museum

  phone: +370 528 53 941
  address: Kęstučio str. 4
  Museum HQ near the main street, in a former Dominican Monastery, near Peninsula Castle. The museum has several affiliates. The Island Castle, a reconstructed residence of Lithuanian dukes in 14th century, is the most famous castle in Lithuania, probably a symbol of medieval Lithuania itself. Many concerts and plays in summer.

• Užutrakio estate

  address: Užutrakio st.

• Trakai KenesaThe kenesa (synagogue) of the local Karaite community.

• Cycling around Galvė lake.
• Sailing on the Galvė lake. There are numerous paddle boat rentals near the castle.
• On the way to the castle there are many motorboats that will take you on a 30 minutes ride around the lake for around 5 € per person.
• A lot of locals come here to have a quiet afternoon walk, and perhaps a romantic picnic around the lake.

• Abandoned buildings east of the castle islandEast from the castle near a yacht marina, you can see some building from communist era in desolated state. These are easily accessible, as there on fence around them. These building provide a good view at the castle and interesting place to explore.

Alongside the lake with the castle, there is a small boulevard with many kiosks. You can buy a wide range of souvenirs here, ranging from booklets to authentic Soviet military headware and of course amber jewelery.
There's also a small Iki supermaket a bit north of the bus station.

• Kybynlar

  phone: +370 528 55179
  address: Karaimų str. 29
  Karaitian cuisine restaurant.

• Senoji kibininė

  phone: +370 528 55865
  address: Karaimų str. 65
  Oldest working restaurant dedicated to famous Karaitian dish, the kybyn. Opened in 1979.

Almost all restaurants will have local beers and some fancier ones even a full range of local, regional, and international beverages.

• Apvalaus stalo klubas

  phone: +370 528 55595
  address: Karaimu st. 53A