This is a private tour to Trakai from Vilnius. If you are looking for a cheaper option feel free to book the group tour to Trakai Island Castle & Paneriai Memorial Park.
If you are looking for the day tours with Paneriai Memorial Park and Trakai Castle, please check Vilnius city and Trakai Castle or Kernave and Trakai Castle tour.
Discover the rich historical heritage and stunning natural surroundings on this half day tour to Trakai town from Vilnius. Improve your knowledge about Vilnius Ghetto and soak up an authentic atmosphere of sore Paneriai Memorial Park. Paneriai, also known as Ponar or Ponary site, before WWII was the beautiful forest and recreational area for residents of Vilnius, but within days of being captured by the Germans, it became the place of execution. Then delve yourself into the most outstanding Lithuania’s castle located on an island in lake Galve. Trakai Island Castle dates back to the XIVth century and was constructed during the time of Vytautas the Great, serving as a summer residence for the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Before heading back to Vilnius have about one hour time to taste traditional dishes and buy souvenirs.
Vilnius centrally located hotel, apartments, etc.
Vilnius centrally located hotel, apartments, etc.
10:00 am
This half day trip starts from the centrally located hotel. Then drive through Vilna Ghetto where a brief overview of the Jewish history in Vilnius is being told. Visiting Paneriai Memorial Park and the museum – one of the biggest mass murder site in Eastern Europe, where were killed about 100 000 people, mostly Jewish community.
Later on the tour is continued to Trakai, small town just 30 km away from Lithuanian Capital Vilnius. At the Middle Ages Trakai was the headquarters of the royal family. Today all the glory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania remains the island castle located on the picturesque landscape. Further exploring the museum in the castle with a guide where are interesting historical items which represents the Lithuanian history in the Medieval period.
One hour will be dedicated to some free time where you can explore on your own and find some souvenirs and/or taste traditional Lithuanian and Karaites dishes (not included).
Return to Vilnius and drop off at your hotel/apartments or other central place.
Pour ceux qui maîtrisent bien l’anglais
.. contrairement à moi qui, malheureusement, faute de participants, ai en plus dû convertir mon “voyage en petit groupe” en “voyage en solo” et me suis donc retrouvée seule face aux questions du guide qui s’est fait un malin et systématique plaisir à prendre en défaut mon affligeant niveau de culture au sujet de l’histoire de SON pays. C’est vite devenu exaspérant et a quelque peu gâché le plaisir de la visite… qui n’aura finalement duré que 4h45, trajets AR compris.
We, a group if 8 friends, took this tour on Saturday 6th October. We were picked up promptly at our hotel and enjoyed a great day with our super guide, Inge. She gave us relevant background history and information so that we could really understand what we were seeing and put everything in context.
Thank you Inge!
We booked a tour at the 11th hour with Andrius of Discover Lithuania, and he was fantastic.
Andrius was enormously helpful in organising things at the last minute.
He met us at our hotel in Vilnius and was prompt and welcoming, with very good spoken English. He then drove us in his Mercedes 4wd around the old town of Vilnius, explaining much of the history of the Jewish ghettos as we went.
We then headed out to the Panerai Memorial Park, where Andrius explained the appalling, sad, but fascinating history of the Lithuanian holocaust – all with care and sensibility.
Thereafter, Andrius drove us to Trakai. There, we visited the beautiful castle, with Andrius providing very interesting commentary all along.
We finished in a little old local eating house, dining (on Andrius’ recommendation) on Kibinas (savoury pastries, synonymous with the local Karaim population) and chicken broth – delicious!
We would recommend Andrius and Discover Lithuania to everyone – very professional, great communication, reliable service, friendly, informative, and fun.
We did the private tour to Paneriai Memorial and Trakai. Our guide Andres was very friendly and helpful! He shared lots of information during the Tour. Paneriai was very interesting, considering it is important on Lithuania history. Trakai is very beautfil and worth go inside the Castle.
Pick up was punctual and in a Mercedes minivan. Our guide Inga spoke great English, was very clearly spoken and had plenty of information and stories. Despite the rainy weather we had a good day and Trakai castle is definitely a must-see if you are in Vilnius.