Three Capitals of Lithuania: Vilnius, Trakai, Kernave tour

Five hill-forts, one island castle, two UNESCO towns in a single day

A guided tour of Lithuania's three historic capitals (Kernave, Trakai and Vilnius) covering 40 minutes each direction by private vehicle with a local English-speaking guide. The day includes Kernave's archaeological museum and five medieval hill-forts, Trakai's island castle and traditional Karaim restaurant, and two walks through Vilnius's old town with the Gate of Dawn. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Entrance fees and lunch are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Vilnius, Kernave, and Trakai

• Pick up at accommodation
• Walk through Vilnius old town
• Visit hill of three crosses (optional)
• Drive to Kernave
• Explore Kernave hill forts and museum
• Drive to Trakai
• Visit Trakai Island castle museum
• Optional boat trip in Trakai
• Lunch at traditional Karaim restaurant
• Return to Vilnius
• Additional sightseeing in Vilnius old town

The experience

Your guide picks you up at your accommodation and starts in Vilnius's lower old town, with the option to climb to the Hill of Three Crosses for a panoramic view if the weather holds. From there it's a 40-minute drive to Kernave, the medieval capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, where you walk among five UNESCO-protected hill-forts and visit the archaeology museum. The site sits on open ground with no shade, so the walk is exposed.

Trakai comes next, built around an island castle that rises from the water. You can walk the castle grounds and tour the museum inside. A boat trip around the island costs extra. Lunch happens at a traditional restaurant run by the Karaim family. The meal itself is not included in the tour price, though the guide will take you there. The castle closes on Mondays from October through May, and on both Mondays and Tuesdays in December and January, leaving only the exterior visible on those days.

The return to Vilnius includes a second walk through the old town, this time focusing on the Gate of Dawn and other sites you may have skipped in the morning. The tour runs six to eight hours total. You can add the Peter and Paul Church or the Uzupis district at no extra cost. The boat trip in Trakai runs about five euros per person if you choose it.

What’s included

• Local English-speaking guide.
• transport by private vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• bottled water.
• entrance to Kernave's archaeology museum.
• access to Trakai castle (except Mondays October–May, Mondays and Tuesdays December–January, when exterior only).
• two guided walks through Vilnius's old town with the Gate of Dawn.

Options for this experience

2 options

Three Capitals of Lithuania: Trakai, Kernave and VilniusUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00 and 10:00Pickup is included

Three Capitals, larger groupUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Larger group, pickup is included

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 10:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Baltia Tour

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're visiting all three capitals in one day and prefer a private vehicle with a local guide over navigating between Kernave, Trakai, and Vilnius independently.

Traveler reviews

4.68★★★★★★★★★★

19 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What are the five hill-forts at Kernave?

Kernave preserves five medieval hill-forts from the 13th and 14th centuries, each one a separate earthwork rising from the site. The archaeology museum on the grounds explains their role in the capital's defense and daily life. You walk among them as part of the tour.

Can I go inside Trakai castle?

Yes, the castle museum is open and included in the tour on most days. From October through May it closes on Mondays, and from December through January it closes Mondays and Tuesdays as well: on those days you can walk the grounds and see the exterior only. A separate boat trip around the island costs extra.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. The tour stops at a traditional Karaim family restaurant in Trakai where you order and pay for your own meal. The guide eats with the group.

What happens if I want to skip one of the three towns?

The tour visits all three capitals as a set itinerary. You can add optional sites in Vilnius (the Peter and Paul Church or Uzupis district) at no extra charge, but the core route through Kernave, Trakai and Vilnius stays the same.

How much walking is involved?

You walk through Kernave's five hill-forts on open ground, then explore Trakai castle and its surroundings, and make two walks through Vilnius's old town. The pace is moderate and suited to all fitness levels, though the Kernave site has no shade and can be exposed in hot weather.