Trakai ( (see names section for alternate and historic names) is a historic city and lake resort in
Lithuania. It lies west of
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Because of its proximity to Vilnius, Trakai is a popular tourist destination. Trakai is the administrative centre of
Trakai district municipality. The town covers of area and, according to 2007 estimates, is inhabited by 5,357 people. A notable feature of Trakai is that the town was built and preserved by people of different nationalities. Historically, communities of
Karaims,
Tatars,
Lithuanians,
Russians,
Jews and
Poles lived here.