In the present study we are interested in designing theoretical and experimental approach for the production of acrylic acid (AA) from lactic acid (LA) over various zeolite catalysts: synthetic BEA and natural clinoptilolite CLI zeolites modified with metals (Sn, Co, Cu and Fe). The catalysts were prepared using an ion exchange method. In the theoretical studies the metal M-O-M dimers were found to be stable above oxygen bound with aluminium centres of BEA and CLI zeolites. The mechanism of direct lactic acid dehydration in Sn-, Co-, Cu- and Fe-BEA zeolites was found inside the zeolites pores and in the hierarchical/surface model. Experimentally, the investigated catalysts set trends in the following by-product formation: acrylic acid, pyruvic acid (PAC), 2,3-pentanedione (2,3-PD) or acetaldehyde (AC). Based on the collected results, the following types of LA conversion reactions can be proposed: dehydration to AA, decarboxylation to acetaldehyde, hydrogenation to 2,3-pentanedione, oxidation to acetic acid, reduction to propionic acid, oxidative dehydrogenation to pyruvic acid, condensation to 1,2-propanediol.