Baltic Travel Itinerary (A Estonia Latvia Lithuania Itinerary)

So, you’re planning a trip to the Baltics!  That’s awesome! I wish I had planned my Baltics road trip much earlier, but I didn’t really know much about these cool countries!  Now that I’ve been, I can definitely attest that they are worth visiting! For this Baltic travel itinerary, I’m going to be breaking it up into small chunks in case you aren’t able to do the entire Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania itinerary, so you can just grab the chunks that fit your interests and time! A Baltic itinerary has to include the major cities of Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius, but I’ve also added some adorable gems along the way!  This Baltic travel itinerary can, of course, go in reverse!

Transportation During Your Baltic Travel Itinerary

Before we get started talking about what to do for this Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania itinerary, we need to talk about transportation!  

Planes, trains, and buses can definitely take you from city to city.  I would recommend using Rome 2 Rio to see prices and time tables to see all options at once. These are great options if you’re only planning on seeing the capital cities.

If you want to see more than just the capital cities, you can also rent a car.  I recommend using Skyscanner for car rentals. Just like how it does for flights, it lets you see multiple companies’ rates and offers so you can pick the best one for you.

 

What I Did for my Baltic Itinerary

I wanted a little of column A and a little of column B.  When I was pricing out my own personal Baltic travel itinerary, I found the price to rent a car in Estonia and drop it off in Lithuania or Poland to be wildly expensive, but I knew I wanted to get out of the capital cities.  So what I did was use Skyscanner to find rental cars to use while in the country, but then I took the buses between the countries. This saved me buckets of money since I was able to return each car to where I picked it up from. 

I also liked using the buses between major cities because that was a 4-hour drive I didn’t have to do! Yes, I wanted a Baltics road trip, but I don’t really like driving for long distances.  So when I was going on the 4-hour drives, I was able to snooze and watch movies on the bus (they have entertainment centers just like on planes!). Then I was well-rested and relaxed to begin my adventure in my new city!

Ok, now that we’ve gotten the logistics out of the way, it’s time to start the actual…

 

BALTIC TRAVEL ITINERARY

 

ESTONIA ITINERARY

Day 1-2 Tallinn

Tallinn was such a nice surprise! It has that old-world feel like Prague did but without all the kitschy touristy stuff and tourists! You could definitely just wander around the Old Town and nothing more and have a great day or 2 here.  

 

What To See in Tallinn in One Day (Or 2!)

The Old Town is the main draw for Tallinn. It’s one of the best European capitals I’ve been to and one of the most beautiful European cities!  

• • • • • Tallinn Town Hall ~ This is in Old Town and an obvious must! I had lunch here and enjoyed all of the people watching.  Across the square is the Town Hall.  I liked the dragon gutters.
        • Alexander Nevsky Cathedral ~ Not too far of a walk from the Town Hall, but this is another building that Tallinn is famed for.  It looks very Russian because it was built when Estonia was a part of the Russian Empire.  I just love those onion domes.
        • Kadriorg Palace and Art Museum ~ If you only have one day, you might not have time to go inside, but you can definitely see it from outside.  Below, I also included it if you have extra time in Estonia.
        • Toompea Hill ~ Up on this hill, you’re able to get a stunning view of Tallinn! Worth the hike!
        • Free Walking Tour ~ It departs at 12 pm and is about 2 hours long!  More info here!
        • St. Catherine’s Passage ~ It’s by St. Catherine’s Church, and it is a cool little walkway.  I also enjoyed the little craft shops nearby!
        • Archery ~  I spotted it when I was walking back to my hotel.  It’s right near the Old Town walls, and there is a whole experience that you can try!  More info here!
        • Find a monk! ~ There are 3 monk statues that I thought were cool, but my friends thought were creepy.  They’re in the Danish King Garden also near the walls. I just turned a corner and BOOM, basically thought I was looking Death in the hood haha.  You can read a little about their story and other interesting statues.
          
        • KGB Museum ~ This was a soviet hotel that was made “special” for foreigners. Find out more on the one hour guided tour.

Interesting Activities in Tallinn

You could get along with just wandering yourself, but if you prefer a more guided activity, might I suggest these three?  If the free walking tour doesn’t align with your schedule, this one is also really good.  Tallinn is right on the water, so a sunset dinner cruise along the pearl of the Baltics would be primo.  I did a similar one when I was in Dubai!  And I always like to try some local food and drinks when I’m traveling, so why not this craft brew tour!

 

Places to Eat in Tallinn

It was probably a little more expensive to eat in the town square, but what a view! It was great for both people watching and to gaze upon the Town Hall.  There are several restaurants around. I opted for a big juicy burger.

I’m not a huge foodie, and I usually just eat wherever looks good, but if you like to preplan your meals, this has a much better guide than I could ever give you 🙂

 

Places to Stay in Tallinn

I stayed just outside the walls at City Hotel.  It wasn’t too far of a walk to get into the Old Town, but now that I have the lay of the land a little better, I would recommend staying in the actual Old Town.

• • • • • Budget Option: I would suggest the Knight House (hostel)  From $16.  It has dorm rooms and single rooms! It’s where I was going to stay, but I booked too late, and it was full!  It’s super cute and a good location.
        • Mid-Range Hotel: Old Town Niguliste Residence has a great location and really fun interior design.
        • Luxury Hotel: Merchants House Hotel is very near the Town Hall, as well.  It has some cheaper solo rooms, but there is a suite that’s only about $144 and it has a freestanding clawed tub!
        • Where I stayed: City Hotel was perfectly lovely, but since I walked into Old Town, I really wished I’d stayed there instead! Of course, I waited a little late to book which meant many options were booked, so c’est le vie!

Extra days and willing to do some driving in Estonia?

If you can swing more days in Estonia and want to get out of Tallinn, here are some day trip ideas!  I use T-Mobile for my international data, and there were some times when my GPS would go out while I was driving (but it always popped back up!)  If I were you, I would either screenshot where you’re planning to go each day or put in your last stop for the day and then “add stop” to put in all the stops.  That way even if you lose signal, it can keep trucking along.  

 

Extra Day 1 ~ Driving Time Approx  2.5 hours RT

Glehn’s Castle

On the way out of Tallinn, I recommend swinging by Glehn’s Castle!  It’s a short stop, but is in a nice area. It’s actually down a suburban street near a park.  When I went, there were several runners and walkers going by. You can’t actually go into the Castle, but it’s interesting to see.  Of the places on today’s day trip, I would cut this one if you think you’ll want to take a long time at the museum at the end.

 

Koluvere Castle

This one was just lovely.  I wasn’t sure it was even open because I was there all by myself!  It was in a pretty out there area. The castle itself was so striking among the green of the grass.  There is a park you can wander around with some benches. You used to be able to go inside it, but when I went, I couldn’t.

Laitse Loss

I found this one by accident! And it turns out that it would be a great stop for lunch!   I swung by because I saw “Loss” (which I posited meant Castle) on one of those brown “attractions” signs, so I figured I would stop by! Turns out that it is a castle that used to be a family home, but it is now a hotel and restaurant!  This is a great place to have lunch on your way back to Tallinn!

 

Kadriorg Palace

Wow.  I put this one last because I want to make sure you see the other places, but you can also spend as much time here as you like!  The Palace itself is a museum that you can wander, the outside is stunning, AND the gardens are so lovely.  

All around the Kadriorg Palace are gardens and fountains as well.  You could honestly spend a whole day here.  If you aren’t interested in the museum portion (or you get there too close to closing time which varies by day), then at least view the building from the outside and spend some time in the gardens!

 

Pirita Tee

This is the beachy area of Tallinn.  You’re able to see some Old Town Spires from a distance and still touch your toes in the water.  

 

Extra Day 2 ~ Driving Time Approx 2.5 Hours RT

Jagala Waterfall

This is the widest waterfall in Estonia! You can actually access it from two different sides.  I would suggest going to it on the way out east because then you’ll have a better idea of how long you can stay at Rakvere and because I think that side is better. 

I came on the east side of the falls, and while I feel like there were fewer people and it was a great view, you couldn’t easily access the falls themselves.  If you come on the west side on the way to Rakvere, you can actually get down in the falls!

Rakvere Castle

I’m a fool, and I almost trimmed Rakvere Castle from my Baltic travel itinerary!  It looked like a crumbly castle, and I felt like I’d seen enough castles that summer.  I’m so glad that I kept it. From afar, it doesn’t look like much…

But inside, it’s like going to a Renaissance Festival!  There are games, activities, exhibits, people dressed in period costumes… the works!  Heads Up: Lots of stairs to get up to it if you park on the “front side.”  When I parked and climbed the stairs, I saw a parking lot directly in front of the entrance.  Not sure why the GPS didn’t take me there, but if you don’t want to do the stairs, know there is another option if you circle around.

Alternative Option 4.5 Hours RT

You could also condense Glehn’s Castle, Koluvere Castle, Laitse, and Rakvere into one day, but it might be a little tight for time. If you did that, I would postpone Kadriorg to another day.

 

LATVIA ITINERARY

At this point, it’s time to transition to Latvia! Whether you take the bus, a car, or fly, your first stop will probably be…

Day 1-2 Riga Itinerary

Riga also has a very cute Old Town, but having just stopped at Tallinn as a previous part of my Baltic itinerary, I was less impressed.  However, it still has an Old Town, canals running through the city, and nice people!  It’s still well worth the visit and is the start of many tours in and around Riga.

Top Sites in Riga

Have a wander around Old Town! But there are some main sites that you need to see!

• • • • • • Three Brothers ~ The three brothers are 3 old houses that are the oldest houses in Riga.  They are remarkably well kept, and you’re able to enter one! Here’s a little background on them!
            
            
          • House of the Blackheads ~ This is a beautiful building by itself, but I also love that it was basically a former “party” house since it was run by a bunch of bachelors.
            
          • Riga Cathedral ~ I mean, it’s Europe.. you have to see all the cathedrals, right?
          • Swedish Gate ~ This actually reminds me a lot of my time when I lived in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
          • Cat House ~ It has cats on the roof!!! <3
          • Nativity of Christ Cathedral ~ I just loved the lines across the front!
          • Free Walking Tour ~ You can, of course, walk yourself and get a map, or if you’d like to investigate a free walking tour, do that here!

Interesting Activities in Riga

Besides the above places to see in Riga, there are some interesting activities to do as well! Whether you’re into history and communism, beer, or just want to do a relaxing canal cruise 🙂  I particularly like this beer or cider tour since I know not everyone likes beer!  I wish I had time for the Iron Curtain tour because I did get pretty into communist history during my “communism world tour” when I did the Trans Mongolian train trip and ended it in Cuba lol.

Places to Stay in Riga

I definitely recommend staying in the Old Town.  For Tallinn, I stayed just outside of it, but for Riga, I found a hotel right in the thick of things.  I decided to get a nice hotel with a spa, and I super recommend it! 

• • • • • Budget Option: Amber Rooms Hostel is cheap and also has some privacy!  About $30 for a room with a bunk bed!
        • Mid-Range Hotel: Rija Domus Hotel is about $60 a night and very close to (as the name suggests) Riga’s Dome Cathedral!
        • Luxury Hotel: The Grand Palace Hotel is where I’d stay if I was making the big bucks!  They have rooms starting around $175, have access to a sauna, and they have really beautiful suites.
        • Where I stayed: Wellton Centrum Hotel and Spa.  It can be about $60 a night, but I paid a little extra ($80) for spa access and a bigger room! #TreatYoSelf.  I really enjoyed my stay.  This was just barely in the Old Town. It wasn’t too much of a farther walk, so I still would recommend!!

Extra days in Latvia? 

Latvia is very driveable!  If you don’t feel comfortable renting a car, you could always do some tours.  However, I did find the roads to be very well-maintained and the signage to be very good.  But I will say that I did get 2 speeding tickets from cameras, so definitely watch your speed!

Extra Day 1 ~ Driving Time Approx 2.75 Hours RT

Mezotne Palace

This is actually a hotel now!  You can stay there for about $75.  Not a bad price if you want to get out of Riga, but I opted to just stay in Riga.  I arrived in the morning just because it was mostly on my way to the next spot.  I wandered around outside, and I went in just for a bit. It’s not a mandatory stop, but it was nice all the same.

Rundale Palace

Now, this one is a must!  I couldn’t believe how beautiful Rundale was. I could have easily spent alllll day here.  Even my mom (who really only likes to go to France) commented on how beautiful it was. I recommend doing the Long Route (less than $10), so you can see more of the inside.  You can do a slow walk around or a brisk one, depending on how interested you are on the interior!

The inside is very well-preserved, and it was a real treat to walk through the palace.  It was like being back in Versailles! The gardens were large with nooks and crannies; it made me wish that I had on a fancy period dress to do a slow wander like women of old.  

This is a great place to spend the morning, and they even have a cafe where you can have lunch!

Bauska Castle

This castle is such an interesting juxtaposition of standing and ruinous buildings.  It is perched atop a hill with two rivers sliding alongside it. What a great position!  The front half has been restored and has open exhibits. It’s not quite as well furnished and repaired as say, Rundale, but it still gives you a good idea as to what it might have looked like in its heyday.  

Bauska (Town Center)

I wasn’t planning on stopping, but on my way back to Riga, the town square was just so cute, so I opted to get out and have a look around.  There were restaurants as well as many families playing. It was really adorable! 

Extra Day 2 ~ Driving Time Approx 3.5 Hours RT

Cesis Castle

I would head straight out to Cesis and then work your way back and visit the other stops along the way.   It’s one of the best-preserved castles in Latvia.  It’s got those lovely rounded towers and orange roof tiles that I find to be very striking.  If you go during the summer, there are craftsmen that work on their arts that you can see!

 

Turaida Castle

Similar to Bauska, this one is partly in ruins, and partly restored. You’re able to walk around the complex, and they have some exhibits set up.  Weapons, uniforms, and games and such are displayed so you can see what the life of a soldier is like!  

Cable Car

You can do the cable car round trip or just one way.  If you have a bicycle or are into walking, you can do one way, but I recommend doing the round trip if you have a car.  You can go across and see Krimulda Manor as well as Turaida Castle from afar, come back on the next cable car, and then head on to your next stop, which should be…

 

Castle of the Livonian Order

This Castle is one part military fortress and one part religious structure.  I’m honestly not as familiar with what the Livonian Order is since there weren’t a lot of signs with info here or a guide that I was willing to purchase (there was an audio guide if it is something you’re interested in).  But suffice to say, that I did see the term “Livonian” quite a lot during my Baltics road trip, so maybe I should have gotten that guide! There are ramparts you can climb and look down at the whole estate.

Ethnographic Open Air Museum

I saved this one for last because then you’ll have a better idea of how much time you could spend here.  Honestly, if you’re really into walking and history, it might even be it’s very own half-day or full day trip from Riga!  

Once you enter the “open air museum,” you’re basically walking into the past!  This is a SPRAWLING complex complete with over 100 buildings built as if they were built in the various stages of history they represent.  There are homes, churches, storehouses. Everything. You could easily spend 2-6 hours here.

After getting back to Riga, it might be time to move on to…

 

LITHUANIA ITINERARY

I was supposed to go to Lithuania on the way to my Trans Mongolian trip, but ended up rerouting, so I wasn’t able to.  I always seem to look forward to places I had to “miss” more when I do get to go!  

Day 1-2 Vilnius 

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and a good place to start!  Little fun fact, I’d seen it on a game I play a lot called Ticket to Ride. However, it was labeled as Wilno which is it’s Polish name since it used to be a part of the Polish commonwealth.  Nowadays, it is well worth a visit to Vilnius as a quick city break or longer stay!

Top Sites in Vilnius 

• • • • • The Independent Republic of Užupis ~ You absolutely have to swing by the Independent Republic of Užupis! They consider themselves to be an independent country right there in Vilnius! They even have rules listed in multiple languages.  It’s a very Boho, artistic, hippie place that decided it’s its own place in 1998! It even had an army of 11 men, lolol.  Doing the most!
          
          
        • Gates of Dawn ~ Pretty dramatic name, but it is really just an archway tunnel through a building haha.  It was built in the 1500s though which is pretty impressive!  Virgin Mary graces the gates, and there are a lot of religious icons around.
        • Church of St. Peter and St. Paul ~ The Pope visited and there are tons of info placards out front describing his visit.  But the real reason to go is this church’s interior.  The outside is pretty standard, but the inside was absolutely breath-taking.
          
        • Gediminas Tower ~ You can take a funicular to get to the top or you can walk up the hill, but once you get to the tower, you do have to walk up.  At the top, you’re rewarded with a sweeping panorama of Vilnius! And when I went…. a beehive! Don’t worry, there is a glass window here hehe.
        • Church of St. Anne ~ I think I liked this church because it’s red brick, which isn’t tooooo common.  I also really liked the Gothic spires, but the inside is decorated more Baroque.

Interesting Activities in Vilnius 

After you see those main sites in Vilnius, you might want to spend some time doing some exciting activities! First up is the Lithuanian food tour because as I always recommend trying the local cuisine!  And if you’re into the spooky experiences, a haunted or catacombs tours!

 

Places to Stay in Vilnius

• • • • • Budget Option: Just a 6-minute walk from the train station is Hostel Oras!  It’s the least budget option of the Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania itinerary coming in at $27 a night.
        • Mid-Range Hotel: For about $40 a night, you can get a pretty nice room at Hotel Panorama!
        • Luxury Hotel: Right in the heart of Old Town is the beautiful Radisson at around $125!
        • Where I stayed:  I stayed in Old Town at an apartment maybe a little farther out, but it was still walkable.  I stayed at a person’s apartment which was very nice. The only thing I didn’t care for was a woman who sat outside my window and talked on the phone for a long time lol.

Extra days in Lithuania? 

Extra Day 1 ~ Drive Time Approx RT

I actually didn’t rent a car in Lithuania because I only had time to do one extra day (I took a tour for this part), and I mostly stayed in Vilnius.  However, if you’re driving it’s only about an hour round trip.

Trakai Castle

I just did this as a day trip and then returned to Vilnius, but you could stop here and keep on going to the other places.  Trakai Castle is the only island castle in Eastern Europe. I had lunch at a pizzeria just across the water, took a boat tour all around it, and then went inside!

 

I’m glad that I did the boat tour first because then I knew how long I had to spend in the castle.  Bonus: I got to see this beauty from every angle! Plus, I just love boat rides! If you’re interested in going as part of a tour, this has a more in-depth guide to Trakai Castle as a day trip from Vilnius.

 

Have More Days For Your Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania itinerary?

If you have some days before or after your main Baltic itinerary, might I suggest adding on Finland or Poland?  

FINLAND

For Finland, you can take the Tallinn Helsinki Ferry across!  I have a few articles for Finland for you.

• • • • • How to pick an Estonia to Finland Ferry and what it’s like
        • What to do in Helsinki for 1 day
        • My Trip to Finland Costs

POLAND

For Poland, you can take a bus or train.  I took an overnight bus from Vilnius to Bialystok.  Comfort is becoming a higher priority to me than cost, so I bought 2 seats on that bus, so I could sleep easier!  I have an article about Poland for you.’

• • • • • Is Poland expensive? My Poland Budget.

Of course, the Baltics has so much to offer, but this should get you started with the basics on getting your Baltic travel itinerary started!

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