Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia sit in the region of Europe known as the Baltic States. Of which we believe is one of the continents most underrated & overlooked regions. Each of these countries has it’s own story to tell, yet they all share a unique history.
We spent 9 days exploring the Baltic States, as our gateway into Northern Europe & fell head over heels in love with the region. In this guide we are going to walk you through exactly how you can make the most of your time in the Baltics, with all the best things to do & see along the way. For those of you like us & travelling on a budget, You’ll be glad to know that the Baltics are super budget friendly, in fact they’re some of the cheapest countries we’ve travelled to in Europe.
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Things to know before travelling to the Baltic States
In all of the Baltic States the currency is Euros, & card is widely used. It would also be wise to carry small change for things such as public transport. The Baltic States are mostly welcoming countries & although the people may appear cold on the exterior, once you get chatting with them they can be really friendly. The native languages of the Baltic States are Lithuanian, Latvian & Estonian, however Russian is also widely spoken as well as English.
When is best to visit the Baltic States?
This part of Europe is an all year round destination. We chose to visit in Winter (November) which made for a pretty magical time with plenty of snow & festive magic in the air. Visiting in Summer also has it’s benefits, with longer days & the opportunity to head out exploring the Baltic coastline.
Travelling in off-season is our general rule for most of our adventures, this is when prices are lower & crowds fewer. Luckily the Baltic States haven’t been hugely affected by mass tourism yet, unlike other European countries. So you will likely be able to visit with little to no crowds any time of year. However, you will definitely be able to find cheaper flights & accomodation in those shoulder months (outside of summer).
How to travel in & between the Baltic States
Connections between Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia are easy to navigate & find. We travelled with Interrail passes, which were super handy for travelling on the trains throughout the Baltics. However please note that as now (January 2024), there are no inter-country trains between Latvia & Estonia. There is however a new train route that connects Vilnius in Lithuania to Riga in Latvia. This train route wasn’t available when we visited, but has since been put in place as of December 2023.
To travel from Riga – Tallinn in Estonia you will need to purchase a bus ticket. We travelled with FlixBus, the journey was smooth & very cheap at only 8 Euro per person for a 4.5 hour journey.
Day 1-3: Vilnius, Lithuania
Starting your Baltic States adventure in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, will give you a real taste of Lithuania as a whole even in just a few days. It is a small city that is super walkable. Moreover, after flying into Vilnius we experienced one of the easiest transfers from the airport to the city, that we have ever had. There is an airport bus located directly outside of the terminal, which will cost only 1 Euro (in cash) per person.
Where to stay in Vilnius?
There are plenty of budget options available in Vilnius starting from around £15 per night in hostels & upwards of £30 per night in a 3/4 star hotel. Which is a brilliant price for Europe. We chose to stay in an Airbnb as we found them to have more value than a hotel room, as we would get our own space with a kitchen too. Often Airbnb’s work out to be a lot cheaper when you factor in the fact that you’ll be able to cook all your own meals here.
You can find the exact Airbnb that we stayed in here. We will say that it wasn’t the best Airbnb we have ever stayed in, but for the price (£114 for 3 nights) it did the job that we needed it to. The location was also very central, around a 5 minute walk to the Old Town & Lidl was just around the corner.
Top 5 things to do in Vilnius
1. Explore the Old Town – Vilnius Old Town is beautiful & quaint. A stroll down it’s cobbled stoned streets will leave you feeling as though you’ve stepped back into a time gone by. Dotted with adorable churches & multi coloured buildings, the Old Town is certainly picturesque & a great place to take photos.
Make sure to stop by the Gates of Dawn. This is one of the gateways to the Old Town, the Gates of Dawn is also an important religious & historical monument for the Lithuanian people. The Old Town is full of pretty streets to admire, some of our favourites include: Pilies Street (picture perfect views of Gediminas tower from here) & Stikliu gatve.
2. Visit Gediminas Tower – From Pilies Street you’ll be able to spot the Gediminas Tower, it is an easy 10 minute walk up the hill to reach the tower & you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views across the city. If you don’t fancy walking it, you can also take the funicular to the top, that only costs 2 Euros each way. The Gediminas tower is the remaining tower of the fortress that once stood here. The tower is iconic to Lithuanian’s as it featured on their former currency & is mentioned in folklore as well as art.
3. Museum of Occupations & Freedom Fights – This is a must on a visit to Vilnius. The museum walks you through the occupations of Lithuania from the Germans to the more recent Soviet occupation. It is a great way to get an inside look of Lithuania’s history & understand more about the struggles that the Baltic region has faced in the not so distant past. At the museum there is also an ex KGB prison, it was fascinating yet heart breaking to learn more about Lithuania’s dark history during the Soviet era. (Entry is 6 Euros per person).
4. Uzupis Micronation – Yep you read that right. Vilnius has it’s very own micronation in the heart of the city. Uzupis was once the cities poorest area, but after Lithuania’s independence in 1991, it became a republic. Attracting artists, creatives & those living a more bohemian lifestyle to come enjoy & live in the micronation. The tiny republic has it’s own anthem, constitution, president & bishop.
If you enjoy the quirky side to life then you will love Uzupis. Take a walk around the streets, that are lined with cafe’s & independent shops. Make sure you also stop by & read the consitution that is written on silver plaques along Paupio gatve. Uzupis has some very funny rules. Whilst you are in the neighbourhood stop by ‘Spunka Pub’ a cosy bar offering delicious craft beers for affordable prices, the atmosphere in here is lovely.
5. Take a day trip to Trakai Castle – The town of Trakai is situated 28km outside of Vilnius & easily reached via train from the city centre. The train will cost you 2 Euros each way (or free with an Interrail pass) & it will take approximately 30 minutes to reach Trakai. Once you have arrived, it is an easy & relatively flat 25 minute walk to the spectacular Trakai castle.
Trakai castle is a 15th century fortress, situated rather uniquely on an island in one of Europe’s deepest lakes, Lake Glave. The castle is also the only one in Eastern Europe of it’s kind, to be located on an island. As you approach the castle you’ll be greeted by a stunning walkway bridge, this is the perfect opportunity for a photo! & if you have a drone, make sure you bring it with you, as this spot is brilliant for it.
You could easily spend a couple of hours here, walking around the grounds & taking it all in. There is a museum inside the castle also, that costs 8 Euros per person. Just across the water from the castle there are also small souvenir shops & a café to sit back & enjoy the view from.
Day 3-6: Riga, Latvia
Riga has gained popularity over the last few years, especially with people visiting on stag & hen do’s. However, the city is still as charming as ever & definitely hasn’t fallen victim to this crowd, the same way places like Prague have. As we visited during the winter months, Riga was very quiet & our favourite activity became wandering the frozen streets at night, it was simply magic!
Where to stay in Riga?
Again, much like Vilnius there is accomodation to suit every budget. With hostels, hotels & Airbnb’s at your disposal. We would suggest finding a place that is located close by to the Old Town as this is the central district & closest area to most attractions/things to do, as well as the all important bus & train station.
We stayed in a beautiful Airbnb on the doorstep to the old town & within close walking distant to the stations. It surprisingly only cost £107 for 3 nights. The building was also super secure & it felt really safe. You can find the exact Airbnb we stayed in here.
Top 5 things to do in Riga
1. Explore the Old Town – This is the historic and cultural heart of Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Situated on the banks of the Daugava River, Riga Old Town is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture, charming cobblestone streets, & vibrant atmosphere. Some spots that you shouldn’t miss include: The Freedom Monument, Three Brothers, House of the Blackheads, Kramu iela, St Peter’s Church & Dome Square.
2. Grab Lunch at Riga Central Market – The market is Europe’s largest & is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Old Town. The building is made up of five pavilions, that have been constructed from hangers. Inside the market you will find a bazaar of treats to get stuck into, as well as supermarkets & convenience stores. We highly recommend that you try some Latvian sugar donuts, that were only 30 cents a piece & seriously delicious.
3. Kramu iela & Dome Square – This was our favourite section of Old Riga, Kramu iela is a beautiful street that is best photographed at night (in our opinion, see photo below). & Dome Square is just around the corner from here, with Riga Cathedral as it’s centre piece, the square is super picturesque, again especially at night time.
4. Three Brothers Building & House of the Blackheads – Both of these landmarks are iconic to Riga. The Three Brothers is a row of three buildings that form the oldest dwelling complex in Riga. It is a popular spot for photographers & is a must see on any visit to Riga. House of the Blackheads is a 15th century, ornate building located in the heart of the Old Town. Outside is also the site of where the ‘First Public Christmas Tree’ was said to have been erected.
5. Take a day trip out to Sigulda – Located approximately 50km outside of Sigulda, the town is nestled in the foothills of the Gauja National Park. We strongly recommend a day trip out here, it turned out to be one of our favourite places during our Baltic States expedition & we are about to tell you why.
You can easily reach the town of Sigulda via bus or train from Riga. Although, the buses leave more regularly from the central bus station than the trains do. The bus should only cost you around 2.80 Euros each way. If you get off the bus as you are approaching Turaida castle, you will be in the perfect position to explore the castle & surrounding national park.
Turaida Castle is an 11th century castle that sits on top of a hill, over looking the Gauja Valley. Entry into the castle complex is only 3.50 Euros per person. Make sure you climb up the tower for spectacular views & check out the onsite museum that walks you through the history of the castle, the Baltic States & surrounding area. Definitely make time to explore the grounds, as there is a church & wonderful views looking back onto the castle.
From the castle you can continue walking towards Gutmans Cave, another beauty spot in the area. It is a small cave located in a park, but is a great spot for some photos. From here, there are plenty of other walking routes to take, we chose to walk towards Paradise Hill Viewpoint, which turned out to be an insane spot to watch the sunset.
On your walk towards the viewpoint you will follow the Gauja River through the stunning Latvian wilderness, there are a couple steep sections & some mini viewpoints on the way, that look towards Turaida Castle. Then once you reach Paradise Hill Viewpoint you’ll be greeted by sweeping views across the valley, sunset is a great time to be here to catch the golden light reflecting off the trees.
The walk back towards the train/bus station from here is around 40 minutes, but is relatively flat.
TOP TIP: When visiting the Baltic States keep an eye out for a restaurant chain called ‘LIDO’. They operate as a self serve restaurant serving traditional Baltic cuisine, for really affordable prices. We ate in LIDO on our visit to Riga & thoroughly enjoyed our meal, it was great to have a taste of the region.
Day 6-9: Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is most known as being the home of Europe’s best preserved medieval old town, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A walk through Tallinn’s Old Town is like stepping back in time, with it’s narrow laneways & towering medieval church spires. A trip to Tallinn in winter, must include a visit to the Christmas Markets which are situated in the heart of the Old Town.
Where to stay in Tallinn?
Once again, Tallinn has some very affordable accomodation on offer. It would be ideal to book somewhere close by to the Old Town as you will likely spend most of your time here. However, if you do find yourself a little further away then luckily the public transport system is brilliant. The network of trams proved to be very handy & you can also access all public transport for free with a Tallinn Card.
Much like in the other Baltic States, we decided to stay in an Airbnb a little further out from the Old Town. There was a tram station right outside & the international bus station was right across the road, which was convenient when first arriving in Tallinn from Riga. You can find the exact Airbnb we stayed in here.
Top 5 things to do in Tallinn
1. Explore the Old Town – This corner of Tallinn is definitely the most enchanting. With narrow laneways, medieval fortress towers, viewpoints, orthodox churches, cosy bars/cafe’s & boutique shops. You could easily get lost here all day long & still be hungry for more. Make sure you walk through St Catherine’s Passage, one of Tallinn’s most picturesque cobble stoned street.
2. Kohtuotsa Viewpoint – This is one of the best viewpoints over the Old Town. From here you will be able to see across the burnt orange rooftops & out to the Baltic Sea. There is also a cute souvenir shop up here to have a look around in or purchase a memento to take home with you.
3. Walk along the Old Town walls – To access the city walls, use the entry to the Old Town via Viru Gate, from there you can walk along the walk from this point here. Entry to the city walls is 4 Euros per person or free with a Tallinn Card. Walking along the walls give you a unique perspective over the city & you’ll also get the opportunity to climb inside one of Tallinn’s many towers.
4. Grab lunch at Balti Jaama Turg Food Hall & a beer in a cosy bar – If you love food halls like us, then you have to visit Balti Jaama Turg on your visit to Tallinn. The food hall is located just outside of the Old Town & has a great selection of street food to choose from. We highly recommend that you stop by Kebaboom, the kebabs here are delicious!
Tallinn also has a great selection of local bars, whilst many of the bars you will walk past in the Old Town are geared towards tourists & therefore have higher prices. We managed to find a real hidden gem (literally, as it was a struggle to find), nestled in the back streets of the Old Town. It’s called Levist Valjas, the front door is very deceiving, but once inside you will find an edgy underground bar, with the cheapest beer in town!
5. Check out Proto Avastustehas – This is more of a rain or snow day activity, which is what it was for us, but ended up being pretty fun. Proto Avastustehas is an interactive museum designed to immerse you into the world of inventions through the medium of virtual reality. You’ll be able to try different virtual reality challenges/games, some of which we had never experienced before, such as flying.
Entry to the museum costs 14€ for adults (Tue-Fri) & 18€ (Sat-Sun). They also offer family tickets & student discount. If you have a Tallinn Card you will get free entry, which is the same for most museums/attractions in Tallinn, therefore the card is well worth purchasing.
The Baltic States are currently super underrated European destinations. We were shocked at how few tourists we came across in the entire 9 days that we spent here. It was a breath of fresh air in comparison to other destinations around Europe, where we are so used to seeing crowds of tourists. If you are thinking about visiting the Baltic States, then you should run not walk before they become more popular.
As always if you have any questions please leave them in the comments section or send us a message via Instagram & we’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.
& if you enjoyed reading this, you might enjoy reading some of our other Europe articles.
Happy exploring 🙂
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