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Are you planning a trip to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and are looking for the perfect Baltics itinerary? These three countries along the Baltic Sea, though small both in size and population, have a lot to offer travellers, especially if they’re looking to get off the beaten path.
Whether you’re only able to sojourn into the Baltics for a short time or you have weeks on end to explore this undiscovered region, there are many routes you can take for an epic trip to the Baltics. Each country has its own unique culture, incredible nature, beautiful beaches, and postcard-perfect towns and cities.
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All three Baltic capitals have international airports with connections from most major European cities, so it’s relatively easy to get to the region.
You can also reach Tallinn and Riga via ferry from Finland and Sweden if you’re combining this with a trip to the Nordics. For instance, you can reach Tallinn from Helsinki in about 2 hours on the ferry.
The way this itinerary is routed, it’s easiest to start in either Estonia or Lithuania to avoid having to backtrack at all during your trip.
Once you’re in the Baltics, the easiest way to get around is with your own car.
While the cities are walkable and the public transit is good, if you want the flexibility to make stop-offs and get a bit off the beaten path, having your own car is going to be essential. There are certain things you can only get on a Baltics road trip vs a route devoted only to public transportation. You can browse options here to compare prices on rental cars.
If you don’t want to drive in the Baltics, note that you’re going to be limited to the bus, generally, to get around. Bus routes are robust and plentiful, however, the train is a lot less developed (if routes even exist). You can view schedules here.
If you are keen to dive deep and really get a good taste of what the beautiful Baltic countries have to offer, then we would recommend spending at least 2-3 weeks in the region.
If you only have a shorter period of time, it is best to concentrate on only one or two of the countries rather than trying to rush through all three. Here is our top Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania itinerary to help you plan your trip!
Begin your trip to the Baltics in the Estonian capital city of Tallinn. Many people treat this beautiful city only as a day trip, hopping over on a ferry from Helsinki or strolling around while on a land excursion from a Baltic cruise.
However, Tallinn has a lot more to offer tourists than its compact (albeit absolutely beautiful) Old Town, which is why we recommend you spend at least 3 days in Tallinn, however, four days is best to really get to know the city.
While the Old Town can easily be explored in only one day, Tallinn has a lot of interesting things to offer tourists beyond it.
Take the time to wander around the trendy Kalamaja district — once a neighbourhood for fisherman and their families, it has now been gentrified and taken over by the city’s hipsters. The nearby Telliskivi Creative City and Balti Jaama Turg have some of Tallinn’s best street art, restaurants, and street food in town.
It is also worth exploring the Estonian capital’s hopping (pun intended) craft beer scene. There are so many incredible beers available in Tallinn that travellers could easily spend days jumping from one taproom to the next without coming close to sampling them all.
And while Tallinn is famous for its medieval charms, it is also well worth exploring the city’s more recent history. Though Estonia has all but shaken its Soviet past, has a thriving capitalist economy, and is often considered the most technologically advanced country in the world, there are still striking reminders about the occupation this small country was under less than thirty years ago.
Imposing communist structure, such as Linnahall just outside of the Old Town, serves as a reminder of just how far this city has come.
Savoy Boutique Hotel – This luxury boutique hotel is perfect for those with a bit of a higher budget looking for a plush stay in this beautiful city. Located within the Old Town, it is perfectly situated close to everything that Tallinn has to offer.
Bob W Telliskivi – For those who want to experience Tallinn like a local (or simply want their own space), these apartments are a great option. Located near Telliskivi, they have a few fully furnished apartments that can suit plenty of visitors. They’re also situated within easy reach of Tallinn’s top sites.
Fat Margaret’s Hostel – This hostel is a fantastic place to stay in Tallinn if you’re on a budget or travelling solo. It is in a great location near the harbour, just minutes from the Old Town and the Kalamaja neighbourhood. They have both dorm and private rooms available and also have a sauna.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Tallinn hotels!
From Tallinn, it’s time to head a bit off the beaten path and visit Estonia’s largest island of Saaremaa. The island is very easy to reach via ferry from the town of Virtsu, which is located about 130km south of Tallinn.
The ferries leave very frequently and the journey is about thirty minutes. The ferry arrives onto Muhu Island, which is connected to Saaremaa via a bridge.
It’s easiest to get around Saaremaa if you have your own car, but you can take a bus from Tallinn to the main city of Kuressaare and get around the island using public transit, as well.
All in all, plan to spend a couple of days exploring the island and enjoying its laid-back pace of life. There are plenty of things to do in Saaremaa including gorgeous beaches to see, cool lighthouses, imposing castles and even a meteorite crater. It’s also worth taking the time to explore the lovely main town of Kuressaare.
Ekesparre Boutique Hotel – If it’s luxury you’re after during your Estonian island escape, then this boutique hotel is an excellent choice. Considered to be Saaremaa’s oldest hotel, they have a great location in the centre of Kuressaare. There are several lovely rooms available, perfect for a romantic getaway.
Stuudio 17 – For those who like to have their own place while travelling, this one-bedroom flat is an excellent choice. Located on a quiet street in Kuressaare, it makes for the perfect base for exploring Saaremaa and is fully equipped with everything that you should need.
Guesthouse Laurits – A cosy guesthouse, this place is a great option for those looking to stick to a budget while on Saaremaa. Conveniently located in Kuressaare, they have a number of comfortable rooms on offer, a shared kitchen and are even pet-friendly!
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Saaremaa hotels!
Although it is Estonia’s second-largest city, Tartu doesn’t get nearly the amount of tourism it deserves. Home to the country’s oldest and largest university and filled with a lively and youthful energy, there are many fun and interesting things to do in Tartu.
Spend your first day exploring the charming Old Town, with its many cafes and restaurants and distinct lack of tourists. Take some time to admire the Kissing Students fountain and view the main square through the yellow National Geographic Frame.
It is also well worth taking the time to visit the Tartu University Botanical Gardens and taking a stroll along the Emajogi River — the only fully navigable river in Estonia.
On your second day, get to know Tartu outside of the Old Town. The hip neighbourhood of Karlova is well worth exploring, especially given it has some of the city’s best street art.
Also worth stopping by is the Aparaaditehas Complex, a former Soviet widget factory that has been repurposed and now houses a number of hip restaurants, cool shops, and art galleries.
Stops at the Estonian Print & Paper Museum and the KGB Cells Museum are also a great idea, especially if you want to learn more about the history of Tartu and Estonia in general.
If you are more interested in spending time on the beach rather than heading inland, we recommend heading to the seaside city of Pärnu instead of visiting Tartu. With many kilometres of white-sand beach and numerous interesting things to do, Pärnu is often considered to be Estonia’s “summer capital.”
Hotel Soho – Located in the heart of Tartu’s Old Town, this boutique hotel is a good option for those travelling on a mid-range budget. They have a range of rooms available and breakfast is even included in the room rate.
TartuKodu – For travellers who would rather have their own apartment rather than stay in a hotel, this one-bedroom flat in central Tartu is a great option. Conveniently located close to all the city has to offer, the apartment is comfortable and fully furnished.
Looming Hostel – If you are travelling on a budget, then Looming Hostel is a great accommodation option in Tartu. This small, environmentally-friendly hostel has a couple of dorm and private rooms on offer, good common areas, and a nice roof terrace.
Riga is the largest city in the Baltic States by population and certainly has a more cosmopolitan vibe than the other two Baltic capitals.
While Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site – like the old towns of the other Baltic capitals) is very much worth exploring, with iconic sites such as the House of the Blackheads and the Gunpowder Tower, the real charms of the Latvian capital lie in central Riga.
With more Art Nouveau architecture than any other city in the world, Riga is a visual wonder. There are also many cool and interesting things to do in the city, we recommend spending at least three days here.
Spend the first day exploring the Old Town – maybe taking a walking tour to get some historic context with a local guide. While this is the most touristy area of the city, prices are still quite affordable and there are significantly fewer tour groups than in Tallinn.
Your second day should be devoted to wandering through the central district, admiring the architecture, eating at some hip restaurants or wine bars, and visiting a few of the many museums. A detour to the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum just outside of the city is also a great idea, especially if you want to see what life in Latvia was like hundreds of years ago.
On the third day, take a trip to the nearby seaside villages of Jurmala — a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. If the weather is warm and sunny, spend the day basking on the fine, white sand. Or else, there are many affordable spas so you can treat yourself to a massage or a pedicure.
Alternatively, you could spend your time walking through the bogs in Kemeri National Park in the morning and lounge on the Jurmala beaches in the afternoon.
If you want to spend more than three days in Riga, there are a number of other day trips to take from Riga, including the charming towns of Cesis and Sigulda with their imposing medieval castles and Kuldiga, which boasts the widest “waterfall” in Europe.
Greystone Suites & Apartments – If you’re looking for a nice hotel that also has some self-catering abilities, then this is a fantastic choice for you. It is centrally located and within walking distance of all of the main sites. They have a large range of suites and apartments on offer, as well.
Grand Poet by Semarah – For travellers who are looking for a life of luxury in the Latvian capital, this 5-star hotel will certainly please. Centrally located for exploring all Riga has to offer, they have a number of luxe rooms available and countless amenities, such as a state-of-the-art fitness centre, pool and spa. Breakfast is included and they also organise airport shuttles.
Cinnamon Sally Backpacker’s Hostel – Located close to the Central Market, this small hostel is one of the best places to stay in Riga for budget backpackers or solo travellers. They offer both dorms and private rooms and also organise social events, making it a great option if you’re travelling solo and want to meet some people to explore Riga with!
As Latvia’s third largest city, the main appeal of Liepaja is its seemingly endless stretch of immaculate beach and a city centre that is absolutely oozing with charm. It seems a miracle that so few visitors to Latvia even have Liepaja on their radar.
While most people will make a beeline to the beach — which, incidentally, has the softest sand we have ever encountered — there are a number of cool things to do in the city of Liepaja itself and it deserves to be explored.
Take the time to browse the city’s many markets and get to know its musical history. Outside of the centre, there is a charming Art Nouveau quarter that has been used as a filming location for many Hollywood movies as a stand-in for the likes of Paris.
The former Soviet prison in the suburb of Karosta is also, now, a tourist attraction. It is even possible to stay a night at the prison and have a complete, accurate taste of what it was like for inmates there in years past — not for the faint-hearted!
Seaside Park Apartment – This private apartment has everything you might need to feel at home while visiting Liepaja and it also just happens to be about a five-minute walk from the beach! The owners are incredibly kind and helpful and will ensure that your stay is as perfect as possible.
Boutique Hotel Roze – Also located within a stone’s throw from the beach, this small hotel is perfect for a romantic getaway in Liepaja. They have a range of rooms on offer, have a restaurant on site, and also you can add a breakfast option to the room rate.
From Liepaja, head to Klaipeda – perhaps taking a detour to visit the iconic Hill of Crosses along the way if it interests you.
Lithuania’s third-largest city is the country’s only port. However, contrary to many other port cities, it is incredibly charming with a quaint old town, a number of great restaurants, and a thriving arts scene. It is also the gateway for exploring the naturally stunning Curonian Spit.
Spend at least one full day exploring Klaipeda proper, where there is a surprising amount of things to do. Walk along the quaint cobbled streets, admire the many art installations, and enjoy the peaceful seaside charm. The city also has an interesting Hanseatic history and many museums that are worth exploring.
Take another day or two to explore the Curonian Spit. An easy and quick ferry from Klaipeda, the Lithuanian side of the Spit spans 50 kilometres and offers an incredible ecosystem unique to this narrow strip of land.
The imposing sand dunes, the charming villages of Nida, Juodokrante, and Smiltyne, and the beautiful expanse of beaches make the Curonian Spit one of the premier places to visit in Lithuania.
Michaelson Boutique Hotel – If you’re looking for a romantic getaway in a cute boutique hotel, then look no further than the Michaelson Boutique Hotel. Located in the Old Town, this small hotel offers a range of rooms and comes incredibly highly rated.
Art Hotel Boheme – Another small hotel, this place is good for couples and families alike. They have many rooms to choose from, are located very close to the Old Town and there is a good breakfast each morning.
Klaipeda Hostel – If you’re travelling on a budget or are keen to meet other travellers while visiting Klaipeda, this is the place for you. This small hostel has both dorm beds and private rooms on offer and is in a great location.
Because it is a hub for budget airline Ryanair and has recently been selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2022, Kaunas is seeing more visitors than it used to in past years.
However, many people visiting the second-largest city in Lithuania make a beeline either for Vilnius or the coast and leave the city unexplored.
This is a huge mistake, however, as Kaunas has a quite a lot to offer travellers and is worth spending a couple of nights in, rather than treating it as a day trip from Vilnius.
A more artistic and alternative city than you will find elsewhere in Lithuania, there is a thriving street art scene in the city. There is also a fascinating history, a number of interesting museums, and an imposing medieval castle to explore.
It’s also worth taking the time to visit the fascinating Sugihara House Museum, a museum dedicated to the Japanese diplomat who issued visas that saved countless Jewish people from a terrible fate during WWII.
Spending two days in Kaunas is a perfect addition to your Lithuania itinerary and we assure you that this edgy city won’t disappoint.
Hof Hotel – This small hotel is one of the best places to stay in the city if you aren’t after the hostel lifestyle. Situated in a great location, they have a number of rooms on offer, come very highly reviewed, and even have free breakfast included in the room rate.
Maironis Apartment – This two-bedroom apartment is an excellent option if you’d like to have your own space while visiting Kaunas. Centrally located, you can easily explore all the city has to offer using this as a base. It is fully furnished and comes very highly reviewed.
Monk’s Bunk Hostel – This small and cosy hostel is an excellent option for budget backpackers and solo travellers alike. Located in central Kaunas, they have both dorm and private rooms available, have great reviews, and have excellent staff.
The perfect ending point for this Baltics itinerary is in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. Boasting one of the largest Old Towns in all of Europe, Vilnius has a fraction of the tourists of Riga or Tallinn but sacrificed none of the charm.
Founded by Grand Duke Gediminas in the 14th century, the stunning baroque architecture and the laid-back vibe make Vilnius one of the best cities to explore in the Baltics. Spending at least three or four days in Vilnius will be the perfect amount of time to see everything that this dynamic capital has to offer.
Spend your first day exploring the massive Old Town, taking in all of the main sites such as the Town Hall Square, St Anne’s Church, and the central market of Hales Turgus. Enjoy the city’s thriving cafe culture and dine in some of the best restaurants in the region.
Devote your second day to wandering through the bohemian “independent republic” of Uzupis. This alternative area is filled with great street art, cool craft beer bars, and some of the best restaurants in the city. This is also a great time to visit some of Vilnius’ fantastic museums in order to learn more about the city’s and country’s complex history.
On the third day, take a day trip to the charming lakeside village of Trakai and admire the beautiful Trakai Castle – situated on its own island. If the weather is fine, you can even rent a pedal boat or swim in the lakes.
Hotel Rinno – Excellently located close to Cathedral Square in the Old Town, this boutique hotel is one of the best places to stay in Vilnius. They have a range of rooms on offer and also have breakfast included in the room rate.
Old Town Trio – This hotel located on the edge f the old town is an excellent mid-range option in the Lithuanian capital. They have a myriad of lovely rooms to choose from, great amenities and there is an option to include breakfast in the morning.
Jimmy Jumps House/Hostel – This small hostel has a lively atmosphere and is a place to stay if you’re travelling on a budget. Located just off of the Town Hall square, they have both dorm and private rooms at affordable prices. They also organise social events in the evening.
Planning the perfect Baltics itinerary can be a complicated task, with so many interesting places to visit. Take the time to really explore the places you visit and get to know the countries you are in and it certainly won’t disappoint!
Are you planning to visit the Baltic countries? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!
