Baltics roadtrip (1 week travel guide)
Embark on an epic roadtrip through the Baltic States—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—to discover a blend of medieval charm, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant, modern cities.
This journey will take you through the capitals of each country: Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius, each offering its own unique experiences. Along the way, explore beachside towns, delicious cuisine and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We took this roadtrip as a family holiday in July 2024, travelling by coach between each destination. I hope you enjoy this 1 week travel guide and let me know in the comments if I missed any ‘must-sees’ from these beautiful countries!
Day 1-2: Tallinn, Estonia
Arrival in Tallinn
The journey into the old centre was a quick busride from Tallinn International Airport. Being used to Scandinavian prices, I was immediately struck by the cheap cost of a one-way ticket!
Old Town: Start your adventure in Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through its medieval cobblestone streets, visit the Town Hall Square, and explore the walls that surround the old centre.
Toompea Hill: Head up to Toompea Hill for panoramic views of the city. Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Toompea Castle.
Kalamaja District: Venture into the trendy Kalamaja district, known for its colourful wooden houses, art scene, and vibrant cafes. The huge old tramshed has been transformed into a great food market (Balti Jaama, pictured above).
Kadriorg Palace: Spend time at Kadriorg Palace and Park, an opulent Baroque estate built by Peter the Great, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.
Linnahall: We spent our last afternoon in the Estonian capital walking outside of the old town and walking to the waterfront. He we were met by Linnahall, a huge, crumbling soviet edifice, built as a stadium for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. For fans of concrete monstrosities, it features weed-covered stairways, multi-level stadium entrances built for vast crowds, a helipad and olympic promonade.
Maritime Museum: Further along the coast was the excellent Estonian Maritime Museum, a fantastic modern conversion of concrete hangers on the waterside. As well as an excellent interior exhibition and great cafe, the docks surroundings the buildings are open for ticket holders to explore moored boats belonging to the museum. A must-see for anyone who’s always wanted to go in a submarine!
The vast interior of Tallinn’s fantastic Maritime Museum (photo: author’s own).
Dining in Tallinn
Try Local Cuisine: Savour traditional Estonian dishes like black bread, Baltic herring, and kama (a dessert made from grains) at a local restaurant like Old Hansa, just off the central square in the Old Town.
Odesa restaurant: We ate delicious Ukrainian food in this subterranean restaurant.
Kalamaja Food Market: Experience a range of flavours with freshly prepared meals at this large indoor food market. As well as food stalls (we had the delicious Georgian Khachapuri) you can buy fresh produce as well as explore the upper levels of the market which house thrift stores, cafes and breweries.
Day 3-4: Tallinn to Riga, Latvia
Route Overview
Distance: 310 km (193 miles)
Drive Time: ~4 hours. We hopped on the Lux Express from Tallinn Bus Station direct to Riga. I thoroughly recommend the company which provides large comfy seats, TVs and frequent departures across eastern Europe. We wound our way through dense Estonia forests and drove beside the Baltic Sea to our west, until we reached the Soviet housing blocks of the outskirts of Riga.
En Route Stops
Parnu, Estonia: Stop at this charming seaside town, often referred to as the “Summer Capital of Estonia.” Enjoy the sandy beaches and explore the quaint streets lined with wooden villas.
Gauja National Park, Latvia: Explore Gauja National Park, Latvia’s largest national park, known for its stunning river valleys, medieval castles, and hiking trails. Visit the Turaida Castle and Gutman’s Cave, the largest cave in the Baltics.
Arrival in Riga
The bus station is a short 15 minute walk from the old town where our hotel was located. Instead of following the road, take the pedestrian footpaths along the riverside to take you there.
Old Town (Vecrīga): Explore Riga’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its well-preserved medieval architecture. Visit the iconic House of the Blackheads, Riga Cathedral, and St. Peter’s Church.
Art Nouveau District: Stroll through Riga’s Art Nouveau district, home to one of the largest and best-preserved collections of Art Nouveau buildings in the world. Previous to visiting Riga, I had no idea about the city’s incredible Art Nouveau history, and thoroughly recommend grabbing a guide book and taking a tour of the centre to see the architecture. Riga was one of the most influential cities of the Russian Empire in the 1900s and this form of architecture was a way for the elite to show off their wealth and sophistication to the world.
Museum of the Barricades: Visit this excellent, volunteer-run museum, which tells the fascinating and moving story of Riga’s defence against the Soviet Army in 1991, when the Union had begun to fall apart and the Baltic states were looking for their freedom.
Central Market: Visit the Riga Central Market, one of Europe’s largest markets, housed in former Zeppelin hangars. Sample Latvian delicacies like smoked fish, rye bread, and local cheeses. Similar to the market in Tallinn, you can dine on delicious meals from food kiosks or purchase produce from stalls and delis laden with all kinds of delicacies.
Molberts saldējums.: The best ice cream not just in Riga, but in all of the Baltics (in my humble opinion!). We visited twice in the few days we were in Riga and sampled delicious flavours like Earl Grey, cookie dough and salted caramel.
Jurmala: Take the short train ride outside of Riga to Jurmala, a beach resort of painted wooden houses, cafes and tourist boutiques lying amongst sandy lanes and pine trees.
Once a holiday destination of the elite Soviet leaders, like Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev, the town is now a great day trip for tourists and locals alike.
It has in recent years been a popular seaside town for Russian tourists, but their ban from the EU following the Ukrainian invasion has seen many Russian holiday homes in Jurmala being abandoned.
The beach in July was busy and a lovely spot for a dip in the Baltic Sea, with stylish changing booths on the sand (pictured) and plenty of beachside cafe and bars to keep you entertained all day.
Day 5-6: Riga to Vilnius, Lithuania
Route Overview
Distance: 300 km (186 miles)
Drive Time: ~4 hours. Again we took the Lux Express for this journey which was an easy trip from city centre to city centre.
En Route Stops
Rundāle Palace, Latvia: Visit Rundāle Palace, an 18th-century Baroque and Rococo masterpiece, often referred to as the “Versailles of the Baltics.” Explore the palace’s opulent rooms and its beautifully landscaped gardens.
Hill of Crosses, Lithuania: Stop at the Hill of Crosses, a pilgrimage site near Šiauliai, where thousands of crosses have been placed as a symbol of faith and resistance.
Arrival in Vilnius
Again, the international bus station was a short distance from the city centre. We strolled on foot for around 15 minutes to reach the quiet streets within the old town where our lovely hotel was located. As the farthest south of the three Baltic states, Vilnius felt more Central European with its noticably warmer weather, outdoor restaurants. and long boulevards
Old Town: Discover Vilnius’ Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Baroque architecture. Visit Vilnius Cathedral, the Gates of Dawn, and the Presidential Palace to get a taste for the grand history of the Lithuanian capital.
Choral Synagogue: Vilnius was once home to tens of thousands of jews (and over 100 synagogues), yet this is the last remaining active synagogue which survived both the Holocaust (during which 95% of Lithuanian jews were killed) and Soviet Rule.
Uzupis District: Explore the bohemian Uzupis district, known as the “Republic of Uzupis,” with its quirky cafes, street art, and its own constitution.
Gediminas’ Tower: Climb Gediminas’ Tower for a panoramic view of Vilnius. The tower is the remaining part of the Upper Castle and is a symbol of the city.
Dining in Vilnius
Lithuanian Cuisine: Try traditional Lithuanian dishes like cepelinai (potato dumplings), šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup), and kibinai (savory pastries). We sampled these, along with several great tasting Lithuanian beers, in cafes along the boulevards of the old town.
Day 7: Departure from Vilnius
Final Day Activities
Trakai Castle: Take a short drive to Trakai, a picturesque town surrounded by lakes, and visit Trakai Island Castle, a beautiful red-brick fortress located on an island.
Relax and Reflect: Enjoy your last day at a leisurely pace, perhaps with a stroll through Vilnius’ parks or a visit to one of its many museums before your departure.
Practical Tips for visiting the Baltics
Driving: Roads in the Baltic countries are generally in good condition. A standard international driving license is usually sufficient. Be mindful of speed limits, especially in rural areas.
Currency: All three countries use the Euro.
Language: English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but learning a few basic phrases in Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian will be appreciated by locals.
Accommodation: Book accommodations in advance, especially in peak tourist seasons. Each capital offers a range of options from budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels.
Weather: The best time for a road trip is late spring to early autumn (May to September), when the weather is mild and days are long.
Seeing the Baltics in style
There you have it, my short guide to getting the best out the capitals of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in one road trip.
I hope you enjoyed this guide and are able to use some of these recommendations in your visit to these beautiful and fascinating countries.
All photos are the author’s own (well, my brother’s actually but I’ll take the credit).
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