Which is the best Baltic Country to Visit – Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania?
What a great question! There isn’t a single answer on the best Baltic Country to Visit because it depends on how much time you have, your budget, and what you most enjoy doing.
But the Baltic countries are small and distances between their capitals are short, so you can easily visit all 3 capitals in one trip. We decided that if we were going to this part of Europe, why not package the cities together for one adventure! Then maybe you have your answer to which is the best Baltic Country to visit!
So scroll down to see all our ‘been there’ tips AND the 5 best things to see/do in Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius in a week’s trip.
How Many Days To Visit The Baltics?
Having travelled to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania we suggest you plan for 7 days (6 nights) to enjoy all three cities as a first-time visitor to the Baltics. Your flight will be the same cost whether you come for a weekend to one city or a week to 3!
Here’s our trip plan – simple and very doable in one week!
Day 1. Fly to Tallinn, Estonia (get an early flight if you can!)
Day 2. In Tallinn
Day 3 (am). Drive from Tallinn to Riga, Latvia (allow 5/6 hours). Afternoon/Evening in Riga.
Day 4 In Riga, Latvia
Day 5 (am). Drive from Riga to Vilnius (allow 3-4 hours). Afternoon/Evening Vilnius
Day 6. In Vilnius
Day 7. Return flight from Vilnius
Where are the Baltic Countries?
Estonia, Latvia and Vilnius are 3 European countries that share this collective name simply because they are located alongside the Baltic Sea!
They were embedded in the Soviet Union until securing their independence back in 1991. Bordering Poland, Belarus and Russia directly, Tallinn, the capital of Estonia is also close to Helsinki, Finland (2 hours or so by ferry).
Is it Expensive to Visit the Baltics?
While it is more expensive than say a decade ago (where isn’t?), the Baltics remain a destination that offers good value.
For example, hotels and eating out in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius are nowhere near as expensive as when we visited Paris, London, and Rome. In fact, in our experience expect to pay 50% less if not even lower prices than in these city centers.
Is it Safe to Visit Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania in 2024
From our personal experience travelling through the Baltics, there is nothing specific to be worried about. Obviously, there is a lot of media coverage on conflicts in Europe, but to date, this has not affected tourism in these countries.
Tap water is safe to drink in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
No vaccinations are needed other than what your doctor might suggest for travelling and general health.
To understand more about any safety or health concerns, like solo female travel, check your government travel advice as they will have the latest updates.
Don’t overlook buying proper insurance any time you travel abroad.
Do I need a Visa for The Baltics?
The Baltic countries are part of the EU (European Union) and the Schengen Area. So if you are an EU national or someone with a residence of a Schengen state, no, you don’t need a visa.
Citizens of other countries including UK, USA and Canada for example do not need a visa for up to 90 days but please check as things can and do change without much notice in the wizardly world of visas!
When’s the best time to Visit The Baltics?
We think it depends on your travel goals. For walking around these cities and enjoying outdoors, we suggest visiting between late May and late September. We travelled here the last week of September! It was a quieter, comfortable walking around and the days were largely dry.
In the peak of the summer, the days will be longer and warmer, but that does attract more visitors, so these compact UNESCO towns centres may feel congested.
Because you’re in Northern Europe, summer temperatures will peak around 70sF (15C) July and August. Check seasonsal weather in Baltics here.
If you love Christmas Markets, take note! Come in December for markets in all 3 cities – Riga’s the largest! We also loved visiting Iceland in December if you’re into travels in cooler weather!
🎒TPOP Tip: Tallinn has become a busy port with cruise ships stopping here. Check cruise schedules for Tallinn ahead of time for peace of mind.
What to Pack for a Trip to the Baltics?
A carry on is all you need for a week exploring The Baltics. Light layers for cooler evenings with a good pair of walking shoes, sunglasses, a light sweatshirt, rain jacket.
If you’re coming mid summer, lighter clothes and a good sun hat are musts. Pop in binoculars and a camera too!
🎒TPOP Tip: Follow our 10kg allowance baggage tips post. After numerous hand baggage only trips, we’ve eliminated a lot of travel stress 🙂
Where to start? In Tallinn or Vilnius?
It doesn’t really matter! It made sense for us to fly to and start in Tallinn and then drive south since we were continuing on from The Baltics to Poland.
If you plan to jump over to say Helsinki at the end of your Baltics journey, then starting in Vilnius makes sense.
Best way to travel around The Baltics
It is 195 miles from Tallinn to Riga and c.4 hours drive, although you’ll want to stop, so plan for 6 hours. From Riga to Vilnius it’s around 180 miles (3 ½ hours drive).
1. Car With Driver. Having a driver lets you stop off when you want. This 5 hour transfer option from Tallinn to Riga is more expensive than taking the train or bus but includes a stop in Parnu, a coastal town.
2. Train and Bus Services
Train and buses are great value. Turn up and buy your ticket at the train station. Note that advance seat reservations may not always be possible on regional trains.
Buses offer more services daily and can be faster. For example, currently travelling by train between Tallinn and Riga takes around 6 hours (via the town of Valga) but a bus goes directly in around 4 hours. Both fares are listed currently at $20 USD!
Between Riga and Vilnius, the bus and train both take about 4.5 hours direct between the two destinations. The fare is currently listed at $25 USD but if you have a valid Railcard it will bring this down.
🎒TPOP Tip: Download Google Maps. Download Omoi App to compare prices for specific routes.
Where to Stay in the Baltics?
Say in the heart of the Old Towns in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. This way, you can easily walk around all the main sights without the hassle of needing transport.
We’ve listed where we stayed below. Use Booking.Com to see what is close by that fits your budget/needs. You’ll be in the perfect spot in each city!
Vilnius – Relais & Chateaux Stikliai Hotel
Starting Your Trip in Tallinn
To start your Baltics trip, fly to Lennart Meri Tallin International Airport. Within Europe you will find multiple flights with the likes of EasyJet, Estonia Air, Ryanair and most major European carriers. From the USA/Canada, east coast flights head to Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm where you can connect into Tallinn.
As it’s only 4km (2.5m) from the city centre, expect an easy ground transfer by bus (2 euros) or taxi (15-20 euros). You can pay with your contactless card on board the bus or buy from a ticket machine located in the airport before you board.
From the arrivals hall, head to the lowest level and follow signs for the city center. Then take either a #2 or #15 bus. The #2 bus takes you directly to Freedom Square or the #15 to ‘Estonia’ Stop next to a main shopping area called Solaris.
If you plan to fly into Helsinki and take a ferry across to Tallinn (best done in the summer months!) you have currently the choice of several different ferry operators for your 2 hours 30 minutes crossing. When you arrive at the terminal, either just walk into the old town (about 20 mins) or take a bus which you will find in front of Terminal D. It’s very close to the city! Click on the link above for ferry prices and schedule.
5 Amazing Things to Do in Tallinn
Old Town Tallinn feels like you have stepped into a fairytale city with spires, castles and manicured cobbled streets. Stay in a centuries old hotel only steps away from amazing vistas, unexpected passageways and delicious local cuisine. Estonia’s 800+ year old capital totally deserves its UNESCO heritage status.
Our top tip for falling in love with Tallinn (& the Baltics generally) is simply to slow down, wander and absorb the unique mix of medieval Hanseatic history, Soviet Era struggles and the freedoms of 21st century life.
1. Explore Raekoja Plats – The Heart of Old Town Tallinn
The main town hall square is a great starting point for exploring this compact medieval city! You’ll easily remember it as an perfect meeting point, with its stunning town hall, showcasing Gothic architecture from the 1300s.
Look up and you may spot Vans Toomas or Old Thomas on a church spires. The statue pays homage to a peasant boy who won a bow and arrow competition but was unable to receive the prize due to his low social status!
Another attraction when at the town hall, is climbing the Medieval Bell Tower – all 115 narrow steps within a spiral staircase. We enjoyed the climb but there are other locations across the city to find stunning views without the big climb if that doesn’t work for you. Keep reading for these. It costs around 5 euros to climb up the Bell Tower without a Tallinn Card; with one; it’s free! Open from 1st June to 31 August. Go earlier in the day, in summer!
The Great Guild Hall from the 15th century and surrounding ancient merchant buildings are a fascinating throwback to how business was done in medieval times. The beautiful doorway is the House of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, a 14th century guild for foreign unmarried men. Check to see if any events or concerts are on here while you are in town. It’s a special venue!
Step back 600 years in time at Raeapteek! This is one of the oldest operating pharmacies of Europe. Learn how the Buchart family’s ownership of this little pharmacy spanned 10 generations. Visit Mon-Sat from 10am 6pm.
You’ll likely spot The Church of the Holy Spirit as you continue exploring the old lower town. Look out for a 17th century clock on the external facade of its white washed walls. For 2 EURO You can peek inside between 10am to 6pm. Free with a Tallinn Card.
2. Walk The Old City Walls of Tallinn
It’s quite mesmerisng to imagine life in the 13th century within and outside these ancient walls.
Today around half of the original wall is intact. Almost 2km of the massive structure can be viewed, along with 3 of the original 26 defense towers and 2 original gates. It’s worthwhile visiting at least one the towers inside as they are full of interesting displays. Some charge a small entrance fee.
3. Kiriku Plats Toompea Castle – Upper Old Town
Today the castle is the Estonian government’s headquarters. It’s open daily for tours to learn more of the fascinating history. Look up at Pikk Hermann, the biggest tower of the structure and you will see the Estonian Flag. Go early (sunrise) any morning to hear the playing of the National anthem as the flag is raised.
You can’t miss the onion domed Russian looking church in this area. It was constructed during the Tsarist time (1900s) and is quite the contrast to the birthplace of Tallinn’s castle where in 1229 the first fortress was built!
Also, here you will see the, almost as old, Church of Virgin Mary, receiving worshipers since 1240.
Both churches are free to enter and open daily.
Views from Patkuli Viewing Station are nothing short of spectacular. Take time to linger under the shade of old oak trees in this small square and marvel at the miracle of how Tallinn has protected its historical heart.
If climbing/walking isn’t possible for these views, take the Glass Elevator inside Niguliste Church to the Bell Tower Sky Deck Viewing Area.
You will be blown away with panoramic views in all directions including over the Baltic Sea. Closed Mondays. 14 Euros entrance or 28 Euros for a family ticket.
4. Explore Tallinn’s Passages
After all the views, it’s time for a walk through St Catherine’s passage. You will find yourself in an ancient stone roadway. If you enjoy artisan crafts, you will find them here and often the artists themselves will be working at their stalls. Amber and wood products are popular Baltic souvenirs!
Also be prepared to be surprised by Tallinn’s myriad of underground passages. Within Kiek in de Kök Fortifications Museum in the old town, you can walk 17th century underground bastion tunnels.
They were designed as a secret transportation system for weapons, soldiers etc around the city.
We enjoyed the guided tour which explained the many uses in early military times to 1930s soviet era bomb shelters.
There are information signs and displays reflecting the different uses to read as you walk along.
5. Try traditional Estonian Foods
After substantial breakfasts at our hotel, we didn’t need much lunch but enjoyed trying a few Estonian restaurants in the evening. Here’s our favorites:
Dominic Wine Restaurant for a leisurely lunch or dinner. We ate at lunchtime here. Open from 12 noon.
We also ate dinner at Rataskaevu 16 one night and then at the fabulous atmospheric Stenaus Restaurant.
And it would be wrong not to mention a quick stop at Coffee Shop Maiasmokk (in English it means Sweet Tooth!). A city rendezvous place since the mid 1800s, they sell traditional tasty sweet treats.
5 Amazing Things to Do in Riga
While it felt hard to drag ourselves away from Tallinn, Riga is another gem of a city which we settled into really quickly.
With a population of just over 600,000 it’s a little bigger than Tallinn but just as easy to walk around. You will quickly get your bearings in the UNESCO Old Town with its rich Nouveau architecture that is world class in scale and beauty.
As you walk around you’ll see The Three Brothers Dwelling Houses. These brightly colored homes show off how historical homes looked in Riga. Amazing to learn that each was built a century apart from 15th to 17th! Step inside and you will find yourself in the Museum of Architecture. Very apt!
1. Hang Out In Dome Square (Main Square)
The square is full of atmospheric shaded cafes that spill onto yet more cobbled streets. This is Riga’s perfect ‘people watching spot’ when you need to rest your feet for a little bit.
As you’re sitting sipping your coffee you will have a direct line of sight to the operating Riga Cathedral – the heartbeat of the city in many ways. It’s been here in some shape or form since the early 1200s!
We did pop in informally on a Sunday morning before services started to have a quick peek. For a full visit where you can admire many art pieces and hear their ‘world class’ organ, there is a small fee to enter.
You will know about the House of the Blackheads after Tallinn. In this area, you can visit the Latvian House, re-built, as the original from the 1300s, was destroyed in 1940s. Entrance fee is 6 Euros.
2. Indulge at Riga’s Central Market
This market, we were told, is regarded as the largest of its kind in Europe and is certainly worth exploring for a couple of hours. In keeping with Riga’s mix of architecture, the markets are housed in old zeppelin hangers. Maybe not Riga’s prettiest buildings but, without a doubt, distinctive.
Inside the hangers, check out the enormous range of foods from Baltic Sea dried fish, caviar in tins ready to take with you, organic seasonal and pickled vegetables and fruits.
The market flows out from these big sheds with what seems like miles of vibrant flowers for sale. Turn a corner and its clothing and pretty much anything you might need in life.
Eat lunch here or at least buy yourself a magnificent picnic with local rye bread, cheese and beer. Head over to one of the nearby parks and eat al fresco.
3. Enjoy Street Art & Art Nouveau
Riga has around 800 Art Nouveau buildings. They are easy to pick out as you walk around. Alberta Street is the hub for this architecture and while you’re there, visit the Riga Art Nouveau Centre. This is a fascinating peek into the home of a famous Latvian architect, set to reflect him living there in the early 1900s. Open 10am-6pm. Closed on Mondays.
Speaking of amazing art, you will spot many fun pieces of art as you walk around the city. From the famous 2 black cat figures on a rooftop which has created exaggerated tales of revenge to the Bremen Donkey, Dog, Cat, Rooster Sculpture which was gifted to Riga in 1990.
On the surface the statue appears to tell a Grimm Brothers fairytale, but many say the meaning of the gift was deeper, signalling limits placed on people’s freedoms in the Soviet era.
4. See City Views from 123 meters at St Peters Church
Similar in concept to our bell tower climb in Tallinn, but hey don’t miss these incredible city wide views!
St Peters is Art Nouveau architecture in its glory!
What’s also interesting about this ancient church, is how it has been painstakingly renovated after fires and more. Wrap up warm as it was a little breezy up top when we visited.
5. Eat Local & Try Black Magic Potions
We had fun in Black Magic ‘alchemist’ Store in Kalku isla 10 (street). There’s a huge array of confectionary and chocolates along with a dose of history! Tales abound of alcohol herbal potions prepared to help alleviate ailments. Find your potion!
We ate at and recommend Season’s Restaurant and enjoyed a pre-dinner drink in the hotel’s Pils Bar.
For a great authentic Latvian cuisine experience, try Salve Restaurant.
5 Amazing Things to Do in Vilnius
After a short drive down from Riga, here we were in our final city of our trip. Vilnius feels bigger and perhaps more spread out than Riga or Tallinn, but as we found, its old town heart and culture is unique and fascinating to experience. Who knew there was an independent republic here for example?
1. Book A Walking Tour
Why in Vilnius? Well, it’s a little bigger and we wanted to get beyond the main town and learn more about life here.
We used Vilnius Free Tour Company and the guide was brilliant. If you want to see lesser known areas of Vilnius, this is the tour!
Book in advance as it’s popular. Just e-mail them at info@vilniusfreetour for your spot.
The meeting place for most walking tours is the symbolic center of Lithuania – known as Cathedral Square
This spot is where the first wooden cathedral was erected in the 1300s and ruling Dukes and Kings (or parts of them) were laid to rest here. The belfry towers above at 57 meters and the clock chimes to remind locals it’s time for church!
2. Visit the Republic of Uzupis!
Uzupis, is in reality, a section of the city but has the identity of an independence republic. Our guide gave us a great overview as we walked through the border and read the constitution!
There’s a huge variety of artwork around here and also it’s a good stop for a coffee mid walk. It’s a place where you feel you can just let your imagination flow – what’s not to love about that!
3. Walk Up Hill to Gediminas Tower
Today, this tower is part of the city’s National Museum and it’s clear to see when you’re in Cathedral Square. It’s worth a walk to this hilly area of town to see the last remaining Castle Tower of the Upper Castle close up. If you prefer take the funicular!
The tower is named after Gediminas, seen as the founding father of the city, who had the vision of the castle but only got as far as starting it. It’s nice to hear that his grandson reinforced the original wooden structure with brick! You will also see the Hill of 3 Crosses from here!
Some say the original crosses were erected as a memorial to visiting monks who were killed by pagan locals but to be honest no-one really knows the true history from centuries past. These newer crosses were put up in the 1980s.
4. Eat Local Favourites and Try Lithuanian Beer
Confession! By the time we got to Vilnius, we had eaten a lot of food, so we didn’t indulge in big dinners as much here.
That said, we had a couple of delicious lunches in traditional Lithuanian restaurants.
Zeppelin Potatoes and Beer soup are but a few menu delights at Zemaiciu Asotis.
We also ate at Etno Dvaras and all tummies were happy!
It’s not hard to try Beer tasting in Vilnius (or across the Baltics!). We probablyhad too much fun at a little bar the name of which escapes me, tasting local beers. Find your spot and try some of the traditional recipes like honey beer!
5. Go Inside a Church
Being honest, sometimes touring lots of churches get boring! There, I’ve said it! But in this part of the world, the architecture and interiors of their churches are often some of the most stunning sights in a city.
As you walk around, you will come across St Anne’s Church and the St Peter and Paul Churches. They are very different in look, St Anne’s being Gothic in style and built of red clay bricks.
When you get inside St Peter and Paul’s, you will be blown away by the ceiling frescos and baroque work. It’s simply beautiful to walk through. If you want to attend a service, the church worship schedule is published on line.
If church is not for you, tour the palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.
What’s cool is that this now museum offers 4 different ‘routes’ to choose from. Each follows different periods of Lithuanian history. Closed on Mondays.
Getting to Vilnius Airport
Getting to Vilnius International Airport for your return flight from the city center is pretty straightforward. Public transport is your best bet unless you have a lot of luggage.
We found the Vilnius Airport Public Transport Page the best for options, timetables and prices.
So, The Best Baltic Country to Visit is ..
Any of them, and ideally all 3 together!
Like us , if you enjoy trying different foods and local beers our favorites were in Vilnius. For markets and architectures, Riga took our top prize and for viewpoints, it’s hard to beat Old Upper Town Tallinn views.
Bottom line, a week seeing the best of the Baltics was simple to plan and lots of fun. We highly encourage you to check out these beautiful stately capitals as a combined tour and to go there as soon as you can.
