Welcome to your complete guide to a trip through the Baltic states. These three countries nestled on the eastern side of the Baltic Sea offer a fantastic value and rich history for those willing to get away from the more traditional countries in Europe.
From this all-encompassing guide, you'll get to know each city and what to expect from a trip through the Baltics, with tips on how to navigate the region.
In order to cut down on the length of this guide, as it already includes nearly 300 items, some places of lesser importance have been left off this list, but are listed on the Google Maps version for each city.
A lot of work went into this guide. I leave my travel knowledge open for all, so if you find this guide useful I do ask that you leave a tip, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Most locals will speak their native tongue (Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian). Everyone will speak at least one foreign language, for those under 40, that language will likely be English. Especially within the cities, there should be minimal communication issues when visiting restaurants or museums.
Fun Fact! While Latvian & Lithuanian are Indo-European languages, the same family as English. Estonian, is Uralic which is closely related to Finnish and the Finnic branch of the Uralic Family, which also shares roots in the Hungarian language.
Safety is always a concern when travelling, especially to more unknown regions. All Baltic States are generally very safe. In the larger cities the only concerns are for pickpockets in crowded areas such as public transport or tourist spots.
The food has many similarities to those of their Slavic neighbors, A large diversity in Potato-based foods will be common, and Beets will be especially common in Lithuania. Smoked fish anywhere near the Sea will be a must-try and makes up a substantial part of the diet. Many dishes will seem strange, but make sure to give them a try!
Often locals can appear cold and unfriendly, but that's just due to their lack of over-emotion. Just because they smile less, doesn't mean they are unfriendly.
Don't be scared, and once you get to know someone, they are quick to open up.
📆 When to Travel?
The late spring and summer (May-August) will be the best time to visit the region. Temperatures can reach 30*C during the day, but will cool off to around 15*C at night.
With the region being northern, the days are quite lengthy in the summer, daylight can last up to 18 hours a day.
December, around Christmas, is a gem of a time to visit the Baltics, as when they turn white with snow, they offer some of the most picturesque Christmas Markets in all of Europe. Tallinn is especially known for its market in the Old Town.
💵 Money
All three countries have adopted the Euro. At this time €1 = $1.10 USD.
Tap payments (Apple/Google Pay), and cards are widely accepted in the major cities. Cash can be useful in rural areas and smaller markets.
Average Daily Cost: Expect to spend around €50-75 each day, excluding accommodations.
You will find prices lower than in the rest of Europe, with minimal variation between the three countries.
A sit down meal with a drink can be about €20.
A coffee and pastry will cost about €3 each.
Tipping! While its becoming more common, it still is not a requirement, and only really used as a sign of gratitude for a nicer meal. 5-10% is more than enough.
🚌 Transport
Maps
Google or Apple Maps are widely available throughout the region, and will even include public transport routes and timetables.
Ferry
An extremely popular way to travel to Tallinn and the Baltics is through the Tallink Ferry. Tickets are roughly €35 and the crossing takes about 2hours.
Both cities can be done as a day trip from one another. Tallinn is an extremely popular day trip from Helsinki for both tourists and Finnish people (Cheaper alcohol). If you plan on staying in Estonia, I'd highly recommend adding an extra day and crossing north to Helsinki.
Riga has the largest airport of the Baltic States with the operator Air Baltic having a vast and modern network of routes. However starting in the middle of the 3 countries isn't the most time efficient way of traveling, which means if flying into Tallinn or Lithuania aren't options, then Helsinki or Warsaw will be the best choices.
As mentioned above, Helsinki, being the major city in the region has a larger network of connections through the airport, and getting from the Airport, to Tallinn takes about 3hours, via train, tram, and ferry.
Warsaw also offers fantastic connections to the Baltics from all around Europe and North America. LOT, Poland flag carrier has over 14+ daily flights into the region, with around half of them being to Vilnius, which you can fly into and make your way north and leave through Tallinn or Helsinki.
How will you get between the three cities? Until Rail Baltica becomes a reality, which will offer high-speed trains from Helsinki to Warsaw, the easiest way to get around the region is by bus.
Both LUX Express & FlixBus offer fantastic services at reasonable prices. Tickets between capitals can be regularly be had from as low as €10.
Tallinn sits at the top of the Baltics on the Gulf of Finland. It's a cozy capital city with under 500,000 inhabitants. The crisp, clean air makes traveling around the historic Medieval Old Town a very relaxing and enchanting experience.
Old Town Tallinn can be seen as a day trip from Helsinki.
However, it's best to experience the city as a destination. With everything the city and surrounding areas have to offer, you can easily spend 2-4 days in Estonia.
🎫 Tallinn Card
If I have one tip for Tallinn, it's this card. The Old Town is littered with 43+ Museums, big and small, hidden around the town. With this card, you don't need to worry about paying €5-10-20 at each museum, and it gives you absolute freedom to explore in and out of any museum you pass by. It also includes free public transportation within the city!
Be sure to stop by and get a paper map with more information of all the attractions of the Old Town.
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⛴️ Transport
Tallinn is incredibly walkable, especially within the Old Town. Travel around the rest of the city is easy with the large network of Trams and buses. Tickets are €2, but free with the above-mentioned Tallinn Card.
For Tourists, the main railway station won't be of much use as trains from here are primarily regional, and train travel to Latvia is possible, but requires a transfer near the border with separate tickets.
Slightly outside the city, the bus terminal can be accessed by tram. It's fresh and modern and tickets are generally cheap, this is where FlixBus & LUX Express depart from.
A Major way people visit the city is through the port. Just a short 15min walk from the Old Town gates. It is separated into different terminals (A-D), so if you depart, be sure you arrive at the correct one. Terminal D is typically the departure for Tallink to Helsinki.
A 20min Tram or Train ride to the edge of the city, the Tallinn airport has flights to and from all over Europe. Most rental car agencies will be located at the airport.
The Old Town is what most people will visit when in Tallinn. It is truly a living museum, loaded with museums and landmarks that you can wander around for days.The Visit Tallinn website is fantastic and loaded with knowledge so you can pre-determine what is worth checking out.
The location is split between the Fat Margaret Tower in the Old Town, and by the water about a 15min walk down the street.
It is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Tallinn, an incredibly well done Maritime Museum.
The park, created in the 18th century sits on the grounds of the Kadriorg Palace & Museum. It expands outwards and includes lots of fountains, and art installations.
Anyone can head to the top-floor restaurant where there is a Skydeck open to the public with great views of the old town and downtown.
Oh and it is also a great hotel to stay, situation in the heart of downtown Tallinn (not Old Town)
Cinnamon Buns. Rost is a fan favourite for sweet and savory pastries and buns. Handcrafted right in the bakery, the sweet aroma drifts around the shop and makes for the most incredible experience. Hands down the best bakery in Tallinn, dare I say Europe. A must try.
The most popular restaurant in Tallinn. Be sure to book a reservation well in advance. Excellent contemporary food, with a local menu of dishes, and drinks. The friendliest service in town. Can't say enough good things, you will just have to try it for yourself. Better get in to try it before it gets on the Michelin list!
While I do give it a $$$ price, the value is incredible and the mains range from €20-30eu
As authentic as you can get in Estonia. Watch for the spice, they mean it. Recommended: Seasoned Fried Chicken, Cheese Chicken galbi, and Gimchi soup! *Beware of opening hours, they can close early.
Cheap diner, good for travellers on a budget. Big portions of normal food. Soups, potatoes with meat, sausages, cabbage. Don't expect too much of an exquisite taste and you won't be disappointed.
Large national park east of Tallinn. It's a beautiful day trip and the park has a plethora of natural sights to see like Bogs, Waterfalls, and Villages.
It is a great place to get out of Tallinn and explore more of Estonia, especially for hikers.
Riga's gorgeous Old Town is smaller in area size than Tallinn. The city itself has more to offer and the Latvian nightlife is something to experience.
2-3 days will ensure you have plenty of time to visit the Old Town and get out to see the sights that Riga has to offer.
🍷 Black Balsam
The national drink of Latvia, it has a very unique flavor. A mix of earthy tones, with more punchy notes of citrus and ginger, with an assortment of spices. It isn't for everyone, but its worth a try!
🌊 Beaches?
Surprisingly yes! Especially during July-August, the Baltic Coast offers fantastic beaches, and getting outside Riga and is extremely easy.
Jurmala is just 35min outside Riga, and very accessible by train. Both the town and beaches make for a fantastic day trip!
Intercity buses will arrive and depart from here. This is where you can catch LUX Express or FlixBus. Stop by the market hall for snacks before the journey onward.
A personal favorite market in the entire world, it's comprised of four massive hangers that were used to house German Zeppelins in WW1.
The market has anything you could ever want. Each building is themed for different products; Meats, Fruits, Clothing, and even an upscale Food Hall.
Outside the market, there are streets lined with vendors as well (Bazaar in Latvian).
On the opposite side of the river, the massive building is striking to look at and looms over the riverbanks. IT has exhibitions on Latvian literature, tours, and an observation deck looking back over the city.
As a native Canadian, I can always vouch for watching a hockey game. Something about watching a game in Latvia is different, the fans and crowd bring excitement to the game that even non-hockey fans are sure to enjoy!
Vilnius is seen especially for its large and well-preserved medieval Old Town. Named after the city, Vilnian Baroque architecture can be seen throughout the city.
Pink soup is a must when visiting Lithuania. All Slavic countries have their own version of a cold borscht, and in Lithuania, the pink soup is theirs!
Perfect for a hot summers day, the soup is made of fermented milk and beetroot, which gives it the pink color.
Lithuanians are so in love with the soup, it has its own 'Pink Soup Fest' annually in Vilnius during the first weekend in June.
📆 How Long To Stay?
Vilnius, like Tallinn, has a well-preserved medieval Old Town. Unlike Tallinn, there are more neighborhoods in Vilnius to explore, including Užupis which is a separate republic within the city.
Visitors can easily fill 2 full days of items into their itinerary and should have no problem stretching it into 3 or 4.
🎫 Vilnius Pass
Free coffee while you tour the city? Sign me up! The Vilnius Pass is a must-have for touring around the city. It gives free or discounted access to every museum in the city, it also provides discounts at shops and restaurants throughout the city!
Escape into Lukiškės Prison, a historical complex in Vilnius that was once used to incarcerate people, has been transformed into a vibrant cultural hub.
The construction of the stone castle was begun in the 14th century by Kęstutis, and around 1409 major works were completed by his son Vytautas the Great, who died in this castle in 1430.
Place of Christian pilgrimage during communist times when it was outlawed, the crosses are a symbol of peace with 100,000 crosses creating a folk art fantasy and historical stories to tell.
In 1997, the residents of the area declared the Republic of Užupis, along with its own flag, unofficial currency, president, cabinet of ministers, a constitution written by Romas Lileikis and Tomas Čepaitis, an anthem, and an army of approximately 11 men. The army has since been retired. The residents of the self-declared republic celebrate this independence annually on Užupis Day, which falls on April 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U%C5%BEupis
Dating back to 1906. It’s where you’ll find produce sold by both small farmers and larger-scale businesses, remnants of the Soviet-era, as well as trendy new spots with delicious food, like bakeries, butchers, cheese and wine shops, a bagel deli, and a bistro.
This modern food market is a little bit outside the city centre but definitely worth a visit. You will also find all sorts of Lithuanian products and edible souvenirs at a non-touristy price. In total, there are 32 shops and 9 places to eat.
Full of very different people selling all kinds of different things. Kalvarijų is where you can find a lot of local produce. Part of the market is located in pavilions, while the rest of the stalls are outside
Its purpose is to organise cultural routes, tell hidden stories about Vilnius Old Town, establish traditions, improve infrastructure, and attract investors and individuals interested in Old Town culture.
When walking along Vokiečių Street, turn into the small alley next to Restaurant La Provence and you’ll soon find yourself in a small courtyard that leads to an arched tunnel between two buildings known as the Love Arch. Take the person you love by the hand and walk together.
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Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania
Born from a passion for exploration, out of Toronto. Travel has taken me all over North America and Europe! I've gotten the opportunity to leave Canada, and live in Finland, Germany, and Poland. At the same time, having traveled to 18 countries!
From those opportunities, I started crafting and sharing my maps which I feel provide a sense of exploration and recommendations that others can use to create their own memorable experiences. Each map is handcrafted, both from personal experience and local recommendations. They're a go-to way to learn what each new place you visit has to offer.
Whether it's to help plan a dream trip abroad or explore more of what your own backyard has to offer, check out my collection of ready-to-go maps or let me create one for yourself.
Feel free to reach out with any questions, additions, or corrections at (thomas.abroadandco@gmail.com).
