travel to
Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
The Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have much in common - geography and a shared history being the most obvious. Yet each country is very different too. There is the Nordic appeal of Estonia, sharing ethnic and linguistic links with Finland, hurling headlong into the cyberage while maintaining beautiful towns like Tallinn and unspoiled nature and islands.
To its south lies traditional Latvia where endless pine forests hide palaces, churches and crusader castles and endless beaches line the Baltic. Its capital Riga is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture.
Rounding off this trio of intriguing destinations is Lithuania where the beaches of the Curonian Spit give way to deep forests sprinkled with lakes and towns loaded with sculpture parks, a Cold War museum and galleries. Its capital Vilnius is a gem known for its Baroque architecture.
best time to travel
Spring, summer and fall are the best time to travel to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. May sees tulips and forest flowers in bloom, while June is attractive for its long days and the so-called "white nights" around the summer solstice.
places to go
key experiences
Tallinn (Estonia)
Historic Tallinn, a former member of the Hanseatic League, is one of the best preserved medieval towns in the Baltics. Wander its winding streets and discover hidden squares lines with cafes. Outside the Old Town, parks and museums await your exploration.
Saaremaa (Estonia)
The island of Saaremaa is a hidden gem out in the Baltic, one of several undiscovered islands where nature, old windmills and villages, lighthouses and farms make up a patchwork of an untouched landscape.
Tartu (Estonia)
Tartu, Estonia's oldest town,second city and spiritual capital is famous for its wooden-house lined streets and its beautiful parks. The country's culture thrives here in the shape of festivals, concerts, and theatre shows.
Lahemaa National Park (Estonia)
Along Estonia’s north coast lies this pristine wilderness teeming with wildlife. Discover untouched sandy beaches, waterfalls and mossy pine forests and the 400-year-old fisherman’s village of Altja.
Pärnu (Estonia)
Pärnu is Estonia's premier seaside resort, hosting daily concerts and cultural events in summer.
Sigulda (Latvia)
Sigulda Castle was once a formidable knight's stronghold, dating back to the days of the crusading Teutonic Order. Scenic trails lead in to the beautiful Gauja Valley, a near-pristine forested wilderness.
Rundale Palace (Latvia)
Built in the 18th century by the Russian Empress for her lover, Rundale Palace was designed by the same architect who built the Hermitage in St Petersburg. The 138 room palace is richly decorated with fine paintings and furniture.
Riga (Latvia)
The most cosmopolitan of the Baltic capitals, Old Riga with its narrow cobbled streets contrasts with the wide boulevards of the new city, famous for its Art Nouveau architecture
Jūrmala (Latvia)
A string of seaside resorts, Jūrmala is Latvia's answer to the Cote d'Azure and for some the place to see and be seen. Long sandy beaches are offset by numerous pretty cottages in the villages lining the Baltic.
Cape Kolka (Latvia)
The windswept coast around Cape Kolka appeals to people who want to get away from it all, step back in time and find true solitude.
Vilnius (Lithuania)
Cobbled streets and numerous churches make up beautiful Vilnius, famous for its UNESCO protected baroque old town, Europe's largest.
Hill of Crosses (Lithuania)
Despite attempts to destroy this place by Germans and Soviets alike, the Hill of Crosses, sporting a vast number of rosaries and crosses, remains a place of pilgrimage.
Orvydas Garden (Lithuania)
At Orvydas, gardens surrounding a farmstead are host to hundreds of sculptures and works of art, brought here after the Soviets turned their wrath on religious symbols.
Plokstine Cold War Museum (Lithuania)
A former Soviet complex of ballistic missile launch pads and silos has been converted to a museum dedicated to the horror and dangers of the Cold War.
Curonian Spit (Lithuania)
The Curonian Spit points like an accusing finger to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. Here, forests are inhabited by moose, wild boar and many bird species, while endless beaches and rows of dunes allow for hours of exploration.
Trakai Castle (Lithuania)
As if floating on its own island in the middle of a lake, the picturesque red-brick castle of Trakai truly is magical.
Discover Art Nouveau
The most cosmopolitan of the Baltic capitals, Latvia's Riga is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture
Climb a Castle
Explore Sigulda Castle, once a formidable knight's stronghold dating back to the days of the crusading Teutonic Order.
See the Devil
At Kaunas Devil Museum, a peculiar collection of sculptures and carvings of devils from all over the world explores the role of the devil in mythology.
Wander the streets
Baltic towns are made for wandering. Whether you visit the old towns of Vilnius, Riga or Tallinn, or the university town of Tartu, take time to get out on foot and discover hidden squares, alleys and courtyards.
Dip in the Baltic
Take a dip in the Baltic in the beach resort of Latvia's Jūrmala, on the deserted beaches of Cape Kolka or the endless sandy shores of the Curonian Spit.
Experience the Cold War
At Lithuania's Plokstine Cold War Museum you can discover the horror and dangers of the Cold War.
Hike the hills
Hike the trails in the beautiful Gauja Valley, in pristine Lahemaa National Park, or any of the numerous national parks and you will discover that the Baltics are truly unspoiled.
Be a pilgrim
Despite attempts to destroy this place by Germans and Soviets alike, the Hill of Crosses, sporting a vast number of rosaries and crosses, remains a place of pilgrimage.
Meditate in a secret garden
At spiritual Orvydas Garden hundreds of sculptures and works of art, brought here after the Soviets turned their wrath on religious symbols, await your discovery. Find a quiet spot and while away from precious time
Beautiful Baroque
Cobbled streets and numerous churches make up beautiful Vilnius, Europe's largest baroque Old Town.
Delve into history
From Teutonic crusader castles to Russian palaces, from Hanseatic towns, WW2 monuments and a Cold War museum, the Baltic Republics are a wonderland for those interested in history
Comb a beach
Walk the endless beaches of the Curonian Spit or the desolate wilds of Cape Kolka and forget how much time passes as you comb the sands for treasure
Explore an island
Out in the Baltic, the west coast of Estonia is lined with islands forgotten by time. Best known is Saaremaa with its old windmills, castle, villages and farms
Cycle the backroads
Idyllic coastal paths and quiet backroads make Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania a haven for cyclists.
Don't forget the amber
The ancient Greeks and Romans traded with the tribes in the Baltic for amber, a fossilized tree resin that has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since time immemorial. Find it in well-established tourist centres or in hidden out-of-the-way jewelry stores.