Exploring the Baltics: gems of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia

Whether you’re planning to visit just one country or seeking a multi-stop tour that packs a lot into a small space, look no further than the pleasing diversity of the Baltic states. Sandwiched between Russia and Scandinavia on one of Europe’s chilliest oceans, the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania hold a unique cultural quality that make them distinct from neighboring countries – and from each other. After decades of occupation by the Danish, Polish, Germans and Russians, Baltic citizens are acutely proud of their independence; their home countries a smorgasbord of co-existing architectural styles, storied ruins, acres of barely-trodden forests and cities bursting with an independent spirit. Read through our Baltics travel guide to understand why these states have so many travelers falling in love with them time and again.

Visit Estonia, an emerging European destination

A decade ago, tiny Estonia would be far down the list of top European tourist destinations, but the tides are turning in large part due to the country’s scintillating capital, Tallinn. It’s a vibrant and walkable city, awash with streets of brightly-painted buildings, a progressive cafe culture and intriguing museums, all of which have started to bring Estonia the attention it deserves.

When exploring Tallinn, it’s hard to ignore the sheer aesthetic quality of its historic streets. The Old Town is a joy to wander through, with beautifully-preserved Hanseatic houses and ornate churches that offer a sublime glimpse of Estonia’s medieval past. The history of the Old Town is contrasted with Tallinn’s modern-day urbanization – breezy wine bars, intuitively-designed architecture, and a burgeoning food scene that invites visitors to spend at least a couple of days here.

You’ll notice that Tallinn grabs every opportunity for evocative storytelling – at the Estonian Open Air Museum, for instance, where you can learn of the city’s history in a theatrical microcosm, complete with actors in traditional costume. More costumed staff serve you at Olde Hansa, a high-end eating experience in the heart of the Old Town, themed to recreate Tallinn’s golden Hanseatic period. To reflect fully on Estonia’s journey to independence, get an unbeatable view of its glorious capital by ascending the 314m-high Tallinn TV Tower.

Away from the city life, Estonia is somewhat of a natural wonderland, as what the Baltics lack in mountainous terrain they make up for in swathes of pine forests, lush green fields and coastline. For an accessible dose of nature just outside of Tallinn, Lahemaa National Park covers 725 sq km of countryside fringed with coastal bays and inlets. Walking, cycling or horseback riding through the forestland may lead you to spot the many lynx, brown bears, foxes and moose that reside here.

For some coastal respite, western Estonia rewards those who make the journey further afield, with forested islands and sparkling beaches, the stretching scenery only interrupted by the occasional lighthouse and wooden windmill. Head to Saaremaa and Hiiumaa to get a taste of this quiet Estonian island life.

The best things to do in Latvia

Next up in our Baltics travel guide is Latvia: the central segment of the Baltic trio, this country plenty to brag about. For one, its abundant nature: 50% of its landmass is relatively untouched wilderness, yet nature-loving travelers don’t gather here as they do in other destinations. For most visitors this is the crux of its appeal, given the chance to embark on fresh walking trails without the usual crowds.

To get out into the wild in Latvia, Kemeri National Park is crammed full of biodiversity, owing to the pine forests and wetlands that surround the famous Kemeri Bog. The sulfur springs here are thick with mineral-dense waters and mud, which is used by local spas for their health and beauty treatments. Throngs of edible wild berries also grow here, and twitchers can spot rare Latvian bird species such as the wood sandpiper, whose only breeding habitat is the bog. Elsewhere in Kemeri’s fairy-tale forests, you may encounter black stork, moose, elk and horses.

For some contrasting cosmopolitan energy, Kemeri isn’t far from Riga, Latvia’s art-steeped capital and the only city in the country. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets of its Old Town, Vecrīga, shadowed by the stunning medieval cathedral and the tall, looming spire of St. Peter’s Church. Conversely, the New Town blossoms with gorgeous examples of Jugendstil Art Nouveau architecture – Riga being home to the highest concentration of Art Nouveau structures in the world.

Aside from being an impressive architectural playground, Riga has focused on the arts as its distinguishing factor, and this spirited, radical vibe emanates through its street life and inhabitants. It enjoys its reputation as the biggest, and perhaps most hedonistic capital in the Baltics – with exuberant nightlife, vibrant music venues, and diverse restaurants to indulge in after-hours.

Get some restorative peace and quiet at the beach town of Jūrmala. Its white-sand beaches backed with forested dunes will soon have you winding down, ready for whatever treat of the Baltics comes next.

Why visit Lithuania, the southernmost Baltic nation

Last but by no means least in our Baltics travel guide, we have Lithuania: often described as ‘quirky’ by visitors and tourist boards alike, Lithuania’s proudly boisterous and unpretentious spirit is one which you’ll come to adore. As the last European country to be Christianized, it’s home to plenty of Pagan sites and possesses an air of mythical folklore that permeates the Lithuanian countryside.

The capital, Vilnius, is compact yet full of energy, with a gorgeous Baroque Old Town alongside a melee of Gothic, Rococo and Neoclassical buildings. A delightfully incongruent mix of modern restaurants, exuberant music venues and museums exists alongside this hodge-podge of historical architecture.

Don’t miss the Hill of Crosses, a site of Catholic pilgrimage just outside the city. The story goes that over decades of occupation, Vilnius inhabitants each lay a cross on the hill as a statement of defiance, starting in the 1831 Uprising and into the 1960s at the peak of Soviet rule. Over the years, the hill – blanketed with a striking mass of crosses, draped with rosary beads and folk art – has become synonymous with Lithuanian pride.

The Jewish Quarters are also worth wandering through. Vilnius was formerly one of Eastern Europe’s biggest Jewish centers, where Jews used to make up around a third of the population, until the atrocities of World War II reduced the number to around 5,000. Citizens are keen to commemorate the strong Jewish heritage that existed here in Vilnius; the formerly-known Vilna Ghetto, where surviving Jewish residents lived, is now condensed into Žydų, Stiklių and M. Antokolskio streets.

Outside of city life, Lithuania possesses the same untouched quality of its Baltic neighbors. Its most dramatic landscapes are at the Curonian Spit – a huge, elongated sand dune separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Folklore dictates that a giantess formed the Spit to assist fishermen, and it certainly carries a mythical quality, with endless meadows, wetlands, forests and beaches. Six national parks are situated on or near the Spit, and between 10 and 20 million migratory birds fly over or nest here each year, making it a fantastic destination for bird-lovers.

Make it happen

If our Baltics travel guide has you feeling inspired, you can rely on our locally-based travel experts to plan a tailor-made trip for you. You could deep-dive into one of the three states, absorb a world of cultural contrasts by touring all Baltic capitals, or take a little longer to explore each country at a slower pace. Get in touch to start planning an incredible Baltic experience…

1. Estonia
2. Latvia
3. Lithuania