With its World Heritage cities, unspoiled forests, medieval castles and endless white sand beaches, the Baltic States offer endless plans for every type of traveller. So that you don't miss out on its greatest attractions, in this article we'll tell you the 10 must-see and must-do things in the Baltic States . Keep a map handy because you'll need to start writing down your next destinations!
What to see in the Baltic States
But let's not rush too much, first we need to clarify what exactly the Baltic States (or Baltic Republics) are. With this term we generally refer to the former Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. However, due to the proximity and attractiveness of destinations such as Finland, Sweden or Denmark, a trip to the Baltic States is often extended with one or more getaways to cities such as Helsinki, Stockholm or Copenhagen (so don't be surprised if you find "Scandinavian references" in the post).
⭐ Check out this post with lots of tips for visiting the Baltic Capitals
That being said, we are going to reveal to you the best things to do and see in the Baltic States:
1. Tallinn (Estonia)
We begin with the destination that captivated us the most on our route through the Baltic Republics. The capital of Estonia is one of those cities that could inspire a Disney movie. With its onion-shaped domes so typical of Orthodox cathedrals, its medieval historic center full of watchtowers, its walls and buildings from another era, it is the perfect setting for any story reminiscent of the past.
But the city is still alive and well in an increasingly digital world. Did you know that companies like Skype and Transferwise were founded in Estonia and that Tallinn is one of the best destinations for digital nomads ?
⭐ 30 things to see and do in Tallinn
2. Riga (Latvia)
The capital of Latvia is a destination that is still relatively unknown and not included in many travellers' plans. We were expecting a grey and charmless place, but it turned out to be a pleasant , surprising city (did you know that it is the city with the most Art Nouveau buildings in the world?) and with a good handful of points of interest that we found absolutely splendid. Among them is the historic House of the Blackheads , built by a brotherhood of young merchants in the 14th century in the heart of Riga.
However, the place that caught our attention the most was the Central Market , located none other than inside the old military hangars that the Germans used to store their zeppelins.
⭐ 25 things to see and do in Riga
3. Vilnius (Lithuania)
We jump from capital to capital, and this time we land in Lithuania. Of the three that make up the Baltic States, Vilnius could be the one that at first glance gives off the least charm . It has neither the magic of Tallinn nor the peculiarities of Riga, however Vilnius is a city that deserves a visit , even if it is only for a few hours, on your route through here.
Some of the most outstanding plans in Vilnius are to walk through the lively streets of Pilies and Didžioji , contemplate the Town Hall Square , visit some of its many churches , climb the Hill of the 3 Crosses or visit the National Museum of Lithuania , but we assure you that there are many more 😉
⭐ 20 things to see and do in Vilnius
4. Take a cruise
If you're good at geography, you'll know that off the coasts of these three countries, on the other side of the Baltic Sea, there are destinations as suggestive as Helsinki , Stockholm or Turku. And one of the most fun and romantic ways to unite these two regions is on a mini-cruise . In fact, we reached Tallinn on a one-day cruise from Helsinki (a good, nice and cheap plan).
The best thing of all is that there are several routes to hop from one city to another across the sea, so one of the best and most original things to do in the Baltic States will be to take advantage of the proximity to Scandinavia to take one of the sustainable mini cruises that sail through both areas.
Viking Line offers 1-3 night cruises at great prices, perfect for savouring the essence of northern Europe , and we think it's a great plan if you want to alternate cultural tourism in interesting cities with a few relaxing days feeling like a sea wolf. In addition, this company is committed to the environment, in fact, its Viking Glory (which runs on liquefied gas) is considered one of the most sustainable ships in the world.
Some of the most popular routes are:
- Tallinn ↔ Helsinki
- Tallinn ↔ Stockholm
- Stockholm ↔ Turku
- Stockholm ↔ Mariehamn
5. Eating, one of the best things to do in the Baltic Republics
The Baltic countries have common culinary roots and influences : being bathed by the Baltic Sea, fish is the basis of many traditional recipes (especially smoked fish), although there is also a wide variety of soups and other dishes with garden products such as potatoes. Here are a handful of dishes that you should try during your trip:
› Cepelinai , one of Lithuania's national dishes, is a potato dumpling filled with cheese or meat and served with sour cream sauce. The name comes from the fact that its shape resembles a zeppelin.
› Bulviniai blynai , pancakes made with grated potatoes, onions and eggs, which we would personally eat every day XD.
› Aukstā zup is a cold soup made with beetroot (similar to Russian borsht), ideal for summer.
› Frikadellisupp , another soup, this one hot, with broth and meatballs.
› Pelmeni , typical of the entire eastern part of Europe, are ravioli filled with meat, cottage cheese, fish or potatoes/vegetables.
6. Kaunas (Lithuania)
The second largest city in Lithuania is another must-see stop on this route. It is historically very important, just think that it was once the capital of the country . Its historic centre is notable , full of small squares, cobbled streets and, of course, a solemn castle that was built in the 14th century to protect the city from possible crusader attacks.
Fun fact: Kaunas is said to be the most Lithuanian of all Lithuanian cities.
7. Trakai Castle (Lithuania)
Although when it comes to castles, we cannot forget the medieval Trakai Castle , undoubtedly one of the most charming places in Lithuania and the Baltic Republics. Imposing and proud , it stands on an island in Lake Galvé and offers one of the most iconic postcards of the area.
The best thing is that getting here is very easy: you just have to hop on a bus from Vilnius or sign up for a tour like this one . Trakai is about 40 minutes from the capital, so it would be a real shame to miss it.
8. Jurmala (Latvia)
Jurmala, the place where the sky and the water of the Baltic Sea merge perfectly, will welcome you with a fresh sea breeze and a small but ideal city to spend a few quiet days. It is also very close to Riga, making it one of the best excursions you can make from the capital of Latvia.
If you're travelling in the summer, don't forget your towel, flip-flops and swimsuit, as this is a well -known spa town even in the USSR, so taking a dip will be one of the highlights of your trip to the Baltic States. On the other hand, if you're travelling in the winter, you'll experience the fury, strength and uncontrollable power of the frozen Baltic. Which plan do you choose?
9. Curonian Spit (Lithuania)
Did you know that the largest dunes in Europe are located right next to the Baltic Sea? You can see them on the Curonian Spit (Kuršių Nerija), a 98 km long strip of sand that separates the Curonian Lake from the sea. It is so long that it occupies two countries: Lithuania and Russia (Kalingrad). The width of the spit varies between 400 metres and 4 km.
Beyond the uniqueness of this National Park , here you can visit quiet and peaceful villages such as Pervalka, Preila, Juodkrante and Nida, walk through pine forests , step on beaches and dunes and enjoy one or more different and entertaining days.
10. Lahemaa National Park (Estonia)
We end our list of the must-sees of the Baltic Republics with the Lahemaa National Park, located on the northern coast of Estonia, about 70 km from the capital Tallinn. In 1971 it was declared a National Park, the first in the entire Soviet Union! This already gives you an idea of the natural beauty and importance of the place …
Its name means “Land of Bays” and it has more than 700 km² full of rivers, wetlands, pine forests, beaches and routes where hiking enthusiasts can breathe air so pure it almost hurts. One of the most popular trails is the Viru Raba , a circular route of about 6 km that, via wooden walkways, will take you to swamps, observation towers and enchanted landscapes.
This is our top 10 of the must-see places in the Baltic States , but as we mentioned, we have left out a few gems along the way that surely deserve their place. Do you know of any other places to visit in the Baltic States? Which are your favourites?
