Three countries on the shores of the Baltic Sea – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania may be surprisingly contrasting, but all three are united by their common history going back many centuries, and the joint struggle for independence. To fully experience the Baltic flavour, one should visit all three.
The unspoiled scenery of the Baltic coast, the living culture and traditions, and the heritage left behind by the former superpowers make the Baltics an attractive tourist destination.
Baltic capitals
Each of the Baltic capital cities has a distinct and individual charm.
The capital of Latvia is Riga. Thanks to its multiple extraordinarily beautiful art nouveau buildings, it is considered the European art nouveau metropolis.
Baroque, the most prominent architectural style in Lithuania, is at its utmost in the capital city of Vilnius, whose features are unimaginable without sacred baroque architecture.
And finally, northernmost Estonia offers visitors to experience the spirit of the Medieval Ages, omnipresent in the cobblestone streets and buildings of Tallinn.
Things to know before going to the Baltics
- The Baltic countries are traversed by the European highway E67, which in the Baltics is also known as Via Baltica. The highway connects Helsinki and Prague, going through Tallinn, Riga, Panevėžys, Kaunas, and Warsaw.
- If traveling by car in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, there are numerous convenient campsites, many of which are located in picturesque surroundings with access to rivers, lakes or the sea for swimming.
- Every year, there are increasingly more cycling routes for safe and healthy traveling in the Baltic countries, for instance, the Euro Velo 13 route along the Baltic coastline.
- All three Baltic countries are members of the Schengen Area, therefore European Union citizens are free to move from one country to the other without any internal border controls.
- All Baltic countries have one currency – the euro (EUR).
30 must see places in the Baltic countries
Estonia |
Latvia |
Lithuania |
Tallinn the capital | Old Town Riga | Vilnius |
Soomaa National Park | Gauja National Park | Curonian spit |
Pärnu | Turaida Museum reserve | Trakai castle on the lake |
Võrtsjärv area | Cesis old town | Maritime museum |
Day trip on the Onion Route | Jurmala City | World amber road |
Haapsalu | The historical Centre of Kuldiga | Druskininkai and Birstonas |
Narva castle | Aglona Basilica | The treetop walking path |
Matsalu national park | Ventspils City | Grūto parkas |
The many islands | Rundāle Palace and Museum | Hill of Crosses |
Tartu | Liepaja City | Route of Bear |