Bucket list-worthy places in the Baltics

Estonia's top city

Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It is situated on the country's northern coast, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, just 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Helsinki in Finland. The city has a rich history, with evidence of settlement dating back to the 13th century. Nowadays, Tallinn is a modern and vibrant city, with a variety of attractions, including beautiful medieval churches, a picturesque old town, and a wealth of cultural activities.

What to do in Tallinn

1. Explore the Old Town: Stroll the cobblestone streets of the Old Town and admire the historic architecture, from the iconic Town Hall Square to the medieval St. Olaf's Church. The Old Town is full of charming cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings.
2. Visit the Town Hall Pharmacy: Established in 1422, it is one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe.
3. Visit Kadriorg Palace: The Kadriorg Palace is a majestic Baroque palace built by Peter the Great in 1718. It is now a museum and houses an extensive collection of European art.
4. Visit the Estonian Open Air Museum: The museum features a collection of traditional buildings and artifacts from all over Estonia. The Estonian Open Air Museum is a living history museum that preserves and showcases the traditional lifestyle of the Estonian people. The museum offers visitors the chance to learn about the country's culture and heritage.
5. Take a Boat Tour: Enjoy the views of the city from the sea and its many islands.
6. Take a Tour of the Bastion Tunnels - The Bastion Tunnels are a network of tunnels built in the 16th century to protect the city from invaders. Today, the tunnels are open for tourists to explore and learn about the city's history.
7. Enjoy the Views from Toompea Hill - Toompea Hill is the highest point in Tallinn and offers stunning city views. Climb the hill and take in the scenery.
8. Go to the Beach: Take a trip to the beach and spend the day relaxing on the sand.

Tallinn is also easily combined with Helsinki as the cities are just separated by a two-hour ferry ride.

The first national park of the Soviet Union

Lahemaa National Park is a national park located in Northern Estonia, on the Gulf of Finland. It was the first national park to be established in the Soviet Union and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Estonia.

The park covers an area of over 70,000 hectares and includes a wide variety of landscapes, from dense forests to wetlands, bogs, and rocky coasts. It is home to a number of endangered species, including the European mink, the European otter, and the white-tailed eagle. There are also numerous historical sites in the park, including manor houses, windmills, and fishing villages. Visitors can explore the park on foot, by bike, or by car, and there are also guided tours available.

How to get to Lahemaa National Park

From Tallinn, you can take a bus from Tallinn Central Bus Station to the park. The bus takes about two hours and there are several buses per day.

Find more beautiful National parks.

The largest city in the Baltics

Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia as well as the Baltics. It is situated on the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the Daugava River. It is known for its art nouveau architecture, its medieval Old Town, and its many museums and galleries.

Riga is also a popular destination for shopping, dining, and nightlife. It has the largest market in the Baltic region, the Central Market, as well as the Riga Cathedral, the Freedom Monument, and the Swedish Gate. The city is also home to a number of universities, making it a great place to study. Riga is a great place to explore and experience a unique mix of culture, history, and modernity.

What to do in Riga

1. Explore the Old Town – Riga's Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Take a stroll through the cobblestone streets, visit the historic churches, and admire the city's many architectural wonders.
2. Visit Riga Castle – This beautiful castle is located on the banks of the Daugava River and is a great place to explore.
3. Visit the Museums – Riga is home to a number of excellent museums, including the Latvian National Museum of Art and the Riga History Museum.
4. Sample the Local Cuisine – Riga is known for its delicious Latvian cuisine, which includes dishes such as pelmeni (dumplings) and borscht (beet soup).
5. Visit the Central Market – The Central Market is one of the largest markets in Europe, and it is a great place to find fresh produce, local crafts, and souvenirs.
6. Take a Boat Ride on the River Daugava – A boat ride on the River Daugava is the perfect way to explore Riga's waterfront.
7. Visit the Riga Zoo: The Riga Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Europe and is home to a variety of animals, including tigers, bears, and monkeys. The zoo also has a petting zoo, a playground, and a restaurant.
8. Relax in the Parks – Riga is home to several beautiful parks, including Vermanes Park and Esplanade Park.

A traditional seaside resort town

Just a short drive from Riga, Jūrmala is a seaside resort town with beautiful beaches, forests, parks, and many mineral springs, making it a popular destination for spa and wellness tourism. It is located on the country's Baltic Sea coast.

Jūrmala is known for its wide, white-sand beaches, which stretch for over 30 km along the coast. There are numerous parks, gardens, and dune landscapes, all of which are popular with visitors. The town is also home to many cultural attractions, including the Jomas Street pedestrian promenade, the Jomas Park, and the popular Jomas Open-Air Museum.

Baroque Lithuania

Vilnius is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, located in the southeastern part of the country. It is the hub of Lithuania’s cultural, political, and economic life. Vilnius is known for its beautiful Baroque architecture, its diverse cultural heritage, and its vibrant nightlife.

The city is also home to a number of universities and is a popular tourist destination. Vilnius has a rich cultural and historical heritage, with numerous monuments and museums, churches, parks, and a lively arts scene.

The old town of Vilnius is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest in Europe. Its cobblestone streets and historic buildings offer plenty of sightseeing opportunities. The city is also known for its shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

A type of spit you can enjoy

The Curonian Spit is a unique piece of land located on the Curonian Lagoon in Lithuania. It is a long, narrow sand spit located in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Lithuania. It is 8.7 miles long and between 0.2 and 0.6 miles wide at its widest point.

Most of the spit is located in Lithuania and can easily be accessed from the city of Klaipėda, but it stretches all the way to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

The spit is composed of sand and gravel which has been collected over the years from the Curonian Lagoon, which is located between the Curonian Spit and the mainland. The spit is home to numerous species of birds, including the rare and endangered white-tailed eagle, and is a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature lovers. The landscape of Curonia Spit is largely flat and sandy, but there are a few small hills and dunes which provide scenic views. The Curonian Lagoon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Curonian Spit is part of the Curonian Spit National Park.

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