Are you dreaming of visiting storybook old towns in Northern Europe? This one-week Baltic itinerary is designed for travelers who want to explore four unique capital cities in just one week in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Each city is walkable and filled with history, culture, and great food. We’ve included practical tips and honest suggestions based on our own experiences in the region.
We recently had a wonderful trip to the Baltic capitals of Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius (plus a bonus full day in Helsinki).
You can move easily between destinations using ferries and comfortable long-distance buses, without the need for a car, but we also opted to rent a car for 24 hours of the journey. Here’s what we did and how we got around. We hope this helps you plan an epic trip to the region!
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Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki, Finland
- Start your morning with breakfast at Ekberg, one of Helsinki’s oldest cafes. The almond croissants and cinnamon rolls are delicious.
- Visit Senate Square and the Helsinki Cathedral, both located in the historic center.
- Walk to the nearby Design District to browse local shops or visit the Design Museum.
- For lunch, head to Market Square (Kauppatori). You can try local favorites like reindeer sausages or salmon soup.
- In the afternoon, check out the Ateneum Art Museum or visit the Rock Church and National Museum of Finland.
- Have dinner at Kappeli, right on Esplanadi. Their lohikeitto (salmon soup) was one of our favorite meals in Helsinki.
- If you’re up for a drink and meeting locals, check out FlyAF Bar afterward.
📌 Discover More: Helsinki in a Day: Your Perfect Itinerary for Finland’s Capital
Day 2: Take the Ferry to Tallinn, Estonia
- Take the Megastar ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, which takes around 2.5 hours and is more spacious and comfortable than we expected.
- After checking in to your accommodations (we booked an Old Town apartment through Booking.com) spend the afternoon wandering through Old Town. Climb the tower at St. Olaf’s Church, stroll through Town Hall Square, and visit Toompea Castle.
- For dinner, try Humalakoda at Balti Jaama Turg (Baltic Station Market), Tallinn’s main food hall. This is a vibrant microbrewery and taproom serving local craft beers, ciders, and a full pub menu.
- End the day with a handmade treat from Gelato Ladies.
- If you’re still up for an adventure, access Parrot Speakeasy through a secret door in a restaurant of the same name and end your night with a swanky, playful vibe.
Day 3: Explore Creative Tallinn
- Grab breakfast at one of the many cafés, then head to the Telliskivi Creative City.
- Spend the morning at Fotografiska, a contemporary photography museum with great views from the top floor. We also got to see a special Banksy exhibit nearby that was amazing.
- For lunch, go back to Balti Jaama Turg and sample from the many food stalls. We loved Pelmen for dumplings and VLND for burgers. 📌 Learn more here about this wonderful food hall.
- Walk through Kalamaja, a lovely neighborhood known for its colorful wooden houses.
- For a fun dinner experience, you could go medieval at III Draakon or Olde Hansa.
- End your night with drinks at Depeche Mode Baar, a quirky spot near the main square that is a shrine to the band Depeche Mode.
📌 Discover More: Where to Eat and Drink in Tallinn
Day 4: Travel to Riga, Latvia
- Take the LUX Express Bus to Riga. It’s about 4.5 hours and includes comfy seats, an airplane-like entertainment screen, and snacks and coffee.
- Check into the Radisson Blu Latvija Conference and Spa Hotel. 📌 Read our hotel review here.
- Unwind at ESPA Riga, the hotel’s spa. We booked massages through a package that also included a cocktail at the hotel’s bar.
- After the spa, take in the views from Skyline Bar on the 26th floor. Drinks are surprisingly affordable for the atmosphere.
- For dinner, Three Chefs (3 Pavaru Restorans) is officially one of our favorite restaurants of all time – not just in the Baltics. This spot provides a creative and modern twist on traditional Latvian cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. 📌 Read all about 3 Chefs here
Day 5: Explore More of Riga
- Spend the morning in Old Town, visiting the House of the Blackheads, Freedom Monument, and Riga Cathedral.
- Have lunch at Riga Central Market, which is one of Europe’s largest markets and is housed in converted German Zeppelin hangars. We enjoyed exploring all the fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and local fare like smoked fish and rye bread.
- In the afternoon, check out the Art Nouveau District and the Latvian National Museum of Art.
- Walk through Bastejkalna Park.
- For dinner, Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs is a fun underground spot with live music and local beer. We missed it on our trip, but it’s top of the list for next time.
📌 Learn More About Riga: 10 Amazing Things to See and Do
Day 6: Drive to Vilnius, Lithuania
- You can easily opt to take the LUX Express again from Riga to Vilnius, but we picked up a rental car so we could explore more. Pro tip: Make sure your rental is approved for cross-border travel or it may not be covered by insurance.
- The drive to Vilnius takes around 4 hours. If you leave early, you can check out sights along the way like Rundāle Palace or the Hill of Crosses. We wish we had more time at the palace – it was as beautiful as Versailles but on a smaller scale and without the major crowds.
- Once in Vilnius, check into the Hilton Garden Inn. It was quiet, comfortable, and well located, with easy parking options.
- Walk through Old Town and visit the Cathedral and Gediminas Tower.
- Book dinner at Ertlio Namas for a fine-dining experience that features modern interpretations of traditional Lithuanian food. 📌 Learn more about this amazing dining experience here.
📌 Discover More: Vilnius in a Day
Day 7: Explore More of Vilnius and Return to Riga
- Start the day in Užupis, Vilnius’ bohemian neighborhood. We loved Lui Patty for its bright, friendly atmosphere and beet-colored pink lattes.
- Make a side trip to Trakai Castle (this is a must). We ate lunch at Markizas, and the view of the castle from the terrace was great. If the weather’s good, consider renting a boat.
- Drive back to Riga in the afternoon.
- Stay near the airport at the Sky High Hotel, which is extremely basic but walkable to the terminal.
Day 8: Departure from Riga
- Head to Riga International Airport (RIX) for your flight home.
Travel Tips
- Everything in this itinerary is walkable or easily accessible by ride-share or local transport.
- Bolt is an Estonian ride-share service that was more readily available than Uber in the region.
- Book your restaurants, ferry, bus, and rental car in advance, especially during summer.
- Each city has excellent coffee, relaxing parks, and lots of free or inexpensive attractions, so it can be done on a budget, but nicer restaurants can be a bit pricey.
- The cities on this itinerary noticeably go from the most expensive to the most affordable, so plan accordingly.
- Click here for more details on how to get around the Baltics.
- If you’d rather do a deep dive into one Baltic capital, click here to figure out which one is right for you.
Let us know if you follow our route. We’d love to hear what you think!
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