Discover the Baltics at your own pace on this circle self drive tour, travelling from Tallinn to Tartu, Sigulda, Liepaja, Nida, Vilnius, Riga and then back to Tallinn. You can add extra nights in Vilnius, Riga and/or Tallinn.
Itinerary
Day 1 Tallinn Arrival
Arrival in Tallinn, and pick up your rental car at the airport. Drive into the city and check-in at your hotel. Two nights in Tallinn at Hotel Kreutzwald or similar.
Day 2 Tallinn
Spend the day in Tallinn, the oldest medieval town in Northern Europe. Drive around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town with Toompea Castle, Dome Cathedral, the Old Town Hall and the Niguliste Church. Use the rest of the day in the outskirts of Tallinn and visit the Kadriorg Park with Kadriorg Palace and its art collections and the Convent of St. Bridget. 2nd overnight in Tallinn at Hotel Kreutzwald or similar.
Day 3 Tallinn – Tartu (approx. 186km)
Start the day with a drive to Rakvere and en route visit the Lahemaa National Park. Head south to the town of Mustvee and drive along the banks of lake Peipsi to Kallaste and continue to Tartu, which is known as the cultural capital of Estonia. Check-in at your hotel and overnight in Tartu at Hotel Antonius or similar.
Day 4 Tartu – Cesis – Sigulda (approx. 207km)
Continue from Tartu through the scenic Voru region to Valga, then onwards into Latvia to Cesis. Take a stroll in the Old Town and visit the medieval Cesis Castle and St. John's Church. Continue through Gauja National Park to Sigulda. Visit the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and the ruins of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword. Check-in at your hotel and overnight in Sigulda at Hotel Sigulda or similar.
Day 5 Sigulda – Sabile – Kandava – Kuldiga - Liepaja (approx. 271km)
Continue via Salaspils and around Riga to Courland and the towns of Kandava, Sabile and Kuldiga – the former residence town of the Duke of Courland – and see the widest waterfall in Northern Europe on the River Venta. Continue to Liepaja. Check in at your hotel and overnight in Liepaja at Hotel Amrita or similar.
Day 6 Liepaja – Palanga – Klaipeda – Nida (approx. 149km)
Visit Liepaja and take a drive through the military harbour and the submarine docks. Then perhaps take a stroll through Old Town. Drive onwards to Klaipeda via the seaside resort of Palanga and take the small ferry to Smiltyne and continue down to Nida. Take time to explore the unique Curonian Spit with its dunes and pine forests. Enjoy the tranquillity of the fishing villages of Juodkrante and Nida. Visit the Hill of Witches and Thomas Mann's summerhouse. Check-in at your hotel and overnight in Nida at Hotel Nidus or similar.
Day 7 Nida – Klaipeda – Kaunas – Vilnius (approx. 149km)
Heading for Vilnius stop in Kaunas - walk in Kaunas Old Town and visit the Old Town Hall and Kaunas Cathedral. On the way out of Kaunas drive by Pazaislis Monastery. Continue to Vilnius, and en route visit the medieval Lithuanian capital, Trakai and lovely Trakai Castle, beautifully set on Lake Galve. Arrive in Vilnius. Check-in at your hotel and overnight in Vilnius at Hotel Vilnia or similar.
Day 8 Vilnius – Siauliai – Rundale – Riga (approx. 149km)
Vilnius is known for its more than 1,200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. Spend the morning in the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. Leave Vilnius and drive through the central part of Lithuania and into Latvia. Visit Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of Duke of Courland. Continue via Bauska to Riga, and check-in at your hotel. Two nights in Riga at Hotel Hestia Jugend or similar.
Day 9 Riga Day at Leisure
Explore Riga's more than 800 years of history. The city, which was established in 1201 by the German Bishop Albert, is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a true kaleidoscope of various architectural styles. Visit the Old Town with Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, and Three Brothers and don't miss the New Town with the famous Art Nouveau districts. 2nd overnight in Riga at Hotel Hestia Jugend or similar.
Day 10 Riga – Parnu – Tallinn (approx. 300km)
From Riga continue via the coastal highway to the Estonian seaside resort, Parnu, take a short stop for a stroll on the beach. Drive onwards through the North Estonian land of forest to Tallinn. Check-in your hotel and overnight in Tallinn at Hotel Kreutzwald or similar.
Day 11 Tallinn Departure
Check out from your hotel and return the car to the airport.
2024 departures: daily* all year
Notes:
*blockout dates 2024, due to large events:
10 Jun - Tartu
26-30 Jun - Klaipeda
29 Jun - 06 July - Vilnius
08-28 Jul - Kaunas and Vilnius
10-14 Jul - Tallinn
12-22 Jul - Liepaja
19-20 Jul - Riga
26-28 Jul - Klaipeda
02-04 Aug - Liepaja
03-04 Aug - Kaunas
For other car types, please enquire.
Extra nights can be added in Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn - please enquire.
