The Baltic countries they are those that surround precisely the Baltic Sea, an inland sea of brackish water that is north of Europe and opens to the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea through a couple of straits.
Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Latvia and Russia are countries with a coastline on this beautiful sea, but when it comes to "Baltic countries" refers specifically to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, located all on the east coast. Now we will concentrate on what to see in the baltic countries
Vilnius, Lithuania
Our list that what to see in the baltic countries starts with Vilnius is the capital of lithuania and it is a very postcard city. Lithuania is one of the few countries in Europe where you can fly in a hot air balloon over the city, so this is one of the activities that you cannot ignore.
Vilnius is a timeless city, with many charming places that tourists can visit: the Cathedral, the complex of Gediminas Tower, St Anne's Church… It is a city that can be easily explored on foot and thus you arrive at the bohemian neighborhood with cafes, cobbled streets and graffiti known as Uzupis.
Curonian Spit, Lithuania
Since you are in Lithuania, you can visit this beautiful isthmus of almost 100 kilometers long. It is a peninsula of sand jutting into the Baltic Sea and separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic coast.
It is a natural wonder and one of the World Heritage Sites protected by UNESCO. It is a super peaceful ecosystem, pine trees, water and sand dunes that harbor an interesting biodiversity. It is a vulnerable site, a coastal postcard that is formed by the sea, the wind and human activity.
Summers in Lithuania are short but people flock to enjoy walking on the dunes, riding a bike, sunbathing or just cool off a bit with the sea breeze. If you are interested, then the best date is to go from the beginning of June until the middle of September.
You can stay the night, there is a nearby village called Nida that also offers various accommodations and restaurants. There are very traditional wooden houses.
Hill of Crosses, in Lithuania
Since we are in this country, let's see a couple more places that add charm to what to see in the baltic countries: the Hill of Crosses is a collection of 200 thousand wooden crosses erected on a small hill north of the pthere. It is a super touristic place and it is called, in Lithuanian, Kryziu Kalnas.
The hill is in Siauliai and is a national pilgrimage destination since the XNUMXth century. That is why stories of ghosts and miracles abound. The climb up the hill is arduous, but once you get to the top, in addition to the crossroads, you have a wonderful view of the old town and the entire city. Obviously, going in the afternoon before sunset is the best time.
Trakai, Lithuania
This other place in Lithuania is a wonderful place: Trakai is a medieval village located west of Vilnius, between lakes, hills and forests. There is Trakai Castle, on an island. As it is close to the capital it is a day trip classic.
It is about going to see Lake Galve, walking just half an hour from the town to the island where the XNUMXth century castle and marvel at this construction that defies the passage of time. One can go spend the day, eat traditional food and walk a lot. It is a magical place that can be visited all year round.
Riga, Latvia
Is the Latvian capital and it is a cosmopolitan city that offers a lot to do: walks, restaurants, cafes, bars... medieval old town it is a real charm and can be easily explored on foot. You will not be able to stop taking photos of its streets and buildings.
Is the Riga Cathedral, the Swiss Gate, Freedom Square where the changing of the guard takes place and how you can not miss a good panoramic view of so much medieval beauty you can go to the St. Peter's Church and pay admission to climb to the top of his tower. 360º views!
Gauja National Park, Latvia
Continuing with this other Baltic country, it must be said that this parque natural it is a treasure: it is the national park largest and oldest in the country And contains museums, churches, mills, medieval castles and virgin pine forests.
The park is really big so it is always good to know what you are going to do inside: you can do hiking, climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, hiking... To get to the park you can take a bus from Riga to Cesis, Sigulda or Valmiera.
The park is open 24 hours a day, and if you like nature, this destination on our list of what to see in the baltic countries can not miss on your route.
Cesis, Latvia
You quit It has the oldest brewery in Latvia. and is thus a popular travel destination for those who are trying beers all over Europe. Cesis is a small but beautiful town and mediaeval touch.
From Riga you have to take a bus and travel by road for two hours. In Cesis you can visit the medieval castle and its surrounding park, enjoy concerts in summer, visit cafes and shops and see all the historic buildings it has.
El Castle of Cesis It has a historical exhibition, a craft jewelry workshop and a torchlight tour when the sun goes down. It is best to arrive between July and August to witness the Cesis Art Festival.
Jurmala, Latvia
It's a seaside resort town which offers a lot of entertainment for visitors, especially the beauty of its natural surroundings where you can enjoy the icy blue waters of the Baltic Sea.
If you go in summer you can go to the beach, there are white sand beaches surrounded by pine forests. A beauty.
Tartu, Estonia
Tartu is a University City which is considered the cultural and intellectual center of Estonia. It is located right between Riga and Tallinn. There are many cafes, cheap restaurants and a great nightlife with medieval charm.
In Tartu there is the AHHAA Science center, with its exhibitions, workshops and theater shows, the church dome on a hill and many art installations.
Tallinn, Estonia
Obviously it cannot be missing from our list of what to see in the baltic countries this beautiful medieval city It looks like something out of a Brothers Grimm storybook. One or two days are enough to get to know her, so you can easily go on a weekend.
Tallinn is great at any time of the year and you can do everything on foot. The old town is a World Heritage and you must visit Toompea Hill, Kadriorg Palace, Seaplane Harbour, Medieval Town Square and the elegant old Town Hall building. Around it there are many cafes, restaurants and many beautiful buildings.
If you have time, do not go for a walk in the morning, which is the time when all the tourists leave en masse. In the afternoon things are calmer.
Finally, it must be said that this list of what to see in the Baltic countries always has room for more. The former soviet republics they are simply beautiful and will make you fall in love with their well-preserved historical sites or their most modern neighborhoods. The truth is that they have places that you will not see in other countries and if you are looking for a European destination a little away from the noise of very big and noisy cities (those in the rest of Europe), Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are ideal: a beautiful mix of unspoiled nature, captivating cultures and romantic medieval castles.
The best time to visit the Baltic countries is between the end of June and August, which is when there are more sunny days. The weather around here is usually extreme. These three countries that we named above and concentrate our article belong to the Schengen Area so the visa works and you can easily get there from any city in Europe. You can also get to Poland, Warsaw, and from there take a train or bus.
Once in the Baltic countries the best way to get around is with buses, between cities within countries and between countries as well. And last but not least, these three countries are broadly cheaper than the rest of Europe.