Self-drive journey across Latvia & Lithuania

Riga

Day 1: Welcome to Latvia

Welcome to incredible Latvia! You'll touch down in Riga where you'll be greeted at the airport by your local guide. He'll drive you into town where you'll have some time to relax and freshen up before setting out to explore!

Spend some time walking around the city, taking in the new and exciting scenes.

When it's time, head back to the hotel for a lovely dinner!

Riga

Day 2: Discover Exciting Riga

Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. Take a guided walking tour to see the Art Nouveau most famous buildings on the streets of Alberta and Elizabeth, as well as the Old Town with Riga’s Castle and the Three Brothers houses, oldest dwellings in the city.

Make a visit to the Riga Central Market, one of the largest covered markets in Europe. Taste smoked meat, pickled vegetables, Latvian bread, seasonal treats, and more. The market opened in 1930, and it consists of five former Zeppelin airship hangars.

Ethnographic Open-air Museum - Garkalne

Day 3: Experience Ancient Traditions

In the morning, visit the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum. During a guided tour you will learn about Latvian farmer’s life. You will have a degustation of local goods like cottage cheese, homemade bread, and honey.

The museum is located in a lovely pine-tree forest next to Juglans Lake. A meditative musical experience is waiting for you – ancient sounds of Latvian traditional string instrument “kokle”. Latvians have a saying that “kokle” is given to them by God. Relax and enjoy the ethno-music concert!

In the evening, relax in a cozy guesthouse with access to a sauna. Enjoy the tranquility brought by the Latvian forest.

Jurmala

Day 4: Soak Up Latvia's Seaside

Nearby Riga, Latvia’s most famous resort town Jurmala stretches 30 km along the seaside. Take a break from the city on the sandy Jurmala beach. Enjoy a peaceful walk along the pine forest dunes without any rush.

Do a self-guided bike tour and explore Jurmala. In the mid-19th-century holidaymakers began escaping the city to relax in Jurmala, and it developed as a resort, often called the ‘’Northern Riviera”. You will cycle along a pine-covered dune, see the expressive wooden architecture, modern villas, and endless sandy beaches.

Stop for a swim at one of the eleven established swimming places.

Kemeri - Kalnmuiza

Day 5: Adventure in Kemeri National Park

Drive from the splendor of Jurmala to the former resort of Kemeri to discover Kemeri National Park on a self-guided tour. The Kemeri town was one of the most popular resorts in the whole Soviet Union and has retained its charm also nowadays.

Kemeri is known for its sulfur water springs and large bog territories. Hike a 5 km wooden board trail that will lead you through the bog and to the viewing tower where you will see an impressive landscape.

After, you drive to Kalnmuizas manor which lies on the rolling hill of Abava River valley.

Kuldiga

Day 6: The Most Romantic Town in Latvia

Kuldiga is an architectural gem! Join a guided walking tour to see the romantic blend of Kuldiga’s architecture, small winding streets, and channels.

The heart of the town is the Venta River and the Ventas Rumba, the widest waterfall in Europe.

Discover this charming place at a slow pace. Enjoy free time in the afternoon.

Liepaja

Day 7: The City With it's Own Character

The next stop is Liepaja, a vibrant port city with its own character. Catch the wind on a guided walking tour, as it is known as a "city where the wind is born”.

Liepaja has an artistic soul and is known for its rock musicians. There is even an alley of fame where many famous Latvian bands and musicians have placed their handprints.

Klaipeda - Nida

Day 8: Along the Amber Way

In the morning, continue to Klaipeda. Join the guided walking tour in the port city. It begins in Klaipeda's Old Town, known for its old cobblestone streets lined with medieval guild houses. You will visit such landmarks as the Theatre Square and the Ann from Tharau Fountain, a sculpture of a muse of the famous German poet Simon Dach who was born in Klaipeda.

Afterward, take a ferry to the Curonian Spit, a long, thin sand spit that runs 100 km between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. On this narrow strip of land, you can find sleepy fishing villages, isolated pine forests, and endless sand dunes.

Nida

Day 9: On the Curonian Spit

In the morning, you will do a self-guided bike tour from Nida to Joudkrante and back. On this route, you will see several dunes and visit the Hill of Witches, located at the lagoon-side village of Juodkrante. Despite the spooky name, this landmark is actually a collection of wooden sculptures atop a forested sand dune. There are over 80 sculptures made by local artists that depict themes of paganism and Lithuanian folklore.

After that, you will return back to Nida to stroll around the town, enjoy local fish restaurants, and try different kinds of smoked fish.

Kaunas

Day 10: Discover the Second Largest City in Lithuania

In the morning, you will continue to Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania.

Upon arrival, a guided walking tour will take you around the Old Town and show you such landmarks as the Town Hall Square and the House of Perkunas, a gothic merchant house that dates back to the 15th century.

You will also visit Kaunas Castle, a gothic fortress built on a hill overlooking the Nemunas River, dating back to the middle of the 14th century.

Trakai - Vilnius

Day 11: From Kaunas to Trakai

After breakfast, drive from Kaunas to Trakai.

Go on a guided kayak tour on Lake Galve. The tour will bring you around the medieval Trakai Castle, the landmark of the area.

Afterward, you will visit this impressive gothic fortification, built in the latter half of the 14th century out of red brick and stone.

Next, continue to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

Vilnius

Day 12: Enjoy a City Tour of Vilnius

Spend the morning on a guided walking tour of the Old Town, the medieval heart of Vilnius.

The highlight of Vilnius is Cathedral Square. The Cathedral was consecrated in 1783. It is Lithuania's premier Roman-Catholic church. Moreover, its mausoleum is the final resting place for some notable figures throughout history, including grand dukes of Lithuania and even King Alexander of Poland.

On the tour, you will see the Gediminas Tower, the 15th-century St. Anne's Church, Vilnius University, the oldest university in the Baltics, the Gate of Dawn, and the city's medieval defensive fortification, built around a chapel that remains a major catholic pilgrimage site in Lithuania.

Enjoy free time in the evening.

Vilnius

Day 13: Farewell to the Baltics

Your last day in Lithuania has sadly arrived. Take one last morning to enjoy the beautiful city of Vilnius. Stroll through the streets, eat some delicious last meals, and do some last-minute souvenir shopping.

Soon, it will be time to pack your bags. Your friendly driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the airport. It may be the end of your trip, but you'll have memories from your amazing vacation in the Baltics that will last you a lifetime.