Self-drive trip in Estonia & Latvia
Embark on a journey to discover the adventurous side of Estonia and Latvia! Join outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking, and visit places and have experiences that will make your vacation memorable!
This journey will bring you from the capitals to the tranquillity of Baltic nature. You will have a chance to get to know and experience local traditions that are still alive and honored, sounds of Latvian traditional Latvian musical instrument “kokle” as well as the Russian Old Believers tea ceremony on the shore of Lake Peipus. You will see the unspoiled nature of Lahemaa National Park at the Baltic coastline and the ancient Gauja River valley, visit the vibrant seaside town Jurmala, and go swimming in the Baltic Sea.
The beauty and remoteness of the Baltics and a lot of adventures await!
Services
Included:
- 12 nights accommodation in 3 or 4-star hotels
- Car rental
- Activities & admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
- Kayak rental in the Gauja National Park
- Bicycle rental in Jurmala
Excluded:
- International flights
Optional:
- GPS system for rental car
Itinerary at a Glance
Tallinn
Welcome to the Baltics
Tallinn
Discover Tallinn
Lahemaa - Sagadi
Adventure in Lahemaa National Park
Mutvee - Tartu
Along Lake Peipus
Tartu
A Charming University Town
Cesis
Day Trip to Cesis, a Medieval Gemstone
Ligatne - Sigulda
Magnificent Sandstone Outcrops on the Gauja River
Rundale Palace - Kuldiga
Hiking in Gauja National Park
Kuldiga
Uncover Rundale Palace
Jurmala
The Most Romantic Town in Latvia
Jurmala
Latvia's Wild Coast
Riga
See Exciting Riga
Riga
Farewell
Detailed Itinerary
Tallinn
Day 1: Welcome to the Baltics
Welcome to incredible Estonia! You'll touch down in Tallinn where you'll be greeted at the airport by your local guide. They'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 your hotel for a delicious dinner!
Tallinn
Day 2: Discover Tallinn
On a guided walking tour of Tallinn, you will explore a well-preserved medieval center known as the Old Town. You will visit many historic sites including Toompea Castle, a stately baroque castle that today houses the Parliament of Estonia, the 13th century Dome Church, the Russian Revival Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and many more.
Lahemaa - Sagadi
Day 3: Adventure in Lahemaa National Park
After breakfast, drive to a scenic coastline northeast of Tallinn. Lahemaa National Park is considered one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coastline.
You will go on a 7 km guided hiking tour starting from Sagadi to Kasmu Peninsula and back. On the Kasmu Peninsula, you will find the biggest natural accumulation of rocks in Estonia.
You will see the Kasmu village, one of the most beautiful seaside villages in Estonia.
Mutvee - Tartu
Day 4: Along Lake Peipus
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and afterward drive along the shore of Lake Peipus, which is the fifth-largest lake in Europe. It is also the largest transboundary lake on the continent, as it shares borders with both, Estonia and Russia.
The old traditions are still alive and honored by the Old Believers living on the shore of Lake Peipus. At the Old Believers Museum, a tea ceremony is waiting for you. The ceremony will be led by an instructor wearing a headscarf required by local customs.
In the late afternoon, arrive in Tartu, the second-largest city in Estonia.
Tartu
Day 5: A Charming University Town
In the morning, join a Tartu Old Town walking tour.
Enjoy the historic streets, Town Hall Square with the statue of Kissing Students, St. John's Church with its many terracotta sculptures, and Tartu University, which was founded in 1632.
Enjoy some free time in the afternoon.
Cesis
Day 6: Day Trip to Cesis, a Medieval Gemstone
In the morning, cross the Estonian-Latvian border and stop in Cesis, a medieval gemstone and the third oldest town in Latvia.
During the guided walking tour, visit the charming ruins of the Medieval Castle, explore the history, and feel the medieval spirit in candlelight.
Despite the wars, the Old Town has remained almost unchanged. On the tour, you will see such highlights as the Roze Square, Princess’ House, and St. John’s Church. The eight-hundred-year-long history of Cesis is visible not only on the streets but also in the Cesis Castle complex.
Ligatne - Sigulda
Day 7: Magnificent Sandstone Outcrops on the Gauja River
The morning begins with a drive to the River Gauja where you have to start a self-guided kayaking tour.
On the 4 km long paddling distance, you will see magnificent sandstone outcrops.
After, visit a paper-mill village called Ligatne that still looks almost the same as in the 19th century.
In the afternoon, continue driving south to Sigulda, the heart of the Gauja National Park.
Rundale Palace - Kuldiga
Day 8: Hiking in Gauja National Park
Today is reserved for hiking. On a guided hiking tour, you will walk around 17 km.
The hike starts in the heart of the Gauja National Park, Sigulda. Siguda is also known as the Little Switzerland of Latvia. Scenic views are guaranteed! Do not worry if the hiking path brings you up to steep bluffs. Gauja National Park has established a good infrastructure for hikers to climb to the best viewing points.
A meditative musical experience is waiting for you during the hike, 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!
Kuldiga
Day 9: Uncover Rundale Palace
In the morning, drive south and pass by Riga to Rundale. On the Rundale Palace guided tour, you will see the 18th-century baroque palace that was built for the Dukes of Courland and Semigallia. The palace was built by Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who also created Russia's ornate Winter Palace and Tsarskoye Selo.
In the afternoon, continue to Kuldiga, the most romantic town in Latvia.
Jurmala
Day 10: The Most Romantic Town in Latvia
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. Take some free time in the afternoon.
Jurmala
Day 11: Latvia's Wild Coast
In the morning, drive to Latvia’s most famous resort town Jurmala which 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.
Riga
Day 12: See Exciting Riga
After a short drive from Jurmala, you are in Riga, the largest city in the Baltics.
Take a guided walking tour to see Art Nouveau's 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, the 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.
Riga
Day 13: Farewell
Your last day in Latvia has sadly arrived. Take one last morning to enjoy the beautiful city of Riga. 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.
