The Baltic States Self-Launched: 10 Days from Vilnius to Tallinn

Fly into Vilnius International Airport (or connect via a budget carrier from your nearest hub — Ryanair and Wizz Air serve Vilnius from many European cities for as little as £30–80 each way). Take bus No. 1 or 88 from the airport to the city centre for around £1. Check into your hostel in or near the Old Town and spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace. Wander up to Gediminas Tower for panoramic views over the city, stroll through Cathedral Square, and poke around St. Bernard's Garden. Grab dinner independently — Vilnius has excellent cheap eating options with mains from £5.

🚌Bus No. 1 or 88 from Vilnius Airport to city centre, ~£1. Tickets from the driver or via the Trafi app.

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Vilnius Old Town — e.g. Hostelgate or Jimmy Jumps House (~£15–20/night in a dorm, ~£40–50 for a private room)

• →Self-guided walk to Gediminas Tower and Castle Hill for panoramic city views
• →Explore Cathedral Square and the surrounding Old Town streets
• →Stroll through St. Bernard's Garden at your own pace
• →Find dinner at a local kafeteria or Old Town restaurant (mains from ~£5)

Spend a full day diving into Vilnius's UNESCO-listed Old Town. Book a self-guided audio tour or a budget walking tour via GetYourGuide (from ~£10). Visit the Church of St. Peter and Paul — free entry — with its extraordinary baroque interior. Cross the river into the quirky self-declared republic of Uzupis, a bohemian artistic district that's free to wander. In the evening, book a craft beer tasting at Bambalynė or Snekutis pub, which offer excellent local beer flights for around £8–12. End the evening at a local restaurant for a traditional Lithuanian dinner — try cepelinai (potato dumplings) for under £8.

🚌Walking day — no transport costs

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Vilnius Old Town (~£15–20/night dorm)

• →Self-guided or budget walking tour of Vilnius Old Town UNESCO World Heritage Site (GetYourGuide from ~£10)
• →Visit the Church of St. Peter and Paul — free entry
• →Explore the artistic district of Uzupis — free, check out the Uzupis Constitution plaques
• →Visit the Dawn Gate and Church of St. Anne — both free
• →Craft beer tasting at Bambalynė or Snekutis (~£8–12 for a beer flight)
• →Traditional Lithuanian dinner: cepelinai and herring (~£8–12)

Take an early morning bus or marshrutka (minibus) from Vilnius Bus Station to Trakai — departures every 30 minutes, journey ~35 minutes, cost ~£1.50. Explore Trakai Island Castle (entry ~£6), which sits on a lake and is one of Lithuania's most photogenic spots. Rent a rowing boat or take a short boat trip on Lake Trakai (~£5). Have lunch at one of the local Karaite restaurants (try kibinai pastries for ~£3). In the afternoon, take a direct Lux Express or Toks bus from Vilnius to Klaipėda (~3.5 hours, ~£10–15). Check into your accommodation in Klaipėda.

🚌Bus Vilnius–Trakai ~£1.50; bus Vilnius–Klaipėda ~£10–15 via Lux Express or Toks

🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in Klaipėda (~£15–20/night dorm, ~£35–45 private)

• →Bus from Vilnius to Trakai (~35 min, ~£1.50)
• →Visit Trakai Island Castle — entry ~£6
• →Rowing boat hire or short boat trip on Lake Trakai (~£5)
• →Lunch at a Karaite restaurant — try kibinai pastries (~£3–5)
• →Bus from Vilnius to Klaipėda (Lux Express or Toks, ~3.5 hrs, ~£10–15)

Take the short ferry from Klaipėda Old Ferry Port to the Curonian Spit (~£2 return). From the ferry terminal, take a local bus south to Nida (~1.5 hours, ~£3). Explore the charming fishing village of Nida with its brightly painted boat sheds. Hike up to Parnidis Dune (Tote Düne) — free, with stunning views over the lagoon. Visit the Amber Museum in Nida (entry ~£3) for a guided walkthrough of Baltic amber history. In the afternoon, take a short boat trip on the Curonian Lagoon (local operators in Nida, ~£8–12). For dinner, pick up freshly smoked fish from a local smokehouse stall (~£5–8). Return to Klaipėda by bus and ferry in the evening.

🚌Ferry Klaipėda–Curonian Spit return ~£2; local bus to/from Nida ~£6 return

🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in Klaipėda (~£15–20/night dorm)

• →Ferry from Klaipėda to Curonian Spit (~£2 return)
• →Local bus to Nida (~£3 each way)
• →Explore Nida fishing village — free
• →Hike to Parnidis Dune (Tote Düne) — free
• →Amber Museum tour, Nida — entry ~£3
• →Boat trip on the Curonian Lagoon via local operator (~£8–12)
• →Freshly smoked fish dinner from a local smokehouse stall (~£5–8)

Take a morning bus from Klaipėda toward Riga, stopping en route at Šiauliai (check bus timetables on Lux Express or Ecolines, ~£12–18, ~2 hours). From Šiauliai, take a local bus or taxi (~£5–8 each way) to the Hill of Crosses — one of the most extraordinary religious sites in the world, with over 100,000 crosses. Free to visit. Return to Šiauliai and continue by bus toward Riga (~2 hours, ~£8). En route, visit Rundale Palace — take a local bus or shared taxi from Bauska (~£3–5 each way). The palace has impressive baroque architecture; entry ~£8. Continue to Riga by bus from Bauska (~1 hour, ~£4). Check into your Riga hostel in the evening.

🚌Bus Klaipėda–Šiauliai ~£12–18; local transport Hill of Crosses ~£8; bus to Riga via Bauska ~£8

🛏Hostel in Riga Old Town or city centre — e.g. Friendly Fun Franku Hostel or Naughty Squirrel (~£14–20/night dorm)

• →Bus from Klaipėda to Šiauliai (~£12–18)
• →Local bus or taxi to Hill of Crosses — free entry (~£5–8 return transport)
• →Visit Rundale Palace — entry ~£8 (via local bus from Bauska ~£3–5 return)
• →Bus Bauska to Riga (~£4)

Riga is one of Europe's great Art Nouveau cities — over a third of its buildings feature this style, and the best concentration is along Alberta iela, which is free to walk. Visit the Art Nouveau Museum (entry ~£8) for an immersive experience. Walk to the UNESCO-listed Old Town and explore Riga Cathedral (entry ~£3), St. Peter's Church — climb the tower for city views (~£8), the Powder Tower (free exterior), the Three Brothers houses, and the Blackheads' House (exterior free, interior ~£6). Head to the famous Riga Central Market — housed in old Zeppelin hangars — and graze on local cheese, smoked meats, and Latvian black bread for lunch (~£5–8). Spend the afternoon strolling along the park canal or visit the National Library (Castle of Light) for free. Cross the Akmens Bridge for great river views.

🚌Walking day — tram or bus if needed (~£1.50/journey)

🛏Hostel in Riga (~£14–20/night dorm)

• →Self-guided walk along Alberta iela Art Nouveau district — free
• →Art Nouveau Museum — entry ~£8
• →Walking tour of Riga Old Town — self-guided or free walking tour tip-based
• →Riga Cathedral — entry ~£3
• →St. Peter's Church tower — entry ~£8
• →Blackheads' House interior — ~£6
• →Riga Central Market food tasting: cheese, smoked meat, black bread (~£5–8)
• →Stroll along the park canal and Akmens Bridge — free

Take an early bus from Riga to Cēsis (~1.5 hours, ~£4 via Nordeka or similar). Hike through Gauja National Park along the Amata River valley — trails are well-marked and free. Visit the medieval Cēsis Castle ruins (entry ~£5) and the charming town of Cēsis with its St. John's Church. For a farmstead experience, book in advance with a local eco-farm near Gauja — many offer traditional bread-baking and honey-tasting experiences (e.g. via visitlatviatourism.lv, ~£10–15). In the late afternoon, take a bus toward Estonia — either head to Tallinn direct (~4.5 hours from Cēsis via Lux Express, ~£15–20) or overnight in the Lahemaa region (take a bus to Rakvere ~£12, then local taxi).

🚌Bus Riga–Cēsis ~£4; onward bus toward Estonia ~£12–20

🛏Budget guesthouse near Lahemaa or hostel in Rakvere/Tallinn (~£15–25/night)

• →Bus Riga to Cēsis (~£4)
• →Hike in Gauja National Park along the Amata River — free
• →Cēsis Castle ruins — entry ~£5
• →Explore Cēsis Old Town and St. John's Church — free
• →Traditional Latvian farmstead experience with bread baking and honey tasting (~£10–15, book direct)
• →Bus toward Estonia or Lahemaa region (~£12–20)

Lahemaa National Park is Estonia's largest and most rewarding national park. Hire a bicycle from Palmse (rental ~£10/day) or join a small-group nature tour bookable via GetYourGuide or direct through local operators (~£20–30). Walk the Viru Bog (Viru Raba) raised bog boardwalk — one of Estonia's most iconic natural experiences, free entry with a short 3.5km loop. Visit Palmse Manor, a beautifully restored 18th-century manor house (entry ~£8). Drive or cycle to the traditional fishing villages of Altja and Käsmu — Altja has a traditional fishermen's tavern for lunch (~£8–12). Return to Tallinn in the late afternoon by bus from Viitna or Palmse (~£5–8, ~1.5 hours).

🚌Bicycle hire in Lahemaa ~£10; bus to Tallinn ~£5–8

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Tallinn Old Town or city centre — e.g. Euphoria Hostel or Red Emperor (~£14–22/night dorm)

• →Viru Bog (Viru Raba) raised bog boardwalk — free, 3.5km loop (~1 hour)
• →Guided forest discovery walk in Lahemaa via local operator or GetYourGuide (~£20–25)
• →Palmse Manor visit — entry ~£8
• →Cycle or walk to Altja and Käsmu fishing villages — free
• →Lunch at Altja Tavern (~£8–12)
• →Bus from Viitna/Palmse to Tallinn (~£5–8, ~1.5 hours)

Tallinn's UNESCO Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in Europe and is almost entirely free to explore on foot. Book a walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£10–15) covering Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (free entry), Long Hermann Tower (exterior free), the Kiek-in-de-Kök Powder Tower museum (~£8), and Cathedral Hill viewpoint. Visit Raeapteek — said to be the oldest continuously operating pharmacy in Europe — and try the famous Klarett apothecary wine (~£2–3 per glass, sold at the counter). In the afternoon, explore the gritty-cool Telliskivi Creative City for free — street art, vintage shops, and independent cafés. Book a 3-course modern Estonian dinner at a mid-range restaurant (e.g. Rataskaevu 16 or NOA, ~£20–30).

🚌Walking day — tram if needed (~£1.50/journey)

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Tallinn (~£14–22/night dorm)

• →Walking tour of Tallinn Old Town UNESCO World Heritage Site via GetYourGuide (~£10–15)
• →Alexander Nevsky Cathedral — free entry
• →Toompea Castle exterior and Cathedral Hill viewpoints — free
• →Kiek-in-de-Kök Powder Tower museum — entry ~£8
• →Raeapteek (oldest pharmacy in Europe) — Klarett apothecary wine tasting ~£2–3
• →Medieval-themed street art walk — self-guided or via GetYourGuide tour (~£12)
• →Explore Telliskivi Creative City — free entry
• →3-course modern Estonian dinner (~£20–30)

Enjoy a final morning in Tallinn. Grab breakfast at the Balti Jaam Market near the train station — great local produce and coffee from ~£3. Do any last souvenir shopping in the Old Town — pick up marzipan from Kalev, local craft goods, or Baltic amber jewellery. Tallinn Airport is just 4km from the city centre; take bus No. 2 from the city centre for ~£2. Book your flight home independently — Tallinn is served by Ryanair, easyJet, and Finnair with connections across Europe. Budget £30–80 for a one-way flight depending on your home city.

🚌Bus to Tallinn Airport ~£2

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Breakfast at Balti Jaam Market — ~£3–5
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping in the Old Town: marzipan, amber jewellery, linen
• →Bus No. 2 to Tallinn Airport — ~£2