Fly & Drive 9 days and 8 nights
Detailed itinerary: Riga – Tallinn – Viljandi – Tartu – Cesis – Sigulda - Rundale – Hill of Crosses – Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius – Riga
Day 1: Riga (arrival)
Arrive in Riga and pick up your car at the Riga International Airport. Drive to hotel, check-in.
Day 2: Riga
Approx. total time 3 – 4 hours: driving time 0 hours, sightseeing 3 – 4 hours.
First part of the day you should be visiting Riga’s old town.
Main places of interest: Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s church, guild houses that once belonged to the merchants of Hanseatic League, the Sweden gate, the ensemble of three buildings erected in the Middle Ages and often called the three brothers, St. Jacob’s church, Parliament House, the old Riga Castle, the Tower of Sand, Livu square, Latvian National Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the beautiful Statue of Liberty and the surrounding park with its water channels.
Approx. total time depending on selection: boat trip 1 hour, Art Nouveau district 1 hour 20 min, museum 2 hours 30 min (driving 1 hour in total).
After lunch we highly recommend to visit Art Nouveau district for Jugendstil style impressive buildings, which can be accessed by public transport, rented car or by 15 min walk (one way) trough beautiful Riga area. Also we recommend having a boat trip on river Daugava for beautiful Riga panorama views. Second part of the day also can be spent by visiting Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia or Jurmala most popular Latvia‘s summer health resort on Baltic sea shore.
Day 3: Riga – Tallinn
Approx. total time 3 hours 30 min: driving time 2 hours 30 min (180 km) sightseeing 1 hour.
Depart from Riga to Parnu. You will cross the border between Latvia and Estonia. You won’t be stopped or you need to stop, because both countries are in Shengen zone. In Parnu you should stop by the main pedestrian street. Have a walk, stretch your legs and enjoy Estonian atmosphere.
Approx. total time 2 hours: driving time 2 hours (140 km).
Depart to Tallin. Check-in at the hotel.
Day 4: Tallinn
Approx. total time 4 hours: driving time 0 hours, sightseeing 4 hours.
First part of the day you should be visiting Tallinn’s old town.
Main places of interest: the upper part of old town called Toompea: Alexander Nevsky Orthodox church built in 1900, the oldest country’s church Toomkirik built in 1233, the Estonian parliament and the upper part of the old town surrounding fortress walls and towers, two different viewpoints for panorama views; lower part of old town: Town Hall, Merchant Guild Houses and a market of local handicrafts.
Approx. total time 3 hours: driving time 1 hour, sightseeing 2 hours.
After lunch we recommend to visit Kadriorg Palace and the surrounding park, Pirita Monastery and the Song festival grounds; or you could visit Estonian ethnographical museum Rocca al Mare. All these places can be accessed by your rented car.
Day 5: Tallinn – Tartu
Approx. total time 3 hours 30 min: driving time 2 hours 30 min (160 km) sightseeing 1 hour.
Depart to Viljandi – a small town situated in the middle of Estonia. One of the biggest castles in Baltic region was built here in the middle Ages, but in 16th century was completely destroyed and abandoned. The ruins are still standing there. Visitors can walk and look around the ruins. From the castle location opens wonderful views to whole area. Viljandi typically represents the calm and peaceful atmosphere of Estonian little town. It has one central street with a few interesting bars, protestant church and a few local handicraft shops that sell really nice things made from linen.
Approx. total time 3 hours: driving time 1 hours (80 km), sightseeing 2 hour.
Depart to Tartu – the second largest city in Estonia, located on Emajogi river bank, considered to be educational and cultural centre of the country. The main reason for that is the Tartu University which was built in 1638 by the initiative of Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus. Till today this university holds a reputation of the most prestigious educational school in the country. You should visit the main university building built in classical style, the Lutheran St. John’s Church, 18th century City Hall, botanical garden and main street with many cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops. You also should stop at the symbol of Tartu – fountain-statue called the “Kiss of Students”.
Check-in at the hotel.
Day 6: Tartu – Cesis – Sigulda
Approx. total time 4 hours: driving time 2 hours 30 min (170 km) sightseeing 1hour 30 min.
Depart to Cesis – one of the oldest Latvian towns, located in the central part of the country on the Gauja River valley. You will cross the border between Estonia and Latvia. You won’t be stopped or you need to stop, because both countries are in Shengen zone. The town’s foundations were laid in 1206 when the Livonian Order started constructing the castle. The town soon became a member of the Hanseatic League. Sadly, during the ages many wars have left their mark – beautiful town has suffered enormously. You should will visit the May park with beautiful flower gardens, the St. John's Church and a sitting monk besides it; and definitely the main attraction of the town – the Cesis Medieval Castle, where you will be able to climb on the wall, explore the prison and take wonderful pictures in the courtyard.
Approx. total time 3 hours 15 min: driving 45 min (50 km) sightseeing 2 hours 30 min.
Depart to Turaida/Sigulda.
Main places of interest: in Turaida - Turaida medieval castle and Dainu hill with the sculptures; in between Sigulda and Turaida – Gutman cave; in Sigulda – Sigulda modern caste of 19th century (no entrance) and Sigulda medieval castle ruins. Check-in at the hotel.
Day 7: Sigulda – Rundale – Hill of Crosses
Approx. total time 4 hours: driving time 2 hours (140 km), sightseeing 2 hours.
Depart to Rundale - a palace known as the only surviving baroque style palace in the Baltic countries. During the visit you will discover the beauty and exceptionalness of a master work of the author of the winter place of St. Petersburg - F. B. Rastrelli. You will be surprised by decorative details found in the Gold Hall, White Hall, living rooms and the palace original owner’s J. E. Biron’s bedroom. The palace is interesting not only from the architectural side, but also for its history and various stories.
Approx. total time 2 hours: driving time 1 hour 15 min (80 km) sightseeing 45 min.
Depart to Hill of Crosses, where you will find thousands of big and little crosses built on an old mound making the place unique in the world. . You will cross the border between Estonia and Latvia. You won’t be stopped or you need to stop, because both countries are in Shengen zone. After visiting the hill you can stop for a pray at the nearby Franciscan monastery chapel.
Approx. total time 2hours 30 min: driving time 2 hours 30 min (215 km).
Depart to Vilnius. Check-in at the hotel.
Day 8: Vilnius – Trakai – Vilnius
Approx. total time 4 hours: driving time 0 hours, sightseeing 4 hours.
First part of the day you should spend visiting the old Town of Vilnius.
Main places of interest are: Cathedral Square and the Cathedral, Castle Street, Town Hall square, Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, St. Ann and Bernadine’s Church known as the Gothic corner of Vilnius, the Gate of Dawn with the holy image of the Virgin Mary, the Jewish ghetto, Vilnius University and Presidential Palace. Accessible by public transport or rented car - Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church, referred as the pearl of Lithuania for the dazzling white and gorgeous decorations made by Italian craftsmen.
Approx. total time 3 hours 30 min: driving time 1 hour 30 min (60 km), sightseeing 2 hours.
After lunch you should drive about 28 km from Vilnius to see Trakai. There you will discover a beautiful red brick castle built on an island in the middle of the lake. This will be a very relaxing, calm and without rush part of a day, where you will be able to enjoy wonderful sights, learn a bit of the history of castle and buy local souvenirs.
Day 9: Vilnius – Riga
Approx. total time 4 hours 15 min: driving time 4 hours 15 min (300 km).
Depart to Riga International Airport. Drop off the car.
End of our services.
The package includes:
- Rental car: with A/C Auto or similar, insurance and unlimited mileage
- Hotels and daily breakfasts at the hotel restaurant
- Support for emergencies by calling company’s office number
- Map for driving between major cities
- Guides for old towns are provided by the hotel you are staying in
We highly recommend:
- GPS navigation system
- Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn city walking tours
