https://ph.trip.com/moments/detail/riga-1245-132640090
MostboringdudeeverHong Kong, China
levelIconRising Star

Baltic tornado trip

When I said tornado I actually meant I regretted doing Estonia Latvia and Lithuania in just a few days. What I should have done is to do a deep dive of some 14 days in the three countries. But if 5-6 days are all you have (essentially 1-2 days in each country)… The good thing here is that the capital cities of Tallinn Riga and Vilnius are generally extremely compact and walkable. You can practically do each of the capitals in 1 day. The nice thing is that they have very different vibes and they don’t quite repeat Tallinn you go for the medieval architecture and the very well maintained/refurbished city wall. Riga is gothic. Vilnius is more baroque but has a healthy dose of contemporary art and hipster vibe The museums require some strategising because all 3 countries showcase their ww2 and independence struggles. All 3 capitals feature a liberation museum and a kgb house of sorts. I personally did only the riga ones and cannot compare, but I’d say these are fairly comprehensive exhibitions that can take you 2-3 hours. Do note that different countries have different days where everyone goes to museums for free and days where practically no museums are open. The other thing to plan are the day trips. Day trips from Riga include one to a castle town which I skipped in favour of an outting to the beaches of Jūrmala and the trek around the famous bogs of kemeri. Day trips from Vilnius include another castle town (Trakai) and the mounds of Kernave. There’s generally quite a few things to choose from. But what’s definitely in extra supply in Eastern Europe are castles and city walls….and I’d say don’t wear yourself out with castle after castle unless you are a true architecture enthusiast Not much else to say that you can’t research online. These three countries are truly places you can go cashless (bar latvia where there are still places that don’t do public transport tap and go). Intra city is very well covered by flixbus (4 hour max city to city) Of course if you are renting a car all the merrier there’s so many more places you can cover…
Posted: Jun 3, 2025
Submit
0
Mentioned in this post
Attraction

Ķemeri National Park

5/51 reviews | Natural scenery
Jurmala
Details
Show more
Related Trip Moments
Ķemeri National Park

Explore Nature on Ķemeri Bog Trail

Nengkh9
Ķemeri National Park

Breathe Deep: My Solo Recharge in Ķemeri National Park

SonnySideUp
Ķemeri National Park

Solo Sanctuary: A Wellness Escape to Ķemeri, Jūrmala

SonnySideUp
Vanalinn

A Detailed 7 Days 6 Nights Guide to Roaming the Three Baltic States

ROSEMARY NEWTON
Vanalinn

A Fairy Tale Old Town in Tallinn: Revealing the Best Citywalk Route in the Three Eastern European Countries!

vance_3647
Riga Town Hall Square

Riga was great. The whole city is lovely, downtown is where all fun begins, i.e. dancing, singing, and riding beermobiles. There are beautiful buildings all around you, and the history of each of them is amazing Strolling Through Riga’s Storybook Streets 🌧️✨ Downtown Riga instantly charms with its rich tapestry of Western-style architecture and winding streets, each building whispering tales from centuries past. Even on a cloudy or rainy day, the city’s outdoor cultural landscapes sparkle with history and cozy vibes—don’t let drizzle dampen your spirits! Set out from the Town Hall Square, weaving through the maze of Art Nouveau gems on Alberta Street and stopping to admire the close-up details of decorated facades and whimsical statues. Must-do: Climb St. Peter’s Church tower for panoramic shots of Old Town rooftops painted with rain, then wander down to the Dome Cathedral where the city’s heart beats oldest. Photo spot alert: Capture reflections in puddles for unique architecture-vision shots—especially by the Blackheads House. Rain actually deepens the colors of brickwork and brings moody atmosphere to your images! Practical tips: Keep your raincoat or a sturdy umbrella handy—weather can shift quickly, and cobblestone streets get slippery. Many cafés and bakeries nearby offer shelter and hot drinks; they’re cozy breaks if you need to wait out a downpour. Most museums and historic sites open by 10:00 AM and close by 6:00 PM—early mornings mean fewer crowds and gentler light for outdoor photography. Precautions: Be mindful of wet pavement and traffic in crosswalks; waterproof shoes are a lifesaver. Some outdoor courtyards may close in heavy rain, so check ahead for access. #Riga #ArchitectureLovers #UrbanExploration #RainyDayMagic #CultureTrip

Anaepst
Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola

The Jesuits' "Spiritual Cradle" – Sanctuary of Loyola

osalind_1
Maiasmokk Cafe

[Estonia🇪🇪Tallinn Travel Guide] A day trip from Helsinki!

aiii_traveler
Maiasmokk Cafe

[Estonia] A day trip from Helsinki! A stroll through the charming Old Town of Tallinn 💎🇪🇪

おとめざ@OL3年生の気まま旅ログ
St. Peter's Church

Baltic Medieval Fairy Tale

Brooks_Ella_46
Vanalinn

Fairytale Streets of Tallinn: Where Time Stands Still 🕰️✨

pym106
Vanalinn

2-Day Trip to Tallinn – A Fairytale Blend of Medieval Charm and Modern Vibes

Bikramjit Chowdhury