Stay : Baltic capitals in a week
Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn are charming capitals which, because of their proximity and economic attractiveness, attract many Europeans. With the allure of medieval cities, these capitals are on a human scale and offer their visitors the pleasure of being able to contemplate them while taking their time.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
7 days
€ - Good and cheap
Detail of the stay : Baltic capitals in a week - 7 days
Day 1: The centre of Vilnius
Start your visit with the cathedral square, which you will recognize by its imposing French classical style. Go up through the park to the Gediminas tower overlooking the square. At the top of the tower is a belvedere that offers a beautiful view of the city. Then take Gedimino prospektas, Lithuania's "Champs-Elysées". In this street is the Museum of the Victims of Genocide, more commonly known as the "KGB Museum"; moving, it evokes the hell of political prisoners under Soviet occupation. After having walked through Gedimino, leave the Cathedral Square and go up Pilies Street, which is full of restaurants and cafés; take the opportunity to take a break at one of its terraces. Continue your ascent through Didzioji Street, which will lead you to theplace de l'hôtel de ville. From the square, you will see the church of Saint-Casimir, recognizable by its crown-shaped bell tower and its pink colour. Walk past the Astorija Hotel and go up to the porte de l'Aurore.
Day 2: Vilnius side
Steps: Vilnius
Start the day with the visit of Vilnius and its surroundings, dine or drink a drink in the restaurant.
Day 3: Trakai
Trakai is a small town 28 km from Vilnius, famous for its lake and castle, which was once the capital of the Duchy of Lithuania. On the program, visit the castle and the Karaite Ethnographic Museum to discover this Lithuanian minority. If the weather is nice and hot, you can swim in the lake or rent a boat for a walk along the water. After lunch, take the road to Riga (3 hours) and, a few kilometres after the border, at Bauska, follow the signs for Rundale Castle. Located 80 km from Riga, this palace was built in 1740, at the request of the Duke of Birzov, by Franscesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the architect who designed the St Petersburg Winter Palace. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful palace in the Baltic countries.
Day 4: Visit of the old city of Riga
Early in the morning, go to the halls of the covered market (the largest in Europe). These are old zeppelin hangars. Enter the old city through the "Camel Gate", which reminds us that the goods of Asian caravans arrived in Riga. Then go up to the bell tower of St. Peter's Church to admire the view of the city. Then, take rue Skarnu to reach the Place du Dôme, the centre of the old town, where the cathedral of the Dôme is located, home to one of the most beautiful organs in Europe. Stroll through the maze of streets that make up the historic centre of Riga and discover the many historic buildings of Old Riga.
Day 5: New City and Art Nouveau
Bordering the old town along Basteja Boulevard is the Opera House. Not far from there, in Brivibas Street, the city's main artery, stands the Freedom Monument. Continuing on to Brivibas, you will see Hotel Latvija, a 27-storey skyscraper located in Elizabetes Street. Riga is known to be the European city with the highest number of architectural masterpieces in the Art Nouveau style. A walk along Elizabetes Street (opposite the station), where part of these buildings are concentrated, is a must. At the end of the street, on Alberta Street, you can admire the city's most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings. We owe the whole street, except number 12, to Eisenstein, the father of the famous filmmaker. Return to the Latvija Hotel. On the 26th floor, the Sky Bar offers a panoramic view of the old town. Take the time to enjoy a cocktail while admiring the sunset...
MONUMENT DE LA LIBERTÉ (BRĪVĪBAS PIEMINEKLIS)
Day 6: From Sigulda to Tallinn
Steps: Tallinn
Take the road early in the morning towards Sigulda. You can visit the caves of Guttman, along the Gauja River, and the Turaida Castle, which seems to have emerged from a fairy tale. Ask for the legend of the Rose of Turaida to be told to you. From there, take the road to Saulkrasti, to join Via Baltica towards Estonia. All along the way, you will find fishing villages whose restaurants may not have stars but which offer honest traditional cuisine. A few kilometres after the border, you arrive at the Estonian seaside resort of Parnu. Take the time to soak your feet in the water while admiring the "summer" wooden architecture. You're only a two-hour drive from Tallinn.
Day 7: Visit to Tallinn
Steps: Tallinn
Start with a visit to the upper town (Toompea hill). Once inside the old town, take Pikk Street to reach the Toompea hill. From the hillock, a lookout offers a magnificent view of Tallinn. A photo break is required before visiting the Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Duomo Church. Leave Toompea to discover the lower city whose heart is the Town Hall Square, the former Market Square. Then take a random walk through the alleys and backyards to immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere of Tallinn. Let yourself be surprised by the Estonian cuisine offered by the capital's restaurants. Take a trip west of the old town to visit Kadriorg Palace and its museum. If you still have time, go along the beach next door to enjoy all the tranquility and infinity of the Baltic Sea.
Ideas for holidays and week-end breaks Tallinn
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