Day 1: Tallinn – A fairy tale from the Middle Ages
Tallinn, with its medieval stone streets and modern cafes, is a compact capital that seamlessly blends the old and the new. Since most of the city’s top attractions are within walking distance, a brief visit can feel like a journey back in time.
Tallinn: Estonia’s capital of history and culture
Entering Tallinn feels like time slows down. Its Old Town, one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Europe, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wandering through the cobblestone streets, past stone walls and watchtowers, feels as if you’ve stepped into another century. Founded by the Danes in the 13th century, the city, then known as Reval, later became a vital port in the Hanseatic League. St. Olaf’s Church, with its towering Gothic spire, once held the title of the tallest building in Europe. Even today, the city retains traces of both Swedish and Russian rule.
Estonia regained its independence in 1991 through what is known as the Singing Revolution, a peaceful movement that started in 1988 when nearly 100,000 people gathered to sing for freedom.
Tallinn: Where classic and contemporary art meet
Tallinn is a city where classical and modern art meet. The Kumu Art Museum showcases both classical and contemporary Estonian artworks, while Kadriorg Palace houses pieces from European and Russian art. For a glimpse into maritime history, you can visit the Seaplane Harbour Museum. In neighborhoods like Telliskivi and Kalamaja, the city’s creative side is on full display, vibrant with street art. If you’re interested in a deeper exploration of the city, check out our complete travel guide to Tallinn.
Day 2: Riga – Paris of the North, capital of Art Nouveau
Riga, with its stunning skyline along the Daugava River and lively street life, is one of the most romantic capitals in the Baltic region. The city’s historic center boasts winding alleyways and grand boulevards decorated with Art Nouveau facades. Almost everything is within walking distance, making the journey of exploring Riga a delightful adventure.
Riga: Latvia’s elegant capital, woven with history and culture
Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga quickly grew into a major port and a proud member of the Hanseatic League. Its historic center, Vecrīga, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and with more than 800 Art Nouveau buildings, the city resembles an open-air museum. The facades along Alberta and Elizabetes streets are masterpieces in their own right.
Riga’s history is rich and multilingual, shaped by centuries of rule under Poland-Lithuania, Sweden, and Russia. In the 20th century, the city endured both Nazi and Soviet occupations before regaining its independence in 1991 through peaceful protests such as the Baltic Chain. Today, the Freedom Monument stands as a symbol of that hard-won struggle.
From Art Nouveau to the Avant-Garde: Discovering Riga’s creative spirit
There’s a reason Riga is often called the “Paris of the North”; its striking architecture and rich artistic heritage speak for themselves. The Art Nouveau Museum immerses you in that era through a meticulously preserved apartment. Meanwhile, the Latvian National Museum of Art showcases a diverse range of works, from classical masterpieces to bold avant-garde pieces. In contrast, the Museum of the Occupation recounts the story of Latvia’s Nazi and Soviet years with a powerful narrative style. Riga is home to famous landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads and St. Peter’s Church, but Latvia’s heritage also exists in the carved wooden houses that line its streets.
Day 3: Vilnius – A city of baroque and bohemian spirit
Vilnius is a distinctive capital city that fuses the past and the present through its baroque skyline and vibrant art districts. From majestic churches to the bohemian streets of Užupis, the entire city can be easily explored on foot, with every turn offering a spark of inspiration.
Vilnius: A city of architectural wonders
Shaped by the influences of Central, Eastern, and Balkan Europe, Vilnius first appeared in historical records in 1323, as documented in letters written by Grand Duke Gediminas. Welcoming artisans from early on, the city gradually evolved into a multicultural and multi-faith hub. Over the centuries, it changed hands among the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union, until 1990, when it declared independence as the first of the Soviet republics. Often referred to as the “Jerusalem of the North” and known as the “Rome of the East” for its abundance of Baroque churches, Vilnius’s Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, featuring a skyline shaped by Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque splendor.
A bohemian republic and heart of the arts
From Gediminas Tower to Vilnius Cathedral and from the Palace of the Grand Dukes to the MO Museum, the city blends history and art into a cohesive whole. The KGB Museum offers a glimpse into darker times, while Užupis stands out as an artsy bohemian “republic.” The neighborhood of Užupis in Vilnius shares similarities with the Parisian Montmartre, primarily through its witty, self-made constitution, which displays statements such as “Everyone has the right to be happy.” The artistic environment in this area inspires visitors with its diverse collection of galleries, sculptures, and murals, along with an unexpected Frank Zappa bust placed on a random wall.
Three capitals in three days may sound like a whirlwind, but Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius are compact and welcoming enough to make every moment matter. Each has transitioned from the Middle Ages to the modern era, blending its history into art and daily life while looking toward the future. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairytale as you stroll along Tallinn’s old city walls, enjoy an aesthetic feast on Riga’s art nouveau boulevards, and find a sense of tranquility beneath Vilnius’s Baroque domes and in its bohemian side streets. With their rich culture and warm spirit, the Baltic capitals easily earn a special place in any traveler’s heart.
