8-day Self-drive tour in Lithuania
Self-drive tour

8-day Self-drive tour in Lithuania

  • Lithuania
  • All year round
  • 8 days / 7 nights

Program

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN VILNIUS

Arrival in Vilnius. Optional private transfer from the airport to the hotel. Check in to the hotel.

Overnight: Vilnius

DAY 2: DISCOVER VILNIUS

Vilnius is a lively and vibrant Baltic capital that offers a great contrast the Old Town charms you with wonderful gothic, renaissance, baroque, and neoclassical architecture gems, while other parts of the city are known for a buzzing alternative culture scene. Lithuania is very proud of its history as the Grand Duchy, and many cultural monuments in Vilnius still speak of these times. One is Gediminas Tower, a very distinctive landmark of Vilnius that offers a wonderful panorama of the Old Town. Another important monument is Vilnius Cathedral, an impressive neoclassical building that once served as the coronation place of the Grand Dukes, but today is the main Catholic cathedral in Lithuania. Vilnius is especially famous for its sophisticated baroque architecture. To see the greatest examples of this richly decorated style, visit the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, the Church of St. Catherine, the Church of St. Archangel Raphael, the Church of St. John, the Church of St. Theresa, and wander around the Old Town.

Right next to the Old Town lies the self-declared artists’ republic Uzupis, a very charming bohemian district with its own “constitution”, “president”, “flag” and even “money”. One EurUzas, local currency, is worth one pint of beer. Uzupis is full of art pieces on the streets and secret artists’ yards, and it offers many exciting discoveries that reveal themselves only to the most attentive observers. Go for a leisurely walk around the Uzupis, sit at a cafe, and enjoy the creative atmosphere of the artists’ republic.

Overnight: Vilnius

DAY 3: VILNIUS – KERNAVE – TRAKAI  KAUNAS

In the morning, drive to  Kernave where the first capital of Grand Duchy of Lithuania once stood. Today, Kernave Archaeological Site offers time travel through history starting from the late Palaeolithic Period to the Middle Ages. In Kernave, you can see the remains of five picturesque hill forts, a reconstructed 13th 14th-century settlement, as well as interactive expositions at the Kernave Archaeological Site Museum. Take your time and explore the history of Lithuania at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Later drive to Trakai and visit Trakai Island Castle, one of the main tourist attractions in the country and the symbol of Lithuanian statehood. Being built on an island on Lake Galve, one of the deepest lakes in Lithuania, the red brick medieval castle looks just like out of a fairytale. You can easily reach the castle by crossing a bridge, however, renting a boat and sailing around the castle is a very nice activity too. Trakai Island Castle used to be a residence of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, and you can learn more about them by visiting the Trakai History Museum located in the castle. Historically, Trakai has been a very diverse town where many ethnic and religious groups have been coexisting for centuries. One of the most distinctive communities is the Karaite people, a Turkic ethnic group. Go for a walk along Karaimu Street and enjoy Karaite wooden architecture.

In the afternoon, drive to Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania. Kaunas is known for its Interwar architecture, mostly Art Deco, amazing pieces of street art, as well as the only invisible and inaccessible square in the world that was inspired by the Fluxus art movementGeorge Maciunas Square. In order to see the greatest examples of Art Deco and other Interwar architecture, it is best to follow one of the walking routes. An exciting walking route is also created for street art lovers, but one of the must-see places is the Yard Gallery. Follow the map and explore the beauty of Kaunas! Don’t forget to stroll around the Kaunas Old Town too: visit Kaunas Castle, Town Hall Square, Perkunas House and simply follow your intuition. If you want to see the best panorama of Kaunas, go to Aleksotas Hill.

Overnight: Kaunas

DAY 4: KAUNAS – KLAIPEDA – CURONIAN SPIT

Start your day by driving to Klaipeda, a lively and colorful port town full of fishing boats, yachts, and ships. Klaipeda has a very distinctive architectural style strongly influenced by Germans, and that makes Klaipeda very different from any other Lithuanian town. Go for a walk around Klaipeda Old Town and fall in love with cozy architecture, cobblestone streets, and countless sculptures that hide in the most unexpected places: on the rooftops, on the street corners, and on the walls. Later enjoy the promenade along the Dane River. It is a lovely place for leisurely walks that offers a romantic port-town atmosphere with sailing boats in the river, countless cafes and restaurants, and old warehouses standing on the shores. If you feel like exploring the history of the town, visit the Klaipeda Castle Museum.

Later take a ferry that will bring you to the Curonian Spit, a long and narrow sandspit stretching for almost a hundred kilometres between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. Stop by Juodkrante and go for a walk along the promenade, as well as explore beautiful wooden villas, hiding in this lovely village. If you are interested in wooden sculptures and Lithuanian mythology, visit the Hill of Witches, one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Curonian Spit.

On your way to Nida, stop by the spooky Grey Heron and Cormorant Colony. In the evening, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Nida.

Overnight: Nida

DAY 5: CURONIAN SPIT

The Curonian Spit offers a unique and diverse natural and cultural landscape: magnificent sand dunes, peaceful fishermen’s villages with lovely wooden architecture, vast pine forests, and endless beaches. Enjoy a slow morning in Nida: walk around and explore the colorful architecture and weather vanes traditional to the Curonian Lagoon, enjoy the promenade, peek inside the Fishermen’s Ethnographic Homestead, discover the surprising world of ambers at Mizgiris Amber Museum, and take a look at the Curonian Spit from the heights of Nida Lighthouse. If you are interested in literature, pay a visit to the summer house of the world-famous writer Thomas Mann. When you feel hungry, look for some smoked fish and enjoy the local flavor.

Undoubtedly, one of the most spectacular places on the Curonian Spit is Parnidis Dune. Go to the observation deck right next to the Nida Sundial to enjoy the best panorama of the dune. Later, follow a small footpath and explore the beauty of Parnidis Dune by walking on it.

Another wonderful place for discovering the magical charm of dunes is Naglia Nature Reserve and its dead dunes that once buried several villages under sand. As this is a strictly protected area, you should follow the Nagliai Cognitive Trail to visit the dead dunes and feel like in a real desert.

Overnight: Nida

DAY 6: NIDA – PALANGA – PLATELIAI – SIAULIAI

Take a ferry back to the mainland and drive to Palanga, the most popular seaside resort in Lithuania that is often called the Summer Capital of Lithuania. This is a great place for a couple of peaceful hours at a beach or leisurely walks along Basanavicius Street, a lively pedestrian boulevard full of cafes and restaurants. The most known symbol of Palanga is the Palanga Pier, an L-shaped pier that stretches into the sea for 470 meters. Already at the end of the 19th century, the pier was dedicated for the use of pedestrians only. Today, it is the most popular place for watching the sunset, going for romantic walks, and having a panorama of the beach. In order to catch the aristocratic 19th-century resort vibe, walk around and look for historical villas.

Later stop by Plateliai, a typical Samogitian town located next to Lake Plateliai in the Samogitia National Park. Go for a walk in Plateliai to discover characteristic Samogitian town structure with a central square in the middle, as well as visit one of the oldest shrines in Lithuania the Church of St. Peter and Paul. Keep exploring the Samogitia National Park by driving around Lake Plateliai, the largest and deepest lake in Samogitia that is known for its natural and cultural value. There are several places that offer a great panorama of the region and the lake, for example, Siberija Observation Tower and Lake Plateliai Viewing Platform.

Next, drive to Siauliai. You will see the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, a renaissance architectural monument, shining bright white already from far away. The best place to feel the real essence of Siauliai is Siauliai Boulevard, the pedestrian part of Vilniaus Street that is often called the Heart of Siauliai. Go for a leisurely walk along the boulevard and enjoy its charm: various sculptures, buildings from different centuries, tiny stores, cozy cafes, and restaurants create a very lively atmosphere. Siaulai offers different museums for a wide range of interests. One of the top museums in the town is Chocolate Museum Ruta, founded in an old chocolate factory building. To get to know Baltic people better, visit the interactive Baltic Culture Education Center Balts’ Road. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Photography Museum.

Overnight: Siauliai

DAY 7: SIAULIAI – HILL OF CROSSES – PAKRUOJIS – LABANORAS – VILNIUS

In the morning, visit the Hill of Crosses, one of the most sacred Christian pilgrimage sites in Lithuania. It is believed that people have been leaving crosses of different sizes on this hill since the 1830s. In some historical periods, this activity was perceived as a resistance against the regime, but generally, the Hill of Crosses serves as a place for hope. If you want to leave a cross on the hill, but you don’t have one, don’t worry people often create symbolical crosses from whatever they can find around, little branches, grass or tiny stones.

Later continue driving to Pakruojis Manor, one of the biggest, most impressive, and beautiful manors in the Baltic States that is especially famous for its Flower Festival that takes place every summer. The manor offers time travel back to the 19th century by strolling around its splendid interiors and wonderful garden, exploring the curiosity room and clock room, peeking into the beer brewery and distillery, as well as visiting a fortune teller. If you wish, you can rent a 19th-century costume and feel like a real noble person.

In the afternoon, drive to Labanoras Regional Park, the largest regional park in Lithuania. Labanoras region is famous for very picturesque landscapes with lakes and forests. One of the best places to enjoy a great view of the surroundings is Mindunai Observation Tower. As there are about seventy lakes in the Labanoras Regional Park, fishing is an important tradition, and you can learn more about it at the Lake Fishery Museum. If you feel like going on a short hike, choose one of the hiking trails and explore the best of what the regional park offers.

In the evening return back to Vilnius.

Overnight: Vilnius

DAY 8: DEPARTURE FROM VILNIUS

Departure day. Check out from the hotel. Optional private transfer from the hotel to the airport.

Highlights

  • Vilnius Old Town
  • Republic of Uzupis
  • Kernave Archaeological Site
  • Trakai Island Castle
  • Art Deco architecture in Kaunas
  • Dead dunes on the Curonian Spit
  • Samogitia National Park
  • The Hill of Crosses
  • Pakruojis Manor
  • Labanoras Regional Park
Request a tour
Price

The price for two people in a double room:

  • 3-star hotels: 540.00 EUR per person
  • 4-star hotels: 615.00 EUR per person

Single supplement: 230.00 EUR

Included
  • Rental car Toyota Auris or similar per program for 5 days
  • Rental car delivery on Day 3 and drop off on Day 7 at the hotel
  • Accommodation per program
  • Well planned itinerary
  • Support during the trip
  • Roadbook (sightseeing objects, hiking routes, and other recommendations)
Optional
  • 3h walking tour in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda and Siauliai: price for each tour is 120.00 EUR;
  • Kayaking tour in Trakai: price for group is 220.00 EUR (1-2 persons)
  • Hot air balloon flight over Vilnius or Takai: price per person 240.00 EUR
  • Neris Nature Park & Kernave hike: price for group is 200.00 EUR (1-2 persons)
  • Private transfer from/to the airport: 55 EUR for private car (1 – 3 persons)
  • Traditional Lithuanian Cepelinai cooking class: price for group is 200.00 EUR
Request a tour
Baltic nature travel
5.0
Based on 15 reviews
powered by Facebook
Michael Warden
Michael Warden
2024-06-15T13:26:11+0000
Valdis took my wife and I in June 2024 from Riga to Kuldiga to see the Venta waterfalls. He told us a lot of... interesting information and gave me the inspiration to walk across the falls. He was very considerate regarding the time to spend at each location and the speed of walking through the township. I would recommend this tour for anyone wanting to see the Latvian countryside - we really enjoyed the tour with Valdis - Thank you very much.read more
Dona Zavislan
Dona Zavislan
2023-09-25T14:40:43+0000
I loved this tour and it was a highlight of my five days in Latvia. After spending a few days in Riga, I wanted to... explore more of the country and do some hiking. I considered renting a car for the day, but this tour provided just what I was looking for and so much more without the expense and hassle of a car rental and figuring out where to go. I was picked up and dropped off at my hotel and was able to enjoy the drive and an opportunity to see area surrounding Riga. Guide Valdis is a native Latvian and has a lot of experience hiking and much knowledge about the area and Latvia. The 15 K hike was rigorous, but doable. I found the park gorgeous and peaceful. We hiked through a forest, along the river, crossed bridges, explored caves and sandstone carvings and passed other notable places. Valdis made the hike very interesting with stories and he pointed out other activities available in this beautiful park and surrounding area. We stopped midday for a lovely picnic. Valdis also gave me information about other places to consider exploring in Latvia. A perfect day and I highly recommend this tour.read more
Tom Moore
Tom Moore
2022-11-19T14:17:21+0000
Had a fantastic hike with Valdis today. He's really friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend him.
Zijian Hua
Zijian Hua
2022-10-16T08:47:16+0000
Valdis is an experienced guide, a local from Riga. He has a wealth of knowledge and is always able to tell you... interesting history along the way. The route plan of the hiking is also reasonable. In autumn, the fallen leaves near Sigulda are also very beautiful. If you are planning to do an outdoor hike in Latvia too, then don't hesitate to join a walking group organized by Valdis.🇱🇻read more
Sheila Dunk
Sheila Dunk
2022-06-04T01:33:30+0000
Absolutely brilliant day out with Valdis, we didn’t stop talking from the moment he picked me up. He was knowledgeable... about the area, answered all my questions about Latvia and was just delightful to be with.The area of the hike was stunning, we got some good spots for views and pictures, the weather was beautiful and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend the day. The hike isn’t difficult, plenty of ups and downs and with a decent level of fitness anyone can do this hike.read more
Betti Sewell
Betti Sewell
2020-11-28T17:19:37+0000
The hike was beautiful and Valdis was relaxed, helpful and informative. Highly recommended.
Chris Palin
Chris Palin
2020-11-15T07:39:38+0000
Had a great experience with Valdis. The hike was really interesting with lots of points of interest including an... abandoned bob sleigh track. A great guide, fantastic day out.10 out of 10 I would definitely recommend to anybodyread more
Elisa Bozzotto
Elisa Bozzotto
2020-10-31T21:30:28+0000
I love the atmosphere in the group and the offered trails. They show a part of the countryside that is still not yet... well know but definitely worth seeing. With woods that look like the one from a fairy story book and really good company it's definitely a suggested tou experience for the lovers of outdoors activities..The guide is super available and offer explanations and curiosity. Particularly useful is the description of how to reach the starting point with public transport (even with the specific schedule time). So I definitely recommend it 😉read more
Lina Kulikauskaite
Lina Kulikauskaite
2020-10-31T18:04:12+0000
Nicely chosen trail 🍂🌲very friendly and supportive guide. Had a lot of fun! Looking forward for next trip 👣📸
Kristīna Kļimoviča
Kristīna Kļimoviča
2020-10-05T05:49:53+0000
I am very grateful to Valdis for leading our hike through the Gauja National Park near Sigulda. It was the perfect... combination of the city sightseeing and enjoying nature. Valdis made stops at the most remarkable objects both in the city and in nature and told the most important things, which were neither too much nor too little. He really took good care of the group. Thank you for this day! Highly recommended!read more
Victor Papin
Victor Papin
2020-10-04T15:43:17+0000
Great welcoming & service, great hike.
Oskars Ikstens
Oskars Ikstens
2018-04-27T12:18:35+0000
Zane Kurševa
Zane Kurševa
2018-04-22T14:12:43+0000
Armīns Maslovskis
Armīns Maslovskis
2018-04-22T13:39:50+0000
Liene Lote Čemme
Liene Lote Čemme
2018-03-01T14:27:46+0000
Next Reviews
please fill the form to

Request a tour


Frequently Asked Questions

What travelers say about us

EXCELLENT
36 reviews on
SisterBliss66
SisterBliss66
2024-11-02
Great day out - lovely walk in Gauja - Līgatne trail - in the crisp autumn air followed by the paper mill. Then on to Sigulda Castle and Gutman Cave. Valdis was very knowledgeable and we had some interesting conversations about the places visited, history, culture and lots more besides. Friendly guy, fluent in English. It was awesome getting out of Riga to see more of the country.
Jane Bower
Jane Bower
2024-09-30
My partner and I (69 and 75) are just back from a 17 day self-drive tour put together with the help of Valdis from Baltic Nature Travel. It was an absolutely delightful and fascinating experience. We asked for quirky or unusual accommodation and a mix of hotels and self-catering - great fun. We went at our own pace and chose what to see. Everything was beautifully organised - a couple of small hitches were dealt with straight away on the phone. We are well-travelled but didn't know these stunning countries at all. Our overall impression is CLEAN and GREEN. Thank you, thank you for such a unique and special holiday.
Andrew Golding
Andrew Golding
2024-09-16
First Class Personal Tour of the Baltic Republics organised by Valdis: a bespoke, friendly, intelligent, safe and varied introduction to this wonderful part of the world. Wholly recommended.
David Morris
David Morris
2024-09-10
Excellent booking experience - very easy and all the information we needed. Hire car arrived at the hotel as arranged and the handover was excellent. All the hotels that were booked for us were great and the itinerary was really wide-ranging and interesting. Estonia people were almost always friendly and helpful, and the restaurant food was great. Would definitely recommend Baltic Nature Travel and Estonia as a destination
Karen Green
Karen Green
2024-07-23
Valdis, the owner of Baltic Nature Travel, is a terrific tour organizer. His advance communication and arrangements were unfailingly responsive, prompt and helpful. On the trip, we had different guides as well as drivers in the different cities (Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn.) In each case, they were well-informed and on time at the meeting point. We never needed to worry or contact the guide (though we were provided with their information.) Every hotel Valdis chose for us was of a very good standard, well-run, clean, exceptionally well located, and with wonderful breakfasts. The restaurants he recommended were also excellent – we learned to just go where he suggested! The tour was an exceptionally good value. In sum, we couldn’t have been more pleased. Our trip was wonderful and we left wanting to see more of the Baltics' beauty. If we do go again, we would unquestionably work with Valdis. In the meantime, we will recommend him to all of our friends.
Lucía Gómez
Lucía Gómez
2024-07-17
Fantastic Self-Guided Hiking Experience! We recently completed a self-guided hike in Gauja National Park, which was wonderful. The trails were serene, and we rarely encountered other hikers. The provided materials and app were excellent and highly accurate. The hotels, luggage transfer, and overall transportation arrangements were flawless. Highly recommend this experience!
Paul Green
Paul Green
2024-07-12
Anna Brish was a fantastic tour guide for understanding Jewish history and culture in Vilnius. She was friendly, deeply knowledgeable, eager to answer our questions and accommodate our specific interests. Anna does other tours and we would take any of them, she’s amazing!
James Cornez
James Cornez
2024-07-11
Myself and my best friend came across this company whilst researching options to travel in Latvia and we are very pleased we did. Valdis was very amenable during the planning process by arranging video calls with both of us so we could better understand what was on offer for us to do. He compiled an 8 day itinerary for us that did not disappoint starting in Riga for 2 days. We paid for an optional 3hr walking tour which was very worthwhile to see the main sites of the city. Janis took us on the tour who is a great guy that gives you plenty of interesting information, ready to answer any questions regarding Latvian history/culture. We chose the self driving option to see as much of Latvia as possible which I would definitely recommend if you want to have more than just a city break. It took us to varied places ranging from the heavily forested and pretty areas of Sigulda (where we did a fun kayaking tour on the Gauja river) and Cesis to the pleasant coastal cities of Liepaja and Ventspills. Overall, definitely the company to approach if you want to authentically explore Latvia!
Esther A
Esther A
2024-06-21
Valdis and his team helped us to organise a guided 16 day trip across Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Helsinki. We had a very enjoyable experience! Coming from Singapore and not knowing Valdis beforehand, we were initially worried about language and logistical challenges. All these were unfounded as Valdis and his guides were not only knowledgeable but also responsive, helpful and flexible. We had some minor hiccups during the trip but Valdis was able to resolve them very promptly. I would highly recommend engaging Valdis for your next trip!
Annette Ihrman
Annette Ihrman
2024-06-16
The tour was very versatile and a good addition to our trip to Riga. We can recommend it!

Leave a review

Tell us about your experience!

About the booking terms & conditions

Travel insurance needed? Read more

Baltic Nature Travel
Baltic Nature Travel