Text and photos by Solveiga Kaļva, www.solveigaspiedzivojumi.lv
There is something about the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – that calls to the curious traveler. They are not the most popular destinations in Europe, nor do they make promises of grandeur like France or Italy. Instead, they lure in with subtle contrasts: dense forests meet windswept coastlines, medieval streets sit alongside modern architecture, tiny villages unfold into wild nature, lively capitals provide world-class cultural events. Baltic road trip offers an unforgettable journey of nuance far from tourist crowds, revealing not only picturesque landscapes, but history, culture and heritage. Two to three weeks is a great start for exploring the region in a laid-back way and visiting not only the highlights, but diving deeper into understanding the Baltics.
Baltic road trip: somewhere new
Our 17-day self-drive tour in the Baltics offers an immersive journey across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, blending cultural exploration with natural beauty. Starting in Tallinn, Estonia, travelers delve into the medieval charm of the Old Town and the creative vibes of districts like Telliskivi and Kalamaja. The route then leads to Lahemaa National Park, showcasing Estonia’s diverse landscapes with wetlands, forests, and picturesque fishermen’s villages, as well as several historic manors. Continuing to the Lake Peipus area, visitors experience the unique culture of Russian Old Believers before arriving in Tartu, a lovely town rich in academic heritage.
Crossing into Latvia, the itinerary includes the medieval town of Cesis and Gauja National Park, full of wonderful hiking trails and sandstone outcrops. The route continues through the historical paper mill village of Ligatne and one of the most scenic towns in Latvia – Sigulda. Later, travelers explore the vibrant capital, Riga, home to more Art Nouveau architecture than any other city in the world. The journey proceeds to Kemeri National Park and the romantic town of Kuldiga, where the widest waterfall in Europe can be found.
The route then crosses the border into Lithuania to explore the seaport city of Klaipeda and the serene beauty of the Curonian Spit. Kaunas awaits visitors with excellent examples of Art Deco architecture and street art. On the way to Vilnius, the route passes by the Kernave Archaeological Site and Trakai Island Castle – two unique places not to be missed. Concluding in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, the tour offers a comprehensive experience of the Baltic region’s history, culture, and natural wonders.
Two travelers from Australia, John and Vivienne, recently completed our 17-day self-drive tour. When asked why they chose the Baltics, they replied: “We’re slowly working our way around the world. And this region has been on our list for many years. So, we finally made it! We’re interested in different parts of the world. And there’s a lot of history in this region that we’re interested in.” Their friends were quite surprised: “Where are you going? To the Baltics? Where is that? Why are you going there?” To which John and Vivienne responded: “Because it’s completely different! Somewhere new!” Living in Australia, where long-distance flights are expensive, they usually try to group together several well-connected regions in a longer trip. This was no exception – they arrived in Helsinki, took a ferry to Tallinn, explored the Baltics for almost three weeks, and then continued their trip by cruise, spending time afterward in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Hamburg. Our tour was adjusted to their needs – starting in Tallinn, then heading to Vilnius and finishing in Riga.
When to go on a Baltic road trip
The best time to go on a Baltic road trip is from late spring to early autumn, typically May through October. This period offers the most pleasant weather with long daylight hours, mild to warm temperatures, and buzzing cultural events. Summer is also when the region comes alive, but it comes with a cost – it is the busiest tourism season. However, keep in mind that busy in Riga, Tallinn or Vilnius is nothing like busy in Paris or Rome. For fewer crowds and beautiful golden landscapes, early autumn is a wonderful alternative. Winters are cold and dark, with limited daylight and often challenging weather for road trips, though they can be charming if you are after festive markets or snow-covered rural towns. Shoulder seasons, May and October, give a good balance of quieter travel and decent weather.
John and Vivienne, traveling at the end of April, said: “Probably, we were a few weeks too early, as some of the places we visited – for example, Jurmala – were still in winter mode, only starting to slowly prepare for the summer season.” However, they admitted that this allowed them to escape all the potential tourist crowds: “And fewer people is always good!” Also, as they were traveling before the season really started, it was easier to find parking places, and they could just freely wander around without meeting fellow travelers.
Managing your own time on a self-drive trip
One of the biggest advantages of a self-drive trip through the Baltics is the freedom to explore at your own pace. You are not tied to rigid schedules or group tours, so you can linger longer in places that surprise you or take spontaneous detours off the beaten path. With a well-prepared roadbook in hand, you also get the best of both worlds: curated suggestions for what to see and do, local insights, and practical tips – all without the pressure of planning everything yourself. You are guided, but not restricted. This balance allows for both structure and spontaneity, making your journey feel personalized while saving time and effort. Plus, driving through the scenic Baltic landscapes is a joy in itself – good roads, charming villages, and plenty of photo-worthy stops.
Our travelers John and Vivienne said: “That’s our preferred way of traveling – choosing self-drive tours. We don’t really enjoy participating in group tours with twenty or thirty other people. Because then you are kind of injected into a place – taken around for a quick tour, and then you leave. You don’t get a chance to feel the place, the people, or the culture. We’d rather choose to look after ourselves and go on a self-drive trip.” They also loved having a couple of guided tours here and there to gain intense knowledge in three or four hours that gave some context to the place and enriched further discovery on their own.
Having a roadbook and a few booked guided tours helps to take uncertainty out of each day. As John and Vivienne said: “It’s much better when there’s a plan or a suggested itinerary. Otherwise, you arrive in a place and now what?” With suggestions at hand, you avoid wasting time trying to figure out what is worth seeing or how to explore it. Instead of staring at a list of unfamiliar names, you have a curated guide, allowing you to make the most of your time and enjoy the experience without the stress of planning on the go.
Driving around the Baltics
If you choose any of our self-drive trips, the car is delivered directly to your hotel – no need to go anywhere and waste your precious time that could be spent exploring the surroundings instead. John and Vivienne appreciated this approach: “It was a nice touch, having the car delivered to the hotel and being picked up from the hotel! It was also really nice that the guy took time to explain the whole car.”
Driving around the Baltics is a relatively easy way to explore the region’s diverse landscapes and off-the-beaten-path towns. Roads are generally well-maintained, signage is clear, and border crossings between Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are seamless, thanks to the Schengen Zone. However, there are a few things to keep in mind: parking in cities can be tricky, with paid zones even on Sundays, and local parking apps do not always work with foreign phone numbers. It is a good idea to carry coins and keep an eye out for ticket machines. Speed limits can vary by region, so staying alert is key. Some areas have few petrol stations, so do not let your tank run low. With a flexible mindset, going on a self-drive Baltic road trip offers freedom, spontaneity, and scenic detours.
John and Vivienne said they never really got lost, but sometimes they felt a bit confused in the cities: “It was a bit tricky driving in the cities, probably because we used the Google lady – she was too slow in roundabouts and on the big loopy roads when we joined from smaller roads. So we often went the wrong way and then had to start all over again.” But they laughed that anyone going to Sydney would experience exactly the same – only on a bigger scale. It is always more difficult to navigate around an unfamiliar place, but that is part of the whole experience.
Why choose a Baltic road trip
A road trip through the Baltics offers a well-balanced blend of culture, history, and nature, but without the overwhelm. John and Vivienne said: “There is a limit to how many museums, churches, and manor houses you can take in, but this kind of trip allows you to experience a good mix of everything, a bit of this and a bit of that.” Walking ten to fifteen kilometers a day, they managed to absorb a lot without feeling rushed or exhausted. “We’ve seen a lot in our time here. But of course, you can come back and find something new. There is always something new,” said John and Vivienne. And that is true – the Baltics never run out of hidden gems, whether it is a forest trail, a coastal village, or a local food spot. This variety is what makes a Baltic road trip such an enriching experience.
Both Australians described the Baltics as a very beautiful region and a great mix of everything. They said: “You get nature and then you get a lot of culture and history, but without the crowds. Instead of Rome where you get all the history and all the churches, you can go to Vilnius and also get all the history and all the churches, only at a gentler pace and without the crowds.” A Baltic road trip is a journey for those craving depth, beauty, and somewhere totally different.
