🇱🇹🇱🇻 4 days in the Baltics: Vilnius-Riga-Jurmala
If you do not have a visa issue and you can easily come to Vilnius, we can congratulate you. Only the most interesting things are ahead, we’ll tell you about it here.
Yes, for many Vilnius is just a transit point and a starting point for longer trips, because the main European low-cost airlines are based there. There are really a lot of options to fly somewhere further, we will touch on them in the future, but today there are only auto routes, holidays in two Baltic capitals and a bit of the sea.
Vilnius
“If life ceases to be an everyday surprise, why, pray tell, is it needed?” A quote from the book “Tales of Old Vilnius” by Max Frei perfectly reflects the spirit of this city. What you definitely won’t be able to do there is get bored. Surprises will await you at every step.
Moreover, you can also choose your vacation clearly according to your interests: be it futurism , history , creative industries, IT, history or cooking – the city is developing by leaps and bounds, so the offers will satisfy any demand.
Transport
We recommend immediately installing the Trafi application (Android) – it will allow you to track traffic, public transport and sharing. It will also help you choose the shortest route to anywhere in the city. You can also buy transport tickets there. You can also do this directly from the driver or using the Vilniečio kortelė (Vilnius Resident Card), sold at Lietuvos Spauda or Narvesen kiosks. But the usual taxi ordering services – Uber (international version) and Bolt – also operate in Vilnius.
Nutrition
Instagrammable breakfasts, national or exotic cuisine, the usual sushi and pizza, romantic evenings and snacks on the go… In Vilnius you will not remain hungry. There are establishments here to suit every taste. There are many cafes and restaurants scattered around the city, especially in the city center.
Mano guru (Vilniaus g. 22/1) – salad bar in the city center. Opens at 7 am on weekdays, on weekends from 9 am. Large selection of salads and soups, fresh juices and teas. Despite the location, it is always very quiet and peaceful here.
Cozy (Dominikonų g. 10) is an excellent option where you can have breakfast, there are many options: if you want a croissant and coffee, an omelette or a sandwich with porridge – no problem. Opening from 8am on weekdays and 8:30am on weekends.
Nineteen18 (Dominikonų g. 11) – nearby there is a set restaurant of modern Lithuanian cuisine, service at a high level.
Briusly (Islandijos g. 4) – Asian restaurant in the Old Town. Large selection of dishes. In summer there is a terrace in the courtyard.
Housing
Depending on your goals, you can choose a hotel near the airport or in some residential area, but it is most convenient to stay in the Old Town. Then the main attractions will be within walking distance. This is very convenient, especially if you are only in the city for a couple of days. There are both expensive hotels and hostels to choose from. You should book them in advance, for example, on Trip.com or booking.
“Panorama” (Sodų str. 14, LT-01313) – located directly opposite the railway station, next to the bus station, 300 meters to the historical part of the city – very convenient. You can leave things for storage even after checking out from the hotel. The rooms are standard. The main feature is its convenient location, especially if you are not traveling in your own car.
Park Hotel Vilnius (Jono Basanavičiaus g. 9) – a hotel in the Old Town itself, next to the Reformers Park. The rooms are cozy, almost all have a kettle and cutlery. Affordable prices.
Hotel Domus Maria (Aušros Vartų g. 12) – located in the historical building of the former monastery of the Discalced Carmelite Order. It was erected 400 years ago not far from the Ostrobramskie Gate, next to the Church of St. Teresa. An option for those who want to live in former monastery cells. The rooms are bright and cozy. The hotel has its own free parking.
Hostel Jamaika (Visu šventuju g. 9) – a hostel in the center, near the Town Hall and a square where there is a small flea market on weekends. There is a bar on the ground floor, and the reception is also there. The entrance to the building has a combination lock, so you won’t be able to check in at night; book your overnight stay in advance. This applies to all hostels!
Attractions
Everyone begins to explore the city from the historical center, so we will start there. Churches, the Town Hall, narrow cobbled streets, Gediminas' Tower, the Republic of Užupis – an obligatory part of the program for one or even two days.
In Vilnius there is an option with free daily tours of the Old Town, you just need mandatory registration and a group of 4 people.
When you walk around the city, we still recommend going up to the Gediminas Tower, from the top there is an excellent panoramic view of the city, you can get there by cable car for a euro or walk for free. Inside there is a small museum with a spiral staircase. Admission for adults is 8 euros.
The Bernardine Garden is located nearby, just behind Cathedral Square. A great place for leisurely walks and clearing your head. A beautiful botanical garden and a singing fountain.
It is unacceptable to miss the Republic of Užupis. This is one of the oldest districts of Vilnius, which has its own unique atmosphere of creativity, freedom and art. Dozens of open-air art objects, cute cafe-workshops, installations and much more. The region even has its own constitution.
For art lovers, Vilnius is a paradise. Dozens of museums and exhibitions, if you are interested, take a closer look at the Vilnius Pass. We recommend visiting the Moscow Region Museum – it was opened only in 2018, but it has already gained European fame and dozens of awards. There are 3 floors of exhibitions, performances and various performances are often held here, and there is also a restaurant inside the futuristic building.
For fans of street art – “Open Gallery” Vytenio g. 50. You just need to move a little away from the old city and you will see dozens of murals located in an industrial area among old factories. The place is free and open 24 hours a day.
If you walk around Vilnius, even without a specific route, you will still see a lot of wall paintings – you will like it.
Riga
You can get to Riga from Vilnius by bus e. There are many carriers, so choose which one you like best. The average travel time is 4.5 hours. You leave in the morning, and in the afternoon you spend your time walking around Latvia. Riga's Old Town is no less impressive than Vilnius's. The center is designed in Art Nouveau style, surrounded by a dozen cafes, parks, creative spaces, and an impressive port. Although subjectively, in the summer it is much more pleasant there, because everything is in bloom, but in the winter you will always find something to do and a place to warm up.
Transport
Public transport tickets can be paid through the Mobilly application (GooglePlay, App Store). The city website contains schedules, maps and route diagrams. It is also possible to rent a bicycle through the Nextbike system. Uber and Bolt operate – in the latter you can order scooters that are popular in Riga. For car sharing there is CityBee.
Nutrition
Street Pizza (Meža, 4a). Pizza, focaccia, salads, pastries, etc. – a good option for any meal. Good service and cozy interior.
Andalūzijas Suns, literally “Andalusian dog” (Elizabethes, 83) – a place not far from old Riga and next to the train station. Discreet Candy -Navian interior, music, open terrace in summer.
latte it be (Anatolijas iela, 12) is a good place to have lunch; from 12:00 to 15:00 they offer business lunches for 8-12 euros. Standard European kitchen with a beautiful view from the window.
Riga Black Magic (Kaļķu iela, 10) – a must-have souvenir from Riga is their balm of the same name. This coffee shop has not only it, but also cocktails based on it, truffles, cakes and much more.
Housing
Hotel Multilux Rixwell, 4 stars, but the prices are reasonable. All standard amenities plus breakfast.
Attractions
All roads lead to the Old Town, and start exploring the city from there. The center of Riga is replete with a kaleidoscope of architectural styles, cathedrals, shops, souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes. In the center there is a monument to the Bremen musicians, slightly worn from the hands of others – rub it too for good luck. Be sure to take a walk along Jauniela Street – it is extremely atmospheric and cinematic; films were actually filmed there in the past.
Next you will see the Dome Cathedral – majestic, beautiful and ancient. It is over 800 years old. Organ concerts are regularly held inside for 10 euros at 12 or 19 hours. You can walk in Dome Square without any plan: your eyes will run wild from the number of bright details, carved windows and gingerbread houses.
Then you will reach the Presidential Palace or Riga Castle, there are several museums nearby. On the other side of the embankment there will be the triangular-shaped Latvian National Library. The building is also called the “Castle of Light”. It was opened only in 2014, but it has already become quite popular.
Big Guild and Small Guild. One hosts concerts, the other has a museum, and the Riga Wine Cellar is also a restaurant nearby, so if you haven’t had a bite yet, stop there. It's like you're going back in time. The establishment has been preserved since the Middle Ages.
If you are in Riga during the warm season, be sure to check out the Central Riga Market. By the way, this will be the first attraction that you will see if you arrive in the city by bus. Five huge hangars rise above the canal directly opposite the bus station. Airships used to be stored there.
The courtyard of the Convention consists of several houses and streets that used to be a castle of the Order of the Sword and a monastery.
Kalnciema street block. Riga has many wooden buildings from the 19th century that are well preserved. There are always some activities there on weekends: a handmade fair, concerts, etc.
Jurmala
All roads lead to the sea. A trip to Riga should be topped off with a visit to Jurmala. Sea air, endless horizon, coastal promenade, picnic by the sea – a must have.
Jurmala is the largest resort in the Baltic states, located on the shores of the Gulf of Riga, stretching along the coast for 30 km. It consists of 15 villages, the most famous are Bulduri, Majori, Dubulti, Dzintari, Jomas, Vaivari and Jaunkemeri.
Transport
The most affordable option is the train. Jurmala is located 20 km from Riga. At the Central Railway Station, buy a ticket to Majori station (the center of Jurmala, there is a tourist center there), ticket – 1.40 euros, the ride is half an hour.
Nutrition
Café 53 (Jomas iela, 53). Nice place on the central street of Jurmala. Reasonable prices and service, varied menu, and a terrace during the warm season.
Zem Buram (Vidus prospekts, 38). Atmospheric restaurant serving huge portions at affordable prices.
36 Line (36. line). Large selection of food and drinks, comfortable service.
Jurmala has many seasonal catering outlets and cafes near the beaches – you definitely won’t go hungry.
Housing
Usually you only spend a day in Jurmala and spend the night in Riga, but if you want to stay there longer, then why not. Remember that the further you are from the sea, the cheaper the accommodation.
For example, an interesting option is Villa Joma (Jomas iela, 90). The peculiarity of the hotel is that it is a 120-year-old building in the Art Nouveau style. The sea is a 5-minute walk, pleasant atmosphere and service.
Hotel Jūrmala SPA (Jomas iela, 47-49) – an option for SPA lovers, affordable prices.
In addition to hotels, there is always the opportunity to rent an apartment or house through Trip.com or Airbnb, however, this is true for any city; Jurmala is rich in such options. There are dozens of dacha complexes here.
Attractions
The inspiring sandy beaches of the Gulf of Riga will leave all your worries and stress behind. During the warm season, Jurmala impresses with its selection of all kinds of cafes, souvenir shops and plenty of entertainment. But there are activities for you in winter too.
It’s nice to wander around Jurmala or ride a bike without any plan. Breathe sea, but at the same time pine air, endlessly photograph sand dunes, look at houses of different architectural styles and years. You definitely won’t miss the Dzintari concert hall, the calling card of Jurmala. You might even be able to go to a concert.
The city has several areas with interesting buildings. For example, in Dzintari there are many wooden buildings from the early 19th century, built in Art Nouveau (Latvian pride), neo-Gothic and romanticism.
Take a look at Ragakapa Park – this is also a dune, the height of which reaches 17 meters. There are many 300-year-old pine trees in the park, there are two eco-trails, observation decks and recreational infrastructure.
Explore the Open Air Museum, it consists of fishing buildings from the last century.
Take a look at the holiday complex of Kristaps and Augusta Morberg – an attractive blue castle that now belongs to the University of Latvia.
A walk through Jurmala's dunes, parks and beaches should end with a velvety sunset over the Baltic Sea.
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We hope that your Baltic weekend will be bright, eventful and delicious. Write in the comments, recommend your favorite places and add to our selection.