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Scandinavia has long dominated the conversation, but in recent years the Baltics have been on the rise thanks to their comparative affordability.
While visiting all three of the country’s capitals – Lithuania’s Vilnius, Latvia’s Riga and Estonia’s Tallinn – is a popular tourist route, these cities all appeal individually for a long weekend escape.
Given Vilnius lies some 300 kilometres inland, while Tallinn is on the Gulf of Finland and Riga is on the Gulf of Riga, I actually think a fairer comparison can be made between the latter two.
Having visited both during the summer of 2025, I would say that Tallinn felt more “touristy”, perhaps in part because the UNESCO-listed Old Town is smaller, so the crowds feel denser.
Both are incredibly walkable, but I found myself relying on public transport more in Tallinn than in Riga.
Estonia as a whole is known for its widespread adoption of digitalisation and its high number of tech companies, and I’d say my general impression of Tallinn was that it felt slightly more modern compared to Riga.
Linguistically – and culturally – Estonia is closer to Finland, given it has a Uralic language, while Latvia and Lithuania both have Baltic languages.
Having said all that, there are more similarities to be found than differences, and I think you’ll find a lot to love in both – which you can read more about below.
Riga, Latvia
One for architecture lovers, several different styles are on display in Riga’s centre from medieval times up until the modern day.
At the Three Brothers, you can find the city’s oldest medieval dwelling houses, one of which dates back to the 15th century, while the second and third are from the 17th century. Today, these three buildings form the Latvian Museum of Architecture, where you can discover more about the country’s best-known architects.
Jumping forward to the 19th and early 20th century, around a third of the buildings in Riga’s centre were built in the Art Nouveau style. There are several different types, including the National Romantic style unique to the country, which you can find in the Quiet Centre area. Along Alberta iela, you’ll also find the Art Nouveau Museum, which gives you a glimpse into what these apartments originally looked like inside.
Returning to the 21st century, Riga’s National Library of Latvia is a real highlight. To truly appreciate the details included in the design by renowned Latvian architect Gunārs Birkerts, you can either book a guided tour in English, or visit the library’s website for a self-guided option.
The skyline is punctuated by several church spires, the highest being St. Peter’s Church, which you can climb for the best view over the city. The rooster has become a symbol of Riga, adorning many churches, including St. Peter’s, where one has been in situ since 1491 (although the current one dates back to 2009).
As you might expect, plenty of tourist knickknacks you can buy around town feature the early-rising bird, but the sugar rooster is also a traditional treat you can buy.
Speaking of food, the Riga Central Market, which is one of the largest in Europe, offers fresh produce, meat, fish and more across its five pavilions, each of which had a previous life as a military airship hangar.
I was also a big fan of Āgenskalns Market, a historic building dating back to 1898 that found a new lease of life in 2022 following four years of renovations. Downstairs, you’ll find vendors selling dairy products, fruit and veg, and other treats, while upstairs is a food court serving local dishes.
Latvia has a growing craft beer scene, with one craft brewery for every 25,000 people. Top spots to explore it in Riga include Nurme and Labietis.
Riga’s wider metropolitan area reaches the Gulf of Riga, but the part of the city you’ll spend your time in is further inland along the Daugava river, so don’t expect any beaches. Instead of the ubiquitous red tourism buses found in every tourist city, you can opt for a cruise along the Riga Canal and the Daugava.
Tallinn, Estonia
Like Riga, Tallinn’s Old Town, which has its origins in the 13th century, is UNESCO-listed. And, like Riga, Tallinn was also a major Hanseatic League city.
You can explore this history at various sights like Toompea Castle (which you can visit from Monday to Friday on a free, pre-booked tour), the Kiek in de Kök fortifications museum, and the Great Guild Hall, which is now the Estonian History Museum.
For a history of the city with an added bonus of great views, pay a visit to the Tallinn Town Hall, which has a 64m-tall tower you can climb for an additional fee.
Alternatively, there are two viewing platforms at the top of Toompea Hill – Kohtuotsa and Patkuli – but you’ll want to get here either early or late, as it can get seriously crowded once the cruise ship daytrippers arrive.
The subdistrict of Kalamaja, which lies next to the Gulf of Finland, is well worth a visit. The main attraction is the Estonian Maritime Museum, but if you keep heading further up away from the old town, you’ll find numerous restaurants, cafés, bars and shops to explore.
My trip to Tallinn coincided with the Song and Dance Celebration, which is held every five years, but you can visit the impressive festival grounds year-round.
While Estonians have always shared a love of singing, the celebrations became a way to protest by sharing national songs over Soviet-approved messaging, culminating in the Singing Revolution which saw all three Baltic states regain their independence.
This history is best explored through the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom, which covers both the Nazi and Soviet occupations, as well as the KGB Prison Cells.
As previously mentioned, rolling the Baltic capitals into one big trip is a popular choice, but from Tallinn, you’re just two hours away by ferry from Helsinki.
Read the full article here
