13-day Self-Drive Tour in Latvia and Estonia
Trip programme:
Day 1: Riga
Welcome to Riga, the capital of Latvia! You can choose from many direct flights with different airlines such as “AirBaltic”, “Lufthansa”, “Austrian Airlines”, “Ryanair”, “Wizzair”, etc. Arrival at Riga airport, luggage collection and independent taxi ride to a hotel. Check-in and overnight stay at a hotel in Riga.
Welcome to Riga, the capital of Latvia! You can choose from many direct flights with different airlines such as “AirBaltic”, “Lufthansa”, “Austrian Airlines”, “Ryanair”, “Wizzair”, etc. Arrival at Riga airport, luggage collection and independent taxi ride to a hotel. Check-in and overnight stay at a hotel in Riga.
Day 2: Riga
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. The numerous historical sights in the old Hanseatic city can be easily explored on foot, thanks to the short distances. In the Old Town you can visit the Town Hall Square with Blackhead House, the “Three Brothers”, Big and Small Guild, Powder Tower, the Cathedral, the National Opera, Riga Castle and the beautiful St. Peter’s Church with church tower. Other tourist highlights include the magnificent and most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings around Alberta street. Overnight stay in a hotel in Riga.
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. The numerous historical sights in the old Hanseatic city can be easily explored on foot, thanks to the short distances. In the Old Town you can visit the Town Hall Square with Blackhead House, the “Three Brothers”, Big and Small Guild, Powder Tower, the Cathedral, the National Opera, Riga Castle and the beautiful St. Peter’s Church with church tower. Other tourist highlights include the magnificent and most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings around Alberta street. Overnight stay in a hotel in Riga.
Day 3: Riga - Pärnu - Saaremaa (approx. 340km)
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Pick-up of the rental car at the hotel in Riga. Drive along the Baltic Sea coast with its beautiful white sandy beaches and endless pine forests to Pärnu. Here you have time for a walk through the old town, where you should definitely see beautifully renovated Elisabeth Church, the town hall in the classicist style, the remains of the town fortifications. Enjoy a pleasant walk along the Baltic Sea coast. Continue to the island of Saaremaa. Check-in at the hotel in Kuressaare, Saaremaa. Overnight at a hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Pick-up of the rental car at the hotel in Riga. Drive along the Baltic Sea coast with its beautiful white sandy beaches and endless pine forests to Pärnu. Here you have time for a walk through the old town, where you should definitely see beautifully renovated Elisabeth Church, the town hall in the classicist style, the remains of the town fortifications. Enjoy a pleasant walk along the Baltic Sea coast. Continue to the island of Saaremaa. Check-in at the hotel in Kuressaare, Saaremaa. Overnight at a hotel.
Day 4: Saaremaa
Get to know the contrasting island of Saaremaa, a land of nature, culture and tradition. The highlights of Saaremaa include: Kuressaare with the Bishop’s Castle, Angla with the windmills, Karja with St. Catherine’s Church, Kaali with the Meteorite Crater, the Panga cliff, the Massilinn Order Castle, the Mihkli Farm Museum and much more. Overnight stay in Kuressaare.
Get to know the contrasting island of Saaremaa, a land of nature, culture and tradition. The highlights of Saaremaa include: Kuressaare with the Bishop’s Castle, Angla with the windmills, Karja with St. Catherine’s Church, Kaali with the Meteorite Crater, the Panga cliff, the Massilinn Order Castle, the Mihkli Farm Museum and much more. Overnight stay in Kuressaare.
Day 5: Saaremaa - Haapsalu - Tallinn (approx. 250km)
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. You will now leave Kuressaare and continue to Haapsalu, located directly on the Baltic Sea. Many colourful wooden houses, the medieval Episcopal Castle surrounded by the legend of the “White Lady”, the beautiful promenade characterise this resort. The journey continues to the capital of Estonia, Tallinn. Check-in at a hotel in Tallinn. After checking in, we recommend you to take an evening walk through the romantic Old Town of Tallinn. Overnight at a hotel in Tallinn.
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. You will now leave Kuressaare and continue to Haapsalu, located directly on the Baltic Sea. Many colourful wooden houses, the medieval Episcopal Castle surrounded by the legend of the “White Lady”, the beautiful promenade characterise this resort. The journey continues to the capital of Estonia, Tallinn. Check-in at a hotel in Tallinn. After checking in, we recommend you to take an evening walk through the romantic Old Town of Tallinn. Overnight at a hotel in Tallinn.
Day 6: Tallinn
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Today is dedicated to the capital of Estonia – Tallinn. The Old Town presents itself as a carefully maintained medieval gem, unique in Northern Europe and therefore rightly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old Hanseatic city on Tallinn Bay has many historical and cultural sights, such as the magnificent Town Hall, the well-preserved city walls with towers, the Guild Houses, St. Nicholas Church, the Toompea Hill with the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and much more.
Other highlights of Tallinn include: the legendary Tallinn’s Song Grounds, the former Brigid Monastery in Pirita, the baroque Kadriorg Palace with beautiful garden, KUMU Art Museum, the Estonian open-air museum Rocca al Mare. Overnight at a hotel in Tallinn.
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Today is dedicated to the capital of Estonia – Tallinn. The Old Town presents itself as a carefully maintained medieval gem, unique in Northern Europe and therefore rightly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old Hanseatic city on Tallinn Bay has many historical and cultural sights, such as the magnificent Town Hall, the well-preserved city walls with towers, the Guild Houses, St. Nicholas Church, the Toompea Hill with the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and much more.
Other highlights of Tallinn include: the legendary Tallinn’s Song Grounds, the former Brigid Monastery in Pirita, the baroque Kadriorg Palace with beautiful garden, KUMU Art Museum, the Estonian open-air museum Rocca al Mare. Overnight at a hotel in Tallinn.
Day 7: Tallinn - Lahemaa National Park (approx. 95km)
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Today brings you a scenic highlight as you travel to the natural paradise to Lahemaa National Park. We recommend you to explore the Jägala waterfall and the legendary “Captain’s Village”. A visit to the Viru Raba high moor is a must for all nature lovers. For today’s overnight stay we have chosen something very special for you. You will stay in the majestic VIHULA mansion in the midst of beautiful nature. Let today end in a cozy atmosphere.
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Today brings you a scenic highlight as you travel to the natural paradise to Lahemaa National Park. We recommend you to explore the Jägala waterfall and the legendary “Captain’s Village”. A visit to the Viru Raba high moor is a must for all nature lovers. For today’s overnight stay we have chosen something very special for you. You will stay in the majestic VIHULA mansion in the midst of beautiful nature. Let today end in a cozy atmosphere.
Day 8: Excursion to Lahemaa National Park
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Another day in Lahemaa National Park. With its beautiful coastline and romantic hiking trails leading through unspoiled landscapes, forests or beaches, the park is an ideal place to relax mind and body. We also recommend you to visit the restored manor houses of Palmse and Sagadi, walking on the beach of Vösu, admiring the old fishermen's houses of Altja and explore the nature museum in Oandu. Overnight stay at Vihula Manor.
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Another day in Lahemaa National Park. With its beautiful coastline and romantic hiking trails leading through unspoiled landscapes, forests or beaches, the park is an ideal place to relax mind and body. We also recommend you to visit the restored manor houses of Palmse and Sagadi, walking on the beach of Vösu, admiring the old fishermen's houses of Altja and explore the nature museum in Oandu. Overnight stay at Vihula Manor.
Day 9: Lahemaa National Park - Lake Peipus - Tartu (approx. 160km)
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. The journey continues to Tartu. On the way we recommend you to make a stop in Rakvere and visit the Wesenberg Castle ruins. Continue your journey along Lake Peipus. Here you will see the villages of the Old Believers with many Orthodox churches, traditional markets, colourful houses along the so-called “Onion Trail”. Enjoy hot tea from the samovar with homemade onion cake at the “Fish and Onion” Restaurant in the village of Kolkja. Continue to Tartu. Check-in and overnight stay at a hotel in Tartu.
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. The journey continues to Tartu. On the way we recommend you to make a stop in Rakvere and visit the Wesenberg Castle ruins. Continue your journey along Lake Peipus. Here you will see the villages of the Old Believers with many Orthodox churches, traditional markets, colourful houses along the so-called “Onion Trail”. Enjoy hot tea from the samovar with homemade onion cake at the “Fish and Onion” Restaurant in the village of Kolkja. Continue to Tartu. Check-in and overnight stay at a hotel in Tartu.
Day 10: Tartu
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Self-guided walking tour of the university town of Tartu. The city has many attractions such as the 18th century Town Hall, the main building of the University of Tartu, the Cathedral Hill with the ruins of the Dome Church, St John’s Church with the unique terracotta sculptures from the Middle Ages, the Leaning House, the fountain with the sculpture “Kissing Students” and the Angel’s Bridge. Overnight stay in a hotel in Tartu.
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Self-guided walking tour of the university town of Tartu. The city has many attractions such as the 18th century Town Hall, the main building of the University of Tartu, the Cathedral Hill with the ruins of the Dome Church, St John’s Church with the unique terracotta sculptures from the Middle Ages, the Leaning House, the fountain with the sculpture “Kissing Students” and the Angel’s Bridge. Overnight stay in a hotel in Tartu.
Day 11: Tartu - Sangaste - Gauja National Park (approx. 180km)
After breakfast, we continue our journey to Latvia. The destination is a small town of Cesis in the middle of the Gauja National Park. On the way, we recommend you to visit Sangaste Castle, which is modelled after the famous Windsor Castle in England. Continue the journey to Cesis. Check-in at the hotel in Cesis. Afterwards, explore the medieval town of Cesis and end the evening in a cozy Latvian restaurant. Overnight stay.
After breakfast, we continue our journey to Latvia. The destination is a small town of Cesis in the middle of the Gauja National Park. On the way, we recommend you to visit Sangaste Castle, which is modelled after the famous Windsor Castle in England. Continue the journey to Cesis. Check-in at the hotel in Cesis. Afterwards, explore the medieval town of Cesis and end the evening in a cozy Latvian restaurant. Overnight stay.
Day 12: Gauja National Park
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Today you get to know the picturesque Gauja National Park. Visit the medieval castle of Turaida, the Gutman’s Cave with the legend of the Rose of Turaida, take a walk in the beautiful Sigulda Castle Park. Other must-see sights in the Gauja National Park: Ungurmuiza Manor, the historic Araisi Water Castle, Ligatne Paper Mill Village with the Soviet Bunker and many more. Overnight stay at a hotel in Cesis.
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Today you get to know the picturesque Gauja National Park. Visit the medieval castle of Turaida, the Gutman’s Cave with the legend of the Rose of Turaida, take a walk in the beautiful Sigulda Castle Park. Other must-see sights in the Gauja National Park: Ungurmuiza Manor, the historic Araisi Water Castle, Ligatne Paper Mill Village with the Soviet Bunker and many more. Overnight stay at a hotel in Cesis.
Day 13: Cesis - Riga
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. The great round trip is coming to an end. Drive to Riga airport. Return of the rental car. With many unforgettable new experiences from the Baltic countries you will fly home.
Breakfast in the hotel restaurant. The great round trip is coming to an end. Drive to Riga airport. Return of the rental car. With many unforgettable new experiences from the Baltic countries you will fly home.
The following services are included in the price:
- 12 nights with breakfast in good 3-star hotels;
-
11 days rental car (e.g., VW Polo or similar for 2 people, VW Touran or similar for 4 people) with fully comprehensive insurance without excess:
- Premium protection package; windscreen, headlight and tyre protection, accident insurance;
- Border crossing costs (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania);
- Unlimited kilometres; Car delivery to the hotel in Riga;
- Second driver, registered with the rental company for the entire duration of the trip;
- Parking fees at hotels in Kuresaaare, Tallinn and Tartu;
Price example:
The price from 1090 EUR* per person in a double room (calculated for 4 people)
The price from 1180 EUR* per person in a double room (calculated for 2 people)
*The price was calculated for the low season (October - April). Prices for high season on request.
Programme changes are possible according to your wishes. Free choice of dates! The trip can be booked all year round!