5 Off The Beaten Track Places In The Baltics
Kopu Lighthouse in Hiiumaa Island, Estonia (© VisitEstonia.com)
Some people misplace them, mixing their names with one another. Others can’t even find them on a map. They’ve heard something about the Baltics, the Baltic Sea or the Baltic amber likely to be found in the same sea.
But the truth is, that beyond sea minerals and UNESCO heritage, the baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have a lot more to offer.
In this blog we will cover five off the beaten track places that tend to be overlooked when traveling around the Baltic States.
Let’s begin:
1. cape kolka
Cape Kolka in Latvia (© Kurzeme.lv)
At the northernmost tip of the Kurzeme’s horn, the isolated Kolkasrags boasts yet another example of pristine nature surroundings in the Latvian coastline.
A unique place where the calm waters from the Gulf of Riga meet with the rougher, open waters of the Baltic Sea, this place is a must-see for any travelers in Latvia.
Cape Kolka takes its name from a small coastal village located only 2km away down south, and it is surrounded by dense pine forests and white beaches that stretch beyond sight.
A natural settling worth getting lost at, the area’s tranquil and motionless vibe gets only altered by seagulls flying low over the green waters.
Where the seashores meet
Cape Kolka beach, Latvia (© VisitBaltics.net)
With the Cape being the main visited attraction, the area also counts with a wood nature trail that dives into the green pinewoods, where magnificent views can be enjoyed from a watching tower after a bit of walking.
Overall, an ideal place to get that “lost in time” feel, especially in days when the wind blows softly.
2. labanoras regional park
Pristine lakes in Labanoras Regional Park (© VisitAukstaitija.lt)
Few things are as important for Lithuanians than their natural parks.
Located less than 100 km away from the UNESCO capital of Vilnius, the Labanoras Regional Park features one of the most impressive natural reserves in Lithuania – the biggest one in the country.
The park takes its name from the town of Labanoras, located in the middle of the reserve, covering an area of 55344ha among the Moletai, Utena and Švenčionys regions.
A Visitor Center provides information about different cycling and hiking routes, as well as kayak activities during summer time.
A feast for the eyes
The great watching tower in Labanoras Natural Park (© A.Alexandravičius)
Valuable for its ethnographic diversity and untouched natural landscapes, the Labanoras Regional Park also counts with the iconic Mindūnai Observation Tower.
Built in a modern serpentine form, this 36m-high tower offers magnificent views around the park surroundings. Among them, beautiful pristine lakes and rivers that stretch as far as the eyes can see.
3. tartu
Cobblestone streets in Old Tartu (© VisitEstonia.com)
If you are wondering about a cultural, youthful and open-minded place in Estonia, the old city of Tartu is your place to visit.
With a great selection of museums, coffee places and a truly bohemian atmosphere, Tartu is a favorite choice for national and international creatives to settle in; specially for its long-respected university.
Dating back from the early 17th century, the University of Tartu it one of the oldest in Northern Europe and alma matter to prestigious intellectuals and academics that revitalized the Estonian cultural scene on the XIX and XX centuries.
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Bohemian city in Estonia
Old Town Square in Tartu, Estonia (© Ir.lv)
From the charming “Kissing Students” Fountain to the leaning City Museum, Tartu is a place that breathes creativity on every corner of its historical Old Town.
Being the second largest city in Estonia, it also enjoys a vibrant nightlife and a rich cultural scene that turns it into an ideal place for a weekend getaway in the Baltics.
4. curonian spit
Iconic sand dunes at the Curonian Spit, Lithuania (© AirPano.com)
Stretching between the Lithuanian port city of Klaipeda until Russia’s province of Kaliningrad, the Curonian Spit offers a remarkable natural setting that deserves to be experienced by any traveler in the Baltic States.
A heavenly landscape of pristine beaches, sand dunes and pine forests combine in perfect harmony along a narrow and sparsely populated land that reaches as far as the eyes can see.
In that sense, the Curonian Spit is worth visiting specially during spring and summer seasons, when the days are long and magic sunsets can be enjoyed from the western side of the land.
The narrow stretch of land separates the tranquil waters of the Curonian Lagoon on the east with the Baltic Sea on the west.
Timeless dunes across the sea
Curonian Spit panorama (© LithuaniaTravel)
A 50km highway along the Lithuanian territory of the Spit connects the old fishing settlements of Juodkrante, Pervalka, Preila and Nida.
This last one, being the home to the Curonian Spit National Park that preserves the unique ecosystem of this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site.
5. hiiumaa island
Tahkuna Lighhouse in Hiiumaa island (© Ivo Panasjuk)
A treasure of coastal life
Sitting just a few kilometers west off the coast of Estonia, Hiiumaa is the second largest island in the country. An ideal place for nature-lovers, sailors, swimmers and travelers looking for a perfect coastal getaway in the middle of the Baltic Sea.
The most convenient way to reach Hiiumaa is a short ferry trip north from Saaremaa, located less than 20km away down south from the island.
In that sense, Hiiumaa offers similar coastal joys as Saaremaa, while keeping a more authentic, remote feel due to its lack of international tourism.
Sand dunes at Kaibaldi area, Hiiumaa (© Ivo Panasjuk)
Despite its smaller size, Hiiumaa has plenty of hiking trails and cultural heritage to enjoy an ideal weekend surrounded by pristine natural landscapes.
The island stands out for the iconic Kopu Lighthouse, the oldest (and highest) one in the Baltic States, and a local food culture rich in seafood that can be enjoyed at the many cafés and restaurants in the island.
© Uri Foto