It was a 10-day trip with 4 people in the summer of 2025. It is worth to travel in the Baltic states in the summer, because in this time the weather is sunny and it rains not too much. Actually it was pretty hot and humid during our stay. We traveled by air plane to Riga (LT) and we rented a car there for 8 days. The accommodations were in Riga (4 nights), in Tartu (1 night), in Vosu (1 night), in Tallinn (3 nights) and in Haapsalu (1 night). On this trip we got to know two baltic capital cities, Tallinn and Riga, but our focus was mainly the natural and the built environement of Estonia. We visited some of the significant works of most famous architecture offices of Estonia: Salto-, Kavakava-, KOKO Archtitects and we met with Ott Alver (MUST Architects), too, who spoke about one of his new built project and the situation in the architecture in Estonia.
25.07.2025 – Arrive to Riga (LT)
The trip starts at Zurich Airport, then fly to Riga and spend a night there.
26.07.2025 – Tartu
Rent a car at Riga Airport and drive to Estonia. The first destination ist Tartu, the second biggest city of Estonia. In the summer the university student miss from the city, but therefore it is more pulsive than the other towns around the county. Tartu has a old town and riverbank with a beach. There are also some architectural attraction here: AHHAA Science Centre (Künnapu & Padrik Architects), Estonian National Museum (DGT Architects), Emajõe Barge Society, Estonian University of Life Sciences Sports, the Riia Quarter (Salto Architects) (photo) and Health Care College (Kavakava Architects).
27.07.2025 – Lake Peipus and on the way to the Gulf of Finnland
Drive to the East at the morning and you can reach the 4. biggest lake in Europe: Lake Peipus. Kallaste is one the most typical villages at the lake and it has a russian population (the lake makes the border between Russia and Estonia). After that you should visit Rakvere, where you can find one of the biggest midieval castles of the country. The stairs from the main street to the castle were designed by Kavakava Architects. If it is open you should also visit the State High School by Salto Architects. Near Rakvere there is municipality government building in Sõmeru (Salto Architects). Go further to the West and you can visit the Palmse Manor: manor house, green houses, old distillery and the beautiful garden. Now you can see a nature wonder in Käsmu: sailing stones in the sea (photo). The sea is so shallow, that you can walk between the stones. Spend a night in Vosu, which is a very calm summertime area by the Baltic Sea. (Tipp: I can recommend the Restaurant Mere 38).
28.07.2025 – On the way to Tallinn
Go to Viinistu and visit the Art Museum (photo). It is a former industrial building with an extension and the exhibition is really interesting. Now it is time for another natural wonder: the Viru swamp is typical Estonian landscape with lots of water, green and big pine forest around it. From the lookout tower you can see the whole are from above. Before you reach the capital city you can stop by the biggest waterfall in Estonia: the Järgala. If you come from the East it is easy to start you Tallinn city trip by the memorial area: Maarjamäe Memorial by Allan Murdmaa and the Memorial to the Victims of Communism by JVR Arhitektid. From the site you can see already the city centre of Tallinn. Leave your luggages at the accommodation and take a walk in the old town, the Baltic nights are long.
29.07.2025 – Tallinn
The alternative taxi companies are the easiest way to travel around Tallinn, so take one and start to discover the many former industrial zones of the city, which are nowadays give space for many offices and gastronomy places: Telliskivi Creative District with the Fotografiska Museum, the Power Station Area, the Noblessner District with the Estonian Maritime Museum and the Pohjala Brewery, Volna District. In between the industrial zones there is one of most liveable residential area of the city: the Kalamaja (Vabriku 33 Apartment Building by KOKO Architects and Niine Apartment Building by KUU Architects (photo). The Baltic Railway Station Market is also in this districts and you can find also some good and cheap restaurants here.
30.07.2025 – Tallinn
Start the day at the Pelgulinna High School (Must Architects) made of wood. Go further to the Kopli district (also a former industrial area). Now you take a taxi and go to the other side of the city: Art Hall Pavilion (Salto Architects), Estonian Art Museum – KUMU (Pekka Vapaavuori), walk in the Raua and Torupilli districts. Do not miss the Tallinn business district with the highrise buildings. At the end of the day visit the famous former industrial district: the Rotermann (photo). For the city trip use my map below.
31.07.2025 – To the West and Haapsalu
Leave Tallinn and drive to the West, where the first stop is the Paldiski cliffs. In the Soviet area it was a strictly controlled military site. I think that the natural beauty of the site is overvalued, so just make this program if you have time. The next stop is Rummu. In the area you can visit the former Soviet prison and there is also a very clear water lake and a big limestone hill. There is also a beach near the lake, so you can bring your swimsuit, too. Go to Haapsalu, where you can take a walk in the old town and at the sea promenade (photo). I recommend to spend the afternoon in a wellness hotel there.
01.08.2025 – Pärnu and arrive to Riga (LT)
On this day you should go to the South and you reach Pärnu by the Gulf of Riga. It is one of the biggest cities in Estonia but Pärnu is still very calm. Visit the Environmental Education Centre (Salto Architects), the new Central Library (3+1 Architects) and the City Center Sports Hall (Kavakava Architects) (photo). Honestly I think this last one was the best contemporary building, which I have seen in Estonia. After a walk in the city centre you can also go to the sea coast to walk along the coastal meadow hiking trail. Drive futher to the South and in a few hours you reach Riga, the capital of Latvia. You have still time for a old town walk in the evening. To up for example to the top of the bell tower of the St. Peter’s church, from where you can see the whole city. After Tallinn and the whole Estonia, Riga seems busier and more urban. You can feel for the first look, that Riga is probably the most important city of the Baltic States.
02.08.2025 – Riga (LT)
Start the day at the central market (photo). The building was a very early example of reuse of building materials, because the structure comes from the former airship port on the South-West border of Latvia. The fish market is very Russian and it is unique “world”, you should see and smell it. One of the most importart streets in Riga is the Alberta Iela, where you can see a lot of art nouveau buildings next to each other – the city is also known from its art nouveau heritage. The most important building after the soviet era is the new National Library on the river bank by Gunnar Birkerts. If you would like to see good exhibitions, than go to the ZUZEUM Multifunctional Art Center. It is also worth to walk a bit in the Āgenskalns District, because the many wooden houses – this part of Riga is very authentic. For city walk, use the map.
03.08.2025 – Riga (LT)
In the morning you can walk in the old town and at around noon you can rent a bike an ride to the North of the city: Gulf of Andrejosta, Mezapark with the Lake Kisezers. Here you can find nice villas, restaurants and bars by the lake. It has seemed like the Nr.1 recreation area of the people of city.
04.08.2025 – Leaving Riga (LT)
It is time to leave.
And here is the map:
ADAM BALOG 