When is the best time to visit? The best time to visit the Baltic States is late spring or summer. Spring begins in late April and the countryside takes on a green lushness, drawing horses out from their winter barns and city-dwellers out in droves to sidewalk cafés. Summers are relatively short (mid-June through August). You may experience a string of hot, dry days during this time, but showers and chilly nights can also be expected.
Temperatures cool down rapidly from September onwards. Autumn can be a beautiful season, as the golden leaves of deciduous trees begin to contrast with dark green pines. The first snowfalls can come as early as mid-November, and by December winter sets in with a vengeance. Average daytime temperatures can remain below freezing until March. That said, winter can also be a magical time, with lakes, rivers and large expanses of the Baltic Sea freezing over, crunchy snow cover adding an air of enchantment to medieval city centers, and plenty of skating rinks and saunas to keep you warm.
Where should you go? Vilnius is Lithuania's beautiful capital, boasting a UNESCO-listed the Old Town and a number of photogenic viewpoints. Check out the Medieval-era
Gediminas Tower, along with an abundance of other architectural landmarks, cultural venues, and charming cafes and restaurants. You should also make room in your itinerary for the
Hill of Crosses, a pilgrimage site bedecked with hundreds of thousands of crosses and rosaries brought by visitors since the uprising of 1831. The
Curonian Spit is another must-see: a 60-mile sand dune peninsula between the Baltic Sea and Curonian Lagoon.
How many days do you need?Travelers with 7 days will have enough time to tour Lithuania or check out the highlights of the three Baltic capitals—Vilnius, Tallinn (Estonia), and Riga (Latvia). With 10 days, you can combine an in-depth Latvia tour with stops in Tallinn and Riga, and two weeks is enough to see all three countries, including rural places and hidden gems.
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