Must-see attractions in The Baltic States

  • Romanov Church

    Vilnius

    Formally known as the Orthodox Church of St Michael and St Constantine, this church, with its swelling onion domes and ornate interior, was built to mark…

  • Kleboniškiai Rural Life Exhibition

    Lithuania

    This beautiful farmstead, with 19th- and early-20th-century farm buildings, offers a picture-postcard peek at rural Lithuania. It is brimful with…

  • Site of Great Synagogue

    Vilnius

    The Great Synagogue of Vilna, built in the 1630s on the site of an earlier synagogue, was destroyed by the Soviets in the 1950s, after the Nazis had a go…

  • Cornflower Monument

    Tartu

    In 1990 this metallic monument was erected near the KGB headquarters in memory of the victims of Soviet repression; the blue cornflower is Estonia’s…

  • St Gertrude's Church

    Kaunas

    This late-15th-century Gothic gem is tucked in a courtyard off Laisvės alėja. Its red-brick crypt overflows with burning candles, prompting a separate…

  • Grand Courtyard

    Vilnius

    The gallery of the courtyard – the largest of the 13 that comprise Vilnius University's 'architectural ensemble' – features plaques commemorating the…

  • Evangelical-Lutheran Church

    Nida

    This graceful red-brick church dates to 1888. Its peaceful woodland cemetery is pinpricked with krikstai – crosses carved from wood to help the deceased…

  • Nicholas Evangelical Lutheran Church

    Latvia

    Built in 1835 on stately Rātslaukums, this church isn’t ‘St Nicholas’ because the house of worship was named for Tsar Nicholas II when he donated loads of…

  • Vytautas Magnus University

    Kaunas

    Once known as the University of Lithuania, this is one of the country's leading tertiary institutions. It was first founded in 1922 and refounded in 1989…

  • Hermann Blode Museum

    Nida

    This small museum, occupying a hotel dating to 1867, commemorates the famous artists that have stayed here: Thomas Mann, Ludwig Passarge and (not least)…

  • Old Water Tower

    Southern Estonia

    One of Vijlandi's most distinctive landmarks, this odd 30m red-brick water tower topped with a hexagonal wooden structure offers fine views over the…

  • St John the Baptist Church

    Lithuania

    The white-walled St John's, built in neo-classical and Baroque styles in the 19th century, is the second-most imposing building in Biržai, after the…

  • Kaunas Botanical Gardens

    Kaunas

    Gardeners from Vytautas Magnus University tend 65 hectares of rare and wonderful plants. Around 2km south of the Old Town; bus 20 or 35 will get you there.

  • Dr Jono Šliūpas Memorial House

    Lithuania

    Fascinating black-and-white photos of old Palanga fill this house, the former home of the town’s first mayor. Closed on Sunday between September and May.

  • Druskininkai Museum

    Lithuania

    Dedicated to the history of the town and surrounding district, this lakeside museum shows artworks, old maps and documents and everyday artefacts.

  • Andrejs Pumpurs Museum

    Southern Latvia

    The museum is dedicated to the man who wrote down (or composed) the story of Lāčplēsis - half-man, half-bear and Latvia's main national hero.

  • Monument to Krišjānis Valdemārs

    Latvia

    The monument is dedicated to the Latvian writer and educator who empowered thousands of Latvian peasants by setting up the first naval school.

  • Vilnius Flower Market

    Vilnius

    If you're ever invited to a Lithuanian home, this always-open Vilnius institution can supply the perfect token of thanks. Haggling expected.

  • Statue of Alexander

    Lithuania

    A looming likeness of Alexander Jagiellon, Grand Duke of Lithuania (and later King of Poland) in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

  • Cinevilla

    Latvia

    This theme park grew out of a set built for Aigars Grauba's film Rīgas sargi and continues to be used by film makers.

  • Ceramics Museum

    Kaunas

    Features Lithuanian ceramics and porcelain from the 20th century and earlier periods, and often houses temporary exhibitions.

  • Holy Trinity Church

    Kaunas

    The western side of Rotušės aikštė is filled by the late-Renaissance (1624–34), terracotta-roofed Holy Trinity Church.

  • Eemu Tuulik

    Western Estonia & the Islands

    On the main road at Nautse, this working windmill has a display board and sells bread made from its milled flour.

  • Site of New Jewish Cemetery

    Vilnius

    A memorial marks the spot of Vilnius' 19th-century Jewish cemetery, destroyed by the Soviets in the 1960s.

  • Slītere Lighthouse

    Latvia

    Built in 1849, Slītere Lighthouse now functions as an information booth and lookout tower for the park.

  • St George’s Church

    Lithuania

    This attractive Catholic church has an unlikely onion dome – a reminder of its Russian origins.

  • Sarbievijus Courtyard

    Vilnius

    This smaller courtyard of Vilnius University is named for a 17th-century Professor of Rhetoric.

  • Seven Mental Meteorites

    Latvia

    This sculpture ensemble by Ojārs Feldbergs looks like a stone garden designed by aliens.

  • National Theatre

    Central Rīga

    On 18 November 1918 Latvia declared its independence at the baroque National Theatre.

  • Statues

    Lithuania

    Panevėžys doesn't have too many sights; these statues in the lake are worth a snap.

  • St Raphael’s Church

    Vilnius

    A handsome late-Baroque church, and adjoining monastery, built by the Jesuits.

  • Regional Museum

    Lithuania

    This tiny museum focuses on ethnography and also hosts temporary exhibitions.

  • Government Building

    Vilnius

    You'll see officials scurrying in and out of this dour-looking complex.

  • Sculpture Garden

    Latvia

    The lovely gardens feature a monument to Suiti grannies, among others.

More destinations you need to see