Tour travel through the Baltic states three countries. Traveling around the Baltics: Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, Sigulda and Jurmala Along the Baltics by car Estonia Latvia Lithuania
– this time the girl shares her ready-made travel plan for Latvia. Wandering around Riga and lying on the beach in Jurmala is a great program, but are you sure that you will learn a lot about the country from such a trip? Castles, waterfalls, lighthouses, gingerbread towns - where else to go and what to see in Latvia - the word to Masha.
Why Latvia?
Latvia became the first European country to which I planned a trip entirely myself. We wanted to go to Europe, but we were limited in money and time - only ten days, so the choice fell on the Baltic countries. Initially, we were going to travel around Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, hitchhiking between them, but buy bus tickets to one of the countries to make it easier to get a visa. The cheapest flights were to Latvia - and that’s how the fate of the trip was decided.
Now I can say that Latvia is an ideal country for those who want to travel to Europe for the first time, but are afraid of the language barrier and do not want to spend a lot of money. But experienced travelers will also find it interesting. Alas, Latvia is often underestimated. Our compatriots and neighbors often perceive it as an intermediate point on the way to the “real Europe”. Europeans, on the contrary, go there to take a look at the post-communist country. But don’t think that by wandering the streets of Riga before a low-cost airline flight or lounging on the beach of Jurmala, you have really seen Latvia.
I have the impression that this country is seriously investing in the development of tourism. I would describe this with an English proverb: “If you can"t have the best make the best of what you have” (“If you can’t have the best, make the best of what you have”). There are not many world-famous architectural monuments, impressive natural attractions or places with very ancient history– so, only two points from Latvia are included in the UNESCO list. But every more or less attractive city is equipped information Center, and twenty Latvian beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag (a sign of quality and suitability for safe swimming). Everything even slightly interesting here is turned into a tourist attraction: from ruined forts to the telescope of the radio astronomy center. Looking at such a careful attitude towards their history, I want to express respect to the Latvians and even slightly envy them.
“Everything even slightly interesting here is turned into a tourist attraction: from ruined forts to the telescope of the radio astronomy center.”
How to get there?
We traveled to Riga from Moscow by bus LuxExpress for €35 per person. We took a return ticket to St. Petersburg for € 17.5. Ecolines are also transported from both cities to Latvia. If you plan your trip in advance, you can save money. Thus, the minimum price of a LuxExpress ticket from St. Petersburg to Riga is about € 13. There are also trains from Russia to Latvia: the branded Latvia Express train from Moscow to Riga costs from € 40.5, a regular one from St. Petersburg – from € 37.5 . Travel time in both cases is a little more than 16 hours.
You can also get from Minsk to Riga by bus. The state carrier Minsktrans will take you to Latvia for € 14.5. There are also offers from private companies: LuxExpress runs once a day, ticket price starts from € 10, Ecolines has several flights, price – € 23.8. Don't forget about discounts for youth and students!
Ecolies travels from Kyiv to Riga, but the journey will not be close - a full 30 hours on the road. A one-way ticket will cost €50. It will be much faster and easier to fly on airBaltic - about 2 hours on the road and about €100 per ticket.
Housing
During our ten days in Latvia, we didn’t spend a cent on accommodation thanks to couchsurfing. Finding a host in Riga is not difficult: the site has more than 700 users from this city who are ready to receive guests. In other settlements the situation is different: in the second largest Daugavpils the population is seven times less than in Riga, in the third largest Liepaja - nine times. In the cities we visited, there were usually no more than ten active hosts - so I advise you to contact them in advance. We managed to find a “couch” in Riga, Liepaja and Kuldiga, and spent the night in a tent a couple of times.
Housing prices in the Latvian capital are encouraging: a night in a hostel starts from € 5. In other cities, everything is not so pleasant: the most cheap option from Booking in Ventspils – from € 10, in Liepaja – from € 12, in Kuldiga – from € 19, and in Cesis – from € 25. If you prefer to explore the country at a dynamic pace and want to save money, you can, like us, do Riga is a transshipment point. Distances in the country are very short: if you wish, you can leave the capital early in the morning, explore a city and return at night.
Transport
We hitchhiked around Latvia. According to our host from Liepaja, who has traveled to about sixty countries this way, hitchhiking in his homeland is one of the best in the world. I wouldn’t give such a high rating, but I confirm that hitchhiking around the country is convenient and fast. The average wait time for our couple was about 10 minutes, the maximum was an hour. A pleasant surprise was that many drivers are willing to spend a little time and gasoline to take you straight to your destination. One day, the driver not only drove us an extra fifteen kilometers to a point where a not very popular road led, but also left us a parting phone number so that we could contact him if we couldn’t catch anyone on the way back.
In addition to hitchhiking, we tried intercity trains - we traveled from Riga to Sigulda (about 50 kilometers). The ticket costs € 1.9. We were transported by a quite comfortable, although slightly painted, train. You can check the schedule and routes on the company's website Pasažieru vilciens (PV).
They go to places that cannot be reached by train. intercity buses. A ticket from Riga to Sigulda costs € 2.75, to Ventspils – € 7.55, from Liepaja to Kuldiga – € 3.85. Check the schedule and prices, and on a separate portal you can buy tickets online, but at a premium.
National cuisine
In Latvia they love rye bread. So much so that they not only eat it, but also add it to various dishes. For example, here you can try bread ice cream or bread yogurt with prunes. And also bread soup, which, oddly enough, is eaten not as a starter, but as a dessert. It is prepared from dried fruits and bread itself and seasoned with cream. Another local dish is made from rye flour - sklandrausis - an open pie with vegetable filling (usually boiled potatoes and carrots mixed with eggs and topped with sour cream).
As a main dish, I recommend gray peas, which are cooked with onions and smoked cracklings. And for dessert, try the “Old Riga” (Vecriga) cake with curd cream.
Most dishes of Latvian cuisine can be tasted in the restaurant Lido, and we bought “Old Riga” cakes and bread yoghurts in supermarkets.
Language
There is practically no language barrier in Latvia: as a rule, the younger generation speaks English, the older generation speaks Russian. Of all the drivers who gave us a lift, we only had to communicate in English with one – a Dutchman.
Only once did we have difficulties with communication. In Kuldiga we wandered into a workers' canteen, which by some miracle was included in the guidebook. Only locals dined there; the menu, like something from a school canteen, hung on the wall and was only in Latvian, and the food was served from huge pots and basins, so there was not even a chance to understand what was there. I addressed the woman at the counter in Russian, and she answered in Latvian. I repeated my question in English - and then she switched to Russian.
The situation with the language in the country is closely related to the historical context. After the collapse of the USSR, only 2/3 of the country's population received Latvian citizenship - citizens of the pre-war Republic of Latvia and their descendants. The rest - mainly Russians, as well as Belarusians, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Poles and a number of other peoples living on the territory of Latvia - received the status of “non-citizen”. As of 2013, there were about 80 differences in rights between citizens and non-citizens: for example, the latter cannot take part in elections, hold a number of positions, and there are economic and other restrictions for them. To obtain the status of a citizen, you need to go through the “naturalization” procedure: take an oath of allegiance to the country, pay a fee, pass an exam on your knowledge of the Latvian language, constitution, anthem and history. At the same time, back in the 90s, Russian ceased to be the state language.
On this moment There are still a little more than 10% of people living in the country who have not received citizenship: some consider the procedure itself unfair, some are not ready to pay the fee, some do not know the language sufficiently to pass the exam. However, not all Latvians like the fact that in their country there are people who do not want to master the state language and speak it. According to a 2005 study, 47% of Latvians believed that the interests of Russian speakers in the country were taken into account even more than they should be. 68% of Russian speakers, on the contrary, believed that their rights were infringed. To this day, relations between the two nations within the country are slightly electrified.
Route
At the Latvian visa center we were provided with a couple of guides, and I found a wealth of information on the official Latvian tourism portal. Initially, I wanted to fit all the Baltic countries into a ten-day trip, but after studying a dozen booklets and websites, I realized that there was simply not enough time for Lithuania and Estonia.
I marked points of interest to us on the map, and a route emerged: arrival in Riga, inspection of the country to the east of it, then to the west, and finally returning to the Latvian capital, from where the bus went home.
Riga and Jurmala
Riga became the first European capital I visited. I was delighted by everything: organ music from churches, paving stones and tiled roofs, prices in euros... Although no, these rather upset me. I studied a bunch of guidebooks and didn’t want to miss a single point recommended there. I enthusiastically wandered around Town Hall Square, trying to fit into the frame the houses huddled close to each other, called the Three Brothers, and looking out for black cats on the roof of the house, the owner of which, in retaliation for the elder who did not accept him into the merchant guild, turned the sculptures with their fifth point towards his window. However, Riga has already been written in detail in.
Of the places not mentioned there, I would recommend Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum (Brivdabas iela 21), where more than a hundred ancient wooden buildings were brought from all over the country. During the warm season (from May to September) admission for adults costs € 4, for full-time students – € 2; in cold weather (from November to April) – € 2 and € 1.4, respectively. In the summer, artisans demonstrate their skills on the museum grounds. We spent almost half a day walking and had an inexpensive lunch at a tavern in the park.
“Everything delighted me: organ music from churches, paving stones and tiled roofs, prices in euros... Although no, these were rather upsetting”
I also recommend going inside. National Library of Latvia(Mūkusalas iela 3). Although many locals consider it ugly, it looks quite nice inside. You can explore the building along with a tour in Russian, which can be booked by phone on weekdays and costs € 2. I walked around the library for free with our host, seeing floors 1 to 8. The library website says that on Sunday the 11th and 12th floors are also available to visitors.
We visited Jurmala on the eve of departure, and it seemed rather boring to us from an excursion point of view, although there are more than a hundred monuments of wooden architecture of national importance here. But it is well suited for a resort holiday: a third of Latvian beaches that have received the Blue Flag are concentrated here, and the total length of the well-maintained coastline– 26 kilometers.
Sigulda
We went to Sigulda for the castles, of which there are three: medieval Turaida, destroyed Krimulda and more modern Sigulda Palace. Half a day is enough for a leisurely walk between them, while you will admire the views of the Gauja River valley and be able to appreciate several objects unique to Latvia.
Firstly, this Gutman cave (57.176235, 24.842062) 18.8 meters deep, 12 meters wide and 10 meters high. Those who are interested in speleology or have simply been in caves in the past will hardly be impressed by such dimensions, but this is the largest cave in the Baltic countries. Secondly, Krimulda Castle on the opposite side of the river can be reached by the only cable car in the country. The views are magnificent, but the price for a 7-minute journey is unreasonably high - € 8 one way. You can bungee jump directly from the tram cabin, but the pleasure is even more expensive - € 60.
For extreme sports enthusiasts, there are other attractions in Sigulda: for example, a 1200-meter long bobsleigh and luge track and an obstacle course at a height of 20 meters in the largest adventure park in the Baltics, Tarzāns.
Cesis
Cesis is one of the oldest cities in Latvia, more than 800 years old. Its main attraction is the largest in the country Castle of the Livonian Order, which is also called Wenden, named after the people who lived in these places.
For entrance to Cesis Castle in the summer season (from May to September) you need to pay € 4 (for schoolchildren and students - € 2.5), in the winter (from October to April) - € 3 (€ 1.5). To visit the museum in the new castle you will have to pay an additional €2 (for schoolchildren and students – €1). We bought a full ticket, but came to the conclusion that we could limit ourselves to the castle.
I not only climbed around the entire building, going down into the dungeon for prisoners, but also watched the work of the blacksmiths, learned about medieval cuisine from the gardener and took part in the entertainment of that time - I practiced fencing with a wooden sword and took a dozen steps on stilts. When walking through the castle park, I advise you to find a wooden “box” where lies the dismantled monument to Lenin, which used to stand on the main square of the city.
Liepaja
This seaside town in western Latvia boasts the largest mechanical organ in the world and the third largest port in the country. Today the harbor is used only for trade, but previously a third of the city was occupied by a military port - “Karosta” in Latvian.
Construction of the largest naval military base in Russian Empire began here at the end of the 19th century. It was from here in 1905 that the Russian fleet set off for Pacific Ocean to participate in the Russo-Japanese War. But the location for the base was initially chosen poorly - only 40 kilometers from the border with a potential enemy, Germany. Soon the First began World War, and all defensive structures were destroyed by order of the commander of the Baltic Fleet - fearing that they would fall to the enemy, they were never used. The blasted forts have survived to this day and are popular with tourists.
During the Soviet years, submariners were based here, and Karosta became a closed military town. Now anyone can visit this area and admire the architectural contrasts - imperial buildings and typical Soviet houses, abandoned, unfinished or inhabited. We came here to visit museum-prison "Karosta" (Invalīdu iela 4). On the official website, this place is positioned as “the only prison in Europe open to tourists”, “from which no one has escaped.” But this does not indicate the security or scale of the structure: in fact, this is a cunning advertising ploy. From tsarist times until the end of the last century, there was not a prison here, but a guardhouse where military personnel served disciplinary punishments. The maximum term of imprisonment did not exceed a month, so there was no point in running away.
The guardhouse managed to serve the Russian Empire, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, and after it was abandoned, local enthusiasts decided to turn the building into a museum. My admiration for how carefully and creatively Latvia uses the opportunities it has to attract tourists first came to me here. For €5 you can take a regular excursion, where they will take you through the chambers and tell you about the history of the place, and for €15 you can even spend the night. Large groups by appointment they can experience all the delights of prison life by participating in the show “Behind Bars”. Although children are allowed on the tour, and the guide constantly cracks jokes, the guardhouse has retained its gloomy atmosphere.
Today Liepaja is the music capital of Latvia, where a festival takes place every summer Summer Sound. Thanks to this, the city now has new attractions - a glass concert hall“Big Amber” and the Walk of Fame of Latvian musicians. It took us less than a day to explore all these places, despite the fact that we also managed to swim in the Baltic Sea at the marked Blue flag city beach.
Kuldiga
Kuldiga is perhaps the most comfortable city in Latvia that I have been to. Only 13 thousand people live here, you can walk from edge to edge in an hour, and historical Center The city is included in the UNESCO national list. But we came here primarily for the two waterfalls.
First - Alekshupitsky waterfall (56.969851, 21.975383) on the Aleksupite River - it looks very nice, but is weakly impressive, although with a height of 4.5 meters it has become the tallest in Latvia. Second - Ventas-Rumba (56.967965, 21.978900) on the Venta River - was awarded a higher title: its width from 100-110 meters to almost 280 at high water made it the widest in Europe. But don’t imagine the Latvian Niagara: its maximum height is just over two meters, so it resembles a river rapids rather than a waterfall. It is best to come here in spring or autumn to watch migrating salmon “in flight” overcome Ventas Rumba.
Ventspils
I got my first impression of Ventspils on the way to it. The woman who gave us a lift told us about the local amusement park and its key attraction – the Lembergs Hat ski mountain. The mountain is notable for the fact that it was created on the site of a landfill: the waste site was mothballed, processed, filled with construction waste, covered with turf, planted with grass and equipped with jumps and lifts. The garbage heap, which turned into a popular recreation spot, was named after the long-time mayor of the city of Lembergs.
One of the mottos of Ventspils is “a city with a future”. Indeed, the depressiveness and devastation usual for the province is not felt here. Progressive trends here are illustrated not only by the story of the landfill. Thus, in 2002, the city took part in the Cow Parade, an international art event in which artists create creative sculptures of cow cows and exhibit them in different places of the city. After this, the monuments are sold at auction, and the money goes to charity. Ventspils became the first city in Eastern Europe to take part in the parade. Of the 26 cows that decorated the city during the event, only six were not sold. But the parade inspired residents and city authorities, and soon new cows began to appear on the streets, and in 2012 the Cow Parade was repeated again. Walking around Ventspils, you constantly come across sculptures of artiodactyls: from a fashionable cow admiring itself in the mirror, to a police cow or a fan cow watching football on TV with its owner. These works of art not only lift your spirits local residents, but also attract tourists.
To get to know the Baltics, you need to visit all three countries: Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Some of you will say that the Baltic states are not only the countries listed above, but we will only touch on them. First of all, we will visit three capitals: Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn. It is advisable to visit them in the same weather and with the same mood, so that nothing interferes with comparing these three cities. Don't listen to anyone who says that this or that is more beautiful or interesting. They are all interesting, beautiful and in general everyone has their own opinion. I’ve been to the Baltics several times and liked some things better, so I tried to include this in the itinerary. The route program is designed so that you can complete it in a week. So: St. Petersburg - Tallinn - Cesis - Sigulda - Riga - Bauska - Siauliai - Kaunas - Vilnius - Daugavpils - Rezekne - St. Petersburg. These are the key points, now in more detail:
St. Petersburg – Tallinn
I will not dwell in detail on preparing the car, documents, etc. You can't predict everything. However, recently, I take at least two navigators on the road. I trust booking.com more and more and, if possible, return to cash. Don’t forget that it is difficult to cross the Estonian border back and you have to buy a queue, so we return through Latvia.
The distance from St. Petersburg to Tallinn is 362 kilometers and the estimated travel time is about 5 hours, not counting the time spent at customs. It’s best to move around while everyone is asleep, so we leave at about 4 am. We'll be at the border around 6, and then depending on our luck. To sufficiently familiarize yourself with the Old Town of Tallinn, 4 hours are needed. For those who like it slower, this time is not enough.
Car parks near the Old Town cost 3-4 euros per hour, there are cheaper ones nearby, but it is not a fact that there will be free spaces. If we compare hotel prices in all three capitals, then Tallinn and Riga are approximately the same, but Vilnius is cheaper, but no worse.
For me, Tallinn is always different in its impact. Sometimes I admire him, and sometimes I find him boring, apparently it depends on my mood, mood and company. In the “Old Town”, in addition to the main attractions, such as:
City Hall
The Dome Cathedral
Oleviste Church
Niguliste Church
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Fortress towers and walls
St. John's Church
... there are many beautiful and back streets, corners, courtyards. There are several observation platforms that offer beautiful views of the city. Lots of shops and interesting cafes. The architecture here is very different, from different eras, styles and “nationalities”.
I will never forget the impressions of my first visit to Tallinn. It was on the New Year 2007, when they started trying to take tourists from Helsinki to Stockholm to Tallinn. The first sign was the passenger ship Vana-Tallin, that is, “ Old Tallinn", not to be confused with the drink of the same name. And, by the way, it justified its name - it was built in 1974. That year there was no winter and no ice either. In Helsinki on January 1 it was +6, and in Stockholm +8. When we were walking from Helsinki to Stockholm we encountered a terrible storm and people, remembering this night, already leaving Stockholm for Tallinn, “pulled up” tightly so that they could fall asleep and not hang around the decks, clinging to everything they could and to each other. We all arrived in Tallinn a little rumpled, but in anticipation of new impressions. We were given buses, guides and some time to explore the city. We gathered for a whole hour and waited for those who were late, then we drove around Tallinn and listened to the guide, who did not really hide her hatred of everything Russian. Having dropped us off at the walls of the “Old City” and handed us over to another guide, she left with the bus. The first words of the “new” guide were: “Forget everything she said,” “now let’s run, we don’t have much time.” We seemed to be keeping up, but at the next turn the guide disappeared. 15 minutes have passed since the start of his excursion. There were half of us, we spat and went our separate ways. It was dank, damp, cold and windy outside. Only in the evening, when the garlands were lit and the wind died down, it became better, warmer and much more beautiful. This is what they were like – first impressions.
If you are not going to visit a pub in the evening or just look at night city, then you can stop for the night on the way towards Riga. I stayed at Ruunawere Hotel, near Tallinn, and really liked it. There is a small sketch about the hotel in the “Video” section. At all interesting places There are many places to stay for the night: manors; guest houses; cottages, etc. If you plan your trip 21 days in advance or less, you may be able to get exclusive deals on hotel bookings, but you probably already know that. If you plan to stay in the city, I recommend Kalev Spa Hotel & Waterpark. Convenient, cozy, close to the “Old Town”, a good restaurant and after long walks you can lie in the jacuzzi, relax your muscles or swim.
Cesis-Sigulda
From Tallinn to Cesis (Sigulda) is about 300 kilometers. The time is about 4 hours. You can go in three ways, but the easiest way is through Pärnu. After Pärnu the road goes along the coast and if it’s summer outside, you can turn to the sea and swim and sunbathe. Relax in one word. The main attractions of Sigulda and Cesis cannot be seen in one day, even briefly, so plan to spend the night somewhere. Both of these cities are approximately the same distance from Riga, Sigulda is a little closer, where you stay does not play a special role.
The area around these two cities is a real hub of medieval castles, various attractions, and there is a lot to see and do. Residents of Riga think the same thing, which is why it can get crowded on weekends. Draw conclusions.
Let's start with Cesis. Here is the largest and best preserved…
Cessian (Wenden) Castle
A beautiful park at the foot of the castle is conducive to a leisurely walk and relaxation. The castle itself is nothing special, it’s just interesting to touch the history, take the likeness of an old lantern and walk along the dark staircases and alleys. Near the old castle there is
New Cession Castle
There are now ticket offices here, as well as history and art museums. Located almost close to these castles
St. John's Church
This majestic structure is the largest church in Latvia built outside of Riga (13th century). She belonged to the Livonian Order.
In addition to the main attractions, it is very pleasant to stroll through the wooden residential area. Nice houses that have seen a lot interesting stories, provide an opportunity to take a break from the “concrete jungle” of big cities.
Not far from Cesis there is another attraction local region, so-called
Araiši Lake Castle
Here, in the 19th-11th centuries, the Latgalians lived. Enough large area for a walk, where you can get acquainted with ancient life and buildings, the ruins of the Araish Order Castle and the lake settlement.
Here are the must-sees in the area:
Turaida Castle
Old Sigulda Castle
New Sigulda Castle
Of course, there is plenty more to do here besides the castles. Huge park, zoos, cable cars, caves, etc. They work in winter ski slopes. This is one of the best bobsleigh tracks.
In these parts I stayed only in one hotel - Hotel Atputa, it is located in Cesis. Quiet, cozy hotel, good restaurant, friendly service.
Riga
It takes less than an hour to travel from Sigulda to Riga. As soon as I enter Riga, I can’t get rid of the feeling that I’m driving through the outskirts of St. Petersburg. The building of the Latvian Academy completes the image of a large, Soviet city. Only in the “Old Town” do you come to your senses and return to the tourist skin. It is better to park the car on the embankment side. Before I forget, the police in Latvia are the same as in Russia. They like to test for alcohol, set up an ambush, and “pay off on the spot.” If there is something written in Latvian on the parking signs, it is better not to stop there, you will be fined. Alcohol: Estonia (0.2 volume), Latvia (0.5 volume), Lithuania (0.4 volume). I don't want to get caught.
Riga is different! Different than Tallinn. Firstly, there is no difference in heights, and therefore everything is located, as it were, on the same plane, along the Daugava embankment. By the way, be sure to visit the other side of the river, from there a beautiful panorama of the “Old City” opens up. All the attractions are quite tightly packed. In order to explore absolutely the entire “Old City”, you will more than once go to places that you have already seen. This is not “running in circles,” but somewhere close. The architecture of Tallinn is diverse and multinational, and in Riga a certain style is maintained.
I have long noticed that tourists equally like both large, huge churches or castles, and very small, even tiny “cartoons”, such as the St. Petersburg “Chizhik-Pyzhik”. And everywhere, in any city in the world, the reaction to them is the same. You should definitely pet them or throw a coin, and, of course, take a photo. One of these Riga “muleks” is the monument to the “Bremen Town Musicians”, almost a copy of the same one located in hometown. Here, the attraction program also includes bouncing. Everyone tries to pet the animal that is higher up. Walking around Old Riga, you will see unusual figures and installations more than once.
The Bremen Town Musicians
Now, let's go over the main attractions of the "Old City"
House of the Blackheads
The Dome Cathedral
Church of St. Peter and panoramas from the observation deck.
Town Hall and Town Hall Square
Riga Castle
Church of Our Lady of Sorrows
In Soviet times, as soon as it was necessary to show “abroad”, all film studios went to Riga, here every house, every crossroads was used as scenery. “Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson” lived here, the spy passions “Seventeen Moments of Spring” were played out, and the songs “D’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers” were sung.
When it comes to having a bite to eat in Riga, the choice is huge and the price tags are already quite affordable. If you have heard about LIDO, then I would not recommend visiting it in the “Old Town”, you can spoil the impression, it is better to go to the LIDO Recreation Center on Krasta Street 76. The food there is excellent, tasty and not expensive.
LIDO
For tourists with children, I advise you to see the Riga Zoo and its guests. In general, Riga is a wonderful city and I think you will want to come here more than once, to see not only it, but also the surrounding area, such as Jurmala, Jaunmokas Castle, and the Daugava Museum. Or spend a summer night on the streets and in the pubs of the “Old Town”, which never sleeps.
Bauska Rundāle Palace
If you have already seen everything in Riga and are not going to stay overnight, you can head towards the town of Bauska. More precisely, our goal is Rundāle Palace. The drive is about an hour, and I can recommend the hotel Hotel Rundale. It is very advantageously located just 250 meters from the palace itself.
The town of Bauska is not big at all, but there are many interesting places here. There are churches, old quarters, Bauska Castle. Delicious Latvian beer is brewed here. On the Town Hall Square you can have a nice and tasty meal in a cafe. But due to the fact that we visited this city only for the Rundāle Palace, that’s where we will go.
The palace belonged to Duke Ernst Johann Biron. It was built in 1740. In the same year, Biron, after a coup d'etat, was arrested and exiled, returning only in 1763. At the same time, by 1768, Rastrelli completed the interior decoration of the premises.
The palace amazes with its exquisite interiors and rich decoration. Unfortunately, I was there in the winter, and I was not able to see the splendor of the blooming French park, spread over an area of 10 hectares, closed on all sides by a canal, behind which, in turn, lies a hunting park.
I am constantly doing something in the palace, restoring, decorating, caring for, restoring, even clothes. Everything is sparkling clean and you can feel the love with which the local workers treat the exhibits. The palace and its decoration left an indelible impression in the memory. I will definitely come in the summer to take a walk in the garden and park.
Cross Mountain. Siauliai
Frenkel Palace
Now we are heading towards Lithuania, more precisely, towards the city of Siauliai. A little before reaching the city, we make an obligatory stop at Krestovaya Gora or the Mountain of Crosses. This is one of the most unexpected sights of the entire route. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect, but I had heard a lot and was ready to be surprised, but not that much. Crosses from all over the world are actually brought here and this is truly a Mountain of Crosses.
The place is shrouded in legends. Under Soviet rule, it was destroyed 4 times, but the Mountain has not gone away, and there are more and more crosses. Even the Pope “marked himself” here with a rather impressive cross. Our crosses, like droplets of water, melted into a sea of huge waves of crosses.
Even if this place initially did not carry any energy load, the millions of prayers and aspirations that came here imbued this place with faith. There are no restrictions, orders, regulations that are so loved in churches of various denominations; here a person is alone - face to face with his feelings, with God.
The next destination of our journey will be the city of Siauliai. We were passing through there, stopped to have a snack, stroll along the pedestrian street, and go to the Cathedral. The weather was disgusting, and we were in a hurry towards Kaunas, so I can’t say anything special about this town. There was an attempt to visit the cat museum, but after sticking our nose in there, we decided not to waste time.
Now we are going to one of the most beautiful cities in the Baltics - Kaunas, it is called “Beautiful”. And there is no doubt that you should stop there for the night.
Kaunas
It often happens that people go to capitals, but nearby cities, which have no less interesting things, pass by. Kaunas does not complain about the lack of tourists, but undeservedly fewer people go there than to Vilnius and Trakai. Kaunas is great. IMHO, of course, but even the weather didn’t stop me from just falling in love with this city.
The "Old Town" of Vilnius is large, spacious, mostly pedestrian, under UNESCO protection. I really enjoyed walking leisurely along the main streets and squares, but there are a lot of people there, but if you turn somewhere to the side, after a couple of minutes it becomes simply deserted and you can get lost. I parked my car in one of the parking lots in the southern part of the “Old City”, put a mark in the navigator, relied on the technology, and went on a reckless exploration, instead of taking chalk and leaving marks on houses and sidewalks. Got lost. And parking is paid and by the hour, the fines are large, it’s unpleasant. The conclusion is that you need to park the car in the northern part, where the Castle Hill and Gedeminas Tower are. If this landmark falls out of your sight, people will help. And I couldn’t even really explain to passers-by where my car was parked “next to the church or church.” Yes, there are them here... . Now, with the advent of new gadgets and applications, it has become much easier.
What interesting things can you see in the “Old Town”?
Church of St. Casemir
Presidential palace
Cathedral of St. Nicholas
Church of St. Paraskeva (Pyatnitskaya Church)
Cathedral
Sharp gate
Bernardine Church and St. Anne's Church
In addition, there is also: Gedemin's Tower, the Church of St. Teresa, Church of the Holy Spirit, Church of the Holy Trinity, Vilnius Bastion defensive wall, Church of St. John, Church of St. Michael, Church of St. Anne, Church of St. Ignatius and the Jesuit monastery, Alumnat, the Church of St. Catherine, Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Church of St. Nicholas, etc., etc. This is not all, and this is only in the “Old Town” itself. Now can you imagine how difficult it was to find the right church, church or temple?
One of the most pleasant impressions is the prices. In cafes, restaurants, hotels, etc. Whether in the business center or in the “Old Town,” there are many places where you can pleasantly spend the evening, night, and the rest of the day. We ate, rested, ate some more and hit the road. Now in the opposite direction, home. The intermediate point will be Daugavpils and you can spend the night there or see the city and drive to the small town of Rezekne and stay there.
Daugavpils-Rezekne
Daugavpils is the same city in which I was once again convinced of how much the weather influences perception, first impressions, and, finally, photographs. The first time I was there in terrible, disgusting, dirty weather, I was passing through, and the second time - excellent weather, warm, no rush, wonderful hotel, leisurely promenade. Earth and sky. Great town, beautiful, interesting. The most important attraction, or rather “mountain of attractions” is the “church hill”. Here, literally meters from each other, there are four churches of different faiths.
Martin Luther Cathedral
Roman Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daugavpils Orthodox Cathedral holy noble princes Boris and Gleb
Novosretensky Church of the Resurrection, Nativity of the Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas (Old Believers)
In the city itself there is a small pedestrianized street, where you can just walk around and look around. There is a fortress here, it is a certain symbol of the city. In terms of accommodation, I can recommend the Park Hotel Latgola, it is located in the center, modern, not expensive, there are often special offers (double standard - 2000 rubles), the upper floors offer a panoramic view of the city. If you are unlucky with the weather, then it is better to leave exploring this city for another time, and go towards the town of Rezekne and stop to rest there.
To view information about Rezekne or Daugavpils (any other object), click on the name. We stopped in Rezekne only to rest before the final rush to the house. We walked around, had a good time in the restaurant of our hotel Kolonna Hotel Rezekne, and got up early (at 4 am), took “breakfast to go”, pre-ordered at the hotel, and headed towards the border.
From Daugavpils to the border it takes 2 hours, from Rezekne 40 minutes. Arriving at the border at about 5 am, we found the customs office really sleeping, we had to wake up to let them through. It’s a nightmare, they could “infiltrate” unnoticed and take out the entire Baltic states. That's basically it. The route, as you understand, can easily change; for example, you can organize everything with a mirror opposite. And from Tallinn go to Helsinki. 2-3 hours by ferry and you are in the capital of Finland. And there is already all of Scandinavia in front of us.
On my website in the section for tourists there is a “Planner”, where you can view the route and description, calculate mileage, fuel and estimate time. I wish you a good time in the Baltics. Gain new impressions and just have a good rest.
Don't let the rising exchange rate scare you. If you plan your trip well, the trip will cost you several times less. I was once again convinced of this during my last trip to the Baltic countries, and now I’m sharing my advice with you.
1. Buses between Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn for 3 euros
The capitals of the Baltic countries are connected by a bunch of bus routes with great service (toilet, heating, Wi-Fi and even free monitors).
The carrier SimpleExpress throws out 5 promotional tickets for each flight exactly six months before departure. Travel Vilnius-Tallinn, Vilnius-Riga, Riga-Tallinn and back for only 3 euros.
There are also regular promotions in bus companies LuxExpress, Ecolines, and Eurolines.
Discounts can reach 70% and a ticket for an international route costs around 5 euros.
2. Discounts on railways and buses.
In Lithuanian railways There is a -15% discount when purchasing a round trip ticket. Remind the cashier about this. In Latvia, train travel is a quarter cheaper on weekdays during working hours. It is better to travel between Estonian cities by SuperBus. A ticket costs 2 euros (cunning people indicate the price in Eureka, but there is no escape from paying for the reservation).
3. Don’t overpay for travel in cities.
The cost of public transport for our money is crazy. For example, in Riga, a ticket when purchased from the driver costs as much as 2 euros! However, the same ticket from the machine will cost you 1.15 euros. If you will use transport more than 4 times in 24 hours (from the date the ticket was punched), then it is more advisable to buy a pass for 5 euros.
In Tallinn and Vilnius, for multiple trips you should buy a special plastic card. They cost 2 and 1.5 euros respectively. In the capital of Estonia it can be returned (but only at the customer service center); Lithuanians do not return money.
4. Get free maps at tourist centers.
Every tourist information center offers a free paper map of a city, region or entire country. As a rule, they are located in the main squares of cities, train stations and airports. Don’t hesitate to ask the employees of tourist centers about events that take place in the city, free museums and where to eat inexpensively but deliciously.
5. Business lunches, canteens and fast food.
On weekdays at lunchtime (usually from 11 to 15), many restaurants offer set lunches (or business lunches) at a significant discount. For example, in the center of Tallinn at the Karja Kelder restaurant, soup with minced meat (that’s how it was presented to us) and the main dish (pictured) cost us only 3.7 euros.
There are still Soviet canteens in Vilnius. Lithuanian they will be Valgykla.
If the goal is to satisfy your hunger, then in Riga fast foods you can buy a complex: a burger, fries and cola for 2.65 euros.
6. Where is the best place to refuel?
The cheapest gasoline among the three Baltic countries is in Estonia. A liter of 95 costs a little more than a euro. You will have to pay the most in Latvia. The difference in fuel prices between states is within 10 cents.
7. Without money for the museum and parliament.
There are a number of interesting museums where entry is absolutely free or the fee is purely symbolic. For example, these are money museums at banks in Estonia and Lithuania. It's not boring here - it's very modern and interactive. You can even print your own money or treat yourself to candy with the bank's symbols.
Also in the Baltic countries there is a great opportunity to visit local parliaments. You can sign up for an excursion to the Lithuanian Seimas or the Estonian Parliament in advance.
IN art museums Tallinn has so-called “One-European Environments”. Once a quarter, admission on Wednesdays is 1 euro. Check the museum's website before your trip!
Some museums offer free entry with a press ID. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s “Zhmerinsky Rabochiy” or “Forbes Ukraine”. For example, in the interesting Tallinn Maritime Museum. Employees of other museums (including ours) also have a similar benefit.
8. Shopping from catalogs in supermarkets.
The lowest supermarkets in Lithuania. We are absolutely crazy about their chocolate cheesecakes! Price from 0.2 euro cents. Citrus fruits - like ours. Before entering the supermarket, take with you a brochure with promotional prices. Sometimes the discount can reach 50%. Of course, anything cheaper is not worth taking, but this is how we bought ourselves delicious Riga sprats or a double Snickers with coffee at the IKI supermarket for 1 euro.
9. Book accommodation earlier.
We booked a hotel in Riga a couple of months in advance. In addition to the discount for early booking used a promotional code on the hotel website. Won more than 10 euros. My friend used Airbnb service. Had a private room in Tallinn for 9 euros.
Are you planning to go to Europe with your family or company, but ticket prices are skyrocketing? Don’t rush to get upset - consider auto tourism. It has many advantages.
Firstly, by car you can move along any trajectory and are not limited in time. Secondly, if there are at least two of you, gasoline will be much cheaper than tickets (accordingly, the more of you there are, the better the price!). And thirdly, you don't have to worry about overweight luggage.
And if you are still in doubt, read below real story about how we went to travel around the Baltics.
For the first time, we decided to start small and go for a few days to the Baltic states - Latvia and Estonia. Here it must be said that we only had cars with studded tires, and not all EU countries allow you to drive on such tires - check this point when planning your route.
To travel to Europe by car you will need...
1. Reliable car.
2. Green card for a car (like our MTPL) - costs about 2,500 rubles, can be issued in advance, at any insurance company in your city, or immediately before leaving the Russian Federation. As you approach the border, you will now and then come across points with corresponding signs, and cards are also issued at some border gas stations.
3. Schengen visa. Here a surprise awaited us. It turns out that now almost all embassies are switching to working with intermediaries. That is, you, of course, can do without them, but then you will have to make an appointment at the consulate to submit documents two or three weeks in advance and plus 10 days to obtain a visa, but you will save 25 euros on Pony Express services.
4. Navigator. We downloaded Sygic, which took us from house to house, that is, to the rented apartments. In addition to the main functions, it can be used in pedestrian mode - it will show nearby attractions and give brief information about them.
5. Good company. After all, you will have to spend a lot of time nose to nose: if in the city you can still run around different places, and on the plane sit in different ends, then in the car you can’t get away from each other. And it’s even better if this company has a second driver whom you trust - the road is much easier if you change the wheel every two to three hours.
By the way, about the road. There are several options for traveling to Europe: the choice depends on the specific route. Our first destination was Riga, so we chose Novorizhskoe highway with the border crossing at the point Burachki (Russia) - Terekhovo (Latvia). Judging by reviews from friends and Internet blogs, the highway was reconstructed just a couple of years ago. We did not have a single complaint: neither with the quality of the coating, nor with the markings, nor with the signs. There was only one imperfect, but short-lived site in the Pskov region; it did not cause any serious inconvenience.
Having left Moscow at 4 am, we were already at the checkpoint at 11. On the way there was a feeling that we were alone on the track. Only in the rearview mirror sometimes someone’s headlights could be seen, and every five minutes oncoming cars rushed by. We were third in the queue at the border, but ten minutes later there was already a decent tail of cars behind us - it’s not even clear where all these people came from. When going through control, it’s mainly the driver who has to fuss: he takes all the passports, shows the car, and fills out the documents. Passengers can at most be asked to get out of the car, and even then not always. Having settled the formalities in about an hour, we moved on.
On the other side of the border, the asphalt has become noticeably worse, but still of acceptable quality. By the way, fill your tank full before the border - a liter of 95 gasoline in Latvia costs approximately 1.8 euros. The next 300 km to the capital of Latvia took us about 5 hours - there are many settlements on the highway and the speed drops to 50, and sometimes to 30 km/h. That is, the entire journey, taking into account crossing the border, stops at gas stations and lunch, took about 13 hours. For comparison, the Moscow – Riga train takes 16.5 hours.
Parking in the centers of European cities is paid, so think in advance about where to store your car. We had an agreement with the owners of the rented apartment that they would give us the keys to the courtyard of the house, which helped us save a lot of money and not worry about the safety of our transport. By the way, the apartment itself with all amenities for four people, a 10-minute walk from the Old Town, cost about 50 euros per night.
Of course we immediately went to Old city. Having reached St. Peter's Church and appreciating its scale, we realized that we were pretty hungry from the road. Having looked around, we went into a cafe with local cuisine - what a knuckle there was! I can honestly say that it was the most delicious dinner of the entire trip. I wanted to order mulled wine, but the waiter suggested trying a hot drink based on Riga balsam and blackcurrant juice - delicious! The bill for dinner at a restaurant in the center is about 20 euros per person - this is meat with a side dish and a drink. Some, but not all establishments automatically include a 10% service charge.
You can save a lot on food if you eat at home or in establishments similar to our “Mu-mu”, for example. In the latter case, a very hearty dinner will cost about 10 euros. But we figured that we would lose some of the flavor by not exploring the local cuisine.
After walking around the evening center a little more and thoroughly tasting the mulled wine at central square, went to rest.
The next morning, we left the car and went to Jurmala by train. The fact is that the station is located right next to the Old Town, the train takes only 20 minutes, and we decided not to bother. And the price of gasoline again... Jurmala is a resort on the coast Gulf of Riga. In the very center is the Maiori station, where we got off. Previously, it was here that New Wave, KVN and other festivals took place. A very cozy town with beautiful architecture and pine trees. On the beach in winter, the wind, of course, knocks you off your feet, but the streets themselves are quiet and nothing interferes with your walk. I can imagine how great it is here in the summer! This place is especially suitable for a family holiday.
Returning to Riga and armed with a guidebook, we headed back to the Old Town. If you wish, then on the square near the House of the Blackheads you can hire a personal guide who will take you around the city and tell you everything in detail. Unfortunately, we were not able to climb observation deck St. Peter's Church: due to the heavy snowfall this did not make sense. The next morning we wanted to go to a 20-minute organ concert in the Dome Cathedral. So we went in to buy tickets. As it turned out later, this was a very right decision - right before the concert there was a huge line at the box office. Having walked further and looked into the Cathedral of St. James, we found ourselves at the end of the service and the organ was just playing. “Oh, my 10 euros were wasted, I wasted my money,” I thought. True, it turned out that the organ of the Dome Cathedral sounds much cleaner, even in my amateurish opinion. But if you want to save money, this is quite an option.
The day after the concert we went to Tallinn. There are about 300 km between the cities, and this journey took about five hours. Crossing the border is purely formal: you drive through the checkpoint without stopping at a low speed, and that’s it – you’re in Estonia. The route immediately changes noticeably - the road surface becomes better, there are many more cameras, and gasoline is cheaper (about 1 euro per liter). In Tallinn, we also parked in a closed courtyard of a house with the prior permission of the owners. The price of the apartment is comparable to Riga housing - 50 euros for a spacious apartment within walking distance from the historical center.
On Town Hall Square, following a very tasty smell, we ended up in the medieval tavern “Three Dragons”. In all seriousness, no electricity or cutlery - you have to drink the soup from a cup-bowl! The choice of dishes is limited to one type of soup, boar ribs and sausages for main course; there are also pies with various fillings and drinks. Prices are reasonable for a tourist center: dinner with sausages - 12 euros, with ribs - 20 euros. Of course, I wanted to try something unusual, and I chose boar ribs. The portion is very large and quite enough for two young ladies. Objectively, the meat was cooked well - not tough, very juicy. But it has a very specific marinade, it gives off sweetness. And sweet meat is... not my thing in general. Although the surrounding men drank beer with pleasure.
In the morning we decided to catch up and went to the observation deck in the Fat Margaret Tower in the Old Town. To get to the top, you need to buy a ticket to Maritime Museum for 6 euros. Good news - if you are traveling as a family, the ticket will cost you 12 euros for everyone. The prospect of walking through a boring specialized museum did not please us at all, but what a surprise it was when it turned out to be extremely fascinating. There are interactive exhibits, real masts with sails from sunken ships, and ship models. In general, it will be interesting for both big and small; for boys it’s a paradise. You can also go to Hydroharbour, the second part of the museum, and climb on a real submarine there!
In principle, a couple of days is enough to explore the historical part of both capitals. If you want to travel outside the city or delve into the study of museums in more detail, of course, it is better to allocate more time.
The return journey to Moscow took us approximately the same 13 hours through the Luhamaa (Estonia) – Shumilkino (Russia) checkpoint. A couple of differences from the Latvian border: it is better to book the border crossing time in advance - you will spend about an hour. It is unknown how long you will have to wait in line. And you also have to pay a service fee of about 5 euros per car.
Total:
In total, we spent about 12 thousand rubles on the road for gasoline for a sedan with a 1.6 engine and an automatic transmission. For three people it turned out to be much cheaper than tickets.
Green card (insurance) – 2500 rubles.
Service fee at the Estonian border is 5 euros.
An article about traveling by car to the Baltic countries: what you need to know, what documents to prepare. At the end of the article there is a video about what you need to know before traveling to the Baltics by car.
The content of the article:
If you are planning to take a look at the Baltic countries, but find that ticket prices are, to put it mildly, expensive, auto tourism can be a great solution.
Traveling by car to the Baltic countries has many advantages. The main thing is to know some of the pitfalls and features of paperwork and driving in these countries.
The Baltic states are already Europe, the rules for entry and driving here are approximately the same, but small differences still exist. We'll tell you about the main points that you should know in advance.
Pros of traveling by car
If you love car tourism, you have long known these advantages:
- If you drive a car not alone, but with two or three of you, the cost of gasoline (even taking into account the depreciation of the car) will be significantly cheaper than purchasing tickets for transport, be it a bus, Railway tickets and even more so by air.
- A car will allow you not to worry about excess luggage and liquids prohibited for carriage on an airplane. Also, the problems of “overweight” are pushed back to the limit of the weight of luggage, which is critical for a particular car, and are not limited to the weight specified by the airline in the region of a modest 20 kg per person.
When looking for your next purchase in a souvenir shop, you won’t have to think about whether you can bring it home.
- A personal car is freedom. You are not limited by time frames, you do not have to move along a predetermined trajectory, as in the case bus tour. Seeing a building you like on the horizon, locality, you can always turn off the highway and visit more interesting places. Tempting, isn't it?
Required documents for entry
If you are entering the Baltic country in a personal car, you will need a standard set of documents.
For auto:
- registration certificate;
- international driver's license;
- technical certificate;
- "green map".
If the car is older than three years and has Russian registration, at the border you may be required to present a diagnostic card of the car, which indicates that the car is in good working order.
Those who have recently traveled to the Baltics note that even for a more recent car, it is better to undergo unscheduled maintenance in advance. They ask for a diagnostic card at the border after tourists have received a stamp in their passport to enter the country.
If the car does not meet the serviceability requirements, they will immediately put an exit stamp at the border and send it home. If you purchased a one-time Schengen visa, the trip can be considered over.
A diagnostic card may be required not only at the border. According to the laws of the Baltic countries, any police officer can ask to see this document.
If your car has tinted windows, you should be concerned about their light transmittance. Tinted side front windows of a car must transmit light at least 80%. In the case of side rear and rear windows, the light transmittance of the coating may be less. As a rule, there are no problems at the border with factory tinted windows.
Studded tires in the Baltics are allowed from the beginning of October to the end of April. If the car's windows are cracked or there is damage to the body, the car may not be allowed to pass through at the border - according to European laws, such cars do not have the right to enter the country.
If a power of attorney is needed for a car, it must be notarized.
For adult passengers:
- application with questionnaire;
- international passport with a Schengen visa;
- certificate of income from work;
- confirmation from the bank that there are funds in your account;
- medical insurance;
- confirmation of hotel reservation, rental apartment or guest house.
- birth certificate;
- up to 14 years of age, the child’s data can be entered in the passport of one of the parents;
- when a child travels without parents - his own international passport with Schengen and notarized consent of the parents to travel abroad.
Medical insurance for entry into the Baltic countries must be issued for a coverage amount of at least 30 thousand euros.
To make the trip comfortable, it would be useful to have a navigator. It's better if it's a program. Designed not only for cars, but also for pedestrian movements.
For example, navigator Sуgic will do an excellent job of both “guiding” the driver to a given destination and will tell you about the sights of the country closest to the route.
IN long trip It’s very convenient if you can change while driving. A second driver in the company makes the trip much easier.
Restrictions on the import of goods and features of border crossing
In the photo: checkpoint on the border with Estonia
When crossing the border, motor tourists will have to pay an environmental fee - about 20 euros for each passenger, plus the amount for the car itself.
There are restrictions on the import of a number of goods into the Baltics, which may differ from country to country. As a rule, this applies to cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, fuel and some products.
For example, you cannot import into Latvia more than 40 cigarettes (that is, two packs), one liter of alcohol with a strength above 6 degrees or two liters of weaker alcohol such as beer, 10 liters of gasoline, as well as meat and any meat products.
The use of “anti-radars” in the Baltics is strictly prohibited. Upon entry, such devices will most likely be taken away or simply not allowed into the country. If the presence of these devices is discovered already in the country, the driver will face a fine of up to 1,200 euros - an amount more than the average salary!
The length of stay at the border depends on the specific border checkpoint and the type of queue. When entering the Baltics, an electronic queue is a faster way to get through control. At a minimum it will take about forty minutes, but on average tourists estimate the time to be up to one and a half to two hours.
Theoretically, you can call the border control point and ask in advance how long the queue is. But it’s not a fact that they will answer you.
When leaving the country, it is better for motorists to use advance booking of the electronic queue. It is worth keeping in mind that in the Baltics, border guards specifically pay more attention to the electronic queue than to the “live” queue, so it makes sense to spend one and a half euros to reserve a place in the electronic queue than to later tell the “horrors” about a seven-hour stay at the border control point.
Driving Features
There are no toll roads in the Baltics; all roads for passenger vehicles are free. Similar to most European countries, here in roundabouts cars located at the intersection itself have priority.
Similar to the Russian rules, in the Baltics, low-beam headlights are mandatory.
Parking in cities is usually paid. They will cost from two euros per hour, but in the capitals and central regions cities can be three times more expensive.
In Tallinn there is interesting feature parking: here you will need a parking watch, which can be purchased at the gas station. This watch is placed under the windshield. Payment for parking is made via SMS, if you have a country SIM card, or through a specialized machine.
It is better to study speed limits in the Baltic countries in advance. Thus, the “fairy tale” about the slowness of the same Estonians is by no means a fairy tale if we talk about the speed limit on the roads. The car is allowed a maximum speed of 110 km/h, and then only on specialized highways marked with a “road on a blue field” sign, and only in the summer. And in the period from the beginning of November to the end of March outside the city you can move at a speed of no more than 90 km/h, within the city limits - no more than 50 km/h.
In case of speeding, you will have to fork out: an excess of up to 10 km/h can go unnoticed, but if the speedometer needle has crawled 20 km/h above the norm - this is 400 euros or a six-month deprivation of rights, 40 km/h above the upper limit - 800 euros and one-year deprivation of rights, 60 km/h “overkill” - 1200 euros and deprivation of rights for two years.
The car, as per Russian standards, must have a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, a reflective vest and a warning triangle. However, the presence of a reflective vest is not strictly necessary, but without it being on highway You can't go outside the car.
As in any European country, in the Baltic countries there are many video cameras for recording traffic violations. In addition, here you can often find hidden police patrols along the roads, which will not hesitate to record violations and issue fines. Please note that here police cars are often “disguised” as civilian vehicles so that they are indistinguishable.
If you are stopped on the road, you cannot get out of the car: this may be interpreted as an attempt to escape. You just need to open the driver's side window and put your hands on the steering wheel. The policeman will approach you himself.
Fuel cost
In the photo: gas station in Estonia
When driving into the Baltics, it is better to have a full fuel tank. The distances here are short, but the price of fuel is not low:
- In Estonia: 95 gasoline - from 80 rubles, diesel fuel - from 76 rubles, gas - from 36 rubles, but there are very few gas stations here.
- In Lithuania: 95 gasoline - from 75 rubles, diesel fuel - from 66 rubles, gas - from 34 rubles, and gas stations in this country are quite common.
- In Latvia: 95 gasoline - from 78 rubles, diesel fuel - from 75 rubles, gas - from 35 rubles. In all the Baltic countries, the roads are not congested, cars move in “gentle” traffic, so fuel consumption is quite economical.
Conclusion
In general, a trip to the Baltics for personal car– the adventure is enjoyable if you follow the rules traffic, are law-abiding and are ready to endure a little paperwork at the border. Have a nice trip!
Video about what you need to know before traveling to the Baltics by car: