Baltic itinerary

Kaunas' central location makes it the perfect first stop on your Baltic tour. This former capital of Lithuania and 2022 European Capital of Culture is filled with medieval architecture, quirky museums and lively pedestrian streets, all set at the confluence of the Neris and Nemunas rivers.

• Explore Kaunas Old Town, including St. Peter and Paul Cathedral Basilica, the Town Hall and Kaunas Castle, your first Baltic red-brick castle.
• Peruse some of Lithania's best artworks at the M.K. Čiurlionis Museum of Art or just head outside to spot some world-class street art, which spills out from the Yard Gallery.
• Ride the historical Aleksotas funicular railway (not included in the Pass) for a panoramic view of the city and its rivers.

Experience Lithuania's coastline from the city of Klaipeda. Stroll through its harbour, with half-timbered buildings, old and new boats. Then hop aboard a short ferry ride (not included in your Pass) to the Curonian Spit, a 98-kilometre sandbar, with dunes, forests and villages, which makes up the majority of Lithuania's coast.

• Hire bikes and cycle along the Curonian Spit, stopping for the Dead Dunes, Hill of Witches and a swim in the Baltic Sea. Will you make it all the way to Nida at the Spit's south?
• Go sculpture-spotting around the city centre. You'll run into some characters who are rather more enchanting than your regular historical statues, from the Black Ghost to the Magic Mouse.
• Try pink soup (šaltibarščiai), one of Lithuania's national dishes, a cold soup of kefir and beetroot, with a side of egg and potatoes. It tastes as fabulous as it looks! 

The capital of Lithuania has one of Europe's largest medieval old towns, stretching from the Gates of Dawn down to Vilnius Cathedral and Gediminas Castle Tower. But don't let that fool you; Vilnius is a modern city with trendy bars, galleries and even a self-proclaimed independent enclave.

• The best way to see Vilnius? A hot air balloon, of course! It's one of the only European capital cities that allows balloon flights, so don't miss your chance to fly across it.
• Cross the river "border" to Užupis, a self-proclaimed republic, with bohemian boutiques, murals and bars. Read its constitution in your own language - a new translation gets added every year.
• Got a spare travel day? Travel 30 minutes to discover Trakai Island Castle, a red-brick castle that looks like it was plucked straight from the pages of The Hobbit.

Riga's Old Town is a delightful maze of colourful streets, with buildings ranging from the medieval House of the Blackheads to the art nouveau Cat House. If you can find your way out of the Old Town, modern Riga is full of national landmarks, like the Freedom Monument and the Museum of the Occupation.

• Stroll through Bastejkalna Park or glide through it aboard a canal boat tour.
• Hungry? Head to Riga's Central Market, inside a repurposed zeppelin hangar, for affordable meals with the best Latvian ingredients.
• Take a 30-minute train to Jūrmala (stop at Majori station), a spa town with golden sandy beaches and art nouveau seaside villas by the Gulf of Riga.

After visiting two capital cities in a row, Sigulda is the best way to get back to nature. This scenic town has not one, but three castles (and a manor house), scattered amongst the forests of the Gauja River valley.

• Go back in time at the Turaida Museum Reserve, an open-air museum filled with historical Latvian buildings, including farmhouses, a sauna and the 11th-century Turaida Castle.
• Slide downhill at great speed at Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track. You can enjoy this winter sport year-round, with padded soft-bobs in winter and wheeled summer-bobs in summer.
• Fly across the Gauja River in Sigulda's public cable car, from Sigulda New Castle to Krimulda Manor, and back again.

Latvia is a land of castles. While it could take you months to explore them all, you’ll find one of the oldest castles in Cēsis. Dating back to the 13th century, Cēsis Castle is an impressive stop on your way north.

• Wander the cobblestone-paved streets of the old town, one of the oldest in Latvia, stopping off in the independent cafes and shops that fill historical buildings.
• Explore beyond the castle ruins in Castle Park, where you could stumble upon an Orthodox church, an old brewery or an open-air stage.
• Try pink soup (aukstā zupa), one of Latvia's national dishes. Yes, Latvia has it too, swapping out Lithuania's potatoes and adding bread. We couldn't possibly say which variation is better.

As you travel by international train from Latvia to Estonia, you may need to change trains in Valga. This double city straddles the border, with Valga (Estonia) and Valka (Latvia), existing alongside each other, with their own town halls and administrative centres. Take the time to stopover and experience this unique place.

• Walk across the border, from Valga to Valka and back again! It's super easy thanks to the open Schengen border. 
• Relax alongside the Pedeli lakes, a recreational area which straddles both sides of this double city.
• Learn about the history of Valga from ancient times to the present day at the Valga Museum.

The "cradle of Estonian culture" is a great stop to get acquainted with the third country of your trip. Tartu is home to various national cultural institutions, including the national university, dotted around its colourful old town and along the Emajõgi river.

• Immerse yourself in the Estonian National Museum, a modern building with interactive exhibits on everything from the origins of the Finno-Ugric people to present-day Estonia.
• Take a time out at either V Spa Water and Sauna Centre or Aura Centre, family-friendly water parks which will keep the kids busy while you enjoy the Estonian tradition of sauna.
• Combine a stroll through Toome Hill Park with a visit to the imposing Ruins of Tartu Cathedral.

The thriving capital of Estonia combines old and new in a walkable city centre. Make sure to explore its medieval Old Town, with city walls, historic towers and hidden viewpoints, as well as world-class restaurants and art galleries.

After gazing out towards Tallinn Bay and the Gulf of Finland, continue your Interrail trip by crossing over to Helsinki by ferry (not included in the Pass).

• Relax on one of Tallinn's sandy beaches, from the easily-accessible Russalka rand, to more scenic options like Stroomi and Kakumäe.
• Stroll through Telliskivi Creative City, a regenerated industrial complex, with museums, a theatre, flea markets and even an ice cream factory.
• Take a bus to Tallinn TV Tower for one last view of Estonia and the Baltics. Feeling brave? Take a guided and harnessed walk around the very edge of the tower.