Baltic Coastal Route: A 14-Day Overland Journey Through Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

The Baltic Coastal Route is a scenic and culturally rich overlanding journey along the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. This 1,200+ km route takes you through Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, offering an unforgettable mix of medieval towns, sandy beaches, national parks, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Designed for campers, SUV travelers, and road trip enthusiasts, this 14-day itinerary strikes a perfect balance of nature, history, and authentic Baltic experiences.

Quick Facts

• Total Distance: ~1,200 km

• Duration: 14 days

• Start Point: Tallinn, Estonia

• End Point: Klaipėda, Lithuania

• Best Time to Go: May to September

• Road Conditions: Mostly paved with occasional gravel backroads

• Ideal For: Culture seekers, beach lovers, history enthusiasts, overlanders

Day 1: Tallinn (Estonia)

• Highlights: Tallinn Old Town, Toompea Castle, Balti Jaam Market

• Experience: Explore Tallinn’s medieval Old Town, a UNESCO site with cobbled streets, gothic architecture, and lively cafes. Visit the hilltop Toompea Castle and enjoy views of the city.

• Tip: Use a portable power bank to keep your devices charged while exploring. Browse power banks

• Camping/Stay: Tallinn City Camping or boutique guesthouses

Day 2: Tallinn to Lahemaa National Park (90 km)

• Highlights: Viru Bog Trail, Sagadi Manor, coastal villages

• Experience: Drive east to Estonia’s first national park, known for its bogs, forests, and coastal trails. Hike the Viru Bog Boardwalk and visit restored manor houses.

• Tip: Pack bug spray and hiking boots for the bog trails. View outdoor gear

• Camping/Stay: RMK Camping Zones in the park

Day 3: Lahemaa to Pärnu (190 km)

• Highlights: Estonian seaside towns, Pärnu Beach

• Experience: Follow the coast south to Pärnu, Estonia’s summer capital. Enjoy a beach day, visit the promenade, and relax in local spas.

• Tip: Bring a foldable beach chair and quick-dry towels. Check accessories

• Camping/Stay: Pärnu Beach Camping or seaside hotels

Day 4: Pärnu to Riga (Latvia) (180 km)

• Highlights: Gauja National Park (optional detour), Riga Old Town

• Experience: Cross into Latvia and consider a detour to Gauja National Park. Arrive in Riga to explore its art nouveau architecture and historic Old Town.

• Tip: A dash cam is handy for scenic footage and safety. Shop dash cams

• Camping/Stay: Riga City Camping

Day 5: Riga Exploration Day

• Highlights: Freedom Monument, Central Market, canal boat ride

• Experience: Take a relaxed day in Riga. Visit its museums, enjoy local cuisine, and cruise the city canals.

• Tip: Carry a daypack with hydration. Browse daypacks

Day 6: Riga to Jurmala and Kolka Cape (150 km)

• Highlights: Jurmala beach resort, Slitere National Park, Kolka Cape

• Experience: Drive to Jurmala for a seaside break, then continue to Kolka Cape where the Gulf of Riga meets the Baltic Sea.

• Tip: A portable picnic set is perfect for beach meals. Check picnic sets

• Camping/Stay: Kolka Camping Area

Day 7: Kolka to Ventspils (110 km)

• Highlights: Remote beaches, Livonian coast, Ventspils attractions

• Experience: Follow the wild Livonian coast to Ventspils. Visit the Open-Air Museum and the city's colorful flower installations.

• Tip: Keep a binocular set for birdwatching. See optics gear

• Camping/Stay: Ventspils Camping

Day 8: Ventspils to Kuldīga (100 km)

• Highlights: Venta Rapid, old wooden architecture

• Experience: Head inland to charming Kuldīga, known for Europe’s widest waterfall and quaint old streets.

• Tip: A foldable umbrella is useful for sudden rain. Shop umbrellas

• Camping/Stay: Kuldīga Campsite or guesthouses

Day 9: Kuldīga to Liepaja (115 km)

• Highlights: Liepaja beach, Karosta Prison, Soviet ruins

• Experience: Visit the seaside city of Liepaja, exploring its eerie Soviet military history and wide sandy beaches.

• Tip: Wear sturdy shoes for urban exploration. View footwear

• Camping/Stay: Liepaja Beach Camping

Day 10: Liepaja to Palanga (Lithuania) (80 km)

• Highlights: Cross into Lithuania, Palanga Pier, Botanical Park

• Experience: Enter Lithuania and enjoy the resort town of Palanga. Stroll its beach pier and visit the Amber Museum.

• Tip: Keep cash in small denominations for local markets. Explore travel wallets

• Camping/Stay: Palanga Campsite

Day 11: Palanga to Klaipėda (25 km)

• Highlights: Klaipėda Old Town, ferry to Curonian Spit

• Experience: Short drive to Klaipėda. Explore its German-style Old Town and take the ferry to the Curonian Spit.

• Tip: A bike rack comes in handy for exploring the spit. Browse racks

• Camping/Stay: Klaipėda City Camping

Day 12: Curonian Spit Exploration Day

• Highlights: Nida Dunes, Dead Dunes, local fishing villages

• Experience: Spend a full day exploring this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with its unique landscapes and heritage sites.

• Tip: Bring sun protection and water for dune hikes. Check day hike essentials

Day 13: Klaipėda to Plokštine Missile Base & Samogitia NP (80 km)

• Highlights: Cold War Museum, Lake Plateliai

• Experience: Visit the underground Soviet missile base, now a Cold War Museum. Enjoy the scenic landscapes of Samogitia National Park.

• Tip: A headlamp is useful in the underground museum. See lighting gear

• Camping/Stay: Lake Plateliai Campsite

Day 14: Return to Klaipėda or onward travel

• Highlights: Final stop or ferry to Germany/Sweden

• Experience: Either end your journey in Klaipėda or continue your European overlanding adventure with a ferry connection.

• Tip: Double-check vehicle documents and ferry bookings. Organize travel docs

Overlanding Tips for the Baltics

• Border Crossings: Schengen Area — no hard borders, but keep passports and insurance ready.

• Language: English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

• Connectivity: SIM cards are cheap and widely available.

• Safety: Generally very safe and peaceful countries.

Conclusion

The Baltic Coastal Route is a hidden gem for European overlanders. From historic cities to tranquil coasts and mysterious bogs, this 14-day journey offers depth, variety, and discovery.

Before you go, be sure to check out our Overlanding Gear Guide for must-have travel equipment, and don't miss more epic ideas in our Best Overlanding Routes in Europe blog collection!