Riga → Vilnius
In 60 seconds
The route in 60 seconds
The southern half of the Baltics, in two very different capitals. Riga is the largest city in the region and has Europe's densest concentration of art nouveau; Vilnius is smaller, Baroque and unexpectedly bohemian. Four hours of bus between them, with the Hill of Crosses a worthwhile stop on the way.
Stops
Where you sleep
Riga
Latvia
Art nouveau district, the Central Market and the wooden suburb of Kalnciema.
Vilnius
Lithuania
Baroque old town, Užupis and the hill views from Gediminas.
Day by day
How the days fall
The order we would follow, with the transfers already in the right place.
Day 1
RigaOld Town and the art nouveau district.
- Morning
Old Town on foot
House of the Blackheads, the cathedral, and the three surviving medieval streets.
- Lunch
Central Market
Eat in the hangars. The Latvian smoked fish counters are the reason to come.
- Afternoon
Alberta iela & the Quiet Centre
Thirty minutes of facades, then the art nouveau museum.
- Evening
Miera iela
The city's alternative street — bars, a chocolate factory, no tourists.
Day 2
RigaWooden Riga and the river.
- Morning
Kalnciema Quarter
Restored wooden architecture across the river; Saturday market if the timing works.
- Afternoon
Latvian National Museum of Art
The best collection in the Baltics, in a properly grand building.
- Evening
Dinner in the Quiet Centre
Latvian produce cooking has improved enormously — this is where to find it.
Day 3
Riga → VilniusBus south, evening in the old town.
- Morning
Coach to Vilnius
Four hours, or five with a stop at the Hill of Crosses.
- Afternoon
Vilnius Old Town
Cathedral Square, the university courtyards, and up Gediminas hill for the view.
- Evening
Užupis
Dinner across the river in the self-declared republic.
Day 4
VilniusBaroque interiors and the Jewish quarter.
- Morning
St Anne's & St Peter and St Paul
Two churches that between them explain Lithuanian Baroque.
- Afternoon
The former Jewish quarter
The Green House museum and the streets around it. Sobering, and essential context.
- Evening
Vilnius wine bars
A small but genuinely good scene around Vokiečių and Stiklių.
Transport
Between destinations
- Riga → VilniusBus4 h 00
Frequent coaches; the express is barely more expensive. Break the journey at the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai if you have the time.
Highlights
Key experiences
If the trip is cut short, these are the four to protect.
Alberta iela, Riga
One street with the densest art nouveau facades in Europe. Look up, then visit the museum at number 12.
Riga Central Market
Five zeppelin hangars full of food. The fish hall is the one to walk slowly.
Užupis, Vilnius
A self-declared republic across a small river, with a constitution nailed to a wall in twenty languages.
The Hill of Crosses
Two hundred thousand crosses on a mound outside Šiauliai. Best as a break in the bus journey.
Stay
Where to stay
- Riga
- Stay in the Quiet Centre rather than the Old Town — better buildings, fewer stag parties.
- Vilnius
- The Old Town is small, walkable and quiet at night. There is no reason to stay elsewhere.