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Routes · Europe

Tashkent to the Baltics: Riga, Vilnius and Trakai

Tashkent → Riga → Vilnius → Trakai

Riga
"Riga_(33844464828).jpg" by Jorge Franganillo from Barcelona, Spain, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Vilnius old town by Augustas Didzgalvis (Vilnius)
Photo: BigHead, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Baltic old towns & lake castle Best season (general guide): May–Sep

Latvia and Lithuania have two of the best-preserved old towns in northern Europe, linked by a direct bus across the flat, forested countryside. This route spends a week between Riga, Vilnius and the lake castle at Trakai. From Tashkent you'll connect through Istanbul or another hub.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Riga: day one, the old town; day two, Art Nouveau district; day three, Central Market and the riverside. Then spend days four to six in Vilnius: day four, bus to Vilnius, then the old town; day five, Gate of Dawn and Užupis; day six, Gediminas Tower and museums. Then spend day seven in Trakai: travel to Trakai, then island castle and a lake walk.

Riga's old town is a tangle of church spires and merchants' houses, and UNESCO lists the historic centre, noting its exceptional collection of Art Nouveau buildings. Alberta iela, a short walk from the old town, has some of the most decorated facades. The Central Market fills a set of former zeppelin hangars by the river, with stalls selling smoked fish, rye bread and berries.

In Vilnius, also listed by UNESCO, walk the baroque churches and courtyards. The Gate of Dawn, the last surviving city gate, holds a revered icon of the Virgin Mary. Across a small river, Užupis is an artists' quarter that playfully declared itself a republic, with its own constitution posted on a wall.

Take a short trip west to Trakai, set among lakes. Walk across the wooden footbridge to its red-brick castle on an island. Try kibinai, the Karaite community's pastries filled with meat or vegetables, in the village cafés.

May to September brings long days and the warmest weather. Winters are cold and dark, although the old towns look beautiful under snow.

Practical notes: buses between Riga and Vilnius take several hours, so travel in the morning to have the afternoon free. Both old towns are compact and best explored on foot, but the cobbles are uneven, so bring comfortable shoes.

Suggested outline

  1. Tashkent

    Start

  2. Riga

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Medieval old town, Art Nouveau streets and a market in former zeppelin hangars.

  3. Vilnius

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    Baroque churches, the Gate of Dawn and the artists' quarter of Užupis.

    Vilnius
    "Vilnius_old_town_by_Augustas_Didzgalvis.jpg" by BigHead, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Trakai

    Overland · 1 night suggested

    A red-brick island castle on a lake, with Karaite houses and pastries in the village.

    Trakai
    "Traku_pilis_by_Augustas_Didzgalvis.jpg" by BigHead, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Riga — Arrive; the old town· Tashkent → Riga (by air)
  2. Day 2 · Riga — Art Nouveau district
  3. Day 3 · Riga — Central Market and the riverside
  4. Day 4 · Vilnius — Bus to Vilnius; the old town· Riga → Vilnius (overland)
  5. Day 5 · Vilnius — Gate of Dawn and Užupis
  6. Day 6 · Vilnius — Gediminas Tower and museums
  7. Day 7 · Trakai — To Trakai; island castle and a lake walk· Vilnius → Trakai (overland)
  8. Day 8 · Trakai — Travel home from Trakai· Trakai → Vilnius (overland), then Vilnius → Tashkent (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Riga

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Vilnius

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Trakai

Nearest airport: Vilnius

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