Tallinn, Estonia and Khaipeda, Lithuania - What to do and see?

[ItaliaBella]

I'll be visiting Estonia and Lithuaina in 2008 with Celebrity and wondering if anybody who has been there would recommend any tours, or ideas to spend the day in those two cities. I've been reading up on shore excursions from Celebrity, and the internet but I'd like to know from people who have been there. What did you like and dislike about both cities? Ideas about hanging out in the city? Shopping? Anything of historical significance worth seeing? What are both countries known for (I collect a little something that represents each country I've traveled to and I'd like to know what I can get to add to my growing collection).

 

Any ideas and suggestions would be wonderful. I do realize that I have plenty of time before my trip but I do like to plan ahead.

[California Native]

you can do Estonia on your own.

 

It is incredibly historic and pictureque...

 

 

get the rick steves book he has an excellent walking tour in the book.

 

also google tallin a ton of sites will offer you all sorts of information on things to see and do.

 

Bon Voyage

[Alan2504]

Italiabella,

 

Last year in Klaipeda we hired bikes at the local tourist office (you can change money at the casino nearby into local currency)and then took the ferry across from the town to the spit (island) and cycled around it...wonderful sand dunes , beaches , interesting cycle paths and cafes/stalls...we got the ferry back to the town and then explored the town on the bikes. All in all a nice way to see the area,locals very friendly, the town has some nice bars to sit, relax and grab something to eat.

 

Really enjoyed our taste of Lithuania !

 

Alan

[ahti01]

What to see in Tallinn ?

 

No doubt- there is one must see area- the Old Town.

The Old Town occupies only very small area of Tallinn City, but this is area is most attractive and probably best preserved Medieval urban area in the Northern Europe.

The oldest buildings are from the 13th century, you can see old merchant houses, 70 % of old city wall has been survived, several large old churches and other public buildings (perhaps the oldest pharmacy and hospital in Europe, 603 years old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall built in 1410 etc). And of course all streets and squares (network of the streets) in the Old Town are built in the medieval period.

If you need some training after relaxing time onboard of cruise ship with nice food- you can try "attack" steeple of St Olav church- after taking some 200 steps of narrow old staircase you can enjoy great view of the lower part of Old Town and Toompea Hill or upper part of the Old Town (narrow view point of the steeple is 240 feet above the ground level).

But there are sights out of the Old Town area too.

Kadriorg park and palace built by order of famous Russian czar Peter the Great, the Song Festival Grounds, impressive new building built for art museum (maybe the largest and most modern art museum building in the Northern Europe).

You can walk in the Botanical Garden or you can enjoy great view of the city from TV tower (500 feet above ground level- sorry no staircase, only elevator).

If you want to see local life style you can visit some of our markets out of the Old Town area or the best way to support our economy is visit to some our modern shopping centers or malls (do not be surprised many familair brands like in other European countries). Or you can just drive through different residential areas housed in certain style (old traditional wooden buildings, private family houses, residential districts with soviet apartment blocks or areas where you can see very modern buildings).

And do not forget our countryside- there are several interesting sights not far from Tallinn as well.

So if your time is very limited- you can walk just in the Old Town, if you have half day or so, you can see sights out of the Old Town as well, and in case of longer stop you can learn Tallinn city by more comprehensive way.

 

About Klaipeda.

Klaipeda is largest seaport city in Lithuania (and actually single one).

Population 200,000 or something.

Klaipeda is city where Germans lived long time (historical name - Memel).

What to see in Klaiepda ?

The most lovely historical area in the city the Theatre Square and surrounding area.

It does not take very much time to walk through the centrally located historical area- it is not so big, just few blocks.

If you are interested in history you can try to find local museum. they have nice model of the city like it was some hundreds years ago.

I would prefer two destinations in Klaipeda area.

First - sidetrip to Palanga. This small town is approximately 30 km (20 miles) from Klaipeda. Palanga is most popular resort town in Lithuania with population of 20,000 people.

Most attractive sight in Palanga- amber museum. Museum is located in nice small palace and lovely well maintained park is around of the palace too.

If you have time- it is nice to walk along main pedestrian street in Palanga -J. Basanavičius Street. It is not so much shopping area, but many cafes, restaurants and entrtainnments establshments are located there.

And another possible destination- the Curonian spit.

It is almost 100 km narrow stripe, half of the Curonian spit belongs to Lithuania rest of to Russia.

If you can find some kind of transport I recommend to drive to Juodkrante and Nida (50 km or 30 mi from ferry), if you do not have want so much time you can take ferry in the city centre for free and then you can walk or use local small buses to Smiltyne where maritime museum and dolphin showes can be interesting to see.

Or you can walk/drive by bicycle to the beach.

Locals like to go to swim if temperature is at least 20-25 degrees by Celsius (68-77 by Farenheit).

Actually there are several beaches in Tallinn too, so why not to try some refreshing water procedures !

[ItaliaBella]

What to see in Tallinn ?

 

No doubt- there is one must see area- the Old Town.

The Old Town occupies only very small area of Tallinn City, but this is area is most attractive and probably best preserved Medieval urban area in the Northern Europe.

The oldest buildings are from the 13th century, you can see old merchant houses, 70 % of old city wall has been survived, several large old churches and other public buildings (perhaps the oldest pharmacy and hospital in Europe, 603 years old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall built in 1410 etc). And of course all streets and squares (network of the streets) in the Old Town are built in the medieval period.

If you need some training after relaxing time onboard of cruise ship with nice food- you can try "attack" steeple of St Olav church- after taking some 200 steps of narrow old staircase you can enjoy great view of the lower part of Old Town and Toompea Hill or upper part of the Old Town (narrow view point of the steeple is 240 feet above the ground level).

But there are sights out of the Old Town area too.

Kadriorg park and palace built by order of famous Russian czar Peter the Great, the Song Festival Grounds, impressive new building built for art museum (maybe the largest and most modern art museum building in the Northern Europe).

You can walk in the Botanical Garden or you can enjoy great view of the city from TV tower (500 feet above ground level- sorry no staircase, only elevator).

If you want to see local life style you can visit some of our markets out of the Old Town area or the best way to support our economy is visit to some our modern shopping centers or malls (do not be surprised many familair brands like in other European countries). Or you can just drive through different residential areas housed in certain style (old traditional wooden buildings, private family houses, residential districts with soviet apartment blocks or areas where you can see very modern buildings).

And do not forget our countryside- there are several interesting sights not far from Tallinn as well.

So if your time is very limited- you can walk just in the Old Town, if you have half day or so, you can see sights out of the Old Town as well, and in case of longer stop you can learn Tallinn city by more comprehensive way.

 

About Klaipeda.

Klaipeda is largest seaport city in Lithuania (and actually single one).

Population 200,000 or something.

Klaipeda is city where Germans lived long time (historical name - Memel).

What to see in Klaiepda ?

The most lovely historical area in the city the Theatre Square and surrounding area.

It does not take very much time to walk through the centrally located historical area- it is not so big, just few blocks.

If you are interested in history you can try to find local museum. they have nice model of the city like it was some hundreds years ago.

I would prefer two destinations in Klaipeda area.

First - sidetrip to Palanga. This small town is approximately 30 km (20 miles) from Klaipeda. Palanga is most popular resort town in Lithuania with population of 20,000 people.

Most attractive sight in Palanga- amber museum. Museum is located in nice small palace and lovely well maintained park is around of the palace too.

If you have time- it is nice to walk along main pedestrian street in Palanga -J. Basanavičius Street. It is not so much shopping area, but many cafes, restaurants and entrtainnments establshments are located there.

And another possible destination- the Curonian spit.

It is almost 100 km narrow stripe, half of the Curonian spit belongs to Lithuania rest of to Russia.

If you can find some kind of transport I recommend to drive to Juodkrante and Nida (50 km or 30 mi from ferry), if you do not have want so much time you can take ferry in the city centre for free and then you can walk or use local small buses to Smiltyne where maritime museum and dolphin showes can be interesting to see.

Or you can walk/drive by bicycle to the beach.

Locals like to go to swim if temperature is at least 20-25 degrees by Celsius (68-77 by Farenheit).

Actually there are several beaches in Tallinn too, so why not to try some refreshing water procedures !

 

Wow! Thank you for your information. It will definitely help me when I plan my trip. Looking forward to exploring Estonia and Lithuania! Thanks again to you and to the others above.

[tg_lindo]

the themed "medieval" restaurants in Tallinn's old town are great fun and a great food bargain by scandinavian standards.

 

I ate at Olde Hansa and loved every bite and every minute of it. The outdoor covered porch was pleasant, the menu was funny, and the food and beer was amazing.

[macaroni]

Go to a Pub in Tallin and have a beer with some fried garlic rye bread. It was delicious.