Trip Report: Cycling the Baltic Coast - A Journey from Riga to Tallinn

Cycling from Riga to Tallinn is a tour for confident cyclists as the distances are much longer compared with most Freedom Treks tours - we covered over 92km on the longest day! The numerous seaside resort towns, quiet coves and beaches mean there are plenty of places to stop along the route.

In just nine days, we cycled through two countries, explored their capital cities, saw stunning national parks, and delved into a whole lot of local culture. After experiencing a relatively undiscovered part of Europe, Evan and I are keen to explore this region again in the future.

If you're looking for something a bit different and off the beaten track, or you’re a fan of adventure, culture and travel, then you’ll love this tour as much as we did.

Though mostly flat and on dedicated cycle routes and quiet roads, this tour is graded as 'moderate to challenging' to acknowledge the longer distances covered each day.

We arrived in Riga, Latvia’s capital city, by early afternoon and had plenty of time to discover the city. Our base, Hotel Justus, was right in the Old Town and was full of character - a perfect starting point.

We began at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral and admired its golden domes before walking through the compact, beautifully preserved Old Town. Climbing St. Peter’s Church tower awarded us with panoramic views over the city, which was not only breathtaking but also a great way to find our bearings.

Dinner that evening was at a small bistro, followed by a drink in a quiet local bar stocked with chessboards and decorated with trophies on the shelves. After a successful arrival, we went to bed excited to hop in the saddle the following morning to start our adventure.

After a short train ride to Sigulda, we prepared for the first cycling day of the trip.

The route took us past local churches, into the lush Gauja River valley, and eventually to Turaida Castle - an extensive site with towers, gardens and panoramic viewpoints. Beautiful.

Later in the afternoon, we rolled into a rural village called Birini and stayed at the grand Birini Castle, a peaceful retreat surrounded by water and woodland and an ideal spot to unwind over dinner. Thankfully, it was just as ideal a place to sleep - we needed to be well-rested for tomorrow's 90km cycle!

This was our longest and most rewarding day (yet). We passed through Limbaži for coffee and a traditional Latvian lunch further north. A scenic detour to the Pietraga Red Cliffs added distance to the route, as well as dramatic sights that kept us interested as we pedalled away.

We eventually reached the small town of Ainazi near the border. Our hotel, Pļavas, was modern and welcoming.

After dinner, we walked through the forest to a hidden beach just in time to catch the evening light - a real gem! This was our last full day in Latvia - a country that thoroughly surprised us and one which we are both eager to return to.

After breakfast under the rising sun, we were back on the bikes and soon crossed into Estonia. The transition felt immediate - the buildings, signage, and even the atmosphere changed to a more Scandinavian feel.

This is something we loved about this tour: exploring two different yet equally fascinating countries on one holiday - it's weird to think all we did was cross a border! If you like adventuring slightly off the beaten track, taking the time to discover nature's hidden beauty, this is definitely the tour for you.

Our ride wound through forests and sleepy villages to the seaside town of Pärnu. As Estonia’s unofficial ‘summer capital’, it was already alive with locals preparing for the upcoming Midsummer festivities. We explored the town on foot and had a couple of well-deserved beers, before enjoying a fulfilling dinner and calling it a night at the Parnu Yacht Club Guesthouse.

Another brilliant, memorable day where we really fell in love with Estonia.

Much of this day was spent cycling quiet roads under tall trees with the occasional glimpse of the sea. We stopped at some lovely churches en route and were welcomed like family when stopping for lunch at a roadside diner - something we'd come to expect from the locals on this trip.

We stayed just outside Varbla at the coastal Varbla Holiday Village - rustic but beautifully positioned. Dinner was at the on-site restaurant, followed by a walk along the breakwater to take in the wonderful surroundings.

Successive 92km and 86km days on the saddle were to follow, so we ensured we were properly fuelled and ready to go the next day.

With several days of cycling behind us, we were feeling stronger and covered ground more quickly. Some may think cycling becomes tougher as the kilometres rack up, but we found the opposite!

The route was straight and quiet, with plenty to keep us interested along the way - including a long ride through the Matsalu National Park, a bay area and one of Europe’s most important wetland bird conservation areas.

We reached Haapsalu mid-afternoon and checked into Lahe Maja Guesthouse. The town immediately impressed us with peaceful streets, a seaside promenade, the medieval Bishop's Castle, and a charming centre. You can even take a mud bath in one of the health spas!

We relaxed over pizza (which tastes even better after a busy day pedalling) and explored a little more before turning in early.

This was one of my favourite legs of the journey. Much of the route followed gravel tracks (along a former railway line) through unspoiled countryside. We paused for lunch at a peaceful lakeside clearing where a group of campers invited us to join their holiday celebrations. After sharing a drink and a group sing-along with the friendly locals (Evan has some real pipes on him!), we were soon back in the saddle, racking up more kilometres in beautiful Estonia.

By late afternoon, we reached Laulasmaa and checked into LaSpa - a coastal wellness hotel with saunas, a spa, and direct access to the beach. After a long soak and a relaxed dinner, we felt completely recharged and ready for the final cycling day, still as excited as ever to uncover more untold beauty.

Our final day on the bikes began with a stop at Keila Waterfall, Estonia’s third largest by volume. From there, cycle paths led us directly into Tallinn, Estonia's capital, where the streets were bustling with Midsummer celebrations. Riga to Tallinn, complete!

We dropped our bikes and checked into Hestia Hotel Ilmarine, a short walk from the Old Town. The evening was filled with live music and a good atmosphere - a well-earned treat if you ask me!

Having enjoyed the atmosphere of the city so much the previous night, we felt compelled to squeeze in even more time in Tallinn before our flight home. That means no pics from today - we were too busy looking around!

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Olaf’s Church and Viru Gate were highlights, but the trick to discovering Tallinn’s true charm is in wandering aimlessly (a favourite of mine in any new city). This way, you can get a proper feel and often find the best parts.

We ended our trip with a traditional Estonian lunch before heading to the airport. After a fun-filled week on and off the saddle, one thing’s for sure: we’ll be back!

• Affordability - the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania - remain generally budget-friendly compared to other well-travelled western and southern European countries.
• Rich history and culture - a real benefit of cycling longer daily distances is that you experience a blend of atmosphere and architecture as you tour through different regions. Keep your eyes peeled for castles, cathedrals, Soviet relics and Nordic influences.
• Genuine local encounters - cycling brings you closer to local life, whether it's chatting with campers by a lake, visiting a quiet wooden church, or enjoying a hearty meal in a roadside café. The welcome is warm, and the experiences feel real and unfiltered.
• Comfortable summer cycling conditions - cooler temperatures, long daylight hours and mostly flat terrain make the Baltic Coast ideal for summer riding - especially between mid-May and mid-September.
• Two great capitals, one epic cycle - starting in Riga and finishing in Tallinn gives the trip structure, motivation and a sense of accomplishment. Both cities are vibrant and rewarding in their own right, and everything in between is beautifully authentic and off the beaten path.

If you like the sound of this tour and want to experience it for yourself, you can book our Baltic Coast - Riga to Tallinn Bike Tour online now. If you'd like some more information or first-hand advice from Evan and I, enquire online or call us on +44 (0)1273 224066 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm UK time).

Want something different? We also offer other tours to explore the Baltics: Baltic Coast - Klaipeda to Riga Bike Tour and Lithuania's Baltic Coast Bike Tour.