What an unforgettable experience in Abisko with Lights over Lapland! We joined the 4-night Autumn Abisko Aurora Chase and were impressed from the very start. Despite gloomy skies on our first night, the guides’ dedication was remarkable. We drove nearly an hour east and checked multiple spots to find clear skies. It truly reassured us how committed they were to helping everyone see the northern lights. After that, we had 3 amazing nights with different Aurora shows. A huge thank-you to Sara, who went above and beyond: scouting the best viewing spots, helping with camera setups, keeping us warm, and ensuring we enjoyed every moment. Thanks to her, we witnessed a breathtaking Aurora Corona dancing overhead for over 30 minutes, a moment we’ll never forget (staying out well past the end of the tour!). We also loved the morning hike to Lake Torneträsk and the delta with Felix, a 2-hour walk surrounded by breathtaking autumn views. It was both relaxing and enriching. Overall, Lights over Lapland made this an exceptional experience. You might think you can chase the lights on your own, but having expert guides who understand the terrain, weather, and microclimates makes all the difference. Truly the best decision of our trip - highly recommended!

What an absolutely amazing experience! Lights Over Lapland put together a tour package that was incredible. Four nights at the Abisko STF, winter coveralls, cameras, tripods, a guided hike in the Abisko National Park, and a guided chase of Northern Lights each night. Luckily we caught them in all their glory 2 nights and partially 1 night. Our communication with Jeanette and Rachel before and during our trip was excellent. They answered all of our questions promptly and I had many. Our nightly guide, Felix, was so knowledgeable and personable. We really enjoyed his company. Gavin, who led another group, was happy to help with our camera equipment and answer any questions. Sara, a laid back world traveler, took us on a very memorable hike. Her passion for the outdoors was evident. We thank you all for making this bucket list trip one we will always remember fondly.

Felix was our Northern Lights guide — professional, friendly, and passionate. He patiently helped us set up our cameras and shared fascinating knowledge about the aurora. On the last day, it rained in Abisko, but he drove us away from the clouds in search of clear skies. Sara was our hiking guide and led us along a stunning trail where we enjoyed breathtaking lake reflections. She’s also an excellent photographer!

Amazing stay, based at the Tourist Station in the Abisko National Park. Brilliant service by Lights over Lapland with all enquiries, prior and post booking, answered promptly & efficiently by email and use of the app. Info about what to bring, activities & travel arrangements was exceedingly helpful. Wonderful morning hike from the Tourist Station, led by Felix, who shared lots of info about the wildlife, nature, landscape and seasons at Abisko. The highlight for me was being at the river delta with the sunshine bringing out amazing Autumn colours, and walking across the river to the waters edge of the lake. For 4 nights of the Abisko Autumn Aurora Chase, we were EXCEEDINGLY well looked after by Sara, with prebooked cameras, tripods, backpacks, headtorches & overalls all provided with fabulous instruction & constant support while out at night, and her knowledge of local locations resulted in seeing the aurora AND getting great pics for 3 out of 4 nights. Couldn't fault anything!! Thanks to Sara, Felix and all at Lights Over Lapland who worked so hard for us <3

We enjoyed our Abisko National Park Scenic Morning Hike with our wonderful guide Gavin so much so that we decided to book the Autumn Abisko Aurora Chase the same night to continue exploring what Abisko has to offer with Gavin and the LoL team and guests! It was a really beautiful and educational hike, and Gavin was really lovely, knowledgeable, kind and patient throughout. Having a photography background, Gavin was also able to bring us to great spots for beautiful photos! We also even tried out walking on a frozen part of the lake! The Northern Lights chase at night was exciting and we’re so glad we managed to catch the northern lights (our first time ever!) with the expertise, strategic planning, and patience of Gavin and Miquel (and with a bit of luck given the weather). We also enjoyed some snacks and warm lingonberry juice over fire to end the magical night. Thanks Gavin, Miquel and the team at LoL for such magical experience!

The Autumn Abisko Aurora Chase was a fantastic experience! A big shoutout to our guide Sara Brockmann. She was amazing. Super friendly, and very knowledgeable about history, lifestyle and nature of the region. She helped us with camera settings to make sure we got those stunning photos of the northern lights, which was awesome. We saw the lights at the first try right on the shore of Torneträsk lake, surrounded by incredible scenery. After the chase, we all sat around a cozy fire, and she brought out gingerbread cookies and hot lingonberry juice, perfect after a cold night! On our way back to Abisko, we stopped for one last peek at the sky from the Abisko Turiststation a truly magical view. Highly recommend this tour for anyone looking for a fun, a marvelous experience with an awesome guide!

We had an amazing time joining the Lights over Lapland AB autumn aurora-chasing tour. In particular, our guide Sara Brockmann was truly responsible and trustworthy. She led us to a perfect lakeside spot where we witnessed multiple displays of the northern lights. Even more special, I proposed to my girlfriend there. Sara thoughtfully took photos for us — and, of course, she took great photos for everyone, not just us. She also prepared a cozy campfire, warm lingonberry juice, and gingerbread cookies to keep us warm. All in all, thanks to Sara’s help, we had an absolutely wonderful night. Finally, we wish everyone traveling to Abisko to see the aurora good weather and clear skies!

This extraordinary wooden church measuring 35x35x35 m and weighing 600 tons is now soon ready to be moved in one piece along with the adjacent bell-tower to their new home in the cemetery of the city a couple of kilometers closer to the new center of Kiruna. We passed Kiruna during the first half of July 2025 and the transport of the church that will be done at a speed of about 0.5 km/h is scheduled for the 19th and 20th of August with the 21st as a reserve day. All hotels in town are already fully booked since a long time because the event attracts loads of people from near and far. Not to be missed if you are in the area!

It is one of the most beautiful, simple but georgous churches I had ever seen. It wellcomes you with its generosity. The structure was unique for a church

I was thrilled to see the church 5 days before it got moved to its new location.

Awarded the most beautiful structure in Sweden 2001. One can almost hear the theme from the Pirates of the Caribbean played the church's grand organ. Otherwise, is a bright, quiet and peaceful place for meditation and prayer

Very pretty church and Bell Tower, the door is unlocked for access. The church is due to be relocated in the next 12 months into the new city area of Kiruna due to the mining.

Its a beautiful church! Everything is made out of wood, definitely worth visiting! They are planning to move it because of the mining nearby so visit it as long as its on its original place

Very nice church. Unfortunately hidden due to a planned moving of the church as part of the moving of Kiruna centre

Worst place to get info on Northern light. It was our honeymoon we were looking for northern light. They were unable to give us any advice, where to book. Worst they told us than the sky was blurry so we had almost no chance to see it. We had to go in all the private tourist place to book some tour where we could see amazing northern lights with a snow mobile

Booking team are super helpful, and nice people. Harri went above and beyond for us on the Northern lights and Star Gazing tour. Super friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. He is very flexible on time so we actually ended up being with him for 4 hours. This whole experience has been amazing.

Nice and help staff. I had an excellent experience there. I joined the ice-fishing! That was awesome

Anna Marie was incredibly helpful. We cannot thank her enough.

The views and pistes are great. The resort as a whole is beautiful and there's fun for everyone. To many tbars and too few chairlifts for my taste.

Not perfectly managed at all. We wanted 10km Husky Safari with a baby and they just said we don’t have that available even thought they claimed working with all husky providers in the area. So they told us to call to all providers on our own and figure out if we get what we wanted. So is that really so??? And yes surprisingly I managed to find perfect safari for us and our baby and there were places left even for Christmas rides. So thanks to me we got a perfect husky ride in the end but the tourist information office or staff didn’t do much service since even the phone numbers we got from them were wrong.

Best Service you could imagine. All Events are booked at the time slot we liked. Also make the HuskyTour available at afternoon, at the same day. And Ice Karting was some of the best Events we have ever make...

It was a part of the experience of Saaga, Hotel Lapland at Yllas, Lapland, Finland. There were beautiful ice carvings, a music room, theatre, ice restaurant, glass restaurant, honeymoon suite, souvenir store and many more. The hot chocolate and different alcohol options were awesome. Every year they build the snow structures in the arrival of winters with artificial snow and it gradually melts during summer. The place has its own tour guides,who will introduce you to all the places inside. I highly recommend visiting this place.

The ice exhibit was really amazing and worth the price but just note that you have to pay for it separately, even if you're eating dinner there. The ice restaurant was also amazing, but you're really going for the experience and not necessarily the food. In full disclosure, we went on Christmas Eve and it was their first night open of the season, and it was a set menue, but 48 Euros for kids chicken nuggets and fries hurt. Adult meals were good. Ice bar in the ice exhibit was fun, unique, etc. Bottom line - it's an expensive endeavor but when you consider the insane amount of work and artistry that goes into building the place each year, you'll feel better about the cost.

Fantastic experience at a place that exists only in the most northern regions of our globe! The amount of hours and dedication spent to create this art is astonishing. Well done!

It’s something very special. I found the entrance fee of €25 very steep though. You’re basically done in 45 mins or less. Dress very warm! It’s colder inside than outside.

Awesome experience. Love the two type of the art one north mythology and one Finish. Rooms and art work looked so cool. Loved the touch of ice bar and drinks in ice glasses. There was some queue but just walk one lap and there will be no queue. Very impressive place. Staff members have great humor loved it.

Visiting here was really cool, especially for someone like me who comes from a tropical island. The talent and art was stunning and just the whole idea of them coming up with themes and finding artist from around the world to bring it all together is just fantastic. This year’s theme was the Nordic Mythology and we had so much fun on the ice slide. We also had lunch in the ice restaurant and I enjoyed the soup.

Very good. Awesome ice hotel. This year's theme is Nordic legend so far there's Thor's hammer made of ice. Hotel is still being built but the ice sculptures inside are amazing. Bar prices are not cheap but then you'd expect them not to be with the amount of work that's gone in to build the hotel.

We had a good few hours here & learnt a lot about Finlands history & interesting Arctic exhibits. I also recommend this area as a good spot to see the Aurora if the conditions are good. Walk down to the lakes edge & although there is light pollution we still saw some great Aurora activity.

I was looking for something to fill up our last day in Rovaniemi and fortunately saw this museum. We spent a few hours in two exhibits. The science area had so many hands on things to do. I had to drag my preteen out because we were running out of times it was such a great time, and I liked how they blended culture, geography, science and more into a seamless Arctic exhibit. Then we went to the more historical exhibit and my son was less in. No big deal… we had spent so much time in the science area 🤷‍♀️ I highly recommend this museum! We even tried to build an igloo

Fantastic museum filled with information on the Arctic environment, history of Finland, Sami culture and much more. It is packed with exhibits allow at least 2 hours. Very nice selection at gift shop and cafe and also attached arboretum.

Arktikum is a must see. We spent over 2 hours there. There are interactive displays on the Arctic region, snow & ice, northern lights, Sami people and culture. We learnt a lot about the planet and its northern people and animals. If you have time then buy the 7 day cultural pass that gives you unlimited entry to 3 museums and art gallery.

Artikum is full of information! My family and I learnt so much about Finland when we visited it. We spent 4 hours absorbing as much information as we could. It has some interactive sections which was fun. The building is beautiful with its high glass ceiling, clean interior and it also houses Artikum Cafe which served pretty decent food. Note: We visited in March 2025, but I forgot to put in the review until now.

Amazing digital-interactive and can-touch exposition abut the polar circle and its life and nature. Part of it, is a year-round cinema and aurora borealis show (for those vising in summer, when daylight lasts 20hrs and there is no real night). You can build igloo, paint your own aurora borealis. Highly recommended inteligent amusement. Way-way better than nearby Santa-visit over-commercial attraction.

The museum is not so big as expected, or so interactive But definitely interesting, with a lot of info to gain, nothing boring, also appropriate for kids. The store is very nice, obviously expensive, nothing found to be with the allergy label available... And above all, the ticket Culture pass allows you to see all 3 museums with the same ticket.

I know of wearied travellers who eschew the experience because it’s highly touristy and everything’s ridiculously overpriced and to be perfectly honest, I do not disagree with any of that. Personally if I were from a neighbouring Nordic country with the same reindeer and the same snow and the same subzero temperatures, I would probably be rolling my eyes at the entire spectacle myself. However, as fate would have it, I am seated on another line on the globe altogether- more specifically, the Equator Line- so you can imagine how (and why) all this was truly a Heaven-on-Earth moment for me. I am so personally deeply obsessed with Christmas so I cannot even begin to wonder just how to break down this place to you without bias. I love how vast the Village is (like, it is literally a village) made up of all these little shoppes and log cabins and park trails; and I definitely love the giant trees and fairy lights and campfires and its very festive spirit all round. Every tree’s a Christmas tree, and every day’s Christmas; and it all gets twice more magical once the snow starts to fall. Here the line is marked, and you can literally cross in (or out) of the Arctic Circle and get a certificate for it too (for a fee, of course). You can also virtually tick off your entire Rovaniemi check list from within the confines of these grounds, starting from accommodation in its cabins and igloos, to your more standard Arctic Circle laundry list including reindeer sleds, husky rides, Northern Lights, ice castles, snowbiling, and more. The one thing you can do here that you cannot do anywhere else though, is write a letter to your loved ones (or even yourself) and post it back via the North Pole post. There’s one that mails out immediately, and one that holds your post until closer to Christmas. It’s all very immersive and whimsical.

If you dont have kids, this place has limited appeal. Visiting the Santa is "free", but no pictures are allowed inside and then they want to charge €30+ for a picture, €45 if you want it digital. The Arctic Circle line is cool though.

We spent the weekend in a lodge,snow overnight and then a fantastic day visiting Santa 🎅🏻 and his pets . Including reindeer of course. Toasted marshmallows. Tried everything in Santaland, elves training,gingerbread decoration,watching a superb show. My grandsons were enchanted.

not that much to do here if you're a poor student like us. The whole village and seeing Santa is free but only after waiting for 45mins (if you're here out of season) you learn you can't take photos with him - they take it for u and it's 30€/photo. Santa's pets (a zoo) is 15€, the reindeer and other anaimals are lovely. Otherwise not much to see if your budget is low; a 4 hour visit is definitely enough.

Lovely village ☃️😍 It was such a pleasure to meet Santa and his adorable pets. The atmosphere is magical and full of Christmas spirit! I’ll get back for sure!

Meeting Santa Claus excited everyone regardless of age. We were looking forward to it. I don't want to believe that you can enjoy talking to Santa so much. He can even thank you in Polish. Despite the visit to the village at 27 degrees ( July), I remember my stay exceptionally. The photo with Santa is one of the most valuable in my photographic collection of memories. Accommodation is very comfortable. I hope to visit the village in winter someday. Friends had a surprise - they received Christmas greeting letters from Santa Claus himself. It's a brilliant idea. I'm glad I was able to give them such pleasure. Unforgettable and interesting memories and souvenirs. Poor Santa Claus.. I had a high fever later that day, I hope I didn't get infected with anything.

A must go place if you are ever in Rovaniemi unless perhaps you're a resident!! In any case, you visit Rovaniemi because of Santa Claus Village right? We went there on a freezing day when the temperature dips to minus 4.. Freezingly cold ❄️ and we ended up running from one indoor attraction to another indoor place to enjoy the warming.. Outdoor activities are really for those willing to brave the cold. Reindeer rides, husky carriages, horses and snow sports. Nice place overall. Lots of souvenir shops all with similar items but prices can be different so be smart. Must do - standing at the Arctic circle line and seeing yourself on YouTube.

We visited the Santa Claus Office in the summer, with temperatures into the low 30s, and unfortunately left disappointed. Aside from a few overpriced souvenir shops and cafes, there wasn’t much to see. We genuinely wanted to enjoy the experience, but it felt like a major money grab. Charging €40 for a single photo with Santa, plus an extra €55 for digital downloads, is excessive. The visit itself was rushed — less than five minutes — and Santa didn’t even ask what we wanted for Christmas. The facilities also looked tired and in need of maintenance. Sadly, the magic just wasn’t there.

We had a really special visit to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi with our two kids (8 and 9). We went twice—once on a Thursday and again on Sunday in late November. Thursday was definitely the quieter day, but no matter whether it was light or dark, the whole place felt magical. We did the husky ride, which cost €220 for the four of us for about 15 minutes. We booked it through Bearhill in advance, and it was absolutely worth it—such a lovely experience. We also tried the reindeer ride. It was €100 for a short 400-meter loop. It was fine, but there was quite a long wait for something so quick, and you definitely don’t need to book that one ahead. Meeting Santa was the big highlight. Even though we had booked, there was still about a 40-minute wait, but the line moved through a corridor filled with little details the kids really enjoyed. They loved peeking through keyholes and “spying” on elves at work. Santa himself was wonderful—gentle, warm, and incredibly authentic. There were a lot of adults in the queue ahead of us, but when it was our turn, he genuinely lit up seeing the kids. You can choose between buying the video and digital photo or just the printed picture. The whole place is full of great photo spots, and it ended up being a really memorable experience for our children.

I would not have the patience to stand in long lines during Christmas but it was a fun and quick thing to do in the summer. Santa had a kind conversation with us and then they took our picture—it’s 50 euros to buy 😂 thanks but no thanks. They have made the area where you wait look like Santa’s workshop, which would be fun for young children. Suggest getting there before it opens if this is a must do for your family in December

Unhappy... they proposed the digital package for 55eur. Then they claimed that there was additional photos for additional 25 eur... we accepted believing that there were 3 or 4 photos, at the end it was only 1... so overall, 4 pictures + the whole video was 55 eur. A photo more 25 eur... when asked to reimburse they refused. Strong recommendation: check for the details to avoid what happened.

The Real Santa..... brilliant! Quite a qué but great themed rooms as you approach the big man in red. 🎅. Photos and video digital and printed at 90Euros for the package.

This is where you can meet Santa Claus and have a photo taken for remembrance. There's also a shop selling all kinds of Christmas stuff.

Today this remarkable event happened. To say that I was surprised would be an understatement. Such a huge number of people is hardly enjoyable, and I truly do not understand why the majority are adults. There were not that many families with children. Special thanks to the elf who understood our situation and helped us reduce the waiting time. While I was standing in the queue, I remembered that Santa Claus — Joulupukki — has an amazing gift: he can clone himself and be in different places at the same time. Now I have a question for the organisers: is it really impossible to “clone” the Santas so they can welcome people in different rooms? These queues are unbelievable. And what if a child has special needs and physically cannot wait? Only the elf was able to help us. Once again, thank you to him.

We had a fantastic time at the Heureka Science Museum! It’s the perfect spot for both kids and adults who love to explore, discover, and get hands-on with science. The exhibitions are interactive, creative, and beautifully designed to make learning fun and engaging. Our favorites were ice age exhibitions and the outdoor science park, which added an extra layer of excitement. Everything is well-organized, and most exhibits are available in multiple languages, including English and Finnish. Highly recommended for families, tourists, and anyone who enjoys a day full of curiosity and wonder!

Space exhibition was definitely worth a visit. My first visit to Heureka was over 30 years ago, but it still keeps surprising and the exhibitions are always interesting. Ice age moving mammoths and other animals were also interesting as usually you only experiment those as still standing setups. Visited it this on a regular Sunday, but might be interesting to visit during the themed NOX evening, when whole place is K18 and specific themed program is available as well.

Very nice and well executed science museum full of varied exhibits and demonstrations that take place throughout the day. The Ice Age animal exhibition was my favorite and my son really loved getting to build and test his own race car. This is a great way to spend several hours either the family! And the cafe has excellent food as well.

You can't but tickets online the same day, this is kind of strange. The parking is on the other side on the railroad – another oddity. The science center is huge and impressive though. Went here with two kids : 5 and 2.5. The older one was excited to try everything, however the most interesting things require 140cm of height and were unavailable for him. The small one was scared of the ice age animals but otherwise liked the museum. The cafe is extremely expensive, the buffet is mediocre. I'd recommend this place for 10+

Went there with 2 kids, aged 6 and 8. The kids were just the perfect age. They tested everything. We spent the all day there. Conveniently 5 minutes walk from Tikkurila station

Heureka is one of the must visit place in Vantaa. They havr variety of things(especially science and technology) to do and to see especially with kids, many creative, active, imaginative activities are available. But this tike they hace something special. The Ice Age Era which you can see a lot of animals from ice age, 14.000 years ago. They have some explanation about the animal, what happened to them and many more. You can see how big they are omgggg. They have a space which they train some rats to do some interesting activities, a section to know what blind people feel, a plac

Amazing, another place you have to visit, from ice age to space and basic science to be experienced.

Charming bed and breakfast spot in Porvoo. A shame we only stayed one night but the accomodations were cozy and inviting. The room we stayed in had a kitchen as well as a spacious living room. The living room had a nice view of the river. It was in the center of the town and easily accessible to the old and newer areas of Povoo. This would be a nice place for summer trip with the family.

Very cute B&B along the river in Porvoo, Finland. I stayed in the Star Room, which is a bit separated from the main property. Owner knocked on the door as I arrived. He apparently also owns the nearby restaurant Ranta-aitta, which had its commissary and bathrooms across from the property. Be aware this property and its windows all face an alley that will have fairly heavy foot traffic in the afternoon/evening hours because of the restaurant. I immediately drew all the blinds when I entered the unit. Other than that privacy inconvenience, the location is fantastic, right on the main strip of the old town of Porvoo. Inside the unit you have a nicely functional kitchen and washer/dryer (which I used and was very convenient). There's two bathrooms, one with a shower and one without. Shower is a bit small and confining, but solid. The chairs in the kitchen were not super comfortable and the wifi didn't reach the bedroom very well, so if you need to do something online for a decent amount of time the unit isn't the most ergonomic solution for this situation. There is a piano in the unit! I did not play or know if it was actually encouraged but it's something to consider. There is access to a sauna that's across the street from the main property, which I used. Its heat doesn't get much higher than 60-70ºC but with plentiful water you can get enough steam for a good sweat. Breakfast was solid.

We (two adults) stayed at Ida-Maria in Jan/2021 for two nights in ”Pieni huoneisto, puutarhanäkymä”. The room was lovely, cozy and clean. Delicious breakfast and very good service! All of this in the heart of Porvoo Old Town. Would absolutely recommend to anyone.

Beautiful river view from our bedroom. Fantastic breakfast in the red historic houses on the river. We had a great time, thank you!

If you like old-fashioned Finnish places, this is just perfect. Nice clean place to stay. Excellent service.

Everything is pretty good here! Only the pillow is a bit uncomfortable. But the location is great. My favorite is breakfast and sauna. Definitely recommended.

Peaceful place to stay overnight in the old city center, simple yet very good breakfast, small garden where you can eat breakfast and enjoy blossoming plants.

This is a fantastic museum, I only really wanted to go for the sake of going inside submarine. However, it turned out to be so much fun. It's very interactive, lots of exhibits for you to play around with. You can go in a flight simulator, drive toy boats, climb netting from a ship mast & much more. Out the back, there's also boats you can see/go on with your ticket. Be careful trying to climb inside the submarine though, it's not an easy feat 😂. This museum is included in the Tallin card which I highly recommend you buy.

Simply put one of the best museums I’ve been to. It’s like no expense was spared when building this place. They have a beautiful building which houses a huge submarine that you can fully explore. They have lots of interactive exhibits including a flight and boating simulators. And outside there were at least four boats or small ships you could go on. I would highly recommend vista if museum if in Tallinn.

Wonderful naval museum! They have an original mine laying submarine from the 1930s as the centerpiece; also a very interesting section about the Estonian Navy; plus the remains of an medieval boat; plus a large section about sea mines; plus so much more. And they have lots and lots of activities for kids, like two bi-plane simulators, some boat simulations, a harborbwhere you can steer your own ship .., it is just a marvellous place if you are interested in maritime things. And there also is a very nice café on a terrace overlooking the museum. A clear highlight of any visit to Tallinn! There is ample parking space around the museum, but you have to pay with the Snabb-App, since the parking is managed by this company. And beware - they are diligently checking, if you have paid ...

Superb museum. This is how items should be displayed in a 21st century museum. Fantastic lighting, interactive displays and interesting artifacts. No dusty cabinets here. Highly recommended and don't forget to go outside and go on the boats as well, they are included in the entrance fee but this wasn't made clear when we arrived 😁

As a Londoner, I'm spoilt by having some of the biggest and best museums in the world. So, it's a compliment to this one when I say it's very good - thoughtful design and consideration for users, balancing the needs of kids and adults. The Estonian airforce and navy have always been small, so the breadth and depth is limited, but what there is, is well stated. However, I was perplexed that no date was given for their star archaeological exhibit (the skeleton of the wooden boat). Well worth 1-2 hours, especially as the surrounding area has great food and other interest.

Lennusadam is one of the most impressive museums I’ve ever visited 🚢✨. Housed in a stunning seaplane hangar, it combines history, technology, and hands-on fun in the best way. Walking through a real submarine, seeing historic ships up close, and exploring interactive exhibits makes it an experience for all ages. The building itself is breathtaking, and the harbor views outside are just as beautiful. A perfect mix of learning and adventure—this isn’t just a museum, it’s a full journey into Estonia’s maritime past.

Great mix of maritime vessels to see here, including the main attraction submarine which you can board. Some interactive displays/games too. Videos on the history of the site and building. We spent around 2 hours here but didn’t read every exhibit.

If you like the views, this is the place where you should go to in Tallinn. There are multiple platforms where you can see something form the city, and a lot of shaded places if you want to chill somewhere under the trees.

The Toompea hill and Castle are located near the famous Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and it’s also 10 minutes walking distance from the Old town main square. We didn’t visit the building inside, and we saw there were English tours that you could book, but we won’t had enough time and we decided to walk around and check the beautiful views that this place has from Tallinn old town city and we think it’s a nice place to explore a little more if you have more time. Eli: 5 / Serge: 5 Recommended: Yes, the area has a beautiful view even if you don’t visit the places inside. Tips: - Comfortable shoes are recommended, since the pavement of the Old Town streets, in general, are made with paving stones.

A small park in the city center.

Hill area with a castle which is now the parliament building

It is small hillock 10 minutes walking from Old town. Has estonian patliament and Alexander Church here. The viewpiints of old city are must go on this hillock.roads are made of paving stones and can be difficult if you have a baby and stroller. Whole hillock can be explored on foot.

Nice area to walk with cobblestones.

Certainly worth to visit, must see. The place, the view and surroundings are charmful

The Tallinn town hall is your typical museum setup. Info about the old town since the 1300s. Not much to say about that. The tower was pretty cool though. Got to go up to the bell and see the city from there. Not sure if the €20 was worth it.

A top stop! Lovely preserved old building with cool stuff and good descriptions in English. Plenty to see, it’s not just a reading experience. The floor just under the roof is super cool. If you’re up to it, climb the tower for a unique view. Note the climb is very steep, can be very crowded and may have a long.

Most people only talk about the Tallinn Town Hall for its beautiful building, but there is so much more to it. Can you imagine that it has a museum inside? I didn’t know until I went there. I like the museum because it talks about a special street, the “Pikk Street”, in Danish this would translate to “dick street”. Good thing Estonia isn’t Danish anymore. But funnily enough this reminded me of all the Dicks Streets back in Luxembourg. A strangely comforting thought. There are many places to sit down in the museum, which is a criteria I always use to rate the visitability of a museum. Especially because I have a friend who loves to sit down. The more my friends can sit, the happier I am. We also found out about the Estonian fascination with weather vanes. They’re not just regular weather vanes, they are enormous. You can really not miss them on top of churches or in this case inside the museum. Now coming back to the start, people may admire the view of the building but from the museum you have a beautiful view onto the city. It really is a must visit.

This old town feels like stepping straight into a fairy tale – except instead of a dragon, you’re most likely to bump into a tourist wielding a selfie stick. Narrow cobblestone streets twist between colorful medieval buildings, and no matter which way you go, the town hall finds a way to peek at you from somewhere – like it’s playing hide and seek, and always winning. The atmosphere takes care of itself. While you're sipping coffee or nibbling on a local pastry, a horse-drawn cart might gently roll by, and someone in medieval costume could pop around the corner. For the tourists? For fun? Or maybe just a lost time traveler. Who’s to say. Town hall itself is a Gothic masterpiece from the 14th century, and it still holds court with pride. If Tallinn does one thing exceptionally well, it's blending history with charm. And if you find yourself taking photos of the same tower from every imaginable angle… trust me, you’re not alone. This place does that to people.

Tallinn Town Hall has its own museum inside dedicated to both the building’s past and the city’s. It was interesting to learn that there were writings about the Town Hall from 1200s. Entrance fee is 20 euros but free if you have a Tallinn city card.

Tallinn Town Hall is a stunning landmark that perfectly captures the spirit of the Old Town. The Gothic architecture, intricate details, and panoramic views from the tower make it well worth a visit. Inside, the exhibits give a fascinating glimpse into Tallinn’s rich history and civic life. Whether you’re exploring the square below or climbing to the top for amazing city views, the Town Hall is a must-see stop for anyone visiting Tallinn!

It takes about an hour to look round the town hall. The tapestries and carvings are nice, I was lucky in that one of the employees who works in the museum was happy to answer questions about the exhibts. The attic has lots of information boards explaining how the town hall was restored. The cellar contains an older version of the weather vane 'Old Thomas' but there is no explanation as to who he was. Would not recommend to a family with children.

Nice beach. Probably great during the summer. Tons of people wind surfing.

Cool beach to spend your summer holidays! It has a perfect infrastructure, nice sand, warm water. For us, it's the nicest beach in Europe.

Long straight beach with white sand. Easy on the feet. The water is shallow so very suitable for kids. Coffee shops and others along the shore. I traveled there in Autumn.

I love it 🇪🇪💙 so pure and crystal clear water, soft sand and large beach. There is also nice bar and very best big sweet drinks /smoothies and great music and children were dancing also friday night .

It's not quite summer, but -18°c in deep winter! There is a lot to see on Pärnu beach, the bay is frozen, people are walking and enjoying the sunset!

Long, clean beach. Was completely empty in September. The water is very shallow: after 20m, my ankle was not completely under water. Probably a good thing if you want a photo of you walking on the water.

Nice beach, the sand is clean. there are plenty of parking spots available around, There is also a restaurant along the beach, kids activities to play with, beach volleyball or soccer infrastructures are available.

A lively medieval castle with amusing theatrical presentations by hosts dressed in thematic outfits. Some of the shows are in English, some in Estonian. Very entertaining! Possible to try archery shooting, see some domestic animals. We had fun! Thanks!

Amazing medieval castle ruins. Took the bus from Tallinn just to see them. A lot of activities in the castle grounds, animals, handicrafts, archery etc so something for adults and kids.

If you arrive just before midday you will get to experience the cannon being blasted and then a different experience every half hour, including making a coin and candle, old alchemist show, brothel and more. Well worth the visit. Was so much fun, especially the torture chambers

Amazing experience for the whole family. The daily program is full of fun activities - don't miss the “Cannon Shooting” and “Mercenary Training”, the actors make it unforgettable. We also had a delicious lunch at the tavern inside the castle. The castle really gives you the feeling of being in the Middle Ages. Highly recommend.

Recommend to visit! So many personal inside working and doing it so well that you could feel you are in old times. They do very brilliant story telling. You will get great emotiations there.

An amazing fortress! A huge variety of activities, entertaining shows every half hour and lots of different animals. Highly recommend!

Around Rakvere Linnus there are many places to sit down and enjoy the view as there are multiple outdoor theatres aswell as interconnected paths around the castle to walk on. By car, our recommendation is to drive up to the upper parking place if the narrow street up the hill is tolerable. There is also a lower parking place, but it includes climbing up stairs. Not only do we recommend the castle because of great views in, around and on top of the castle walls. There are activities for the whole familiy included in the base ticket. Our association took part in cannon firing and other medival interactive workshops/lectures.

Plac Ratuszowy, also known as Town Hall Square, is a historic cobbled market square in Riga, Latvia, dating back to the 13th century. Although it was destroyed during World War II, the square has been meticulously reconstructed, showcasing beautiful Hanseatic architecture and monuments.  The square is home to notable landmarks such as the House of the Blackheads, a stunning building that dates back to the 14th century, and the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, which offers insights into Latvia’s 20th-century history under Soviet and Nazi occupations.

The heart of Riga and a must-see stop. Home of the amazing House of the Black Heads and also outdoor cafes to enjoy the view and people watching. Seek out a small sculpture that commemorates the world's first decorated Christmas tree in 1510. Men from the House of the Black Heads decorated one with roses, danced around it, then set it on fire!

Just great we really loved Rigas and would have to be the cleanest city we have visited. Just wandering around the old town and parks is really worth the journey there and don't forget the market it was fantastic.

Parking in the center costs 5€ per hour, the next hour costs 8€. Throughout the city, 1 hour of parking is 1€. The food is delicious, prices are like in most European cities ( pasta 10,90€, Hamburger 12€). We are lunching on the main square. Big city, beautiful and interesting.

So many beautiful buildings around to see! Lovely Church! Love to walk around and explore! Such a beautiful city!

Nice place for a photo opportunity, house of the black heads is a one of the iconic architecture in Riga

Beautiful square with nice dutch renaissance style buildings.

If you like great food at a reasonable price, the central market is waiting for you. SO MUCH FOOD! Everything was fresh and was as alluring to the nose as it was to the palate. So much variety, you will hardly know where to start. It's even fun if you're not hungry... just walk around and take it all in. Definitely recommend!

The best open market I’ve ever visited. Traditional meeting the modern in a wonderful mix. Vegetables, fruits, nuts fish, poultry, beef, clothes and lot of other things. I will be back.

I visited Riga Central Market, and it was such a vibrant experience. The market is huge and full of life you can find just about everything here, from fresh flowers and local foods to meats, cheeses, spices, and handmade goods. It’s a great place to discover authentic Latvian flavors and everyday life. The market is set inside historic old Zeppelin hangars, which gives it a unique and impressive atmosphere. Each pavilion specializes in different products, making it easy to explore and sample a wide variety of items. I especially enjoyed seeing the fresh produce stands and traditional Latvian treats. It’s not just a place to shop—it’s also a cultural experience, perfect for walking around, tasting, and soaking in the local vibe. Prices are fair, and you’ll find both locals and tourists enjoying the market. If you’re visiting Riga, this is definitely a must-see. 📍 Location: Nēģu iela 7, Riga, Latvia

Nice and quick lunch spot in the gastronomy market they have different restaurants where you can have local food and buy local cheeses and souvenirs. A nice quick stop in the city. Haven’t take any picture of the dumplings but they were very good.

Great place to sample the local food. There are plenty of fruit and veg stalls, flower stalls and clothing stalls as well as a food market inside. They sell all the traditional dishes for extremely reasonable prices so a great way to eat like the locals. It’s a vibrant, buzzing area that’s definitely worth a visit.

Really big market with so much variety. There are different halls dedicated to different types of goods (the meat hall, the fish hall, etc). There's a hall that has eateries, and there are other retain shops throughout. Outside there are fresh fruits and vegetables as well as flowers. Definitely a must visit location for anyone visiting Riga.

A very unique market where each of the four large hangars offers something different, with wonderful caviar, meat, and fish products for sale, and outside, a marketplace and florists. I really liked it.

A truly peaceful and picturesque place. The castle itself is modest, but the surrounding gardens are stunning — beautifully designed with thoughtful planting and a perfect harmony of colors and textures. Walking here feels like stepping into a living painting, a real moment of serenity. Huge compliments to whoever created and maintains this landscape!

We visited in November. Turaida castle is really worth visiting. When you arrive to a parking lot, there are plenty of spots to park. You can pay for it in the museum which is like a minute away and you don't have to go back to put it in your car, just take it with yourself, it costs 2€. The ticket for the castle was just 6€ which is honestly not much, we saw many castles in different countries which where not that worth as this one and were more expensive. Except of the castle you can visit many other places and building here, like the church, the souvenir shop or the jewelry shop which offers plenty of beautiful hand made jewelries. Turaida castle itself is right now in reconstruction but was really beautiful. You can go inside every door which you can find, meaning that you can see plenty of expositions with stuff found during excavations, see some photographies, old armors, go up in the tower to see the whole castle and it's surroundings. The whole place is quite wast so you can spend there hours walking around, enjoying the atmosphere.

Beautiful castle with stunning views from the tower. Plenty areas to explore, many old building with a person in each building to explain more details, great information too. There are parks and pathways to explore. Easy access to toilets. And we were luck as there was live music concert on the stage next to castle.

Our group of 11 travelers from 5 countries journeyed to the castle complex Today. The guided tour from the entrance through the church as the guide told the story of Rosa de Turaida fave full delta to the castle. The small museum shows the reconstruction of the castle that allows visitors to climb 139 steps to the top for a va race point of the complex and the greenery

One of the most beautiful castle in Europe. If you want to see nice castle with beautiful park, i recommended Turaida. Look at my photos of environs. Very nice :)

Nice castle to visit plenty of info and amazing view. The exhibition carries on in all the other buildings around the park (church, little houses…) - make sure to save enough time to visit the whole park and all these different exhibitions, it’s a lot to take in but it’s worth it.

In case you're planning to visit Turaidas Castle for the first time DO NOT follow your google maps. Instead take the parking spot on the 'mountain' (if you're driving a car) and cross the street to get tickets in the Museum entrance. You can pay by parking at the Museum register (same place where you can get tickets). Also the cost for tickets change twice a year — once in Autumn and once in a Spring.

Marvelous medieval castle. Kind small, but walking inside would be up to aprox 2 km. if try to visit all corners 🤣 They give candle lantern for some authentic feeling while walking through dark places inside, and that's super nice. There is a narrow staircase and with some other narrow aisles, so need to be careful. In one of the tower shows some video about the history of this castle - it is quite short but interesting. Maybe in the summer whey could work a little longer, not till 18 h. The price for adults - 10€. You can pay by cash or card. Worth to visit. Also, don't forget to visit also castle park.

A very interesting medieval castle, it takes easily few hours to explore all the corners and towers because it is so captivating! The show in the west tower about the history was done so well, and the lantern with a real candle contributed a lot to the atmosphere, it was nice to have no electric lights. I recommend this amazing time trip.

Wow, this is really awesome place to visit! it remains the medieval castle in Latvia. You can learn how the castle was built and invaded by foreign countries from the historical museum too. For the castle and its two tower tour, they offer you a medieval lamp to stroke around even in deep dark area(believe me there are certain area really black out and cold). We were kind of worried about a very short candle can last for the enough time we'd visit to the two towers and the jail at the very bottom, but it turned out to be ok. Worth of visit!! - note for those who would not understand Latvia language, there are some sheets of papers for the guidance but we took some photoshots as there were far too many things to feel and learn from the castle. Very beautiful place! We used CATA bus from Riga, it took us about 1hr and 50min and 5.32Eur one way. It was very convenient to use bussystem reservation system even for foreigner(s).

Rugged and intimidating! Cēsis Castle may be "only" a ruin, but it still exudes an intimidating robustness. Schloß Wenden, the original German name of Cēsis Castle, is one of the most iconic and best preserved castles in Latvia. In the autumn of 1206, during the Baltic Crusade, the Wends converted to Christianity and became allies of the crusaders. In 1208, the Livonian Brothers of the Sword moved in with the Wends in their hillfort and fortified it with a stone defensive wall, and although the fortress is described as "the smallest in Livonia", it withstood repeated attacks by the Estonians and Russians. In 123 or 1214, the Brothers of the Sword built a new stone castle next to the hillfort. In 1237, Cēsis Castle passed into the hands of the Livonian Order, a branch of the Teutonic Order, and became the seat of the Master of the Order. Extensive reconstructions and extensions followed, making Cēsis Castle one of the largest and mightiest castles of the Teutonic Order. With the dissolution of the semi-autonomous Livonian Order in 1561 and subsequent sieges, the castle's decline began. The siege of 1577 by Ivan IV the Terrible became famous for the mass suicide of the castle's 300 defenders. After the castle came under direct control of the King of Sweden in 1681, his soldiers wreaked havoc in the castle. It seemed as if they were plundering rather than defending it. In the first years of the Great Northern War the Russian troops demolisd Cēsis Castle further. In the centuries that followed, nature had free rein to bury the castle in its own rubble. In 1760s the former gatehouse was rebuilt as a manor house, the so-called New Castle. In the 1830s the castle park was laid out at the foot of the ruins, and the first safety repair works were carried out. With the reconstruction of the roof of the West Tower the first serious restoration works began in 1903. Major conservation works were undertaken starting from 1930s when Cēsis Castle became popular as a tourist attraction. Today the castle remains a popular and educational destination, which is definitely worth a visit!

The most interesting castle in the Gaujas natural park. Partially reconstructed castle based on the original layout, it host an interesting museum about Livonian and more recent history. Cool the ascension to the main tower wit the aid of a candle lamp !

Beautiful! We loved walking around the area with our dogs! Coming from the United States I don’t think they realize how cool it was to be here!

I was startled when someone greeted me and offered a lantern before entering the castle. Inside was terribly dark, and the spiral staircase was the worst. Well, I experienced how people in the medieval life without electricity. But overall, this castle was amazing. In one underground, there was a visualisation of people who were thrown into the underground prison telling their story. In other rooms, you can discover the audio storytelling of how people 400 years ago lived inside that castle before, and in the end, they abandoned it.

Perhaps the jewel of Latvia. The palace is in really good condition, thanks to everyone's hard work. The gardens are certainly kept in immaculate condition. Most of the rooms are open to visitors, including the bedrooms and bathrooms of the Duke and Duchess — definitely worth a visit. It's usually not very crowded on weekdays. You can use an audio guide.

Beautiful, rich collection, friendly staff, almost no tourists in November yet highly operational. Interesting to see powder rooms and toilet closets. Impressive collection of “ household” peaces. Wonderful cafe switch beautiful service. Food served in aristocratic dish-ware. The clock outside is restarted with beautiful music playing at each hour with the sound stretching through whole yard yard. Very happy with our visit.

The Baltic Versailles! Amidst the vast fields and meadows of Zemgale (Semgallen) stands the most beautiful baroque palace in the Baltic States: the Rundāles Pils (Rundāle Palace). The palace was commissioned by Ernst Johann Biron, the lover of Tsarina Anna Ivanova who bestowed him the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. The famous Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli designed and built a palace inspired by Versailles. Since the Duke was exiled to Siberia by his political enemies in 1740, the construction of the palace took place in two phases. During the first phase (1736-40) the palace itself was built, and during the second phase (1765-68) the furnishing of 138 rooms and halls was completed. During the Latvian War of Independence in 1919, the palace was badly damaged. In 1933, the palace was restored/rebuilt when a school was established. After the Rundāle Palace Museum was founded in 1972, a thorough and long-term restoration was immediately started, which was only completed in 2015. Thanks to this restoration, the palace once again radiates its 18th century grandeur, which visitors can admire in 40 rooms and halls. In addition to the magnificent interior, the French gardens are certainly worth a visit. So all in all, Rundāle Palace is a destination that should not be missed on your itinerary!

Amazing place! Worth the drive from Riga. We enjoyed it very much! Unfortunately rainy weather stopped us from going to their beautiful gardens. A lot of visitors even on weekday.

Really glad we decided to drive and visit Rundāle Palace. If you had a car - don't skip this easy day trip from Riga. The gardens are beautiful - and it's aways interesting to see intricate buildings preserved. Impressive! We spent about 2.5 hours here in total. We visited on a Wednesday and bought tickets when we got there.

The Rundale Palace in Latvia was built in the 18th century. Though originally built as a palace it was used for various purposes including a school. In 1972 the palace and the surrounding gardens was established as a museum. It has 40 rooms exhibiting furniture, decorative pieces, paintings including painted ceilings. Very impressive from outside and inside, one of the most well preserved palaces in the world. The French garden adds to the charm of the palace. Ticket can be purchased together for the palace and the garden. We visited it on a "Tour and Transfer" from Riga To Vilnius. Highly recommend it.

The Palace of amazing beauty 🤩🥰 with a large French park nearby. The beginning of the palace dates back to the 16th century, although Rundale Manor is mentioned from the 15th century. To walk the main paths in the garden, inside the palace - will be about 6.2 km, and if you explore all the passages of the garden it will be more of km. 🙃 and you should dedicate at least 3.5 hours (you can run around faster, but it is better to walk slower 🙃). The price for an adult to visit all the places is 23 €, but you can also visit the garden and palace for 17 €, but then you will not enter one of the palace "wing" with another exposition. If you have already arrived at the place and have an opportunity - it is definitely worth visiting all possible places.

Kaunas Castle is a wonderful place for a walk. In the evening it’s beautifully lit, which makes the atmosphere really charming. The whole area felt very safe, and I also noticed there are surveillance cameras nearby, which adds to the feeling of security. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Kaunas!

A historic castle very nicely preserved, clean and surrounded by green areas and walking trails around it. Minutes away from the old town of Kaunas. Worth visiting!

Kaunas Castle is a beautiful and historic spot right in the heart of the city. The red-brick fortress looks amazing, and the museum inside gives a nice glimpse into Kaunas’ past. The area around it is great for a walk, with lovely river views and a calm atmosphere. Staff are friendly, and there are often cool events or festivals happening nearby. Definitely worth a visit!

A very nice castle, but quite small once you get inside and with status you need to be careful as they are quite steep and you will need to wait for people or to go upstairs or downstairs as you can do both at the same time as it’s quite narrow. Worth a visit tho. The prices for tickets is ok too £4 for adult, but for students, kids, retired and disabled people gets it’s cheaper or does not pay at all which is nice.

Nice little exposition,well restored old castle,loved the dungeon prison part,great view from top level of the tower.Small but interesting museum,stairs at the tower are steep and narrow but there is another wider exilt on level two.Would recommend to spend couple hours exploring castle and surrounding old wall grounds.

Nice park to walk around. You can walk up to have a view. Castle itself has few remains, so not that much to visit. Has a museum indoor in the tower (paid entrance)

Nice castle immersed in a well tended park. We were there on Monday hence the castle was closed therefore we could only admire the outside of it

Kaunas Town Hall is a must-visit if you’re exploring Lithuania’s second-largest city! Known as the “White Swan” for its elegant architecture, this historic building sits in the heart of Kaunas Old Town. It has served many purposes over the centuries—city hall, prison, and even a wedding venue! Today, it houses the Kaunas City Museum, where you can learn about the city’s rich history. Take a stroll around the charming square, grab a coffee at a nearby café, and soak in the atmosphere of this beautiful and lively spot!

Close on Monday and overseeing a torn-up square (large renovation works ongoing August 2025). Not worth the effort

Most visited places in Kaunas , old town bars , cafes and restaurants, you can also find here museums art shops and other interesting sites

The Kaunas Town Hall is a beautiful and impressive building – a real highlight in the heart of the Old Town. The architecture is elegant, and the surrounding square is full of charm and history. It’s a great spot for photos and a nice place to sit and take in the atmosphere. Unfortunately, during our visit, the building was under renovation, so we couldn’t fully enjoy or explore it. It’s understandable that maintenance is necessary, but it was a bit disappointing not to see it in its full glory. Still, it’s a lovely landmark and definitely worth stopping by if you’re in Kaunas – hopefully next time without scaffolding!

10 euros, theres an app and i just cant make it work, not a whole lot, you can climb up the tower and take picture through windows ... Ac was nice.

I didn't visit the museum, but the town hall itself is a very beautiful building. The centerpiece of Kaunas Old Town

A 16th century Town hall situated on a nice square, surrounded by historic buildings. Really nice, if just to stroll around and look at the buildings and the people passing by.

Visiting Trakai Island Castle was like stepping into a living piece of Lithuanian history. The moment you cross the wooden bridge over Lake Galvė, the red-brick towers appear in full majesty — calm, proud, and full of stories. Inside, each hall has its own character: the Grand Duke’s chamber feels royal and atmospheric, the armory impresses with real swords and armor, and the exhibition about Vytautas the Great brings the medieval world to life. I loved how well-preserved everything is — you can almost imagine knights, musicians, and nobles walking through these halls centuries ago. Helpful Tips for Visitors: Arrive early, especially on weekends — it gets crowded quickly. Book tickets online in advance to skip the queue. Take a guided tour or audio guide — it adds so much depth to the visit. Bring cash for local shops or snacks — not all vendors accept cards. Don’t miss the inner courtyard and lake views — perfect for photos. Families with kids should visit the dungeon and towers — they’re always a hit! After the castle, try the legendary kibinai at “Senoji Kibininė” nearby — the perfect finish to your day. Trakai Castle isn’t just a tourist attraction — it’s a real time machine that lets you feel the spirit of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. A must-see for anyone who loves history, architecture, or simply beautiful places that make you pause and breathe in the past.

Stunning castle in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. We were lucky with the weather as it had been raining all day the previous day. The restauration of the castle is amazing and still ongoing. Certain areas were closed because of that and because we visited out of season. But still lots to see with a huge number of period artefacts. Gives you an idea of how important trade was. Tranquil setting with nice walks in the area. Not many visitors but I can imagine it gets very busy in Summer. Good restaurants around on the lake side leading to the castle. It's a good walk from the station, about 3km, but beautiful along the lakes. The whole experience was magnificent and the on site toilets were immaculate. Access for wheelchair users a bit tricky and you need to be fairly sure footed due to the old cobbled roads and paths. But what a place. Return rail ticket from Vilnius was about €6.

A very cool medieval castle and a museum! Despite some rain and October gloomy weather, we had a great time exploring the castle. The grey skies gave the whole location a nice vibe, and the forest and lake surrounding the castle looked stunning.

Had an lovely experience visiting Trakai. Nestled in nature, the entire environment is incredibly calming and beautiful. The colorful houses and the vibrant surroundings make it a truly picturesque destination. The peaceful ambiance, especially with water all around, adds to the tranquility. And of course, if you visit, you absolutely must try the kibinai, a delicious local treat that adds an authentic touch. Absolutely worth the trip!

I visited Trakai Castle in October, and it was absolutely stunning. The autumn colors made the entire island look like something out of a fairy tale — golden leaves reflecting on the calm lake, with the red brick walls of the castle standing proudly in the middle. The weather was cool but pleasant, perfect for exploring without crowds. The walk across the wooden bridge to the castle is beautiful and gives you plenty of photo opportunities. Inside, the museum is well-organized, with interesting exhibits about Lithuanian history, the Grand Dukes, and medieval life. There’s also a sense of calm and history that you can really feel as you wander through the courtyards and towers. Even though some areas felt a bit touristy (like the souvenir stalls near the entrance), it didn’t take away from the experience. I’d recommend stopping at one of the nearby cafés to try kibinai, the local pastry — warm and delicious on a chilly autumn day. Overall: A must-visit if you’re in Lithuania. Trakai Castle in autumn is simply magical — peaceful, picturesque, and full of history.

We visited a beautiful, photogenic castle situated on an island surrounded by water. During our visit, a portion of the castle was closed for renovation, which unfortunately affected the quality of our photographs. The interior of the castle is rich in history, and the local guide was very knowledgeable in sharing its stories.

The Trakai Island Castle (Trakų salos pilis) is a stunning medieval fortress set on an island in Lake Galvė, Lithuania. Reached by wooden bridges, it feels like stepping into a fairytale. The red-brick towers, calm waters, and scenic surroundings make it one of the country’s most photogenic spots. The museum inside is informative, and boat views are magical at sunset. A must-visit day trip from Vilnius for history and nature lovers alike.

From my personal interest, this is one of the most fascinating museums I've ever visited. A building which was both a "home" for the Gestapo and the KGB, it is now a museum which tells the story of the people of Lithuania during decades of occupation, repression and death. The most eerie parts are the corridors of the prison cells and the execution chamber. I truly recommend this museum for anyone visiting Vilnius

Everyone who goes to Vilnius should go to this museum... as a reminder of the suffering of the Lithuanian people in their struggle for independence and freedom. Be prepared though... it is very sad and some of the information was shocking. But it's a must do if you're visiting Vilnius.

This place is practically living history. I assume some of the people who worked here are still living. It's a pretty sinister place. People can really think of ways to make the lives of others miserable if they don't conform to their rules. It makes me think that humanity should be doomed. All of the material is presented in Lithuanian and English.

A sobering account of Soviet oppression at a telling moment in modern times. This museum is a converted former KGB prison, with detailed explanation of the horrors of incarceration and what it feels like to be culturally and politically suppressed by an aggressive hostile country. It recounts the resistance efforts of ordinary Lithuanians in the face of insurmountable odds, and reveals their heroism even in the bleakest of times.

Somber and very sobering. A must see and visit place to understand the Baltic States' history and current situation. Very detailed history of the KGB and the oppression of the Lithuanian people. It's a listed building and kept as much as it was when Vilnius returned to an independent state. Incredible lower level prison cells and interrogation rooms of political prisoners. There is an execution room but we could only last 30 seconds in there as it was to upsetting. We were the only ones there. Afterwards we went to see the names carved in the stone bricks at the front of the building. Emotional and enlightening visit.

Former KGB prison. To day a museum with a very complete documentation and very visible exhibition of the horrible and terrifying history of Latvia before- , during and after the war. Breathtaking and goothbumps for me and I thinka lot of visitors.

Best and the most substantial museum that I've ever been to. Totally worth the (cheap) price. You can learn a lot about Lithuanian 20th century history.

Free to walk up to and around the grounds for a fantastic view but you have to pay for the tower. Be careful of the stones going up to the castle or you can take the funicular for 3EUR return. Would highly recommend to visit for the beautiful scenes!

Did a walk up because the funicular was closed on a sunday. It's not too bad. Saw little children hopping up and many old couples doing it too. Beautiful views. Totally worth the climb.

Gediminas Tower offers one of the best panoramic views of Vilnius. The climb up the hill is short but rewarding, and the tower’s small museum gives a clear overview of Lithuania’s medieval history. The restored structure is simple yet symbolic, standing proudly above the city. It can get windy and crowded, but the scenery makes it absolutely worth the visit.

Visiting Gediminas Hill was a memorable experience, worth every step. The view from the top is breathtaking, and the tower itself is a reminder of Vilnius’ roots and legends. Helpful tips for tourists: • 🚶‍♂️ The funicular is currently out of service, so you have to climb on foot. The path is steep – wear comfortable shoes. • ⏰ Best time to go is before sunset, when the city is painted in warm colors. • 🎟️ Inside the tower, there’s a museum about the history of Vilnius castles. • 👨‍👩‍👧 The climb may be challenging for kids, but the experience is rewarding. • 📸 Don’t forget your camera – the panoramic views are among the best in Vilnius.

Visited on our day trip to Vilnius. There was no funicular working on the day which was limiting for some visiting. The path up is part cobble (very uneven) and wooden stairs so while the renovation is ongoing if you have mobility issues it may not be for you(September25). Good Views of the city. €8 to enter. We did not go in. The whole site is limited due to restoration work but still worth the climb

Gediminas Castle is a great place to visit in Vilnius. It’s on a hill, and from the top, you get an amazing view of the whole city, especially at sunset. You can walk up or take the funicular if you don’t want to climb. The tower has a small museum inside where you can learn a bit about Lithuania’s history. It’s not very big. The best part is definitely the view, it’s perfect for photos and just relaxing for a while. If you’re in Vilnius, this is one of the top spots to see!

Nice place to have a great view of the Vilnius city. Visitors have to climb up couple of minutes to go top of it. Tickets are necessary if you would like to top if the castle otherwise you can still enjoy beautiful views from nearby of the tower.

The Church of St. Simon and St. Helena, located in Minsk, Belarus, is a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture. Also known as the Red Church due to its distinctive red brick façade, it stands as a powerful symbol of faith and resilience. The church’s interior is peaceful and beautifully designed, offering a serene atmosphere for reflection and prayer. Visitors are often moved by its rich history, especially its survival through the Soviet era when it was used for non-religious purposes. Today, it continues to be an active place of worship and a cultural landmark, attracting both locals and tourists alike.

A beautiful church with a sad story, as it was apparently built to commemorate a son and daughter who died at a green age and who had shared with their parents having dreamt of a church just like the one that can be admired today. The comparatively new (1910) church building - like so many religious buildings in the territories of the former Soviet Union - then went through a change of purpose, being used as a cinema for most of the Soviet period, and reverting to its original use only under newly-independent Belarus.

This is my favorite part of the city!

Church of Saints Simon and Helena also known as the Red Church is a Roman Catholic church on Independence Square in Minsk, Belarus. This neo-Romanesque church was designed by Polish architects Tomasz Pajzderski and Władysław Marconi. The cornerstone was laid in 1905 and the church was completed in 1910. Okay yesterday I watched a number of old ladies go to every religious statue and pray. They would pray and move to the next one. There was 5 or 6 on just one side. Kind of makes me think your having another God!

Very quiet and nice cathedral. You can enjoy the silence there if you tired from loud city, which I can't say about Minsk.

Very pretty church. A more complete restoration would revive it's beauty though.

This 110 years old beautiful building has lots of history.

Very nice and beautiful place, recommend to visit to everyone who visits Minsk.

I would said nothing about place where is the library located . Because there is metro station just few hundred metres out. I wouldn't said nothing about how massive is the building . Because it's really big but looking nice ... Good luck !!

Amazing visit to a cheap price. Great view of the city on a sunny Minsk day is incredible. Highly recommend

An icon of the city of Minsk! A must for all tourists, go to the 23 floor for the view.

Famous and biggest library in Bilarussia. We visit it today 28th/08/2019 very nice place.

Very good

The observation deck entrance is at the back side of the building. Paid some fee, climbed the lift. The deck is overlooking the city of Minsk. Very beautiful view from here. There's a cafe and rooms for art exhibition. At night, we waited to see the light spectacle. Beautiful illumination. It's worth the wait.

It’s worth visiting but once, they also offer nice parties for kids during the summer with lots of open air activities such as foam parties and holi, however, it’s much better to purchase tickets online at least a few days prior to the event to save on the entrance fee on the day of festivities . They have a playground for kids and a nice collection of retro cars. The bistro on summer weekends and during any celebrations is just a nightmare!!! You have to wait in line for at least 30 minutes and the food is rather average, however the prices are rather low

Green complex, with historical and local filling of the traditions of the building. everything is clean and cute. the complex is not large, some part is closed to ordinary visitors. there is a place for horses. Here are held many interesting events and the whole Minsk gathers.

There are some old cars and you get tiny cheeses for tasting. All that for 23 rub. It totally doesn’t worth this much money.

I had really enjoyed my day over there, it is a nice place where you can clearly find out how past life of Belarusians was and buy the traditional products , handcrafted things , seeing old cars and the technique of making vodka in addition to the kind mentors like Lira .

I suggest you to take an excursion there, so you’ll have lots of fun with tastings of local products and drinks. Area is nice, but I was disappointed that everything was in Russian. Even the guides don’t do the tours in Belarusian. That’s sad. And the shield at the entrance wasn’t in a native language.

Pleasant place to spend few hours in. Not so crowded, not so big, this museum is an ideal place for trip with children.

Historical nice place with wide variety of traditional handicraft of Belarus and also you can meet hospitable Belarusians in their ancient attires :) <3