Page 368 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

366 SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Exhibition on the Lithuanian partisans in the KGB Museum (see p242) in Vilnius, Lithuania
Museums, Churches many museums open for (both buses and trolleybuses),
and Historic Sights
shorter hours or just remain free entry to museums and
Museums in the Baltic States closed. Some historic sights can discounts on tours, accom-
keep rather erratic hours, so it is only be visited as part of a modation and restaurants.
advisable to check opening guided tour. Organizers often
times before visiting. Usually, try to accommodate single
they open from 10am to 5 or visitors into a group. Admission Charges
6pm during summer, although In all three Baltic States,
in some cases they open at admission charges vary
11am or even midday. Monday Discount Card Schemes considerably depending
is the official closing day for A cost-effective way of explor- on the type of museum and
most museums, though some ing Tallinn, Vilnius and Rīga is to where it is located. Most
are also closed on Tuesdays. purchase a city card. The Tallinn museums away from the
Nearly all museums open on Card costs €31 for 24 hours, €19 capitals are quite reasonably
Saturdays and many on for 48 hours and €49 for 72 priced. Ticket prices in Tallinn,
Sundays. However, tour hours. It entitles holders to free Rīga and Vilnius are more
operators often arrange for entrance to 40 major expensive, but still
museums to open for a group. museums and tourist reasonable. Students
Other sights, such as castles sights, free sightseeing and senior citizens can
and churches, tend to have tours, use of public obtain discounts. State
fairly regular opening hours in trans port and admission museums in Estonia
summer, between 9 or 10am to a range of entertain- offer free entrance on
and 4 or 5pm, Tuesday to ment venues, including the last Saturday of each
Saturday. In winter, however, a bowling centre, a month. In Latvia, state
water park and a major museums give free
night club. It can also get admission on the last
visitors a discount in Wednesday of each
many restau rants and Ticket to month, and in Lithuania
shops. The card is on St Peter’s, Rīga many museums do not
sale at tourist infor- charge an entrance fee
mation centres, hotels, travel on Wednesdays.
agents, Tallinn Airport, Tallinn
Port and online. The Rīga Card
costs €16 for 24 hours, €20 for What to Wear
48 hours and €26 for 72 hours. The chilly winters in the Baltic
It entitles holders to free admis- countries make thick layers of
sion to many museums, a cloth ing necessary, as well as
walking tour of the Old Town gloves, hats and thick-soled
and a discount at a range of water proof shoes. In summer,
hotels. There are two types of lightweight gar ments are usually
Vilnius City Card, 24 hours and adequate, but it is best to carry a
St Nicholas’s Orthodox Cathedral (see p185) 72 hours. The card entitles jacket for the even ings. In spring,
in Liepāja, Latvia holders to free public transport carry an umbrella. Comfortable