Baltic states - KGB / Occupation museums in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius

Of those three cities, the only occupation museum I've been to was the one in Vilnius and I thought it was pretty good. However, if you are really interested in relics from Soviet times, I highly recommend the former Soviet bunker in Ligatne, Latvia, a bit outside of Riga. Not sure if you will have a car- we drove but it might be possible on public transport (or an organised tour). It was my favourite thing we did in Latvia.

thank you - we won't have a car so I think time will prevent us going there but appreciate the suggestion very much

I’ve done the ones in Vilnius and Riga. The one is Riga stands out as better in my memory. It’s extremely well laid-out, well-signed, and has lots of artifacts to look at within the displays.

I went to all three. I really wanted to see the viewpoints of each of the countries; but I think you're right - with limited attention spans - to choose one.

In the 2 years since my visits, the thing that stands out most clearly in my memory is a short introductory movie, as you entered one of the three, that showed the side by side rise and occupation of fascism and communism.

I also took an excellent guided tour, by a docent, in one of the three that was a vibrant summary.

I'll look back at my photos to jog my memory on which of the three those were in and report back.

Thank you - much appreciated

I also only made it to the ones in Vilnius and Riga. So I can’t give you an overall assessment.

The one in Vilnius impressed me because it is in an actual building used during the era. You are walking through halls and looking into cells where prisoners were kept, where they took their exercise, and even where executions took place. The one is Riga is a new modern looking museum with a lot of visuals well-laid out, telling a big story - overall more informative but also a lot to read to get it. I don’t know about Tallinn.

To be honest, it might depend on how your kids approach museums. But it also could just come down to time. I think any one of them will give you a good picture, so it might be which one fits best in your timeframe.

Another slightly less informative but definitely more fun (only my opinion) option is the Hotel Viru & KGB Museum in Tallinn. You tour the floor where KGB operated surveillance on foreign guests who stayed in the then state of the art hotel in Tallinn (it’s still an operating hotel). This doesn’t replace a serious museum on the topic, but it is definitely interesting.

It was the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, in Riga, that had the side-by-side short film that compared the occupations of fascism and communism. That is also where I took the docent tour, which helped immensely in telling the story of the exhibits.

The docent was a museum employee. I don't recall whether he had us watch the movie (maybe 10 or 12 minutes) before starting with him. In any case, the movie stands out in my mind in comparing/contrasting the way the 2 regimes controlled their societies.

I went through twice, with the docent and again after to look at some of the exhibits more closely. My photos show the descriptions in Latvian and English.

Thank you all this is so helpful & lots of points for me to consider. I think perhaps we will look at the Hotel Viru KGB museum only in Tallinn and then have a tour at the museum in Riga which will be our next stop. Then if we have time and everyone is willing maybe I can also manage the one in Vilnius!

I recently visited both the KGB musuem and the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia in Riga. Both were fascinating and highly recommended. The KGB museum isn't a museum per se but the actual building of the KGB headquarters which has been left intact for visitors to wander around and see the cells, killing room, interrogation room etc. Guided tours are available and I thoroughly recommend taking one as you'll learn so much more than wandering around by yourself. I don't think any teenagers are going to be bored on a tour there.

The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia is a very well designed museum and there is a ton of information and exhibits to look at. Again, I took a guided tour with one of the museum employees and it was very worthwhile. I found that we did skip a lot of exhibits but she was able to provide a decent summary of the information contained in a lot of them so it may be a good option with your kids to save them from information fatigue and other family members going through at a different pace.

I agree with TexasTravelMom that the KGB Museum in Tallinn was a fun one. While you're there, there's a nice rooftop bar with terrific views looking down on the city. Even if you don't stay for a (fairly expensive) drink or snack, there's a very great view from the ladies room!

I just checked my photos of the Tallinn VABAMU Museum of Occupations and Freedom. After having been to two of the museums, I went to the 3rd to get the full perspective. It was the least compelling for me, and nothing memorable that I would recommend for teenagers.