The Baltics are composed of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, with each country having a rich history and distinct culture. They’re close together too, so there’s limited sea days during a Baltics cruise. Ships are also likely to dock in both Denmark, Finland and Sweden, which also have beautiful coastline and interesting islands in the Baltic Sea. Below, we have detailed the amazing adventures waiting to be had in this Northern European region.
GET.cruises will help you find the best cruise deals . Search for your perfect Baltics cruise holiday and compare prices from all the major travel agents.
Denmark
Aarhus
As Denmark’s second largest city, there’s so much on offer as you disembark in Aarhus. Its compact size means you’ll be able to explore on foot throughout the day and see most of the major sights. There’s plenty of history to soak up as you walk through the coloured timbered-house lined streets and cobbled lanes. These contrast to the new investment in the city, which now has iconic buildings such as the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, with a sky-high rainbow panorama, and the Iceberg neighbourhood, which strikes a pose on the harbour. There are so many excursions available within or just outside the city. There’s an excellent botanical garden, the breathtaking Infinite Bridge suspended over the sea and the iconic royal rose gardens of Marselisborg Castle.
Copenhagen
There’s so much to do in the Danish capital city, with interesting neighbourhoods to explore, a city centre theme park to enjoy and fairy tale origins to discover. Many begin by exploring the two royal residences - head to Rosenborg Castle to find the crown jewels and Amalienborg Palace, the home of the monarchy. The neighbourhood of Nyhavn is another gem - great for a canal-side amble with a relaxed cafe culture set among the brightly-coloured houses - whilst the Frederiksberg Gardens are a haven of peace in the city centre. Tivoli Gardens is one of the world’s oldest theme parks, offering music, thrilling rides and a fantastic atmosphere. Most visitors to the capital will also venture to see the Little Mermaid statue in the harbour and if you want to discover more about Han Christian Anderson and his iconic fairy tales, the dedicated museum will show how his travels inspired his writing.
Helsingør
Found on the narrow point on the Øresund sound over the water from neighbouring Sweden, Helsingør (otherwise known as Elsinore) is famous as the site of Kronborg Castle. Although you may not have heard of this 16th-century gem, you’re likely to know its depiction in Shakespeare’s Hamlet as the inspiration for Elsinore. The site is heaving with history: climb its fortifications and visit its underground tunnels for a sight of the legend Holger the Dane. Elsingor is also home to the country’s National Maritime Museum with interactive, family-friendly exhibits found in a mesmerising glass and concrete underground structure.
Rønne
Rønne is the main town on the island of Bornholm in Denmark. It lies to the east of the mainland in the Baltic Sea and has the accolade of the sunniest place in the country. There’s something for everyone on this island, from sand dunes to forests, pretty postcard villages and white sandy beaches. A popular excursion is to the Hammershus castle ruins, the largest of their kind in Northern Europe. They sit, atop a hill on the northern shores of the island and give a glimpse into mediaeval Danish wealth and power. Rønne itself is a beautiful fishing town with timber houses, cobbled streets and a delicious gastronomy scene; there are ten working smokehouses on the island as well as one of the world’s best liquorice factories.
Skagen
At the northernmost point of the Danish mainland, Skagen is the place to explore the real Denmark. Away from cosmopolitan busyness, this small town of white picket fences and fishermans’ cottages is a rural idyll waiting to be explored. Understand why artists have found the area so inspiring in the museum and art gallery or go out and explore the wilds yourself, catching a glimpse of the majestic Grey Lighthouse and the many migratory birds and seals that call the area home. A great excursion option is to head the short journey north to Grenen to watch the North and Baltic sea collide - the perfect place for a dip in the Summer if you’re brave enough!
Check out our full Denmark guide
Estonia
Tallinn
Step back in time as you wander through the fairytale-esque cobbled streets of Estonia’s capital. The city still holds its mediaeval charm, with several interesting buildings to explore. The mighty Toompea Castle towers above Tallinn, with its mighty fortresses and red turrets. In contrast, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral is a beauty of curves and colour, with intricate frescos lining its walls. The past is still very much alive in Tallinn, with traditional craftspeople working and selling everything from amber jewellery to intricate lacework. To explore further, an excursion to the Estonian Open-Air Museum will take you back to the traditional ways of country life. Found in a coastal forest, it’s one of the world’s best ‘green museums’. Tallinn Zoo is another great way to spend the day, especially for families who will love to catch a sight of its elephants, camels and kangaroos.
Finland
Helsinki
Opposite the shores of Estonia’s Tallinn lies Helsinki, the Finnish capital. Different from its neighbour, Helsinki is a large metropolis that was rebuilt in 1808 after a devastating fire, modelled on the neoclassical charm of St Petersburg. Wide, tree-lined boulevards are the perfect place for Summer outdoor living. With a short season of warm weather, the Finnish take every opportunity to be outside and their cafe culture is a great way to relax and soak up the local charm and atmosphere. An excursion to Nuuksio National Park is perfect for forest bathing, experiencing a Finnish sauna and getting up close to the local reindeer. A trip to the nearby town of Porvoo is another excellent recommendation. This area has retained its traditional Finnish architecture with narrow, winding streets filled with colourful timber houses on a picturesque river.
Turku
This historic Finnish city is the country’s former capital. Founded in 1229, it lies on the banks of the River Aura and acts as a gateway to the world’s largest archipelago of 20,000 islands. Exploring the islands is easy with yellow ferries taking visitors to idyllic rural communities and uninhabited reserves, ripe for exploration. When you enter the city of Turku, you’ll be overwhelmed by the greenery within the small centre, where the interesting shops and boutiques are hard to resist. Coffee lovers will be in their element in this caffeine-obsessed country and art fans will love the city’s gallery, which houses 7,600 Finnish pieces, ranging from pop art and surrealism, to intricate landscapes. The wine scene is also booming, with local varieties breaking the mould, produced with sea buckthorn and lingonberries. Whilst in Turku, we also highly recommend the Market Hall, which is the best place to discover the local cuisine, including giant shrimp, reindeer and horseradish.
Check out our full Finland Guide
Latvia
Riga
Within the three Baltic states, Riga is the largest city with the widest choice of excursions. It has a heady mix of historic alleyways and wide, modern boulevards, plus plenty of beautiful churches and parks, all set on the gorgeous Daugava River. The influence of previous occupiers from Sweden, Russia and Poland are evident throughout the city, making it a fascinating place to explore on foot. Head to the Central Market to see one of Europe’s oldest and largest food halls in action and sample the local produce. Also, make time to sample the local coffee roasters and IPA beer - you won’t be disappointed! Out of the city, a visit to the mediaeval village of Sigulda offers two castles within the Gauja National Park. For a longer hike, the Kemeri National Park has a 5km peat bog trail which winds through a unique habitat with a chance to spot a wide variety of migrating birds.
Lithuania
Klaipeda
As the most southern cruise port in the Baltic states, Klaipeda has a different feel to that of its neighbours. German influences are evident throughout the city and there’s a great selection of beaches and sand dunes to explore. We recommend taking the ferry to Smiltyne beach which is surrounded by a beautiful evergreen forest. The city of Klaipeda has been formed around the cobbled Teatro Square, with its striking clock tower, and from here, there’s plenty of streets, lined with timber houses and antique street lights, to explore. Reminiscent of a German town, tourists are led to the riverside, which now acts as the artisan district, with plenty of cafes, boutiques and galleries. Throughout, the city is filled with sculptures, all with their own stories, and a handy map from the tourist information centre will help you spot even the tiny, hidden gems.
Sweden
Gothenburg
Sweden's second largest city may be a cosmopolitan centre but look closer and it will surprise you with its myriad of green spaces and some of the best food and drink in the country. Located by the gateway to the Baltic sea, a trip to the namesake Museum is a must for history fans to understand the heritage of the area. Only founded in the seventeenth century, the city quickly turned from fishing village to a shipbuilding hub and much later, home of Volvo cars. Evidence of this meteoric rise is evident throughout the small city with its world-famous sea food and fascinating architecture. Families must visit the 100-year-old Liseberg theme park or Slottsskogen zoo, where a chance to glimpse exotic animals is combined with a walk in the stunning parklands. There’s also a wonderful Botanical garden, an archipelago which can be easily accessed by boat and amazing restaurants for all budgets, where amazing fresh produce is combined with world flavours.
Karlskrona
The city of Karlskrona was established as a Swedish naval base over 300 years ago and the military feel still dominates today. It’s a unique place, on its very own set of islands 6km from the mainland. There’s an interesting naval museum on the water with a wide collection of vessels and weapons or the local Blekinge Museum, which tells the story of the fascinating archipelago with a gorgeous suntrap garden to explore at the end. For those looking to explore further on foot, a walk across the bridge to Stakholmen is highly recommended. This unique island is striking in its appearance, appearing to be one large rock, surrounded by grass mounds and dotted with WWII pill boxes waiting to tell their stories.
Nynashamn
Lying 60 km south of Stockholm, Nyashamn is a great port for those wishing to visit the capital and its many attractions. There’s an easy train service taking you to the centre in under an hour. Nynashamn itself is a sailing paradise and acted as a muse for many of Sweden’s famous authors. It’s a great contrast to the big city, with plenty of attractions for a day’s excursion. They have a world-famous microbrewery and some of the best smoked fish in the country. Enjoy traditional Fikå with coffee and the region’s Sorunda Tårta - a layered cake made with apple or prune. It’s easy to spend a day exploring Nynashamn, with its small harbour and craft shops and endless walking opportunities, or many head to Knappelskär beach which is a wonderful place for a day by the sea.
Stockholm
There’s so much to see and do in Stockholm. As many Baltic cruises begin from the capital, it’s highly recommended to arrive a few days early to have lots of exploring time. Set over fourteen islands and within a much larger archipelago, Stockholm is blessed with natural beauty and its architecture compliments this perfectly. In Gamla Stan, the old town, you’ll find the beautiful Opera House, Royal Palace and Nobel Museum among historic squares and colourful timber houses. Modern additions to the city add to the feeling of wonderment, with a highlight being the geometric Victoria Tower. Heading out of the city centre, a sightseeing boat trip around some of the gorgeous islands offers a different perspective of the capital. The largest place to stop is Öland, which boasts the magnificent Borgholm Castle, windmills and plenty of beaches. You’ll also find a wealth of museums and galleries in Stockholm dedicated to everything from naval history to ABBA, plus delicious restaurants combining traditional Swedish ingredients, such as moose and pickled herring, with modern cooking methods.
Visby
Visby lies on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea between the mainlands of Sweden and Latvia. It’s the sunniest place in Sweden and a cultural gem. Settled by the Vikings and a historic place of importance for the following centuries, it is surrounded by a 3.5km wall, laden with towers and views of the moat below, and is the best preserved of its kind in Northern Europe. Within, traditional cottages and churches line the winding streets. The Gotland Museum is a great place to discover more about the town’s fascinating past, or take a short excursion to Tofta Viking Village, which will bring it alive before your eyes. Whilst in Visby, a trip to the botanical gardens is highly recommended and also make sure to take time to sample the local delicacy, saffranspannkaka - a saffron-flavoured pancake served with cream and berries.
Check out our full Sweden guide
GET.cruises will help you find the best cruise deals . Search for your perfect Baltics cruise holiday and compare prices from all the major travel agents.
