Baltic Sea Cruises

Explore Europe’s Quaint Cities

Cruising the coasts of the Baltic Sea is an invitation to an abundance of breathtaking scenery, including endlessly vast fjords and narrow coastal inlets, as well as the beautiful architecture and rich culture embracing each port city. This Northern Europe region is famed for its dramatic coastline and quaint cities across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and more. Temperatures can be brisk, so wrap up warm and don your sturdiest boots — you’re sure to do some mileage on the many cobbled streets, as each one is filled with fascinating delights!

On a Baltic Sea cruise, you’ll dock at a number of charming port cities that are packed with imposing buildings and exciting things to do. Discover the turbulent past of Berlin, explore the postcard-perfect islands of Stockholm and see the white-washed buildings in Helsinki. Set sail for Tallinn, Estonia’s capital — enchanting visitors with its UNESCO-listed mediaeval Old Town. Visit the ports of Riga and Klaipėda, the picturesque cities in Latvia and Lithuania. Cruise ships also call at the colourful Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, which is home to some of Europe’s most-loved attractions like the Tivoli Gardens and the Little Mermaid statue.

Must-visit Baltic Cities

Tallinn, Estonia

Set along the Baltic Sea, Tallinn is Estonia’s atmospheric capital, complete with one of the World’s best-preserved Old Towns — a treasure trove of old houses, museums and long-standing café culture! Step back in time as you meander through the cobblestone streets, where you’ll pass by some of the city’s most legendary sights like the 13th-century Town Hall in the main square and the mediaeval churches of St. Nicholas and St. Olaf. Marvel at the sweeping city views of red roofs and spires from St. Olaf’s tower and pop into Maiasmokk, the oldest cafe in Estonia, for a sweet break!

Berlin, Germany

Decades after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the captivating German capital welcomes visitors with an eclectic blend of storied past and elegant urban glamour. Trace the remainders of the world-renowned Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery, which has been transformed into an open-air art canvas — now adorned by creative murals and graffiti reflecting the people’s reactions towards the pivotal moment in world history as the Cold War comes to an end. You can also stroll around the Gendarmenmarkt square, home to German and French cathedrals and the Berlin Concert House.

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, comprising 14 islands connected by 50 bridges. Gamla Stan, the Old Town in the city centre, is where you’ll find some of the city's most recognised landmarks, including the Royal Palace, Nobel Museum and the Storkyrkan Cathedral. This mediaeval centre is a living museum, giving you the opportunity to step into Sweden’s past, wandering through cobbled streets, with old-style houses, cafes, bookstores and castles. Meanwhile, Djurgården is the place to be for those who want to go museum-hopping. Don’t miss out on visiting Vasa Museum, Skansen open-air museum and ABBA: The Museum.

History and Culture

The Baltic Sea region is steeped with fascinating history, showcased by the Old Towns, centuries-old churches and war monuments and memorials. Each country along the shoreline of the Baltic Sea offers a diverse array of historic sites that offer an insight into the region’s rich heritage. Whether you’re a history buff or a culture vulture, or simply just want to go sightseeing, the Baltics has something for everyone. These are some of the highlights you shouldn’t miss:

Tallinn’s Old Town has endured centuries of domination by foreign rulers — earning it a UNESCO World Heritage title!
Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial, formally known as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, honours and commemorates the Jewish victims during the Holocaust.
Kėdainiai’s Old Town is a veritable open-air museum, home to historic squares and a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicist-style buildings.

Things to Do in the Baltics

Explore Copenhagen’s scenic outdoors

Cobbled bike-friendly streets, world-class museums and a thrilling concoction of modern and vintage giving off a distinctly classy vibe all come together to make Copenhagen one of the best urban adventures throughout Europe. Nyhaven, the 17th-century waterfront, greets travellers as soon as they arrive — where colourful buildings line the canal like a postcard straight out of a fairytale.The majestic Rosenborg Castle is another of those fairytale-perfect places, featuring turrets, moats and a story of treasure. Keep an eye out to Copengahen’s iconic Little Mermaid statue, who quietly watches over the harbour, as you come near the dock.

Admire Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture

Riga, Latvia’s historic capital, is known for the striking Art Nouveau architecture gracing its streets. The busy Centrs neighbourhood is a hotspot for admiring the early-1900s art nouveau buildings and ornate facades, so be sure to drop by for an up-close and personal glimpse of this architectural style! A haven for culture enthusiasts, this city boasts museums, concert halls and colourful houses that make perfect backdrops for photos. Take a leisurely walk around the pedestrian-only Old Town, a UNESCO-listed historic centre, dotted with countless restaurants, cafes and bars.

Experience the magic in Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens is arguably the most popular destination in Copenhagen, the world’s second-largest amusement park and is believed to be the inspiration for Disneyland. The 20-acre park has been providing entertainment for guests, adults and children alike, since its opening in 1843. It features a vast number of theme park rides settling amongst the over 4000,000 flowers and sparkling light installations. The best time to visit is in winter, which brings the enchanting charm of Christmas markets, twinkling illuminations and festive music, plus an opportunity to ice-skate to the sounds of waltz music under the snow-frosted lights!

Baltic Sea Cruises at a Glance...

Baltic Sea Cruise FAQs

Which cruise lines are the best for a Baltic Sea cruise?

The Baltics is a popular cruise destination and many cruise lines offer year-round sailings with different itineraries. You can choose to sail with luxury cruise lines like Azamara, Ponant, Seabourn and Silversea. Other mainstream cruise lines that sail to the Baltics include Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and P&O Cruises.

When is the best time to cruise the Baltic Sea?

The high season for a Baltic Sea cruise is during summer, between July and August, when the streets are alive with events, the forests are lush and the temperatures are pleasant. Summer is also the season with most cruises to the Baltics, so you have more choices. These cruises typically last one to two weeks.

What countries does a Baltic cruise cover?

Baltic Sea cruises mostly offer itineraries across some of the most beautiful countries in Northern Europe. Primarily, the Baltic states are composed of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. However, Baltic Sea cruises go beyond these three countries. Other countries surrounding the Baltic Sea are Denmark, Germany, Finland, Poland and Sweden.

What port cities does a Baltic cruise visit?

Most Baltic Sea cruise itineraries include the port cities of Tallinn, Riga, Klaipėda, Copenhagen, Berlin, Helsinki, Gdańsk and Stockholm. Some also offer sailings to the anish islands of Christiansø and Bornholm. Among these, six are the country’s capitals: Tallinn for Estonia, Riga for Latvia, Copenhagen for Denmark, Berlin for Germany, Helsinki for Finland and Stockholm for Sweden.

What is the best currency for a Baltic cruise?

Since you’ll visit different countries on a Baltic Sea cruise, finding the best currency to use might be a bit tricky. The Euro is the best bet. It’s the official currency used in most of the countries, including the three Baltic states, Finland and Germany. Most states surrounding the Baltic Sea accept the Euro as well. Major credit cards are also widely accepted for more convenience.

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