Islands and cities, from the North Sea to the Baltic

Located along the Glomma estuary, Fredrikstad stands out for its strong historical character and canal-lined setting. Founded in 1567, the fortified old town still holds visible remnants of its early defenses. Walk through narrow, stone-paved streets lined with wooden houses, local shops, and busy cafés. Explore the nearly 500-year-old ramparts that remain intact. Outside the town, follow marked trails along the Oslofjord or head to nearby islands like Hanko for coastal paths, beaches, and green open spaces.

In northern Denmark, along the Limfjorden, Aalborg blends Viking history with modern culture. Head to the Aalborg Tower for wide views of the city and surrounding landscape. Visit museums like the Utzon Center to see local art and design. Walk through JomfruAneGade, a lively street lined with Danish fashion stores, cafés, and restaurants. Try regional dishes such as the traditional “platte” served in many eateries nearby.

Connected to the far eastern side of Sealand island, a few kilometers away from the Swedish coasts, Copenhagen offers you the high color of Scandinavian capitals. You can discover the city's riches that weave through the canal networks through the historical districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn. Many palaces provide an apercu of Danish history. For eating, you can try out the smorrebrod, traditional Danish sandwiches made with ham, cheese, or smoked fish.

Lying in the south-west of the Baltic Sea, the medieval village of Gudhjem, on the island of Bornholm, is one of the most visited and most popular villages in Denmark. As you stroll along its picturesque streets, you will fall under the spell of its varied landscapes, its easy way of life, and the authenticity of this charming town with half-timbered houses topped with red roofs, in the Danish tradition. It is here, along these charming streets, that the first herring smokehouses were built in the mid-19th century, attracting all the region’s fishermen. Tucked away in a gorgeous natural setting composed of rocky cliffs, dense forests, and beaches of white sand, Gudhjem will provide an unforgettable interlude where time will seem to stand still.

This ravishing city on the Baltic Sea is nicknamed “the golden door of Poland”, and you’ll understand why when you see its beautiful Hanseatic architecture. You’ll be charmed by the mouldings and gables that enhance the colorful façades of the houses. Along the Vistula Quays, you can take a pleasant stroll among the craft shops. In elegant Mariacka Street, the amber jewelers will most certainly tempt you into their boutiques. You can visit the church of Saint-Mary and its astronomical clock. Not far, the majestic Long Market square offers the famous Artus Court and the rich Gdansk History Museum.

This old Hanseatic city lies on the west coast of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. Pass through the spectacular Visby fortifications and visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll discover the grand Visby homes of rich merchants as well as the lovely low wooden houses in the little cobbled streets. Don’t miss Saint Mary’s Cathedral with its octagonal steeples, as well as the Powder Tower along the fortifications. Make sure you stop over in one of the rose-adorned cafés; indeed, roses abound in this town, where you can taste one of the island’s specialties, namely saffron pancakes with red fruit.

The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Malar Lake and the Baltic Sea. In Gamla stan, meaning “old town” in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgarden, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centers: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th-century three-masted, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can take a ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world’s largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.

Welcome to Estonia’s largest island, Saaremaa, with its age-old history and mysterious charm. Located in the Baltic Sea, it closes off the Gulf of Riga. The episcopal castle, a medieval fortress and preserved witness of the rich history of the Baltic States, stands proudly in the island’s capital, Kuressaare. The island’s soils and mild climate give it an abundant and diverse nature, where forests, cliffs, dunes, and beaches flourish, becoming a haven for thousands of migratory birds every year. The island offers many treasures, including wild nature, nature reserves, meteor craters, and windmills.

Opening onto the Baltic Sea, to the far north of Estonia, the town of Tallinn will win you over with the picturesque charm of its architecture. You can meander through its little streets in the heart of the medieval center where its Gothic town hall has been standing since 1404. The Kiek in de Kök tower, the Orthodox Alexander Nevski cathedral, or Toompea castle give visitors a taste of this town’s rich past. The city was particularly active during the medieval period, as is demonstrated by the very beautiful monuments from this period that are still visible. Don't hesitate to lose yourself in the heart of Tallinn, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. Explore its historical center where the soft hues of neoclassical buildings are juxtaposed with spectacular modern constructions. The bustling Kallio district is teeming with boutiques and restaurants where you can taste some local specialities like graavilohi - a sweet, marinated, aromatic salmon dish. Keskuspuisto park, a stone’s throw from the center, is a good place to sit and unwind.