Iconic Capitals & Towns of the Baltic

Discover Helsinki on Finland’s southern coast, where historic landmarks stand alongside contemporary architecture. Walk through the city center and view neoclassical buildings, public squares, and modern design. Browse shops and dine in the lively Kallio district, known for local restaurants and cafés. Sample graavilohi, a traditional cured salmon specialty. Visit Keskuspuisto Park near the city center and enjoy walking trails, green spaces, and a quieter side of the Finnish capital.

Explore Tallinn on Estonia’s Baltic coast and discover one of Northern Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. Walk through the UNESCO-listed Old Town and follow narrow streets lined with historic buildings. See the Gothic Town Hall, Kiek in de Kök Tower, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and Toompea Castle. Learn about Tallinn’s role as a major medieval trading center through its landmarks, squares, and fortified walls. Experience centuries of history in a city that preserves its heritage at every turn.

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 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, between wild nature, nature reserves, meteor craters and windmills.

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 Djurgården, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centers: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th century three-mast, 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.

This old Hanseatic city lies to 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 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 specialities, namely saffron pancakes with red fruit.

Included Excursion
Free time in Visby
Duration : 6h00
Imagine disembarking in a place surrounded by natural beauty and cultural treasures, where each landscape promises a unique adventure. On this escapade, you will be free to roam, alone or with a PONANT destination expert, and discover the hidden gems of the place at your own pace. Take the time to immerse yourself in the history and culture, savor the local cuisine, stroll around and explore the local arts and crafts, or unwind on a heavenly beach. This will be an opportunity to lose yourself in the beauty of the moment and fully enjoy the essence of the town.  

Visby, a medieval gem cradled by the Baltic Sea, invites you to enjoy an enchanted interlude. Let the whispers of the past guide you as you wander its centuries-old ramparts and cobbled streets. Stroll at your leisure under the gentle Gotland sun, explore the remains of medieval churches and let the sparkling sea whisper its secrets to you. The cafes, tucked away in shady corners, invite you to linger a while, savor a tasty dish and daydream. 

No pre-booking required; open to all guests.

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 muldings and gables that enhance the colorful façades of the houses. Along the Vistula Quays, you can take a pleasant stroll among the crafts 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 astronomic clock. Not far, the majestic Long Market square offers the famous Artus Court and the rich Gdansk History Museum.

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.

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 weaves 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.