Where to go on a Nordic-Baltic adventure
Our Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga tour lets you explore three unique cities in the Nordic-Baltic regions with like-minded people. See Helsinki - the world's second most northerly capital - a compact, creative city with an intriguing history. Enjoy the fairy tale charm of the medieval Old Town in Tallinn and the flamboyant, art nouveau architecture in the cosmopolitan city of Riga.
View our Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga tour
What to see
Helsinki
We start with Helsinki, the capital of Finland, located in the far south of the country. Helsinki is built on a peninsula with natural harbours that lend themselves to the city's nature-focused atmosphere.
Helsinki was founded in the 16th century by King Gustav I Vasa to compete with the city of Reval (now Tallinn, Estonia), once the most significant medieval port in the Gulf of Finland. In 1747, the Swedish parliament decided to build a central fortress, including a naval base in Helsinki. The ambitious fortification plans had to be scaled down a few years after the construction began, although it still took almost 40 years to finish. However, in 1808, Russia conquered the entire area of present-day Finland and made Helsinki the capital of a new autonomous region - the Grand Duchy of Finland.
Finland regained its independence in 1917 in the midst of the First World War and the Russian Revolution. And in 1917, as the war ended, the fortress was renamed Suomenlinna (Fortress of Finland) to reflect Finland’s independence and annexed to the state of Finland. The fortress still stands today, straddling six of Helsinki’s islands, and we visit Suomenlinna on the third day of our Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga tour.
Through the second half of the 1900s, the development of the city was expedited by the 1952 Olympic Games, where it saw a rapid increase in visitors. And you can still visit the Olympic Stadium, the visitor's centre and the tower.
Visit the whitewashed neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral or the Russian Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral - both offer unique insight into Finland's religious and political past. If the unpredictable Finnish weather cooperates, perhaps take a stroll through Esplanadi - or Espa to those in the know. In the warmer months, residents and tourists flock to Espa for picnics, and the space in front of Cafe Kappeli hosts a wide range of shows and live music, including a jazz festival.
"Interesting to see three different countries and cultures. I was surprised that Helsinki was a relatively new capital and was a small town pre-1818. Now it's a Nordic marvel." - John from Bowdon
Tallinn
Directly below Finland, across the Baltic Sea, is Estonia. While records of settlements date back as far as the end of the first millennium, the city we see today began with a small town and fortress, Toompea Castle.
The city's tumultuous past saw it captured by Danes, passed to Sweden and then captured by the Russians before it became the capital of a newly independent Estonia in 1918. This was not to last as Estonia was annexed to the Soviet Union from 1940 - 1991 and occupied by German forces from 1941 - 1944. Despite so much disruption and destruction, many of Tallinn's relics have survived or been restored, including Kadriorg Palace, which we visit on the fourth day of our Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga tour.
Kadriorg Palace was built by Tsar Peter the Great in the 18th century - while Tallinn was under Russian rule - in honour of his wife, Catherine I. The palace was Italian and designed with an ornate main hall that is one of the most exquisite examples of Baroque architecture in Estonia and northern Europe. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the palace was left ownerless and fell into disrepair before being reopened as an art museum ten years later. The three levelled palace now features a mixture of architectural styles, including a banquet hall and winter garden - added in 1993 to the rear façade of the palace. Today, it houses one of the country's best art collections which we explore on our first day in the city.
Tallinn's Old Town is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Within the walls of this historic centre, you'll find some record breaking architecture including the oldest continually operating apothecary in Europe and St Olaf's church, which was once the tallest building in the world. There’s also a fascinating defensive wall and tower system dating back to the Middle Ages and one of the best-preserved Gothic town halls.
As we journey towards Riga, we visit Estonia's second-largest city, Tartu – and one of the unluckiest. It’s been destroyed several times once by Estonians in 1061 then Germans in 1224, by the Great Northern War in 1708 and then by fire in 1775 –so while the city dates almost 5000 years, most of the building only date back to the 18th century. It's home to one of the country's most renowned universities and Estonia's cultural capital.
"Very interesting area of Europe that I have not been to before. Interesting to learn more about its history, culture & politics." - Valerie from Reading
Riga
Latvia is the final destination. It became independent from the USSR in 1990 and since then has developed into one of the busiest countries in trade; the Port of Ventspils is the busiest in the Baltic States. Latvia’s capital, Riga, is the largest city of the Baltic Islands and has been a prominent trade location since the Viking Age due to its location at the mouth of the Daugava, the Baltic's longest river. The city we see today was founded by German Christians to aid in converting the Balts, at the time Europe's largest remaining pagan population. Their plans were successful as Riga became a Bishop's seat and Christianity prevailed over Latvia. The main churches of Riga's Old Town and other buildings remain from this era.
From the 16th century to the end of the First World War saw Riga under the rule of Polish-Lithuanian forces, Sweden and Russia before being seized back by Latvians in 1918. It was then occupied again in 1940 as World War Two raged throughout Europe until 1990 when Latvia declared independence again.
The historical influences of occupying forces can be seen throughout the city, which described is as the European Capital of Culture in 2014. Its architecture is astounding and diverse - Art Nouveau-style buildings are often side by side with Gothic churches - making it a fascinating city to explore.
After a walking tour of Riga's Old Town, enjoy free time to explore the city at your leisure. Why not visit the House of the Black Heads? Its opulent Dutch Renaissance facade is a unique blend of architectural styles spanning several periods. Here you'll find a museum exhibiting items that once belonged to the Brotherhood of the Blackheads - a guild of unmarried merchants, shipowners and foreigners residing in Riga from the 14th century. The brotherhood was known for throwing wild parties and legend has it, they were the first to publicly displayed a Christmas tree.
This UNESCO celebrates Riga’s history as a meeting point for European countries. Riga, the cosmopolitan cornerstone of the Baltic, is the perfect place to end the holiday.
What to pack
The Nordic and Baltic regions stay relatively cool for the entire year, with highs around 26°C in July, dropping as low as -7°C in February.
From May to September, the temperature can range from 26°C - 14°C, and the weather can be unpredictable. Pack for all potential weather conditions wind, rain and - if you're lucky - lots of sunshine!
Fact File:
- Currency: Euro
- Language: Finnish, Swedish, Estonian, Latvian
- Flight Time: 2 hrs 50
- Time Zone: GMT+2
Travelling alone? We also offer this tour for solo travellers.
