Winter in the Baltics, Helsinki & Stockholm – 10 Days
Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki and Stockholm in winter, with an overnight Baltic ferry, in a group of up to 16.
Tour overview
This 10-day small-group journey explores the three Baltic capitals and two Nordic cities in winter, when the medieval old towns are dusted with snow and cafés glow with candlelight. Groups have between 4 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout. You travel by private bus and scheduled ferries, and stay nine nights: eight in comfortable hotels and one aboard an overnight ferry across the Baltic Sea. Breakfast is included daily, with a welcome dinner and a lunch, and group arrival and departure transfers are arranged.
The trip begins in Vilnius, Lithuania's baroque capital. You visit Trakai, the former capital, with its red-brick island castle on a frozen lake, and explore Vilnius's old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the way to Latvia you stop at the Hill of Crosses, where more than 100,000 crosses stand as a symbol of faith and resistance, then enjoy a tasting tour of the Laima Chocolate Museum in Riga.
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A two-hour walking tour of Riga takes in the castle, the Lutheran cathedral, St Peter's Church and the Swedish Gate, with time to discover the city's Art Nouveau architecture. Travelling north to Tallinn, you visit Estonia's oldest coffee shop and take a walking tour of the medieval upper and lower towns, from Toompea Palace to the old town walls and towers.
A ferry crosses the Gulf of Finland to Helsinki for a walking tour of the Finnish capital and free time to explore its design shops, saunas and harbourside markets. You then board an overnight ferry through the Stockholm archipelago, waking to breakfast on board before a three-hour city tour of Stockholm, spread across 14 islands, including the cobbled lanes of Gamla Stan.
The physical rating is low, with walking on snowy, icy streets. This trip suits travellers who love winter atmosphere and want to see five northern capitals in a short time, with transport and logistics arranged. Ferries are a highlight in themselves, with views of ice floes and wooded islands on the crossings.
Trip highlights
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Trakai island castle (Day 2)
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The Hill of Crosses (Day 3)
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Laima Chocolate Museum in Riga (Day 3)
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Tallinn's medieval old town (Day 6)
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A ferry to Helsinki (Day 7)
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An overnight Baltic ferry to Stockholm (Day 8)
Your route
7 stops from Vilnius to Stockholm
- Vilnius Days 1–2
- Trakai Day 2
- Hill of Crosses Day 3
- Riga Days 3–4
- Tallinn Days 5–6
- Helsinki Days 7–8
- Stockholm Day 9
Why choose this tour
Five northern capitals in ten days, with ferries between them. Snowy old towns and cosy cafés at their most atmospheric.
Best suited to
- Lovers of winter atmosphere
- Travellers short on time
- Solo travellers looking for a group
- First-time visitors to the Baltics
Day-by-day itinerary
10 days from Vilnius, Lithuania to Stockholm, Sweden
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Day 1 · Vilnius Arrive in Vilnius
Meet the group for a welcome dinner.
- Hotel
- Comfort Hotel LT or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 · Trakai, Vilnius Trakai and Vilnius
Visit Trakai island castle and tour Vilnius.
- Hotel
- Comfort Hotel LT or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Hill of Crosses, Riga Hill of Crosses to Riga
Stop at the Hill of Crosses, then a chocolate tasting in Riga.
- Hotel
- Riga Islande Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 4 · Riga Riga
A walking tour of the old town.
- Hotel
- Riga Islande Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Tallinn To Tallinn
Travel to Tallinn and visit Estonia's oldest café.
- Hotel
- Go Hotel Shnelli or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Toompea, Tallinn Old Town Tallinn
A walking tour of Tallinn's landmarks.
- Hotel
- Go Hotel Shnelli or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Helsinki Ferry to Helsinki
Cross to Helsinki for a walking tour.
- Hotel
- Original Sokos Hotel Albert or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Helsinki, Baltic Sea Helsinki and overnight ferry
Free time in Helsinki, then an overnight ferry to Stockholm.
- Hotel
- Overnight ferry
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 9 · Stockholm, Gamla Stan Stockholm
A three-hour city tour of Stockholm.
- Hotel
- Best Western Time Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Stockholm Trip ends in Stockholm
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Vilnius (2 nights) Comfort Hotel LT or similar
- Riga (2 nights) Riga Islande Hotel or similar
- Tallinn (2 nights) Go Hotel Shnelli or similar
- Helsinki (1 night) Original Sokos Hotel Albert or similar
- Baltic Sea (1 night) Overnight ferry
- Stockholm (1 night) Best Western Time Hotel or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 8 nights in hotels and 1 on an overnight ferry
- Meals 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
- Private bus, a Tallinn–Helsinki ferry and an overnight ferry to Stockholm
- Trakai Castle and the Hill of Crosses
- Laima Chocolate Museum tasting tour
- Walking tours of Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki and Stockholm
- Group arrival and departure transfers
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Vilnius and from Stockholm
- Meals not included 7 lunches and 8 dinners
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You dislike the cold — winter days are short and freezing
- You want a private cabin guaranteed — ferry cabins are simple
- You want many meals included — mostly breakfasts
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,805 per person, twin share, tour only. 11 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £2,157 (single supplement from £352).
Offer Reduced prices on selected dates, shown with the regular price crossed out. Book by 16 Oct.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How cold will it be?
Temperatures are often below freezing, with short daylight hours. Pack warm layers and boots with good grip.
What is the overnight ferry like?
A large Baltic ferry with simple cabins, restaurants and shops, sailing through the Stockholm archipelago.
Which countries do we visit?
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Sweden.
Are airport transfers included?
Yes, group arrival and departure transfers are included.
When does this trip run?
In the winter months, from late autumn to early spring.
How many people travel together?
Between 4 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary