9 days · 4 countries
Highlights of Helsinki & the Baltics
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Get notifiedExperience the highlights of Helsinki & the Baltics over 9 incredible days. Explore Northern Europe and all 3 Baltic capitals!
- Duration
- 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Route
- Helsinki → Vilnius
- Countries
- Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
- Activity level
- Moderate (3 of 5)
- A multi-country coach tour alternating travel days with free days, plus a walking tour of up to three hours in each city
- Accommodation
- 3- and 4-star hotels throughout, for 8 nights
- Meals
- 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
- Group
- Small group, up to 14
- Guide
- English-speaking tour leader throughout, plus local guides in each city
- Transport
- Air-conditioned coach
- Best time to go
- Runs in October: cool autumn days across the Baltics, with crisp air and cold evenings
Tour overview
Experience this unforgettable, 9-day Highlights of Helsinki & The Baltics tour! Embark on guided tours of Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Experience Trakai Island Castle and the seaside towns of Pärnu and Saulkrasti. Uncover history, charming cities and more!
Highlights
- Join a local guide for a walking tour of Helsinki, Finland’s capital
- Catch a ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn
- Enjoy lunch at a medieval restaurant in Tallinn
- Discover Tallinn with a local guide
- Sightsee in Pärnu; a resort city in Estonia
- Visit Saulkrasti; a Latvian seaside town
- Learn about Latvian history at the Latvian War Cemetery
- Discover Riga; Latvia’s vibrant capital
Show all 11 highlightsShow fewer highlights
- Visit the famous Hill of Crosses in Lithuania
- Marvel at Trakai Island Castle
- Explore Vilnius; capital of Lithuania
Route and hotels
Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.
Helsinki
2 nights · Days 1–2
Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel
Tallinn
2 nights · Days 3–4
Metropol Hotel
Pärnu
Day 5 · on the way
Latvian Military Cemetery
Day 5 · on the way
Riga
2 nights · Days 5–6
Hestia Hotel Jugend
Hill of Crosses
Day 7 · on the way
Trakai
Day 7 · on the way
Vilnius
2 nights · Days 7–8
Art City Inn Hotel
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Start of tour in Helsinki
Meals included: Dinner
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is where you arrive and meet your tour leader and the rest of the group at the hotel, before a locally-guided tour takes in top sights, among them Senate Square, the Uspenski Cathedral, the Havis Amanda and the Kauppatori Market. A welcome dinner awaits this evening at a local restaurant.
Included
- Guided walking tour of Helsinki: Havis Amanda, Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral
- Dinner with the group
- Overnight
- Helsinki
- Hotel
- Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2
Helsinki: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastHelsinki offers a free day to discover a city consistently ranked among the world’s happiest and most liveable. The optional Helsinki+ excursion includes a guided tour of Suomenlinna Fortress, out on the island for a picnic lunch, and some local delights at a well-known café. Or you can spend the time exploring by yourself, however you wish.
Included
- Free time in Helsinki
Optional extras
- Helsinki+ · AED 340 per person
- Overnight
- Helsinki
- Hotel
- Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3
Helsinki – Tallinn
Meals included: BreakfastLunch
The Baltic adventure begins today, with a ferry crossing over the Gulf of Finland towards Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. In the afternoon, lunch is at a historic restaurant in the Old Town. A locally-guided tour then takes in Tallinn’s cobblestone streets and medieval architecture, with more of the city’s history along the way.
Included
- Lunch at a medieval restaurant in Tallinn’s Old Town Square
- Guided walking tour of Tallinn, including St Olav’s Church and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Travel
- Helsinki → Tallinn by ferry across the Gulf of Finland
- Overnight
- Tallinn
- Hotel
- Metropol Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 4
Tallinn: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastHaving had an introduction to Tallinn’s top attractions yesterday, today is a chance to discover this city in more depth. Its small size makes it simple to get around and explore on foot. You can visit the 12th-century St Olaf’s Church, or join the optional Essence of Estonia excursion, offering a look into the country’s rural past.
Included
- Free time in Tallinn
Optional extras
- The Essence of Estonia · AED 320 per person
- Overnight
- Tallinn
- Hotel
- Metropol Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5
Tallinn – Pärnu – Latvian Military Cemetery – Riga
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
Pärnu comes first, before the border crossing into Latvia. Known as a popular summer spot among Estonians, this seaside resort town welcomes a stop. Saulkrasti follows, a picturesque Latvian coastal town. Later, in Riga, the group pays respects at the Brothers’ Cemetery, before checking into the hotel. An orientation tour then covers Riga’s Old Town and its Art Nouveau architecture.
Included
- Orientation stop in Pärnu
- Stop in the seaside town of Saulkrasti
- Visit to the Latvian Military Cemetery
- Orientation tour of Riga’s Old Town
- Travel
- Tallinn → Pärnu → Riga by coach, via the Latvian Military Cemetery
- Overnight
- Riga
- Hotel
- Hestia Hotel Jugend
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 6
Riga: Free Day
Meals included: Breakfast
Riga is yours for a full free day. With more than 800 years of history, the city has plenty to offer in architectural wonders and green spaces. The House of the Black Heads stands among its sights, with local cuisine to try at the Central Market and Soviet history to uncover on the optional Riga+ excursion.
Included
- Free time in Riga
Optional extras
- Riga+ · AED 300 per person
- Overnight
- Riga
- Hotel
- Hestia Hotel Jugend
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 7
Riga – Hill of Crosses – Trakai – Vilnius
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
The border crossing from Latvia into Lithuania brings the first stop of the day, the Hill of Crosses, a site of real religious importance. Trakai is next, a quaint town where the fairytale Trakai Island Castle stands. Later, the tour reaches Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, where an orientation tour takes in the Vilnius Cathedral, the Church of St Anne and Gediminas Tower. Local cuisine is served at dinner this evening.
Included
- Visit to the Hill of Crosses
- Visit to Trakai Island Castle
- Orientation tour of Vilnius’s Old Town
- Dinner with the group
- Travel
- Riga → Hill of Crosses → Trakai → Vilnius by coach
- Overnight
- Vilnius
- Hotel
- Art City Inn Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 8
Vilnius: Free Day
Meals included: Breakfast
Vilnius wakes to a morning of its own. Lithuania’s turbulent past shows through striking street art and museums around the capital. Yet there is plenty of life in Vilnius too, and locals take every opportunity to celebrate the city’s freedom. You can head up to Gediminas Tower or the Hill of Three Crosses for views across the city, or simply walk the cobbled lanes through what is one of Europe’s biggest old towns.
Included
- Free time in Vilnius
- Overnight
- Vilnius
- Hotel
- Art City Inn Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 9
End of tour in Vilnius
Meals included: BreakfastAfter 9 days of top attractions in Helsinki and many Baltic highlights, this trip from Helsinki to Vilnius draws to a close this morning, with one final breakfast together. It is worth swapping contact details with the travel friends you have made, before everyone goes their separate ways.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Dates & prices
Sold out. Every date below is full. Leave your details and we will tell you if seats come back or new dates are out.
Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room. A single room costs the supplement shown.
FromTue 20 Oct 2026ToWed 28 Oct 2026
Sold out
AED 5,858
Single room supplement +AED 2,222 single
Full
What’s included
Included
- 8 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability
- 8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
- Fully-guided tour
Not included
- Flights: Arrange your own flights for the start and end of the tour
- Travel insurance: Purchase a suitable policy that meets your needs
Optional extras
Excursions and upgrades you can add to the tour. Prices are per person.
Helsinki+
A guided tour and picnic lunch on Suomenlinna island, finished with a Finnish pastry and coffee at a well-known café. €80, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 340 per person
The Essence of Estonia
A guided walk through the Estonian Open Air Museum’s historic farmsteads and windmills, with a two-course lunch at a traditional tavern on site. €75, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 320 per person
Riga+
A tour of the House of the Black Heads, time at the Riga Central Market, and a visit to the Corner House Museum, the former KGB headquarters. €70, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 300 per person
To add an extra, mention it in your booking notes, and we confirm it with your seats before you pay. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day instead: their description says so.
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Good to know
Practical details to read before you travel.
Passport & visas
Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are all in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa covers the whole tour.
UAE passport holders don’t need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but will need the EU’s new ETIAS travel authorisation once it starts: we can tell you where it stands when you book. Most other nationalities living in the UAE need a Schengen visa. You can apply up to six months before you travel, and appointments in Dubai fill up quickly before the summer, so start early.
Your passport must be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area and have been issued within the last ten years, with two blank pages. Your UAE residence visa should be valid for at least three months after you return. Our visa team handles Schengen applications: ask us when you book.
Flights and timings
Flights to Helsinki and home from Vilnius aren’t included.
Day 1 starts at the Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel in Helsinki, where you check in from 11:15 am and meet your tour leader. The tour ends in Vilnius on day 9, after breakfast.
Our team can book your flights from Dubai to match.
Meals and dietary needs
Breakfast is included every day, plus a lunch in Tallinn and three dinners along the way.
Tell us about any dietary needs, halal included, when you book, and we pass them on before the tour.
Money
Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all use the euro, so you won’t need to change currency during this tour. Cards are widely accepted, but it is worth carrying some cash for markets and small cafés.
Optional experiences booked on tour are paid to your tour leader in cash or by card, in the currency shown.
Weather and packing
Pack layers for cool autumn days and cold evenings, a rain jacket and comfortable shoes for the included walking tours in each city.
Visiting the Hill of Crosses
The Hill of Crosses is an active pilgrimage site with more than 200,000 crosses, carvings and shrines left by visitors over centuries. Dress modestly and keep noise down out of respect for those visiting to pray.
Plan your trip
Our Dubai team arranges what goes around the tour, so it is booked in one place.
Visas
One Schengen visa covers the Schengen countries on this route. Our visa team in Dubai applies for UAE residents once the tour is booked.
Flights
Flights are not included. We can book them with the tour: Dubai to Helsinki, and home from Vilnius.
Pay in instalments
Split the cost with Tabby or Tamara, or over 3 to 12 months on a UAE bank credit card for bookings from AED 1,000.
Sold out: get notified
Every date of this tour is sold out. Leave your details and we will tell you if seats come back or new dates are out.
Questions about this tour
What will my days actually look like?
Full days, zero filler. Most mornings start with breakfast before heading out to the main sights with your Tour Leader or a local guide. Afternoons often include free time to wander, find a coffee or join an Optional Experience. Expect a good amount of walking too. On some days, you could spend two to three hours on your feet. Comfortable shoes are your best friend.
Who will I be travelling with?
People from all over the world. Different ages, different backgrounds, same instinct to see more. Groups have on average between 35-45 travellers. By day three, you’ll already know everyone's name.
What are the hotels like?
Clean, comfortable and well located. Mostly 3 to 4 star, with private en-suite bathrooms. They're chosen so you can sleep well and feel ready for the next day. They're not the centrepiece. The destinations are. But they're never an afterthought.
How active is this tour?
All travellers carry their own bags, including up hotel stairs where needed. Walking tours can last up to three hours, and some sites involve a fair number of steps. Read through the itinerary to decide if the pace is right for you.
How do Optional Experiences work?
Optional Experiences happen during your tour's free-time slots, and your Tour Leader will tell you about what's on offer during the tour. Most can be booked on the day, but some are pre-sold and must be purchased before your tour begins, so it's worth checking the tour page beforehand to see what's available and get in touch with our team to book anything in advance.
Will I have time to explore on my own?
Yes. Free time is built into the itinerary, giving you space to wander and explore at your own pace. Your Tour Leader can point you towards the places worth your time, so you're never left completely to figure it out yourself.
What support do I have while I'm on tour?
Your Tour Leader is there to look after you during your tour. They know the places most people walk straight past, they'll have a restaurant recommendation ready before you've asked, and they'll sort anything that comes up along the way. All transport and accommodation are arranged for you.
You'll also have a 24-hour emergency contact number and the Holidayys team in Dubai.
How do I book Highlights of Helsinki & the Baltics?
Press Book now, choose a date and your rooms, and enter each traveller as their passport shows. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away. Our Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails you a secure payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
When do I pay?
Once the tour operator confirms your seats. We email you a secure payment link for the total in AED, and your booking is complete when it is paid. To pay in instalments, say so in your booking notes.
Is the price per person?
Yes. Prices are per person sharing a double or twin room. Travelling alone? A single room costs the supplement shown next to each date.
Are flights included?
Only when the tour lists them under what is included. We can book flights from the UAE to the start city and home from the end city with your tour.
Do I need a visa?
That depends on your passport and the countries on the route. Our visa team arranges Schengen and other visas for UAE residents, and can apply for yours once the tour is booked.
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