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Did you know there are some attractive countries to visit near Finland that you can travel to by train or on a cruise ship? Finland is not an out-of-the-way place that some people think it is. It is the northernmost country in the European Union, but it borders not only the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia and Gulf of Finland but also Sweden, Norway, and Russia. Are you ready to explore countries that are within easy reach from Finland?
1. Estonia
All in one day, you can travel to Tallinn which is the capital of Estonia from Helsinki in 2-2.5 hours on a cruise ship. There are various options for ferry operators from Helsinki to Tallinn. Prices are usually the same but they offer different services. You can check and compare the prices and services on Direct Ferries.
When you leave the ship, you can reach the Old Town Square without difficulty which is the best well-preserved medieval city and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. If you are interested in reading about Tallinn before your trip, you can find more information on Visit Estonia.
In the Tallinn Old Town, you can enjoy Free Tallinn Old Town Tour, traditional restaurants, bars, and museums as well as Tallinn Townhall and Cathedrals.
2. Russia
Could you guess how long it takes from Helsinki to St.Petersburg (Finljandski) by train? It takes only 3.5 hours and for a reasonable price! You can check the timetables and book your ticket on VR. In addition, there are several other options like bus, cruise, and flight to travel to St.Petersburg. For that reason, many people choose to make a short trip to Russia over the weekend.
St.Petersburg is Russia’s second-largest city after Moscow and an important Russian port on the Baltic sea. The city is home to more than two hundred museums, and the largest of the museums is the Hermitage Museum founded in 1764. It contains over 2.7 million exhibits, including some of the world’s greatest works of art.
If you like to watch the world-famous Mariinsky Ballet, an amazing concert or a magnificent Opera, I highly recommend visiting the Mariinsky Theatre right now. The theater is beautiful inside and brings magical sounds to you when the show starts so you will not want to miss it.
For more information about St. Petersburg.
3. Sweden
Sweden is the largest of the Scandinavian Nations, situated in northern Europe, and Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the most populated city in the Nordic Countries.
There are numerous ferries operating from Sweden to Finland. This makes Sweden one of the easy countries to visit from Helsinki. Ferries connect 4 harbours in Sweden with 4 harbours in Finland. You can find more information and compare the prices and services on Direct Ferries. The trip takes about 10 to 20 hours depending on which harbour you are departing from. You can also book accommodation and stay in a cabin with a sea-view. In addition, you can spend your time shopping in tax free shops, eat tasty buffets at restaurants as well as watch exciting variety shows.
Gamla Stan, the Old Town founded in 1252, is one of the best preserved old cities in Europe, and one of the central attractions in Stockholm. There are several attractive churches and museums, including The Royal Palace, Swedish Parliament, and Vasamuseet which is one of the most famous maritime museums worldwide.
For more information about Stockholm.
There are always many countries to visit from Helsinki, with many travel options. If your budget is limited but your adventure spirits are high, read How to Save Money when Travelling.
