Day 1: Embarkation in Helsinki

After three wonderful days exploring Helsinki (see our earlier blog!), it was time to board the Norwegian Sun, our home for the next 9 days. Check-in was at 12 pm, and once aboard, we noticed right away how much smaller the ship felt compared to other Norwegian ships we've sailed on before.

Day 2: Tallinn, Estonia

Our first port was Tallinn, Estonia — a short, easy sail across the Gulf of Finland. The ship docks close to the Old Town (Vanalinn), just a 15–20 minute walk with no shuttle needed.

Medieval. Mystic. Mesmerizing.

Tallinn's Old Town is a UNESCO-listed medieval district dating to the 13th century, split between the Lower Town and Toompea Hill above it. Cobbled streets wind between old defensive towers and pastel-colored merchant houses, opening up into Town Hall Square — the lively heart of the Old Town, ringed with cafés and market stalls. We wandered past St. Catherine's Passage, a charming little alley of artisan shops, before climbing Toompea Hill for sweeping views over the red rooftops toward the harbor.

For food, we tried pirukad — small Estonian hand pies filled with meat, cabbage, or carrot. A perfect warm, quick bite while exploring.

A short, charming, and easy first stop.

Day 3: Day at Sea

Day 4: Riga, Latvia

Boroque. Baltic. Beautiful.

Next up was Riga, Latvia — another easy, walkable stop, with the Old Town (Vecrīga) just 10–15 minutes from the pier along the Daugava River.

Riga's Old Town is a UNESCO-listed mix of medieval and 19th-century architecture — cobbled lanes, Riga Cathedral, and the striking House of the Blackheads in Town Hall Square, plus the city's famous Art Nouveau streets just beyond the historic core.

We had lunch at the Little Lane Café, where we tried some Latvian classics: pankūkas (Latvian pancakes) and fried herring. A tasty, low-key introduction to Latvian food.

Day 5: Day at Sea

Day 6: Rønne, Denmark

Day 7 brought us to Rønne, the main town on the Danish island of Bornholm. NCL provided a shuttle from the port into town, and from there we explored on foot.

Rønne's Old Town is full of cobbled streets and colorful half-timbered houses, with a relaxed, small-island charm. We stopped at Hovedvagten, a restaurant set inside a historical building, to try smørrebrød — Denmark's famous open-face sandwich — along with a pastry filled with marzipan, a unique and tasty find.

Day 7: Warnemünde, Germany (Berlin Tour)

From the Berlin Wall to the buzzing streets

Day 4's port was Warnemünde, and instead of exploring the town, we booked the Norwegian-chartered train tour to Berlin. The ride took about 2 hours, rolling through the German countryside, with snacks served on board.

Once in Berlin, the tour covered the city's major highlights: the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag (Germany's Parliament building), remnants of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Holocaust Memorial — a great overview of the city's history from wartime Germany through the Cold War to reunification. We also had lunch at a German food buffet in the Hilton restaurant before heading back to the train station for the return trip to Warnemünde.

A long day, but a memorable one — well worth the train ride to see Germany's capital.

Day 8: Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen stole our heart

We arrived in Copenhagen around 7 pm, we took an Uber straight to Nyhavn — the iconic 17th-century harbor lined with colorful gabled houses, boats, and waterside cafés. On the way, we also did a quick loop by Uber past some of the city's other key sights.

For dinner, we ate at Sticks 'n' Sushi, a Copenhagen favorite known for blending Japanese sushi and yakitori with Danish/Nordic ingredients and a stylish, laid-back vibe — part of why it's become one of the city's most popular sushi spots. It was a great meal before walking along the canal to soak in the evening atmosphere. We then took an Uber back to the port to end the night.

Day 9: From Denmark to Sweden Excursion

For our final day, we booked NCL's "From Denmark to Sweden" excursion — a full day covering both countries. We started with a panoramic drive through Copenhagen, with a photo stop at the Little Mermaid statue and views of Amalienborg Palace, Nyhavn, and Christiansborg Palace.

From there, we crossed the Øresund Bridge into Malmö, Sweden — a striking, miles-long bridge connecting the two countries. In Malmö, we visited Apoteket Lejonet, the city's oldest pharmacy, a striking 19th-century building on Stortorget square. We also did some window shopping around town, then had lunch at a local restaurant, trying classic Swedish meatballs.

The tour then continued to Lund, one of Sweden's oldest towns, where we visited Lund Cathedral — a striking Romanesque cathedral dating back to the 1100s, considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in the Nordics. Inside, we saw its famous astronomical clock, the Horologium Mirabile Lundense, dating from around 1425, which chimes twice a day as figures of the Three Wise Men parade past a scene of Mary and baby Jesus. It was pouring rain the entire time we were in Sweden, so the cathedral's grand interior was a welcome, dry place to explore before heading back.

A great way to wrap up the cruise with a taste of both Denmark and Sweden in one day.

Day 10: Disembarkation

Our final morning, we disembarked the Norwegian Sun and used NCL's transfer service to get to the airport, wrapping up our 9-day Baltic cruise.

Looking Back

Nine days, six countries, and so many memories — from wandering Tallinn's medieval Old Town to the history and food of Riga, a whirlwind day trip to Berlin, the rainy but memorable stop in Sweden, an evening in Copenhagen, and everything in between. The Baltic Sea itself stayed remarkably calm the entire trip, making for smooth sailing between every port. Each port had its own character, and together they made for an unforgettable trip across the Baltic.

From Helsinki to Copenhagen: 9 Days Sailing the Baltic