Finland is known for its marvelous nature and exquisite northern cuisine, so what better way to experience both than board a ship and go on a cruise? In this article, we will give you some of the best cruise options in Finland (inside the country and out). Find out which cruises best match your idea of a good time.
The average duration of these cruises is between 10 and 13 hours, depending on the operator and the deals included in the package.
Helsinki Canals Cruise
If you want to stay in Helsinki instead and want to experience the city in another more interesting way, we recommend to you a cruise down the Helsinki Canals. Yes, much like other Nordic cities, Helsinki too has canals that open up to gorgeous views of the city and its marvelous architecture.
Many operators provide daily cruises and offer different routes and amenities, so feel free to browse to find the one that best suits your needs. We can only say that the sightseeing cruise of Helsinki is worth it and that you won’t be disappointed.
Redrib Helsinki Cruise
This is another local Helsinki cruise with a twist – you will be on board of a rigid inflatable boat or RIB. This cruise is for the adventurous among you and it promises an experience like no other. You’ll be wearing full body suits to protect you from the waves splashing in your face.
The Redrib Helsinki experience also includes cruising to some of the city’s highlights, so this is as much sightseeing tour as it is daredevil activity. The trip lasts about an hour and a half and we highly recommend it.
Lake Saimaa Cruise
For those of our readers who love nature and want to explore the flora and fauna of beautiful Finland, this cruise in Lake Saimaa is a perfect match for you. The Saimaa archipelago offers majestic views and promises close encounters with wild animals, such as the friendly local seals.
The Lake Saimaa cruise is only available in the summer months and it usually lasts around three hours. The cruise is guided (offering live guides in a few different languages), so you will enjoy yourself while learning more about the beauty of nature, the Saimaa archipelago.
Helsinki-Suomenlinna Cruise
If you want to explore areas around Helsinki in a fun and educational way, go ahead and check out the tour of Helsinki and Suomenlinna. This guided tour will take you around Helsinki’s top attractions, after which you will board a ferry to visit the Suomenlinna Island.
You’re going to learn a lot more about the area than you previously imagined and you will be treated to breathtaking views of Suomenlinna. The whole duration of this tour and cruise is five hours, so it’s the perfect afternoon activity.
Helsinki-Tallinn Cruise
Let us start the outer Finland cruises with this mini-cruise, which is very popular with both Finnish people and foreign tourists. Many travelling companies offer a day cruise from Helsinki to Tallinn that allows you to visit the Estonian capital and spend a few hours exploring it.
There are many options for day cruises from Helsinki to Tallinn, so it’s up to you to find the one you like best. Some are strictly meant to be used as transport, meaning that you have to figure out what to do or where to go in Tallinn, while others also feature guided tours of the capital.
Bergen-Helsinki Cruise
We finally get to the big cruises that last multiple days. The first one is the Bergen-Helsinki cruise, which is a five-day experience around gorgeous Scandinavia. The ship sails from Bergen (the old Norwegian capital), and you’ll spend the next three days on board of a luxury ship sailing to Helsinki. If you’re planning a trip to Finland while also eyeing places to visit around it, we highly recommend this cruise. Bergen is a UNESCO heritage site with a rich history, which is also famous for its artistic endeavors.
Helsinki-Longyearbyen-Spitsbergen-Helsinki Cruise
The 14-day long cruise will take you to an expedition you will talk about for years. The main focus of this cruise is Spitsbergen and the islands around it. Tourists will be able to explore the nature of this extraordinary archipelago and take many pictures of the wild animals (you can get the chance to see a polar bear in its natural habitat!).
The cruise starts at Helsinki, where you will board a private charter plane to Longyearbyen, Norway. From there, you will board the ship, which will take you around Spitsbergen and various small islands and glaciers. After 11 days at sea, you’ll board a plane from Longyearbyen to Helsinki.
