Nordic and Baltic Christmas Market Tour

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Advisor - Jonathan Parcell
Curated By

Jonathan Parcell

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Advisor - Nordic and Baltic Christmas Market Tour
Curator’s statement

Christmas is my favorite time of year, and what better way to celebrate the season than by experiencing the Christmas Markets in Europe! If you want to dive into places heavy with Christmas spirit and experience local cuisine and crafts, and some hot mulled wine, the European Christmas markets are for you. For my trip, I chose Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga and Oslo for my first European Christmas Market tour because of my interest in the Nordic and Baltic countries. I found these areas aren't as busy as some other destinations in Europe, but well-known for Christmas Markets!

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Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki

Helsinki Cathedral

When researching flights, I found it convenient to book a round-trip flight to Helsinki. After leaving the plane, I headed toward the train to go to Helsinki. I recommend buying a pass from the kiosks provided at the station. You can scan your pass once you enter the train. This will work for trains, metros and buses. I arrived early evening and checked into the hotel, the Hilton Helsinki Strand.

With the small size of the city and transportation, I arrived seeing the beautiful Helsinki Cathedral in minutes. One advice, if you plan on seeing the Helsinki Christmas Market, go early. They open around 11 am and close the markets around 7:00 – 8 pm. Helsinki was the quietest city I visited throughout my time here and great for those who enjoy city life without the crowds. For dinner, I was planning for something local like Restaurant Savotta, but they were quite busy. Me being a big burger guy, I checked out Bastard Burgers. It wasn't as busy during that time and I got a nice full meal after a long day of traveling.

Day 2: Local coffee in Helsinki & travel to Riga

Cafe Regatta in Helsinki

The first morning, I wanted to try some of the best Helsinki had to offer regarding coffee. I had a 3:30 flight to Riga that day, so I got a head start on the day. I first visited Fazer's Cafe, the oldest cafe in Helsinki! They provided a free sample of chocolate with the Christmas bun and coffee I ordered. I definitely bought some to take home with me before heading to my next cafe, Cafe Regatta. This cafe opens at 9 am and sure glad I got there close to opening. It is a small place with not much seating inside, so it's best to arrive early! This was my favorite place for coffee throughout my entire trip! I also got the blueberry pie with white sauce. It was amazing and highly recommend you order it!

Once I was full of coffee and pastries, I made my way back to the hotel to check out and head to the Helsinki Airport for my flight to Riga. I arrived in Riga around 4:30 and checked into the hotel: Hampton by Hilton Riga Airport. This hotel was awesome for paying about $50/night. Very comfortable beds and great hospitality and the staff was very attentive at the breakfast buffet. The bus stop was also conveniently located right in front of the hotel. I recommend getting a pass at the kiosk outside the airport and Bus 22 will take you to the hotel, but also to Old Town Riga. Similar to Helsinki, scan your ticket once you enter the bus.

Once I got off the bus, the House of the Blackheads wasn't a far walk at all then walking the beautiful cobblestone streets of Old Town. Then, I saw it, my first European Christmas Market in action. If you're hungry, go to the Christmas Market and try some local and traditional cuisine and hot mulled wine. Don't drink? No worries! As a non-drinker myself, there is non-alcoholic mulled wine available and I had an apple and pear mulled wine. It was amazing and perfect for a cold night. Take in the evening with Christmas music in the background and walking through each of the stands to see crafts, clothing, food, candy, baked goods, mulled wine and lots of it!

Day 3: Day trip to Oslo

Opera House in Oslo

The way I traveled throughout my stay in Europe was through Air Baltic. I found flights to be quite affordable, and so I decided to do a day trip to Oslo. The flight times worked perfectly and I went for it! Once I got to the Oslo Airport, I took the FlytoGet train to get to Center City. Which was a little over $43 roundtrip. Fyi, I found Oslo the most expensive throughout the trip. However, worth the visit! When I got to Center City, I went to Kaffebrenneriet off Storgata and Kirkeristen near the train station. I got myself a cinnamon bun and Flat White coffee with caramel and cinnamon. Highly recommend visiting here!

I then walked through the city since this is my favorite way to explore and found the city was small enough to walk through without transportation. I visited the Royal Palace, and it offered great views. One of the most beautiful buildings in Oslo is the Opera House, which you can walk on, literally. Standing on the rooftop gives a view of the harbor and city life. I was starting to get hungry again, so I decided to go to a place close by called Dognvill Burger. It was very good, but expensive ($33 for a burger, fries and soda). Not complaining, but just prepare yourself when traveling to Oslo!

By this time, the Christmas Market in Oslo was up and running and decided to head that way! I tried the traditional Norwegian waffle with brown cheese and strawberry jam. The brown cheese was quite delicious and tastes more like caramel! This waffle was one of my favorite things I ate throughout the entire trip. After the market, I headed back to the airport to head back to Riga.

Day 4: Riga by day, Tallinn by night

Outside of Nunne Boutique Hotel

I got up to enjoy a full breakfast and coffee at the hotel before heading out. I checked out early and the hotel kindly held onto my luggage, which was helpful while visiting the city. Then got on Bus 22 and headed back to Old Town. A coffee shop that came across in my trip planning was Strada Coffee Bar. Here I just got a flat white and the coffee was great and a nice quiet atmosphere. Then I walked through Old Town and visited St. Peter's Church. It was about nine euros to tour the church and go to the top of the tower for the best view of the city. Next, I walked through the Christmas Market by day, more of Old Town and the esplanade. Lunch time was coming up and what I saw when trip planning was to try Rye Breadsticks with Garlic Sauce! I went to Rozengral's a medieval-style restaurant lit only by candlelight. So cool! The Rye Breadsticks and Garlic Sauce are in the Beer and Snacks section. This was another favorite food I had throughout the trip! So good, I almost ordered another basket!

I then explored the Riga Central Market and wow! This massive place has all the food you could think of as well as clothing, candy and produce. I tried some local desserts and was not disappointed. Pro tip: Some vendors only accept Euros and not cards, so be prepared! After this visit, I was ready to make my way back to the hotel and get my bag and then head to the airport for my flight to Tallinn.

When you are at the Tallinn Airport, you can pick up your metro card at the R-Kiosk Shop. Although not really advertised, you can buy your pass here. I bought a three-day pass, which was helpful to use for the bus and metro during my stay. The bus from the airport took me to a stop close by the Nunne Boutique Hotel, which I highly recommend staying at while in Tallinn.

Day 5: Full day in Tallinn

Scenic View of Snowy Tallinn Rooftops

If you want a full breakfast before heading out for the day, stay at the Nunne Boutique Hotel. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this hotel. It is beautiful, clean, very friendly staff, and the breakfast was excellent and plentiful. After breakfast, wanted to try a local bakery. Fellow Fora Advisor, Lauren Broeseker, visited Tallinn before and she recommended the PullaBakery, not too far from the Nunne Boutique Hotel. The cinnamon bun was fresh and the coffee was delicious.

After breakfast, I walked through the Christmas Market to see them setting up for the day. I then decided to check out the Tallinn Linnahall, which you might recognize from the opening scene of Christopher Nolan's film "Tenet." Next, I visited Kadriorg Park, which had more stunning architecture from the Kadriorg Art Museum. The office of the President of the Republic of Estonia is also nearby. By now, you guessed it: Lunch Time! I decided to try the Estonian Burger Factory, which is close by the ferry terminals. If you're a burger person like me, this is the place to go. The Chipotle & Onion Ring Burger had a nice kick!

After going back to rest for a little bit at the hotel, I went out to explore the Christmas Market! I then went down the alleyway and went to a coffee shop called Saiakangi Kohvik and had a pastry and coffee, before dinner. A great place for pastries! I returned to the Christmas Market and had some non-alcoholic hot mulled wine with a blueberry flavor and sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes for dinner. After dinner, I went back to the hotel to call it a night.

Additional days

Tallinn Old Town Towers

Day 6: Depart Tallinn/return to Helsinki

After another plentiful breakfast at the Nunne Boutique Hotel, I wanted to try coffee at another place as well as pick up some chocolate at Cafe Maiasmokk and got a cinnamon roll and coffee. It is known to be the oldest and continuously operated cafe in Tallinn since 1864, so I definitely had to check it out! The chocolate was also delicious and I took some home with me! After coffee, I walked around Old Town a bit more before heading back to the hotel to check out.

Since I was taking the ferry back to Helsinki, I decided to eat somewhere close by and ate at Kochi Aidad. I had the Mugipuder Hapukoorega (Mulch porridge with sour cream). If you love mashed potatoes, this was one of the best I've ever had. I highly recommend checking this restaurant out!

I took the 4:30 pm ferry back to Helsinki, booking my ticket through Direct Ferries. You can check in and get your ticket at the kiosk at the terminal. I booked the Comfort Zone. Although it was a little extra cost than a standard ticket, the area was small and not as crowded and there was coffee, soda and snacks included in the cost of your ticket.

Returning back to Helsinki and docking at the terminal, there are busses and a metro available to take you back to the center city. I then checked into the new NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa Hotel. This 5-star hotel recently opened in May 2024, was beautiful, clean, and the rooms were spacious. I only wish I could have stayed at this hotel longer and I highly recommend making this your Helsinki stay.

It was about 8 pm and the Christmas Market was closed for the evening, but I still went to see the beautiful Helsinki Cathedral. I wanted something quick to eat and went back to Bastard Burgers. This time I got a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and it was amazing! Then back to the hotel.

Day 7: Depart Helsinki/Head Home

Advisor - Jonathan Parcell

Travel Advisor

Jonathan Parcell

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