Region

Estonia
Latvia
Hälsingland region, Sweden
Aland Islands and Lohja, Finland

Facts about Baltic Sea countries

Estonia Latvia Hälsingland region, Sweden Aland Islands and Lohja, Finland
Capital Tallinn Riga Stockholm Helsinki
Territory (m2) 45 227 64 573 407 311 338 424
Population 1 315 635 2 023 825 10 379 295 5 487 308
Population density
inhabitants per km2		 28,4 31 25 17
Languages spoken Estonian inhabitants also speak English, German or Russian Latvian inhabitants also speak English, German or Russian Swedish inhabitants also speak English Finnish inhabitants also speak English, Swedish
Currency EUR EUR SEK EUR
Country code +372 +371 +46 +358
Location time GMT +2 hours GMT +2 hours GTM +1 hour GMT +2 hours

General information

There are Tourist Information Centres in cities, towns and many rural villages. They offer maps, guidebooks, guide services and advice to tourists.

  • Credit cards in use: Visa card, Master card. Cash and card payments are accepted in shops. When visiting the countryside it is advised to be prepared for using cash as card payments might not be accepted in all places. ATMs are easy to find in cities and towns.
  • People in cities and young people usually speak English as their first foreign language. In the countryside, older generations might not speak any foreign language. Even if so, out of their natural hospitality they will always do their best to understand visitors and take good care.
  • Prepaid SIM-cards are available from grocery stores and other distributors.
  • There is a good Wi-fi network coverage, however, in some remote rural areas internet might not always be available.
  • Driving is on the right side of the road.
  • European C-type sockets.
  • Tap water is drinkable.
  • Finland, Estonia and Latvia are considered to be a safe destination.
  • National speed limits:
    Finland – 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h outside if no other speed limit is signposted.
    Estonia and Latvia – 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h outside if no other speed limit is signposted.

Information about capitals

  Estonia Latvia Hälsingland region, Sweden Aland Islands and Lohja, Finland
 

TALLINN

Tallinn is a city of contrasts. It is a medieval Hanseatic town situated side by side with the 21st century city of modern glass buildings. The Old Town of Tallinn is an outstanding and exceptionally well preserved example of a medieval northern European trading city and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tourist information centre:
Niguliste 2, Tallinn
Phone: +372 645 7777
E-mail: visit@tallinn.ee
www.visittallinn.ee

RIGA

Riga is the Baltic metropolis, featuring a picturesque old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Art Nouveau architecture, and cosy cafés alongside the buzz of a big city. Many young people from all over Europe have discovered Riga as the fun town for the new generation.

Tourist information centre:
Rātslaukums 6, Riga
Phone: +371 6703 7900
E-mail: info@rigatic.lv
www.liveriga.com

STOCKHOLM

Welcome to Stockholm - an open city for different perspectives and new ideas. A vibrant destination where innovations in music, design, fashion and technology are born. A place for you.

Stockholm is one of the world’s most beautiful capitals. Built on 14 islands around one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved mediaeval city centres, the city is stunningly located by the Baltic Sea.

Tourist Information Center:
Phone: +46(0)8-508 28 508
E-mail: touristinfo@stockholm.se
Stockholm has four tourist offices - KLICK HERE!

HELSINKI

A green city with Nordic exoticism. Helsinki is characterized by modern architecture and trendy design, hot fashion labels and large cultural events and festivals which take place right in the heart of the city. The Suomenlinna fortress at the entrance of Helsinki’s harbour is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tourist information centre:
Pohjoisesplanadi 19, Helsinki
Phone: +358 (0)9 3101 3300
E-mail: tourist.info@hel.fi
www.visithelsinki.fi

Souvenirs and gifts

  Estonia Latvia Hälsingland region, Sweden Aland Islands and Lohja, Finland
 

Hand-made textiles and knitwear: colourful mittens and socks, knitted sweaters, woollen slippers are favourites.
Wooden souvenirs: in souvenir shops you’ll nearly always find a corner with wooden craft pieces, famously these are made from juniper and you’ll know this wood by its very fragrant scent. Look for butter knives, tiny jewellery boxes, key chains, and trivets. Estonian artists are often inspired by nature, which means that wood and animals are often featured, there are also wooden phone covers, wooden bow ties, animal-shaped rings and etc.
Food souvenirs: look for chocolates, marzipan, kama (a mixture of roasted barley, rye, oat and pea flour eaten with buttermilk as a filling breakfast), dried fruit crisps, elk and wild boar meat sausages, sprats or black bread, craft beer and famous local liqueurs. You’ll also find lots of jams, juices and dried berries there too.

Hand-made textiles: authentic colours and patterns are used in contemporary designs of apparel. Natural materials like wool and linen are favourites.
Pottery: clay pottery is a famous tradition and still in practical use. Mugs, plates and bowls in a variety of designs are used to serve food in traditional styles.
Herb teas: herb teas are popular, especially to go with sauna rituals. Herb farms produce high quality teas and mix various plants according to set recipes for medicinal and beauty treatment purposes as well as simply to offer tasty hot drinks.
Honey: there is a great variety of honey sorts depending on the harvesting time and plants in the vicinity of bee-hives. Apiaries are located in pristine natural locations and the honey is pure and natural.
Jewellery: jewellery made of bronze, silver and other metals present ancient signs and symbols. Each one has a particular meaning and traditions of wearing.

Popular souvenirs in Sweden are, for example, Orrefors and Kosta boda glassware, Viking products, moose, Dala horses, Swedish design and Pippi Longstocking. As well as several products by the author Astrid Lindgren. In Hälsingland, there is great interest in locally produced food and crafts such as Hälsinge cheese cake or linen from Växbo linen.

Popular souvenirs in Finland are for example, Finnish design (Iittala, Fiskars, Marimekko), Muumin figures or local food produce.

Useful info and links

  Estonia Latvia Hälsingland region, Sweden Aland Islands and Lohja, Finland
 

Official tourism website:
www.visitestonia.com

Official tourism website:
www.latvia.travel

Official tourism website:
www.visitsweden.com

Official tourism website:
www.visitfinland.com

Climate and seasonal activities in Baltic Sea region

We have four distinct seasons – spring, summer, autumn, winter. Each season has its own specific activities like mushrooming, berry picking, collecting herbs, ice-fishing and different agricultural jobs as well as traditional and seasonal celebrations.

WINTER MONTHS: December, January, February

The coldest months of a year still brightened up by the Christmas spirit – beautifully decorated Christmas trees, mulled wine, artisan markets and Christmas music. Christian traditions and pre-Christian winter solstice traditions co-exist and merge during this season. The snow enables all kinds of outdoor activities – downhill and cross-country skiing, ice-fishing, snowmobile rides. Driving is very specific on ice-covered roads, therefore in winter it is safer to rely on transfers services

SPRING MONTHS: March, April, May

The time of nature’s awakening after a cold winter. Best time for bird watching – flocks of migrating cranes, swans, wild geese, storks can be observed on their return home for nesting. Birch sap starts circulating in the trees and this time of a year is a unique opportunity to enjoy fresh saps with their invigorating and healthy effects. Beautiful landscapes as the countryside turns green, white and yellow with young leaves and blossoms of cherry, plum and apple trees.

SUMMER MONTHS: June, July, August

The warmest months to enjoy walking, cycling, boating, riding or simply being outdoors and indulging in nature’s beauty. The best time to enjoy a great variety of seasonal foods – greenery, vegetables, fruit and berries, fish. The Midsummer celebration period between June 21-23 highlights the summer. Forests are rich in berries and with the second half of August the mushrooming season starts. Berry picking, mushrooming and walking is allowed in forests under the law of everyman’s rights in Finland. In Latvia it is generally allowed in state owned forests. In Estonia, it is permitted to access natural and cultural landscapes on foot, by bicycle, skis, boat or on horseback. Unmarked and unrestricted private property may be accessed any time for picking berries, mushrooms, medicinal plants, fallen or dried branches, unless the owner forbids it verbally.

AUTUMN MONTHS: September, October, November

While the first half of September is usually mild and good for mushrooming and other outdoor activities, at the end of the month tree leaves turn bright yellow and red with the first frosty nights and the colours play a magnificent landscape show worth seeing. October and November are the darkest months of a year, therefore outdoor activities are changed for cultural life like concerts, shows, art performances in cities and towns.