A Festive Nordic Escape: Stockholm, Tallinn & Helsinki in One Magical Week

A Festive Nordic Escape: Stockholm, Tallinn & Helsinki in One Magical Week

There’s something truly special about Northern Europe at Christmas. Twinkling lights, cobbled old towns, steaming mugs of glögg and the soft glow of winter days create a festive atmosphere that feels straight out of a storybook. On this week-long itinerary, I travelled from London to Stockholm, then on to Tallinn, finishing with a ferry to Helsinki, experiencing the Christmas markets in all three cities. It’s a perfect multi-city break if you are looking for culture, history and seasonal magic.

Stockholm – Scandinavian Style & Festive Traditions (2 Nights)

I began the journey with a direct flight from London to Stockholm, an easy and efficient way to start a Nordic adventure. Spending two nights here felt just right to get a taste of Sweden’s capital.

Stockholm in December is effortlessly elegant. The city’s Christmas markets, particularly in Gamla Stan (the Old Town), are atmospheric and traditional, with wooden stalls selling handcrafted gifts, decorations and seasonal treats. The scent of roasted almonds and hot glögg fills the air as locals and visitors gather in the historic square.

Beyond the markets, Stockholm offers world-class museums, cosy cafés and beautiful waterfront views, even in winter. It’s an ideal introduction to Scandinavian culture and a great first stop on a festive itinerary.

Tallinn – Medieval Charm and a Fairytale Christmas (3 Nights)

From Stockholm, I flew to Tallinn, where I stayed for three nights, and this was a real highlight of the trip. If fairytales had a city, it would be Tallinn!

Tallinn’s medieval Old Town is magical at any time of year, but at Christmas it becomes truly enchanting. The Christmas market in Town Hall Square feels like a fairytale setting, complete with a towering Christmas tree, traditional wooden stalls and local Estonian crafts. Think woollen scarves, hand-carved ornaments and hearty winter food.

The slower pace here made it easy to soak up the atmosphere. Wandering the cobbled streets, warming up in cosy restaurants and enjoying the festive lights made Tallinn feel intimate and authentic, perfect for travellers who love history and character.

Helsinki – Design, Culture and a Festive Finale (1 Night)

The final leg of the journey was a morning ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki, a scenic and relaxing way to travel across the Baltic Sea. The ferry itself is a pleasant experience and a great option. You could sit and watch the waves with a coffee, like I did,d or wander the duty-free shop or even have breakfast on board if you wished.

I spent one night in Helsinki, which was ideal for a short but memorable stop. Helsinki’s Christmas market, held in Senate Square, combines Finnish design with festive tradition. Clean lines, beautiful craftsmanship and local food specialities give it a distinctly Nordic feel.

Helsinki is compact and easy to explore, making it a great add-on city. It delivered a wonderful final taste of Finnish culture and Christmas cheer.

Why I think this itinerary works:

This Stockholm–Tallinn–Helsinki route is perfect for travellers who want

Multiple countries in one seamless trip

Easy flights and ferry connections

Atmospheric Christmas markets without long travel times

A balance of capital cities and historic old towns

It’s ideal for couples, festive city-break lovers, and clients looking for something a little different from the usual Christmas destinations.

If you are ready to plan your own festive Nordic adventure or if this itinerary has inspired you, I’d love to help tailor a similar trip for you, whether it’s focused on Christmas markets, culture, or a longer Nordic escape.

Get in touch to start planning your festive Northern Europe journey.