My parents and I are going to Scandanvia two years from now. We are going to Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen, Stockholm, Helsinki and St. Petersburg. We have two extra days to see another country. We are leaving St.Petersburg and are wondering what is better, Tallinn or Riga. We knoe Tallinn is closer to Russia, but wondering what you like better. What it better for scenery and things to do, thanks!!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Riga has some lovely art deco architecture if that sort of thing is of interest.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15597 posts
I was in Tallinn for 6 hours on a cruise ship port stop. I felt that 8 hours would have been better. 2 days seems a lot. How long are you in St. Petersburg? I was there for 2 days and felt I had barely scratched the surface.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
I have not been to Riga. Tallinn is very nice and worth at least a day. Many just make it a day trip from Helsinki as it's only a 90 minute ferry ride. It'd be worth an overnight though. Lots of Medieval architecture and some Russian architecture. Original Medieval walls. The old town sits on a hill top with nice views. A bit touristy - especially the restaurants.
Posted by
Kurikka, Finland
92 posts
Riga is quite small compared to Tallinn. It's a nice place in the summer but if it has to be one or the other I'd say Tallinn. How are you travelling? Consider taking the ferry to Turku, Finland and then travelling overland to HKI. Turku is a beautiful old city with a big castle right on the waterfront. The boat to Turku also stays among the islands much more than the boat to Helsinki.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
In two days I'd pick Talinn. I'd start with a day in the medieval center then head west toward the beaches where everyone vacations. If you're lucky, you might even find some amber that has washed up on the beach. Talinn has come a long way since the fall of the iron curtain. The biggest advantage of Riga is it's less touristed than Talinn. I'd also suggest Gdansk, Poland as a great Baltic destination. We just returned and enjoyed both the historic center and Malbork Castle about an hour away.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
115 posts
I would take the over night ship from Stockholm to Tallinn. That way you can see all of the islands, spend a night on the Baltic Sea, see locals go crazy over cheap booze, and you will probably meet some locals in the process. Not to mention the great food on the ship! Helsinki is a quick ferry ride from Tallinn too. Evan
Posted by
Lubbock, TX, USA
113 posts
We did the short cruise stop in Tallinn also but liked it a lot. The extra time would be good to spend as others suggested. I would agree with adding a day in St. Petersburg as there is so much to see there.
Posted by
Houston, Tx, USA
38 posts
We just returned from a cruise that covered the same ports as you are going to. I would have loved to stay an extra day in Tallinn or St. Petersburg.