Forget flying - 10 easy weekend breaks by ferry from Sweden

Writer: Helena Bergström

Want to go away for a weekend without flying? Then you have more options than you might think. From Sweden, there are ferries to many of Europe's most interesting destinations - from bustling capitals to tranquil islands and long sandy beaches.

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Traveling by ferry

Travelling by ferry is often both convenient and affordable. You avoid airport stress, can bring more luggage and, in many cases, wake up in the middle of a new city. Here are 10 well thought-out weekend trips by ferry from Sweden - with journey times, shipping companies, practical tips and concrete ideas on what to do when you arrive.

1. Helsinki - a weekend where travelling becomes part of the experience

The ferry between Stockholm and Helsinki is one of the most established routes in the Baltic Sea. You board in the evening in Stockholm and arrive the next morning in the centre Helsinki.

• From: Stockholm (Värtahamnen)
• Travelling time: approximately 16-17 hours
• Shipping companies: Viking Line, Tallink Silja

On board you'll find restaurants, bars, duty free, spas and entertainment. Many people choose to book a cabin for a comfortable night, making the journey feel like a mini-cruise.

You do this on the spot:

When you arrive, you're within walking distance of the city centre. You can stroll along the waterfront, check out museums and design, take boat trips and visit Suomenlinna. Don't miss the market hall, sauna and Fazer visitor centre! You can read our top tips for Helsinki here.

2. Turku and Naantali - a quieter weekend with archipelago and small town fun

The journey to Turku goes through the archipelago, which is an experience in itself. You can choose a day or night departure depending on what suits your journey best. Another option is to travel with Finnlines from Kapellskär to Naantali.

• From: Stockholm or Kapellskär
• Travelling time: approximately 8-11 hours
• Shipping companies: Viking Line, Tallink Silja or Finnlines (Kapellskär-Naantali)

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In Turku, you can stroll along the Aura River, visit the castle, peek into exciting museums and try all the famous restaurants along the waterfront. Here you will find our Top tips for Turku.

If you want a more relaxed feel, head on over to charming Naantali (Naantali), where small wooden houses, a harbour and cafés create a classic holiday atmosphere. It's also home to Moominworld, for those who are Moomin fans. The combination makes this a perfect weekend for those who want to take it easy.

3. Åland - one of the easiest trips for total relaxation

Åland is closer than many people realise, but offers a very different rhythm from the big cities.

• From: Stockholm, Grisslehamn or Kapellskär
• Travelling time: about 5-6 hours
• Shipping companies: Viking Line, Eckerö Linjen (Grisslehamn), Finnlines (Kapellskär)

Here's what you do on site:

Rent a bike or take the car between the islands, take a sauna, eat local produce and enjoy nature. It's fantastic! Åland is particularly well suited for a weekend where the focus is on recovery rather than pace. Here you will find all our top tips about Åland.

4. Tallinn - historic city with a modern pulse and good prices

Tallinn is one of the most popular ferry destinations from Sweden, and it's easy to see why. The distance is reasonable, and on the other side of the water, lots of wonderful experiences await. Plus, you can have a great time on board!

• From: Stockholm
• Travelling time: approximately 16-17 hours
• Shipping company: Tallink Silja

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Tallinn's Old Town is well-preserved and perfect for walking. At the same time, there is a growing range of restaurants, bars and spas. Many people choose to combine sightseeing with good food and relaxation. Read all our top tips about Tallinn here.

5. Gdańsk and Sopot - affordable weekend with both city and beach

This journey offers a lot of variety, which makes it particularly attractive. You can either take a ferry from Nynäshsmn to Gdansk (overnight) or take a slightly shorter ferry journey from Karlskrona to Gdynia. The cities of Gdansk-Gdynia-Sopot belong to the so-called ”three-city area”, and the distance between them is very short.

• From: Nynäshamn or Karlskrona (to Gdynia)
• Travelling time: about 9-20 hours
• Shipping companies: Polferries, Stena Line

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Discover the colourful houses in Gdańsk and don't miss museums such as the Museum of the Second World War - fascinating! Then take a car, train or taxi to Sopot for beach life. The combination means you can get culture, food and sea all in one trip - often at a lower price than in Sweden. You can find our top tips for Sopot here - a charming, both quiet and exclusive, lovely holiday resort with lots of history.

6. Świnoujście and Usedom - long beaches and a continental feel

Perhaps one of the most underrated routes from Sweden, you'll only need 6-7 hours on board (and if you choose daytime without a cabin, it can be very affordable). Voilá and you're on the continent!

• From: Ystad, Trelleborg or Malmö
• Travelling time: approximately 6-7 hours
• Shipping companies: Polferries, Unity Line, TT-Line, Finnlines

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The whole Polish Baltic coastline is fantastic with wide sandy beaches, cycle paths, spa hotels and restaurants. You can start by discovering the Polish resort Swinojscie and then head eastwards.

Another option is to turn towards Germany. You're now on the beautiful island of Usedom and with a short journey (car, taxi, train, bus or bike) you can reach the old German imperial spa towns of Ahlbeck, Heringdsdorf and Bansin. This excursion can hot recommended whether you like sun and sea, spa, food adventure or history. Read more about Usedom here!

7. Rønne - a short trip to one of Denmark's most unique islands

Bornholm is perfect for an active and nature-orientated weekend. We haven't actually been to Bornholm ourselves yet (but one of our guest writers has) - and it's on our bucket list! This Danish island seems so charming and peaceful, and at the same time completely within reach ...

• From: Ystad
• Travelling time: approximately 1.5 hours
• Shipping company: Bornholm Line

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On Bornholm you can cycle around the island, visit small fishing villages, hike along cliffs and swim. The island is big enough to experience a lot in a short time. Read this report with tips about Bornholm, written by Magdalena, who was there relatively recently.

8th Kiel - comfortable journey from the west coast, perfect start from Europe

This route is particularly popular with west coasters. In this case, it's not just the city of Kiel that appeals, but a pleasant and comfortable ferry crossing to the continent - from where you can continue your adventure.

• From: Gothenburg
• Travelling time: approximately 14-15 hours
• Shipping company: Stena Line

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It can certainly be interesting to discover Kiel, but we do not have much experience of this city ourselves. However, we can recommend a number of interesting stops in the neighbourhood. Among other things, we have visited Haithabu Viking Museum (interesting!) and we can also highly recommend a trip to the marvellous city of Hamburg - who have so much to offer!

9. Vasa- a smooth journey from northern Sweden

This route makes it easy to travel even from northern Sweden. By taking the ferry from Umeå, you will be in Finnish Vaasa relatively soon.

• From: Umeå
• Travelling time: approximately 3.5-4 hours
• Shipping company: Wasaline

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Vaasa is a nice and pleasant city that we like a lot. The city is nice in itself and there is also a lot to see around, not least the Kvarken archipelago, which, together with the High Coast, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vaasa also has art museums, open-air museums, restaurants and much more. Read our tips for Vaasa here.

10. Klaipėda - perfect for a long weekend or mini holiday

Want to get to the Baltics? An exciting option is to travel from Kalshamn or Trelleborg to Klkaipeda. We haven't taken this route yet, but it sounds like an exciting option for visiting Lithuania and other Baltic countries

• From: Karlshamn or Trelleborg
• Travelling time: approximately 13-20 hours
• Shipping companies: DFDS, TT-Line

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From Klaipėda you can quickly reach the Curonian Spit, famous for its sand dunes and nature reserves. This is a perfect destination for those who want to combine nature and culture for a few extra days. I (Helena) visited Lithuania many, many years ago. I travelled in Lithuania a very long time ago (understand that the country has changed!) and one of our writers later told us about cultural Lithuania. On our list of things to do!

Ferry travel - a great way to travel!

Travelling without a plane doesn't have to be complicated or restrictive. On the contrary, the ferry can give you a calmer start to your journey and take you to destinations you might otherwise have missed. Whether you're looking for a quick weekend break or a longer break from everyday life, there are plenty of options direct from Sweden. Which route appeals to you most? And yes, there are even more routes:

READ MORE: Which ferries go from Sweden to Europe - a ferry guide