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Mariehamn is the capital and only city on the 6,500 islands that make up the archipelago of Åland. Though the islands are Finnish, they are an autonomous community that has adopted their own flag and Swedish as their official language. This tells you something about the residents, many of whom are descended from proudly independent and self-sufficient seafarers. Today Mariehamn is more about tourism than maritime activities, although fishing and boating are still popular. Enjoy time on the water, do some hiking or cycling, or take an easy stroll through town. Then nibble on an Åland pancake, a delicious treat topped with whipped cream and jam.

Small yet cosmopolitan Vaasa is tucked away within one of the Baltic Sea’s rarely explored arms, the Gulf of Bothnia, which is shared by Sweden and Finland. This off-the-beaten-track destination is fringed by the entrancing Kvarken Archipelago, a pristine UNESCO World Heritage site composed of around 5,600 picturesque islands formed by the melting of Europe’s continental ice sheet over 10,000 years ago. Dotting the countryside around Vaasa, discover delightful wooden windmills painted in vibrant shades of red. In town, explore an array of absorbing museums and architectural gems including the 19th-century Gothic-style market, where friendly vendors offer the region’s tantalizing delicacies.

Anchoring the north end of the Baltic Sea, Kemi is a showcase for several Finnish jewels, quite literally at one notable landmark. The Kemi Gemstone Gallery displays the model for the King of Finland’s crown, although the real version was never created, and a sparkling collection of gems and jewels including a replica of a necklace worn by Marie Antoinette. Set your inner child free at the SnowExperience365, home to incredibly detailed ice and snow sculptures, and be equally enchanted by the Kemi Church, an ornate, salmon-hued Gothic Revival building. More wide-eyed wonder awaits at Santa’s Seaside Office, an unofficial workplace for Mr. Claus that is staffed by friendly elves when the boss is away.

Venture into the northernmost reaches of the Baltic Sea and discover Lulea, a peaceful town nestled on the Luleälven River, one of Sweden’s longest waterways. On the countless islands just beyond the river’s mouth, you might spot playful seals basking in the sun. Lulea is the gateway to a truly unique UNESCO World Heritage site, the Church Town of Gammelstad, a mesmerizing jumble of over 400 red-and-white painted wooden buildings surrounding a 15th-century church. In the past, the region was dotted with small, far-flung settlements, and worshippers traveled large distances to attend services at the church and stayed in the surrounding houses overnight so as not to undertake the arduous journey home until the following day.