10 fairy-tale castles and fortresses to see on a Baltic cruise

Whether you are a fervent historian or an eight-year-old fan of Disney’s Frozen, you can’t beat a castle for sparking the imagination. Here’s a selection of those in and around the Baltic Sea, from the formidable to the fairytale, and how to visit them on a cruise excursion. A word of caution: check excursion availability before booking your cruise.

1. Egeskov, Denmark

Substantial yet elegantly proportioned, Egeskov is probably the best-preserved moat castle in Europe. Legend has it that a whole forest of oak trees was used for its pilings in the lake back in 1554. Cross the drawbridge to learn about its various owners, defensive capabilities and secret stairs. The castle can be reached from Fredericia.

Marella has an Egeskov tour on its 15-night Legends of the Baltic cruise, round-trip from Newcastle. From £1,587pp, departing June 22, 2019 (tui.co.uk/cruise).

2. Malbork, Poland

A status as the world’s biggest brick castle is sufficient to draw visitors to Malbork, not far from Gdynia or Gdansk. And that’s without its grand chambers, arcaded courtyard, suits of armour and tower-top knights’ toilet. This Unesco-listed medieval fortress on the River Nogat was completed by the Teutonic Knights more than 600 years ago.

Viking offers a Malbork trip on its 14-night Viking Homelands cruise, Stockholm to Bergen. From £4,790pp, including flights, departures April to September 2020 (vikingcruises.co.uk).

3. Schwerin, Germany

If ever a castle had all the fairytales attributes, it’s Schwerin. Set on a wooded isle on the edge of a large lake, its spire-like towers soar above beautiful gardens. It was built in stages over hundreds of years. The interiors of this masterpiece are as magnificent as its neo-renaissance facades. Visit from Warnemunde, Rostock or Kiel.

Norwegian offers a Schwerin visit on its eight-night Scandinavia cruise, round-trip from Copenhagen. From £1,039pp, excluding flights, departures in September and October 2019 (ncl.com).

4. Turaida, Latvia

Nestled in the forest near Riga, Turaida is one for ‘castle collectors’ – you won’t find many who have discovered this 13th-century gem. It fell into disrepair and was reconstructed fairly recently, but this does not detract from its majesty. Expect to find Latvian legends and a sculpture park as well as a distinctive round tower.  

Fred Olsen has a trip to Turaida on its 14-night Heart of the Baltic cruise, round-trip from Southampton. From £1,999pp, departing July 31, 2019 (fredolsencruises.com).

5. Peter and Paul Fortress, Russia

You can’t miss the 400ft slender spire rising above the riverbank opposite St Petersburg’s famed Hermitage museum. This is the cathedral at the centre of the star-shaped Peter and Paul Fortress, ordered by Peter the Great in 1703. Inside the cathedral are the marble tombs of tsars, including Peter.

Silversea offers an in-depth city tour on its seven-night Copenhagen to Stockholm cruise. From £3,150pp, including flights, departing June 27, 2020 (silversea.com).

6. Rosenborg, Denmark

King Christian IV certainly had grand designs when he had Rosenborg Castle built in the early 17th century in the centre of Copenhagen. The tall towers and red-brick walls face the leafy King’s Garden. Inside, a journey through time includes Denmark’s Crown Jewels and wax figures of various royals.

P&O Cruises includes Rosenborg on a city tour on a 10-night winter Baltic cruise round-trip from Southampton. From £779pp, departing December 9, 2019 (pocruises.co.uk).

7. Suomenlinna, Finland

With fortifications spread over six of the myriad islands surrounding Helsinki, Suomenlinna is the world’s largest sea fortress. It was built in the 18th century by the Swedish to help defend the Finnish coast from the Russian navy. The Unesco-listed complex has park-like grounds and a church-cum-lighthouse.

Oceania Cruises has a boat trip viewing Suomenlinna on its 14-night Opulent Reflections cruise, Copenhagen to Amsterdam. From £3,719pp, including flights,  departing September 3, 2019 (oceaniacruises.com).

8. Gammel Estrup, Denmark

It’s billed as a manor house, but Gammel Estrup near Århus is a lovely renaissance castle. Its origins lie in the 14th century but much of what can be admired today is from the early 17th century. Inside, a series of exhibits tell the story of the wealthy characters who inhabited this place – it was owned by the same family for 600 years.

Celebrity offers a Gammel Estrup excursion on its 14-night Scandinavia & St Petersburg cruise, round-trip from Southampton. From £1,949pp, departing June 13, 2020 (celebritycruises.co.uk).

9. Toompea, Estonia

The façade may be 18th-century baroque but it’s easy to tell from the tall stone walls and 150ft tower that Toompea Castle has its roots 400 years earlier. Crowning a limestone ridge in Tallinn’s upper old town, the castle is still Estonia’s seat of power. Nearby are viewpoints offering memorable views over the medieval city’s fairytale towers and spires.

Saga has Tallinn old-town tours on its 14-night Myths and Legends of the Baltic cruise, round-trip from Dover. From £4,107pp, departing September 12, 2019 (travel.saga.co.uk).

10. Akershus, Norway

You can’t miss Oslo’s key fortress – many cruise ships dock right outside its impressive walls, towers and twin spires on their way to and from the Baltic. It dates from 1299 and was revamped in renaissance style in the 17th century. Still used by the military, Akershus also houses the Armed Forces Museum.

Azamara includes Akershus on one its tours on its 12-night Norway Intensive cruise, round-trip from Southampton. From £3,287pp, departing August 21, 2020 (azamaraclubcruises.co.uk).