▲Located in Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany, Lübeck is known for its Brick Gothic architecture, which has earned the destination UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

▲Pictured is the iconic limestone rauk (stack) on the island of Fårö, which sits just off the northern coast of Gotland Island.

▲Finland's capital overlooks the crystal blue waters of the Gulf of Finland. Cultural draws include the mid-19th-century cathedral, a prominent landmark.

▲The Swedish capital has much to offer tourists, including "the world's longest art gallery," which consists of the city's highly decorative metro stations.

▲Long known as a spa destination, this seaside resort also attracts visitors to its steam-operated narrow gauge railway and one of the last surviving Baltic Sea watchtowers, once manned by East German border guards.

▲Tallin's Old Town is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

▲This Baltic sea port is often referred to as Russia's cultural capital. Home to the Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world, Saint Petersburg bristles with fabulous monuments. The city's historic center is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

▲Noted for its striking architecture, especially its Art Nouveau buildings, Riga's historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

▲Built in 1464, the Holsten Gate serves as a symbol of the city. The building houses a museum.

▲Bornholm is a popular summer tourist destination. Gudhjem (pictured) typifies the scenic towns dotting the island.

▲Embroidered with parks and gardens, Kaliningrad also has numerous historic monuments to discover. After dark, head down to the waterside Fishing Village (pictured) for drinks and dinner.

▲Did you know that a big part of Skype (backend) was born in this city? No wonder, really, when you consider that Tallinn has the highest number of startups per person in Europe.

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Sitting on the Warnow River along the Baltic Sea coast, Rostock boasts a long and noble seafaring tradition.

▲The largest city of the three Baltic states (Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania), Riga has previously enjoyed a tenure as European Capital of Culture.

▲The island is fascinating to explore. Along the way, look out for the historic 13th-century Ruts Kirke (Ruth's Church).

▲Helsinki's neoclassical buildings provide a picturesque contrast against the city's waterfront, where passenger ferries connecting Helsinki with Tallinn, Stockholm, and the Åland Islands are based.

▲One of the most attractive cities in Scandinavia, Stockholm's oldest section is Gamla stan (Old Town), which still features a medieval street layout.

▲Some 20,000 islands, including Ruissalo Island (pictured), make up the Turku Archipelago. Exploring the destination takes visitors back to nature—big time!

▲Connected to the Swedish mainland by a bridge, Öland is a favorite year-round getaway option. Students of archaeology will be intrigued by the Iron Age burial ground at Gettlinge.

▲Make an effort to visit Estonia's largest island and be rewarded by an incredible natural wonder: a series of nine meteorite craters collectively known as Kaali.

▲The Curonian Spit is a 60 mi- (98 km-) long narrow, curved, sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea coast. Its northern portion lies within southwestern Lithuania.

▲Finland's autonomous Åland Islands are unique in that the language spoken here is Swedish. But the welcome is the same in any tongue—heartfelt and friendly!

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UNESCO has honored this Baltic coast city with World Heritage status, such is the grandeur of its red-brick monuments—sites such as the Brick Gothic St Nicholas' Church and City Hall.

▲The Königsstuhl, or King's Chair, which is the best-known chalk cliff in Jasmund National Park, is one of the island's natural wonders.

▲Gotland's main town is Visby, a medieval gem and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island hosts thousands of tourists every year, many of them Scandinavians.

▲This island's old wooden Tubala windmill is a cultural heritage monument.

▲The spit's southern region falls within Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia. Home to the highest moving (drifting) sand dunes in Europe, the Curonian Spit is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

▲The Neva River is spanned by several bridges, including Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge (also known as Peter the Great Bridge).

▲Make the effort to travel inland and gaze upon numerous churches, a splendid castle, and a collection of medieval buildings. Indeed, Vilnius' UNESCO-listed Old Town is a real eye-opener.

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Enclosed by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Germany, Poland, and Russia, discovering the Baltic Sea region is best undertaken by cruiseferry. All major port cities are served, and once on land you can extend your sightseeing on foot, or travel further overland by rail or vehicle.

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Pictured is the largest medieval port crane in Europe, situated over the Motława River. The crane stands as testament to Gdansk's vital role as a Baltic Sea port.

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The island's resort town of Sellin is known for its beautiful pier, which accommodates a restaurant.

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Northern Europe's Baltic Sea region offers up a wealth of sightseeing options. From historic port cities to quaint seaside towns, exploring this part of the world is to discover World Heritage monuments, verdant forests, soaring sand dunes, and scattered islands of enchanting beauty.

Browse this gallery and join a cruise to countries bathed by the Baltic.