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Århus is Denmark's second-largest city and one of its most pleasant, with a lively arts and college scene. The Århus Å canal runs through the center; once underground, it was uncovered and now has bars, cafés, and restaurants along its banks. The area is busy day and night with people on outdoor terraces and steps by the water. VisitÅrhus offers the Århus Passport, covering bus travel, free or discounted admission to 12 top museums and sights, and tours.

Aalborg, Denmark's fourth-largest city, sits on the Limfjord in northern Jutland and blends Viking heritage with bold contemporary design. Wander the cobbled old town to find Jens Bang's Stone House, an ornate 17th-century merchant's mansion, and lively Jomfru Ane Gade, one of Scandinavia's most famous bar streets. Visit Aalborghus Castle and Budolfi Cathedral, then cross the fjord to Lindholm Høje, a striking Viking burial site where stone ship settings overlook the water. Contemporary highlights include the Utzon Center, designed by Aalborg-born Jørn Utzon of Sydney Opera House fame, and the waterfront promenade lined with sleek glass-and-steel landmarks.

Don't call Göteborg Sweden's "second city"-locals may simply not care. Though smaller than Stockholm, the city quickly wins you over. Its culture is outstanding: an opera house, theater, a top art museum, and a fine applied-arts museum. History runs from the old port to 19th-century factories and workers' housing. Nature is close too, from the wild west coast to green countryside. And food matters: since 1983, over half of the "Swedish Chef of the Year" winners have cooked in Göteborg.

Warnemünde, officially a suburb of Rostock, is a quaint seaside resort with the area's best hotels and restaurants and 20 km (12 miles) of white-sand beach. A longtime summer getaway for families in eastern Germany, it's mainly a place to relax. It is also a major cruise-ship terminal; when multiple ships dock, the town buzzes like a fair, with shops and restaurants open until midnight. The dreifache Anlauf-three ships arriving at once-is celebrated with fireworks.

Bornholm, though closer to Sweden, has been Danish since 1522 and was once a major Baltic trading port. Today its people live from fishing, farming and tourism. Visitors flock to Rønne and the island each summer for beaches, cliffs, trails, round churches, smoked herring, and Hammershus Castle. Rønne, the main town, has 15,000 people and daily ferries from Copenhagen.

Gdansk, one of Poland's oldest and most beautiful cities, sits on the Baltic Sea. Largely destroyed in WWII, it was painstakingly rebuilt, restoring its Hanseatic architecture and treasures. Follow the Royal Route through the Golden Gate and Dluga Street to the Town Hall and Mariacka Street, visit the Amber Museum, the World War II Museum, and the European Solidarity Centre.

Lithuania's Klaipėda, its third-largest city and only seaport, is a historic Baltic prize that rarely freezes in winter. Once called Memel, it was founded in 1252 by the Teutonic Order, later ruled by Prussia and Germany, transferred to Lithuania after WWI, retaken by Germany before and during WWII, and liberated in 1945. Its center still shows Germanic fachwerk and cobbled streets. Nearby Curonian Spit National Park, a UNESCO site, draws many visitors.

Riga, Latvia's UNESCO-listed Old Town, is a quirky artistic city famed for its gleaming Art Deco and fairytale architecture, earning it the nickname "the Baltic Berlin." Climb St. Peter's Church for views, see the House of Blackheads and the pastel Three Brothers, and spot modern Riga across the Daugava at the National Library. The 42m Freedom Monument marks independence. Don't miss Riga Central Market, set in former zeppelin hangars, or a stroll through Bastejkalna Park.

Tallinn is a fairytale Baltic capital that blends old and new. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town is among Northern Europe's best preserved, with medieval walls, cobbled lanes, and Town Hall Square at its heart. Enter through Viru Gates, past markets and roasting nuts, then explore churches like St. Olaf's green-spired tower. From Kohtuotsa platform, see red roofs and church towers; nearby, Toompea Castle and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral showcase Tallinn's layered history and striking architecture.

Helsinki is a thriving, highly livable seaside city known for design, creativity, and a bright whitewashed look from its light granite buildings. Spread across 300 islands and skerries in the Gulf of Finland, it blends old and new, from Helsinki Cathedral to bold modern architecture. Parks, public art, the Sibelius Monument, Rock Church, Design Museum, and the sea fortress Suomenlinna all reflect its culture and history.

Stockholm, Sweden's stylish capital, blends history, culture and waterfront beauty with a forward-looking vibe. Explore the grand City Hall, ABBA Museum and Gamla Stan's cobbled streets, colorful townhouses and traditional eateries. Spanning 14 islands linked by bridges, the city offers canals, parks, beaches, summer boat trips to the 24,000-island archipelago, plus trendy bars, cafes, rooftop lounges and fashion-forward shopping.