Vacation In Scandinavia
Founded during the Viking Age, Scandinavia has preserved its culture, traditions and customs to this day thanks to the efforts of people trying to conserve them. This is what makes it an attractive tourist destination for people who want to enjoy themselves surrounded by untouched natural beauty and a distinctive cultural heritage.
If you’re considering travelling around Scandinavia, then you’ve made a smart choice. Many people tend to focus on the United States and Western Europe when it comes to vacationing, but there’s so much more out there: smaller countries with a lot of hidden gems that are just waiting to be discovered.
Scandinavia is a region of Europe that consists of Norway, Sweden and part of northern Finland. It has become famous for its untouched natural beauty, great cities for nightlife and fascinating historical sites. Scandinavia is beautiful all year around but here are some top destinations you should consider when visiting:
Some people enjoy the heat of the South Pacific. Others prefer the tranquility of a tropical island. I’d rather be somewhere in Scandinavia. For those who’ve been fortunate enough to explore, you know how beautiful countries such as Denmark, Norway and Sweden are. Their lush forests, countless sunlit lakes and wide open spaces remind me of home — or at least where I’d like to go to find peace if all those hours in my home office were too much to handle.
Vacation In Scandinavia
The Scandinavian Peninsula, also referred to as Northern Europe, is a peninsula in Northern Europe and consists of three sovereign states Norway, Sweden and Finland. Each of the countries have their own unique language: Norwegian (Bokmål), Swedish (Svenska) and Finnish, respectively. And the area is known for its rolling landscapes, historical landmarks and warm climate — one that people from all over fall in love with.
ave you always been intrigued by Scandinavia? Once the home of Vikings, it is now renowned for its sleek design, hygge and fika lifestyle, and jaw-dropping natural scenery. There’s much to be inspired by!
If you’re looking for a real adventure with a dash of sophistication, set your sights on a tour of the Scandinavian countries.
What countries make up Scandinavia? First things first, Norway, Sweden and Denmark are the 3 kingdoms that compose the region. Nowadays a looser interpretation is closer to the Nordic region, also including Finland and Iceland.
You’ll find that some tours also include famed Baltic cities, like Tallinn in Estonia, for an even grander itinerary.
The best thing about exploring Scandinavia is that the possibilities are endless. You could cruise the fjords, see polar bears in the wild, and go cross-country skiing or hiking high into the mountains.
Not sure where to start? We’ve put together this handy guide to help you plan your dream Scandinavian getaway, whether you’re looking for summer fun, an Arctic experience, or a city getaway.
- Start planning your adventure with one of these Scandinavian tour packages
Best tour ideas:
- Tour the Scandinavian capitals
- Cruise around Scandinavia and the Baltics
- Head into the Arctic Circle in winter
- Take the wheel of a Scandinavian road trip
- Chase the northern lights in Scandinavia
- Explore Norway onboard iconic train journeys
- Go on a classic Hurtigruten fjords and coastal cruise
1. Tour the Scandinavian capitals
Best Scandinavian tour for: a city break and taste of each country.
A tour of Scandinavia’s capital cities is ideal for those craving some cosmopolitan glamour, hygge and fika, and stellar historical attractions.
Between planning for Sweden, Denmark and Norway, you could spend lots of time trying to sort logistics to get from place to place. Instead we suggest a guided tour of Scandinavia, with a pre-arranged itinerary covering the must-see attractions and a tour leader so you can soak in all the local history.
Travel this way and you’ll benefit from meeting like-minded travellers. You’ll also have the peace of mind that your accommodation, transport, activities, and some meals are included in your tour.
- Check out these guided small group tours of Scandinavia
- Related: 7 brilliant reasons to go on a European group tour
WHAT IS THE BEST ITINERARY FOR A TOUR OF THE SCANDINAVIAN CAPITALS?
Day 1: Start in Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, and explore the city centre. Why not wander along the shopping street Drottninggatan and dine in the district of Östermalm?
Day 2: Today, explore Stockholm’s Old Town (Gamla Stan) and find your way through the colourful buildings to the Royal Palace, the Stockholm Cathedral and the Nobel Museum.
Day 3: Next, board a train to Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen. This is an easy half-day ride across the forests and fields of Sweden. You’ll arrive with enough time in the afternoon to enjoy visiting attractions like the Amalienborg Palace.
Day 4: Get to grips with Copenhagen’s charms on a tour with a local guide. You’ll check out the Tivoli Gardens amusement park and go on a canal cruise to the impressive Christiansborg Palace. If you’re a foodie, don’t miss a stop at the Torvehallerne food market.
Day 5: Spend your morning in Copenhagen enjoying the photogenic Nyhavn harbour, then head over to snap a pic of the fairytale heroine and icon of the city: The Little Mermaid. Later, board your ship as you’re off to Oslo, Norway’s capital.
- Visit the capital cities with one of these Scandinavian Triangle packages
- Related: Ultimate Scandinavia guide – The best times and places to visit
Day 6: Once in Oslo, tour the top attractions like the Royal Palace and Akershus fortress.
Day 7: A week in, and you should be ready for what is considered to be one of the best train journeys in the world: Oslo to Flåm. Along the Flåm Railway, you will be taken through Norway’s mountainous region.
Day 8: From Flåm, you will bear witness to the majesty of Norway’s fjords by sailing along Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in the world. In the evening, hop on a train to Bergen.
Day 9: Whilst Bergen is not as famous as the capitals of this list, it is a stunning city worth the detour. It makes for a perfect day of exploring thanks to its mountainous surroundings and UNESCO-listed medieval wharf, Bryggen.
Day 10: Explore more of Bergen before flying home. You could take the funicular railway to Mount Fløyen for an incredible view of Bergen’s surrounding fjords, and then maybe take in the bustling Fish Market.
2. Cruise around Scandinavia and the Baltics
Best Scandinavian tour for: a multi-country cruise adventure and taste of the Baltics.
The Baltic Sea is inextricably tied to Scandinavia, and some of the most magnificent cities in Northern Europe perch on its shores. Enjoy the grand Baltic capitals of Helsinki and Tallinn, before seeing the dramatic beauty of Norway, Sweden and Denmark by train and ferry.
This kind of itinerary is ideal for anyone curious to see both the eastern and western sides of Scandinavia. Make this journey on your own, to enjoy extra free time, or join an escorted tour of the region to see the sights from a local’s point of view.
- Travel on one of these cruise tours in Scandinavia
- View independent tours in Scandinavia to travel at your own pace
WHAT IS THE BEST ITINERARY FOR A TOUR OF SCANDINAVIA AND THE BALTICS?
Day 1: Start in Finland’s lovely Helsinki, and explore the city solo. Go to the Helsinki Design District for some stylish shopping, and then try contemporary Scandinavian-Finnish cuisine at one of the many restaurants.
Day 2: Tour Helsinki’s many attractions today, such as Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral and Finlandia Hall. Don’t miss the Kauppatori central market for souvenirs and fresh food.
Day 3: Board a ferry to Estonia’s gorgeous capital city, Tallinn. Take in the UNESCO-listed Old Town before strolling to the Upper Town (Toompea). Here you can visit Toompea Castle and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Day 4: Make the most of your morning in Tallinn by wandering through the Russian-influenced Kadriorg district. Later, board an overnight cruise to Stockholm. Sweden is up next!
- Related: A little something about Tallinn
Day 5: When you wake up, you’ll be sailing through the 24,000 islands and islets that make up the Stockholm archipelago. By mid-morning you’ll be in the city, where you can relax or have a day of exploration.
Day 6: Dive into Stockholm’s contemporary side and historic district for a full glance at the city. Incorporate a side-trip to Djurgården to see the extraordinary Vasa Museum.
Day 7: Hop on a train from Stockholm to Copenhagen and enjoy the southern landscapes of Sweden on your way. On arrival, check out the palaces and canals of the Danish capital.
Day 8: Discover Copenhagen’s romantic Rosenborg Castle and colourful Botanical Garden. With a whole day to sightsee, you can probably fit in an afternoon trip to Christiansborg Palace.
Day 9: Catch sight of The Little Mermaid poking her head above Copenhagen’s shores and spend a little more time wandering along Nyhavn harbour. At the end of the day, leave behind the fairy tales of Denmark and set sail for the home of Norse legends, Norway.
Day 10: Step onto Oslo’s cobbled streets for your first taste of Norwegian culture and history. Explore Akershus fortress and the fascinating Vigeland Sculpture Park.
- Learn more on one of these culture and history tours in Scandinavia
- Related: Best cities in Scandinavia to visit
Day 11: A trip to Norway isn’t complete without a look at its lofty interior: Norway’s mountainous “rooftop”. Board the train from Oslo to Flåm, and see quaint villages like Gol and Geilo along the way.