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Scandinavia Tours for Solo and Single Travellers

When it comes to solo travel, Scandinavia is one of the safest and most rewarding places in the world you can visit. Meet other travellers on small group tours or go your own way on an unforgettable solo trip through Sweden, Norway and Denmark, crafted by the travel experts at Nordic Visitor.

TAKE A SOLO TRIP TO SCANDINAVIA

Interested in a solo Scandinavia tour? We can help you there!

The Scandinavian countries – that’s Norway , Sweden   and Denmark – are ideal destinations for single travellers. They offer beautiful cities, enriching experiences, and excellent infrastructure to help make travelling solo easy and enjoyable.

Our Stockholm-based Scandinavia experts will tailor an itinerary to your tastes and interests. You could join a guided small group tour , take the wheel on a self-drive trip , or opt for an independent experience of the region.

What’s more, when you book a Scandinavia trip with Nordic Visitor, you get tried-and-tested accommodation, private or public transportation reservations, and many other benefits as part of the package. You’ll also enjoy the personal service of your own dedicated travel consultant, who can customise your tour depending on your personal preferences.

Keep browsing below to explore Scandinavia trips for singles and solo travellers.

— WHY US?

Why book with nordic visitor.

• Experts in tailor-made Scandinavia tours
• Based in Sweden, Iceland & Scotland
• Local staff with first-hand Nordic travel experience
• Dedicated to providing personalised, quality service

EXPLORE SCANDINAVIA ON A GUIDED SMALL GROUP TOUR

A small group tour of Scandinavia is a great way to meet other like-minded visitors. You’ll discover the region’s top sites together, accompanied by a local guide who knows the region inside out.

Highlights of Scandinavia

Sweden, denmark & norway.

Countries Visited Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark

Highlights of Scandinavia & Finland Cruise

Finland, sweden, denmark & norway.

Countries Visited Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia

Highlights of Scandinavia & Baltic Cruise

Finland, estonia, sweden, denmark & norway, natural wonders of iceland.

Highlights of the Ring Road

Wonders of the Norwegian Fjords

Norway in a nutshell® & expert tour guide, scenic south iceland, geysers, volcanoes & glacier lagoon, complete iceland, iceland full circle & the westfjords.

1166521 ISK

Northern Lights Circle Tour

Highlights of norway, hurtigruten cruise, norwegian fjords & expert tour guide, winter highlights & northern lights, ice cave & glacier lagoon.

Wonders of the Norwegian Fjords & Oslo

Wonders of the norwegian fjords & hurtigruten cruise, discover the capitals of scandinavia.

Go city-hopping on the Scandinavian Triangle, a tried-and-tested route incorporating the capitals of Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Visit Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo in one unforgettable trip.

Capitals of Scandinavia

Best of scandinavia classic, train & cruise, capitals of scandinavia in winter, best of scandinavia classic - winter, capitals of scandinavia & norwegian fjords, best of scandinavia & finland cruise, best of scandinavia & baltic cruise, train, cruise & ferry, best of scandinavia at leisure, capitals of scandinavia & finland cruise, capitals of scandinavia & baltic cruise.

Countries Visited Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark

The Nordic Countries Classic

Train, cruise & self-drive.

Countries Visited Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia

The Nordic Countries Complete

Best of scandinavia & norway cruise, best of scandinavia & finland cruise - winter, capitals of scandinavia & finland cruise - winter, scandinavian travel experts.

As a travel agency based in the Nordic region, Nordic Visitor knows how to make the most of your time in Scandinavia. We offer a variety of tours — both independent and guided — that include the must-see attractions as well as lesser-known highlights that are hand-picked by our own Scandinavian travel experts. To ensure a stress-free trip, we handle all the local details for you — accommodations, activities, rental car (for self-drive tours), cruise/train tickets and other services.

Oh, and we can customise your itinerary! If you decide you want to add extra nights at a certain location, for example, your personal Nordic Visitor travel consultant will be happy to make suggestions and modify your itinerary.

What do our customers say?

The reviews speak for themselves. See what Nordic Visitor travellers said about their experience with us.

Alan and Donna

Scenic circle of scandinavia, june 2019, our experience with nv has been a joy.

Our experience with NV has been a joy. Alda has been terrific and very accommodating to our needs and we could not have asked for more from you or her. 

Mary Jane, United States

Nordic odyssey, august 2018, i have already recommended nordic visitor to others..

I have already recommended Nordic visitor to others. The price was very reasonable, and accommodations top notch. As we did the self guided tour the side tours available that we took were top rate. We enjoyed being able to spend time exploring on our own and not being bound by a full schedule. The transportation was wonderful. Our guide, Alda, was very helpful.

Lisa, United States

A tale of four cities, may 2018, wonderful experience with nordic visitor..

Overall a wonderful trip and wonderful experience with Nordic Visitor.

Philip, United States

Highlights of scandinavia, august 2017, the information packet provided at the beginning was very helpful.

The information packet provided at the beginning was very helpful particularly the maps being marked up

Jenna, United States

The golden triangle of scandinavia, august 2016, completely lived up to our expectations.

Irja was wonderful! She put our trip together perfectly and our entire visit from one country to the next was seamless. It could not have been any easier or well coordinated. My emails were responded to promptly and all my questions were answered thoroughly and with patience. I usually plan all my trips myself but it was so nice to let Irja know what I wanted and let her do all the tedious planning and booking. It was really amazing and our trip completely lived up to our expectations! I feel like a spoiled traveler now because Irja took a lot of the travel planning headache away from me and she did a really great job. We really appreciated the complimentary upgrades too!

Alan, United States

The golden triangle of scandinavia, april 2016, high degree of professionalism.

Probably the most important service I received was Cecilia's prompt answers to all my questions. My requests were handled expeditiously. As for the accommodations, they ranged from very good to excellent. Of particular note is the fact that Cecilia had to react quickly to hotel employees' strike at one of the hotels. She quickly found arranged for me to stay at another hotel, which was most impressive (both her ability to improvise and the quality of the hotel). She was also quite helpful in recommending certain places of interest to visit and the advisability of purchasing city passes for transportation and sightseeing.

Golden Route of the Nordic Countries, May 2019

Superb customer service.

Mikael provided superb customer service. Very pleased with his attention to detail. He was very courteous and quite helpful.

Anosha, United States

Nordic odyssey, july 2018, we will definitely use your services when we travel again.

We were very happy with everything. We did four countries during our tour and we enjoyed it very much. We were also able to customize many options which was great. I have to say a huge "thank you" to Alda. She was very knowledgeable and very helpful. She also helped us customize our tour the way we wanted. We will definitely use your services when we travel again. 

Graham, Singapore

The classic scandinavian roundtrip, april 2018, it was so user friendly.

It was so user friendly and Cicci was very good in answering any queries promptly

Highlights of Scandinavia & Baltic Cruise, June 2017

Your professional attitude in handling the minutest details is something i admire the most.

I have done two once circle tour of Iceland and now Scandinavian east to west. Your professional attitude in handling the minutest details is something I admire the most. It helps everyone to be prepared. Thanks

Highlights of Scandinavia & Baltic Cruise, July 2016

We´d like to return.

The tour was highly enjoyable. We visited some wonderful places. Whilst we like to be independent, the organisation of our transport and accommodation was very good and allowed us to really relax and unwind. There are many places we'd like to return to. More time in Norway is certainly on our agenda!

Classic Scandinavia, June 2019

The location of the hotels could not have been better.

The location of the hotels could not have been better - all centrally located with access to points of interest and public transport. Transportation between cities was also well-planned.

Jasper, United States

Highlights of scandinavia & finland cruise, may 2018, allowed us to truly relax.

We were just thrilled with how wonderful the trip was, and are very grateful to Alda for all of her hard work and flexibility with our changing needs and many requests. Having all of the trip details planned by you allowed us to truly relax and enjoy an unparalleled vacation.

Roger, South Africa

The golden triangle of scandinavia, september 2017, nordic visitor handled everything very professionaly.

Nordic Visitor handled everything very professionaly.

Marlene, New Zealand

Scandinavian highlights by car, september 2016, highly recommended.

My only question is: Why is there not an "Excellent" option? Our holiday was most excellent in every way...! From my first email enquiry regarding the tour to the last minute of our holiday every aspect was excellent. Cecilia made the whole planning experience smooth and seamless, and the tour itself was most excellent. Wow! What an incredible job Nordic Visitor does! We felt so spoilt because everything had been done for us... all we needed to do was drive and have fun. This was an incredible tour and I can't speak highly enough about the slick operation Nordic Visitor runs. Highly, highly recommended!

Laurie, United States

Highlights of scandinavia & finland cruise, july 2016.

The support that Cicci and her colleagues provided was outstanding. We had a few minor things that needed to be adjusted during our trip and we received immediate and prompt service. All questions were addressed quickly and when changes were required, all our requests were met with a willing attitude. The trip was wonderful and it was nice to know that we had someone to contact should we have encountered any problems.

The Classic Scandinavian Roundtrip, May 2019

Greatly appreciated.

The fact that the travel documents clearly laid out the necessary transfers for trains, boats, planes, etc. was greatly appreciated. When the transfers involved a tricky change, the documents made sure to describe the signs as well as possible to assist. It was also nice to have all of the documents given to us in a single email so access was simple and easy.

Duncan, Australia

Golden route of the nordic countries, may 2018, went very smoothly.

I was very impressed with the efficiency of your staff and how processes that were meant to work actually went very smoothly. We have been traveling for many years and your organization is the least stress creating travel group we have experienced.

Scandinavian Highlights by Car, September 2017

Definitely recommend your company.

I would definitely recommend your company. Very helpful on the phone when booking and arranging extra items such as GPS. Very good English spoken.

A Tale of Four Cities, July 2017

Amazing tour.

This was an amazing tour for us to take as a family holiday (with teenagers) giving us a little insight into each country. Clearly planned to make the most of each city.  

Matt, United States

Scandinavian highlights by car, june 2016, went incredibly smoothly.

We had a great experience from the very beginning. Cicci was always quick to respond to emails and answered all our questions prior to us making our final booking. Once we booked all the details (hotels, etc) started coming in and it was really helpful to have the "highlights" booklet to help us plan what we wanted to see and where we should stop each day on our drive. Really everything went incredibly smoothly through out the entire trip! We have no complaints!!

Getting to Scandinavia

Many of Nordic Visitor’s tours of Scandinavia begin in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital and largest city. Stockholm Arlanda Airport is the main gateway for international air travel in Sweden and is served by dozens of airlines. Furthermore, it serves as a major hub for SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) and Norwegian Air.

Here are examples of other airlines that fly to Stockholm Arlanda: United Airlines, British Airways, Air France, EasyJet, Lufthansa, KLM, Icelandair, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways

We recommend checking airline websites directly for flight availability and timetables. You can also use an airfare search engine, such as Skyscanner, Dohop or Kayak, for example.

Flights are not included in Nordic Visitor packages, but all of our itineraries can be customised with extra nights in Stockholm, or another arrival city in Scandinavia, if you’d like to rest up after your air journey.

Different ways you can experience Scandinavia

We have tours for all varieties of travel styles and interests. See our options for exploring Scandinavia below.

Guided Small Groups

Independent cruise, independent train, scandinavian triangle, scandinavia trip ideas for singles and solo visitors.

There are many reasons why Scandinavia is such a great travel destination for single and solo visitors.

Firstly, if you are an English speaker, it is easy to interact with the locals as so many Scandinavians are fluent in the language. So whether you want to strike up a conversation or need help with directions, you won’t need to worry about any language barrier.

Another advantage of Scandinavia tours for singles is that Sweden, Norway and Denmark are some of the safest countries in the world. You can expect clean cities, high standards of road safety, and low crime rates too.

In addition, getting around Scandinavia is easy thanks to excellent transport connections and relatively short distances between the capitals. This is why we highly recommend the Scandinavian Triangle route for solo visitors.

You can visit Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen in one incredible trip, travelling between the cities via train, plane or ferry. Spend your days enjoying walking tours, savouring delicious meals in Scandinavian restaurants, or cycling along pedestrianised streets and bike lanes.

Your Scandinavian travel adventure could encompass the countryside too. Head to Bergen on the west coast of Norway to witness the stunning fjords, or venture into the bucolic landscapes of southern Sweden. You can even go island-hopping in the Stockholm Archipelago, a summertime idyll for Swedish city-dwellers.

As a Northern European tour operator, Nordic Visitor specialises in organising holidays to this beautiful corner of the world. We have many more ideas to help you explore Scandinavia your way!

• From free Wi-Fi hotspots to health and safety, find out why Scandinavia is perfect for solo travel

As a solo visitor to Scandinavia, you have the freedom to decide just how long you want to spend in the region. Whether a week, 15 days or longer, we can come up with the perfect itinerary to suit you.

Here’s one of our suggestions for a Scandinavia solo travel itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrive in Stockholm, Sweden Fly into Stockholm Arlanda Airport and head to your hotel in the city centre. Spend some time walking through Gamla Stan (the Old Town). Enjoy a fika (a Swedish coffee break) with a nice pastry at one of the local cafés in this medieval neighbourhood.

Day 2 - The highlights of Stockholm Spend a full day in the Swedish capital, discovering the city’s attractions and districts. You could join a sightseeing tour to see the best of Stockholm in a day, taking you to must-see spots like the City Hall, Royal Palace and trendy Södermalm quarter.

Or, a ferry ride will whisk you off to the island of Djurgården, home to the Nordic Museum and Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum. Meanwhile, a day trip to the Stockholm Archipelago means you could swim in the Baltic Sea and hike through forests.

Day 3 - Fly to Copenhagen, Denmark Head to Stockholm Airport after breakfast and board a plane to Copenhagen. Once in Denmark’s capital, take a walk down the city’s popular Strøget street for a bite to eat, or go check out the fun and games at the old fashioned Tivoli Gardens amusement park.

Day 4 - Discover Copenhagen Soak up the charms of Copenhagen today, either on your own or as part of a guided tour. You might want to visit Rosenborg Castle, the Botanical Garden and Torvehallerne food market.

We also recommend hopping on a boat tour to see Christiansborg Palace, the Royal Danish Opera House and the colourful Christianshavn Canal from the water.

Day 5 - Overnight cruise to Oslo, Norway Ahead of your journey to Oslo, spend the day enjoying more of Copenhagen. Why not make like the bicycle-happy Danes and rent a bike?

You could check out the exquisite Amalienborg Palace, as well as the colourful Nyhavn harbour and the Little Mermaid statue. Later, head to the port for your cruise to Oslo.

Day 6 - Explore Norway’s capital city After your ship arrives early in the morning, the whole day is yours to roam Oslo. Take a walk to the bustling Aker Brygge waterfront area and visit the Akershus Fortress. Or, head to the Bygdøy peninsula to explore historic museums. 

If you love art, make sure to take a walk through the delightful Vigeland Sculpture Park. Don’t miss a visit to Oslo City Hall if you want to see where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held.

Day 7 - Scenic train journey to Flåm This morning, go to Oslo Central Station to begin your Norway in a Nutshell® experience – one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Look out the window to see picturesque landscapes and quaint villages like Gol and Geilo.

Change at Myrdal to board the Flåm Railway for one of the top highlights of the entire trip: a 900-metre (half-mile) descent to the picturesque village of Flåm, where you’ll stay for the night.

Day 8 - Norwegian fjord cruise Prepare to witness breathtaking Norwegian scenery today, as you hop on a cruise that takes you through the fjords. You’ll be able to admire the glittering waters, cascading falls and forested mountains of Sognefjord, passing through Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.

Afterwards, it’s an exciting coach and train ride to Bergen.

Day 9 - Discover Bergen Known as the gateway to the fjords , Bergen is Norway’s charming second city with plenty of its own attractions to uncover. You can visit the medieval houses of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bryggen, and take the funicular up Mount Fløyen for panoramic views over the city and fjords.

There are also plenty of museums, shops and restaurants to check out on your last full day in Scandinavia

Day 10 - Depart from Bergen, Norway Fly back home from Bergen-Flesland Airport, having enjoyed 10 days in beautiful Scandinavia.

• Not sure when to go to Scandinavia, or what you want to see? Read our ultimate guide to the best times and places to visit

What other ideas are there for a solo Scandinavia tour?

There are so many more options for your Scandinavia solo travel itinerary. You could combine your tour of Sweden, Norway and Denmark with a visit to Helsinki or Tallinn, the capitals of Finland and Estonia respectively.

After exploring these cities, step aboard a cruise that whisks you to Stockholm. You’ll cross the Baltic Sea overnight to begin your exploration of the Scandinavian Triangle the following day.

Another alternative is to head deeper into rural Scandinavia. Discover natural gems like the breathtaking fjords and mountains of Norway. You could journey even further up the west coast towards the Lofoten Islands on a Havila or Hurtigruten cruise , for an intrepid travel adventure towards the Arctic Circle.

Like the sound of an odyssey to the far north of Europe? Then we recommend visiting Lapland – a remote region covering parts of Sweden, Finland and Norway. Come in winter for snowy landscapes and the chance to see the northern lights illuminate the night sky.

Or hop on a plane and visit Iceland as part of your Nordic experience!

Good to know : Most of our itineraries aren't set in stone, and there are many possibilities for customised routes. We can modify your tour if you'd prefer to arrive in a different city, spend more free time in one destination than another, or add other towns to your trip.

Just ask your Nordic Visitor travel consultant for advice.

Interested in a guided tour of Scandinavia?

To see the region from a local’s point of view and make some new friends along the way, a guided small group tour of the Scandinavian capitals is a great option! These tours run from May to August, so you can enjoy summer travel in Scandinavia.

A small group tour offers an enriching experience, allowing you to get the most out of your trip thanks to the expertise of a local guide. What’s more, you’ll be travelling alongside 16 people at most, so the trip is still personal for you.

• Want the company of an expert guide and like-minded travellers? Here are 7 brilliant reasons to go on a European group tour

Prefer a self-guided tour of Scandinavia?

If you would like to discover Scandinavia on your own but prefer not to drive, then an independent tour is the perfect choice. Public transportation in Scandinavia is fast, reliable and punctual, so getting around by train and ferry is a great alternative to driving.

By opting for a train and cruise tour of Scandinavia, you’ll benefit from having your itinerary arrangements made for you but with the freedom to spend your days however you please. Nordic Visitor will book all your accommodation and travel tickets between destinations, and you can add on activities too.

Plus, by booking an independent tour of Scandinavia you’ll still be able to enjoy the usual Nordic Visitor benefits. These include access to our 24/7 helpline, a detailed personal itinerary, helpful travel guide and daily breakfast.

• First time in the Nordics? See our 7 amazing Scandinavia tour ideas for first-time visitors

How about a solo Scandinavia road trip?

You could explore Scandinavia on a self-drive tour , giving you the freedom to stop at lookout points and attractions whenever you want. Get ready for an unforgettable solo adventure, with incredible scenery outside your window keeping you company all the while.

The best part? You won’t have to worry about where you’re going or sleeping, because your Nordic Visitor travel consultant has already sorted those local arrangements for you. You’ll also have access to our 24/7 emergency helpline should you need to call us at any point.

You could opt for a circular route between Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo, flying in and out of the Swedish capital, for example. This way, you could soak up the verdant countryside, rural villages, and grand castles and manor houses in this corner of Scandinavia.

All of Nordic Visitor’s Scandinavia self-drive tour packages can be tailored by our local experts with extra nights at select locations or modified driving routes. If you have any particular attractions in mind, just contact us to ask.

— OTHER DESTINATIONS

See more of northern europe.

• Like raw nature? Discover Iceland ’s jaw-dropping landscapes
• Want more road trip ideas? Venture to Scotland and Ireland
• Love winter scenery? Make for snowy Lapland
• Keen to go off the beaten track? Explore wild Greenland

Our services

Whether you travel by train, cruise ship or car in your Nordic Visitor package, you can expect personal service from your own designated travel consultant and a tailor-made itinerary with quality travel documents. Our self-drive clients also receive a hand-marked map outlining the route, overnight stays and highlights along the way. Furthermore, we have long-standing professional relationships with trusted local tour operators , which are carefully selected by our staff for their high standards of service.

Book with Confidence

• Protect your money & plans with our  flexible booking terms    .
• 97% of customers say they’d recommend us to friends.
• We work closely with trusted, high-quality suppliers.
• Enjoy personal service from Scandinavian travel experts.
• Get peace of mind with a 24/7 helpline during your stay.
• We’re here for you in case of unforeseen circumstances.

We’re here to help, so get in touch with our friendly team to book your package or add extra nights and activities to an existing booking.

Our Scandinavian phone number is +46 8 666 23 30

How about a live chat with one of our local travel experts?

Blog posts you might like

7 brilliant reasons to go on a european group tour, the ultimate scandinavia guide: the best times & places to visit, 7 amazing scandinavia tour ideas for first-time visitors, why scandinavia is perfect for solo travel.

Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.

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Sweden Tours

Travel to Sweden, the land of the red wooden houses in moose-dense forests, the land where traditions and culture go hand in hand with IKEA, design and art.

Experience the pulse and beauty of Stockholm and its amazing archipelago, meet the aboriginal Sámi people in the north and experience the midnight sun.

Explore our Sweden Tours

How this works

1. find your dream tour.

Choose from our selection of tours — or discuss the options with our travel specialists.

2. Request your booking

Complete the online process — add extra nights and experiences and combine tours. 

3. Prepare for your journey

Book your flights, receive your travel documents and get ready for an experience of a lifetime.

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Must do adventure.

The heart of Stockholm, Gamla Stan, and its cobblestone paved, disoriented lanes have witnessed different phases of history. From triumphant rulers to candlelit tiny cafes, Gamla Stan is the personification of history, nostalgia, and the timelessness of Sweden. A Sweden Tour cannot be complete without a visit to this quieter yet elegant side. The colorful 18th-century buildings, narrow lanes, and the central square are always prepared to amaze the visitors.

There are a lot of reasons that make Stockholm, the heart of Sweden. But the most important one is the Drottningholm Palace. Situated in Lake Mälaren, is the epitome of the regal past of Sweden and the rich history. Constructed in 1662, Drottningholm is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Drottningholms Slottsteater, adjacent to the palace can tell the story of 18th-century drama culture.

Thought the constant temperature inside the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi is -5 to -7 degrees, there is no need to feel scared. This ice hotel is well equipped to give travelers all the comforts. The crystal-like rooms and bluish ambiance is nothing less than Disney Frozen setting. They also offer a lot of activities that the guest can enjoy. It can be a once in a lifetime experience

Bucket List Experience

The arctic side of Sweden thrives in Lapland. Those in love with hiking and want peace heaven where the air is pure and food is great should visit Lapland. Lapland should be in the top five destinations to be covered in Sweden Tour. Be it getting a panoramic vista in Kungsleden trail or watching the magical midnight sun, Lapland is indeed full of wonders. 

Sweden’s beloved capital and one of the prominent cities, Stockholm is something more than any other Scandinavian settlements. Apart from the colorful Gamla Stan, there are more to add in the Stockholm to-do list. Djugården, Östermalm, and Södermalm are worth a visit during the Sweden tour.

Gothenburg Archipelago

Enjoy a little ferry ride and reach Gothenburg Archipelago. The archipelago consists of 20+ islands with distinct features. A few important and lovely islands among them are Hönö, Vinga, Styrsö, Donsö, and Brännö, etc. The differences between these islands allow experiencing different things within a few hours. Starting from a forest hike to enjoying a laid back evening on the beach, travelers can expect everything in Gothenburg Archipelago. 

Malmo is not all about Västra Hamnen’s new and revamped glory. The grand Öresund bridge with its vastness, the mixed and unique culture of the town, and the bold red Malmo castle make this city ravishingly beautiful and a tourist magnet. 

If someone is looking for enjoying a bit quieter time then Karlskrona is the place they should choose. One of the sunniest cities in Sweden, Karlskrona is full of wonders. The Kungsholm Fortress, Hogland’s Park, Amiralitetsklockstapeln, and Vämöparken are the important destinations of Karlskrona. 

Be it violent wars of the royal era, Linkoping has its own unique identity. Östgöta Plains, Linkoping Cathedral, Tradgardsforeningen, Linkoping castle, and Tinnero Eklandskap make Linkoping traveler’s favorite spots to cover during Sweden Tour. Do not forget to have a boat ride experience while in Linkoping. 

When to Visit

Peak season.

May-September is the best time to visit Sweden and for snow, the ideal time is late November to March. 

Travel Guide

Capital city, main airport, language spoken, electricity, vaccinations, emergency calls, faqs about sweden, what is internet access like in sweden.

Both fixed and wireless internet connections are available in Sweden. 

Can I use my mobile while in Sweden?

Mobile phones that support GSM 900 and 1800 Mhz will function just fine in Sweden. T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon allow roaming while in Sweden. 

How are the toilets like in Sweden?

Most of the public toilets are self-cleaning. And Swedish people are not a fan of squat toilets. 

Can I drink the water in Sweden?

Sweden’s water is drinkable. And bottled water is also available in Sweden.

Are credit cards accepted widely in Sweden?

Sweden is mostly a cashless country and even a few cafes or restaurants can politely refuse to accept cash. All the leading Credit cards are widely accepted in Sweden. 

What is the convenience of ATM access in Sweden?

Swedish people are comfortable using the card frequently, and that makes Sweden one of the best ATM network cities. International travelers will not face any trouble in finding or accessing an ATM. 

What to wear in Sweden?

Packing the winter wears, woolens, and furry coats are the ideal things to wear during Sweden Tour. Carry comfortable shoes. 

Is Sweden safe for women to travel solo?

Sweden is safe for solo woman travelers. 

Stockholm time

Sweden  by  FreeVectorMaps.com

• A Solo Travellers Guide To...

A Solo Traveller's Guide to Sweden

Sweden is full of wides swaths of forest, nearly 100,000 lakes of varying sizes, and some of the most interesting cities and towns around, but it’s also a huge country, giving the solo traveller so many options it can be difficult to decide what to prioritise. From a practical point of view, the transport system in Sweden is excellent. Trains and buses will take you pretty much anywhere, as will planes – especially important if you’re travelling the long distances from north to south. This guide will help you navigate the vast country and get the best out of your trip.

Any visit to Sweden should include a stop in Stockholm. Often called the Capital of Scandinavia, Stockholm is filled to the brim with things to do.

Eat and Drink

For a classic Swedish eating experience head to Tennstopet , one of the oldest pubs and restaurants in the city. Dedicated to serving traditional Swedish fare, Tennstopet is charm personified. One side of the establishment is fine dining, while the other side is a proper old-school pub. The staff are friendly and professional, the food fantastic, and the drinks areexcellent. Even more charming is the fact that the same man has been taking coats at the door for decades.

Konstnärsbaren

Known locally as KB, Konstnärsbaren (which means The Artist Bar) is a Stockholm institution that focuses on Swedish ingredients as well as great art. The murals on the walls have been painted by some of the biggest names in the Swedish art world, and there are regular exhibitions. Reservations are highly recommended because even after more than 80 years, KB is a city favourite.

For something different, try Stockholm’s famed and award-winning Restaurant China , which serves authentic Chinese food in the Södermalm district. With great service and even better food, Stockholmers from around the city flock here. Top tip: Monday nights are duck night: half price on Peking Duck, which is served in a variety of ways through four courses.

In a city filled with great cafés, Ritorno is a standout. Located in the Vasastan neighbourhood, Ritorno is the perfect cosy café in winter, and a great place to park yourself at a sidewalk table when the weather improves. Beat up old chairs and sofas embrace you, the food is great and reasonably priced, and the coffee is among the best in the city. Bonus: the owner, who wears a different hat every day as he works behind the counter, is a local legend.

Djurgården is a magical mixture of some of Stockholm’s top museums and beautiful countryside – all in the heart of the city. Here, you can get active by renting a bike or taking a kayaking tour of the city, get cultural by visiting the Abba Museum , the Vasa , or Skansen , or just wander around, taking in the water and fields. A perfect day out that suits any budget.

As Stockholm’s trendiest, hippest district, Södermalm offers exactly what you’d expect: cool bars , louche cafés, and plenty of funky shops. The best spots to check out are Nytorg, Medborgarplatsen, and Hornstull for the full Söder experience.

Archipelago

For a day trip or even a few overnights, hop on a ferry and head out to the archipelago . Take your pick from more than 30,000 islands to explore: Sandhamn is glamorous and full of yachts, while Möja is rustic and more focused on berry-picking and cycling along country lanes. Wherever you go in the archipelago, it’s pretty laid back, so a nice way to take a break from the city.

Where to stay

This high-end boutique hotel is the latest star in a city that can’t build hotels fast enough. Nobis is beautifully appointed, the bar and restaurant attract the city’s beautiful people, and the service is top-notch. Even better is the building’s history: it was formerly a bank and it’s where the infamous Stockholm Syndrome bank robbery took place.

A long-held reputation as one of the stylish places to stay in Stockholm, Lydmar is regularly singled out for its uniqueness and beauty. Overlooking the water with views towards the Royal Palace , there are also several top bars and restaurants, including the terrace, which is an absolute dream spot on a warm summer’s day. It also hosts summer music events, which are great for mingling.

Mälardrottningen

With the lush waters of Lake Mälaren gently lapping at its sides, The Queen of Lake Mälaren , as it’s known, is not just one of the world’s most beautiful ships, it’s also a very reasonably priced hotel. The rooms are not huge but if it’s views you want, many look out across the water to City Hall and Old Town.

Grab a Stockholm Pass , which will give you free access to all the attractions, as well as an optional travel pass, perfect for navigating the excellent public transport system. If the weather is right, though, ditch the bus and metro and walk instead. Stockholm is made up of 14 islands and nearly 60 bridges and the best way to really see the city is to put boots on pavement.

Health and Safety

While Stockholm is one of the safest cities in the world, it makes sense to take the usual precautions, such as don’t wander about late at night, especially if you’ve had a few drinks, keep your wallet in your front pocket, and don’t accept rides from strangers. Additionally, only use one of the city’s two biggest taxi companies – Taxi Stockholm or TaxiKurir – which are found at taxi stands but can also be flagged from the street.

If you take public transport, be aware that one of the biggest problems in Stockholm when it comes to crime is getting your phone stolen on the metro. If you run into trouble, call 112 – the police speak English fluently and are incredibly helpful. For health concerns, go to one of the city’s world-renowned hospitals, such as Karolinska or Södersjukhuset .

The High Coast

World UNESCO Heritage Site The High Coast , on the Gulf of Bothnia, is often overlooked by visitors to Sweden, which is a real shame. It’s one of the most beautiful areas in a country known for its stunning beauty, and it’s perfect for the solo traveller who wants to retain solitude while still mingling in small doses.

Located on the island of Ulvön, Almagränd is pretty much ground zero for fermented herring. Love or hate it – or maybe haven’t tried it yet? – you must have some herring when visiting the High Coast and Almagränd is the place to do it. If you can’t quite stomach the smelly stuff, there is also fresh fish daily, an à la carte menu, and even pizza.

Bella Restaurang & Bar

Parked right in the middle of bustling Örnsköldsvik, Bella Restaurang & Bar is where locals go for good food and even better drinks. While opening hours vary depending on the season, you can be sure to find it open every Friday and Saturday night. The food is truly local and delicious and this is where you can break out of your solitude, if only for a few hours.

Box Whisky Distillery

If you visit during summer take time to tour (and taste!) Box Whisky Distillery . A relatively new player on the whisky scene, Box has quickly gathered fans and accolades from around the globe for its pure, single malt Swedish whisky. There’s also a whisky festival at the end of June, where you can mingle with other whiskey aficionados. And who knows? You may end up buying a cask – it really is that good.

Bear Safari

Yes, you read that correctly: wildlife safaris in Hälsingland allow you to catch sight of wild bears, moose, wolves, and more in their natural habitat. Safaris include local guides, as well as accommodation at lodges and locally produced organic meals. A truly Swedish experience that is not to be missed.

Skuleskogen National Park , which is at the centre of the 100km of the High Coast recognised by UNESCO, is perfect for biking. While cycling is restricted to the coastal path between the South and North entrances, you won’t be disappointed. The views are outstanding and the trail is challenging, but not overly so. This is also a great place to hike, ski, or snowshoe.

High Coast Hike

This trail is the second largest hike in Sweden and attracts hikers from across the globe. It’s part hike and part folk festival, so you’ll get a taste of the local area while also drinking in incredible views. The hike will take you through coastal mountains, ancient forests, and along the wild coastline.

Sestola Gård

Located in the Mannaminne Art Centre in the village of Häggvik in the heart of the World Heritage Site, Sestola Gård is a modern hotel with an artistic bent. The 15 rooms are all equipped with their own bathrooms, as well as free wi-fi, and breakfast is included. It’s reasonably priced and staying here means free entry to the art gallery, too.

Bredbyns Gästgiveri

This family-run inn is located in the heart of the Anundsjö countryside. It’s been around since the 1930s and is known for its cosy atmosphere, great food, and top of the line service. The yellow wooden building that houses Beduins Gästgiveri is typically Swedish and the owners are known to treat everyone – from solo travellers to corporate visitors – with the same warmth and hospitality. Toilet, shower, TV, and wi-fi in every room.

The High Coast is a protected area so don’t build fires other than in specifically designated spots. You can pitch a tent more or less anywhere for a maximum of three nights, unless otherwise marked or if too close to a residence. If pitching on private land, secure the permission of the owner. Also, do not pick flowers or other living plants or moss, as they may be protected and you could face a fine.

This is the wilderness so be aware that there are plenty of natural hazards. Keep your wits about you, make sure someone knows where you are and also know that cellphone coverage can be unpredictable. The nights are cold, even in the summer, and mosquitos are prevalent, so bring cream! Also, remember that this is the wild side of Sweden so some dangerous wildlife will be nearby. Take appropriate precautions and learn what to do before you encounter a bear or wolf.

Sweden’s second biggest island is often overshadowed by the flashier Gotland, but those in the know swear by the charms of this island, where the Royal Family summers and bird watchers flock.

Café & Karamellkokeri

In the charming old village school house in Bredsättra, you’ll find the family-run café and candy factory Ölands Karmeller . In the factory, you can watch them make candy and in the café you can eat the candy, along with homemade cakes and ice cream. You’ll also find excellent home-baked bread and the garden offers lovely views.

Café & Restaurang Svea

If you head up to the northern end of the island make sure to stop at Café & Restaurang Svea . Located in scenic Skäftekärr, Svea uses local Öland produce and ingredients (which means the finest available as Öland is a farming community at heart) and the menu reflects what is fresh. In addition, there’s a wonderful park behind the restaurant where you can play badminton, chess, or the traditional Swedish game Kubb.

This trendy eatery and bar at Hotell Strand reflects the more glamorous side of life on Öland. Fine dining is the name of the game and the prices reflect that – but it’s worth every kronor because the food is delicious and the drinks menu excellent. There’s a wonderful terrace where you can sip your cocktail as the sea breeze blows through your hair while you drink in the views across the harbour. Top tip: grab your seat late in the afternoon so you can experience the stunning sunsets over Kalmar Sound.

Borgholm Castle

Built in the 13th century, Borgholm Castle was destroyed by fire in 1806 and today, all that’s left is the shell of what was once a might fortress. It’s often called the ‘Nordic’s finest ruin’ and for good reason: it may only be a shell but it’s a massive shell that is ripe for exploring. As one of the biggest tourist attractions in the area it’s living history, with permanent exhibitions mixed with temporary art exhibitions, guided tours, concerts, and plenty of other activities.

One of the biggest draws on Öland are the beaches , but with more than 50 beaches to choose from, which beach is always up for debate. Byron is noted for its mystical rock formations, while on the east coast at Böda Bay you’ll find Öland’s longest sand beach, which stretches for nearly 20km. Windsurfing, beach volleyball, and good old fashioned swimming in the sea are just a few of the things you can enjoy on the many Blue Flag beaches.

Skulpturleden

Skulpturleden (Sculpture trail) combines nature with culture. The 4km stretch along Mörbylångleden takes about an hour to traverse, starting at the old Skärlöv Station House, then following along the railway embankment. The art has been created by local artists and is as sturdy as the island.

There are loads of privately-owned cottages , or stugas, scattered across the island that are available for rent and they’re the perfect way to experience true island life. You can let by the day, the weekend or the week and the cabins tend to be very traditional and rustic. This is really getting back to the roots of Sweden, where water is sometimes drawn from a well and TV is not even on your radar.

Hotell Borgholm

Located in the centre of Borgholm, the main town on the island, Hotell Borgholm is on the higher end of the scale. The 41 rooms are stylish and modern, with all the amenities one might expect, with free WiFi and breakfast. The location means you can walk to all the restaurants and bars, but you might want to just eat and drink at the hotel, as it has a legendary wine cellar and the kitchen is headed up by Sweden’s famed Karin Fransson .

Rent a room at the hotel or hostel, or even a cottage on the grounds of this charming complex – there’s something for every price range. The 20 hotel rooms come with bathroom, TV, and a shared kitchenette, while the 13 hostel rooms have a WC in the room and a shower in the corridor. Allégården also has 10 cabins on the property. Additionally guests are offered a two-course evening meal for a set price and in summer, there’s a pool for your use.

Tips There is little public transport on Öland so either rent a car or, even better, rent a bike. The island is pretty flat, so perfect for cycling long distances. For emergencies call 112, but remember that cell phone coverage can be unpredictable in more remote areas of the island. Additionally, liquor store opening hours (Systembolaget is the state-run liquor outlet and the only place to buy booze) are limited, so stock up if you want to get your drink on.

If Sweden in general is safe, Öland is even safer. The most dangerous thing is deer running across the road unexpectedly, or maybe some drunk teens in Borgholm. Basically, this is small-town Sweden and other than the normal safety issues you’d find anywhere, there really isn’t anything to be concerned about. Use this handy map to find your way around Sweden – solo!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Solo Travel Tips: Where To Go If You’re Single In Stockholm

Solo travel has become one of the biggest travel trends: a recent survey has shown that there has been  a 42 percent increase  in solo traveler bookings over the last two years. While 26 percent of those traveling alone say that they simply want to be by themselves and explore brand new places, other travelers are going solo so they can meet new people. Here, our contributing writer Karoline Gore gives you some solo travel tips: Where to go if you’re single in Stockholm.

If you’re single and you want to meet lots of attractive and interesting people during your travels, then there’s no better place than Stockholm for your next holiday. Not only is the city a paradise for those who love being single, but it also has lots of  interesting and vibrant places  where you can find a potential friend or a romantic interest. If you’re ready to mingle, here’s where to go if you’re single in Stockholm.

Meet fellow history enthusiasts at Skansen Stockholm has the highest number of single people in Europe, and it’s the reason why it’s been dubbed  the continent’s dating capital . Almost 50 percent of the city’s households have a single occupant, and with its vibrant foodie scene and numerous museums, people who live here have lots of choices when it comes to dating. If you’re newly-single and you want to emotionally, physically and psychologically  distance yourself from your ex , spend your no-contact period in Stockholm, and check out Skansen, which is one of the best places to meet people.

Skansen is the world’s oldest open-air museum, and there are lots of things to do here that will enable you to meet and talk with fellow history enthusiasts. You can visit the historical farmhouses and farmsteads, and get a glimpse of how the people of Sweden lived back in the day. Afterwards, head to Gröna Lund, an amusement park that’s just three minutes away from Skansen. Go on any of the 27 rides in the park, and strike up a conversation with the locals and your fellow tourists.

Related: The Best 100 Cheap and Free Things To Do In Stockholm

Head outdoors and meet someone new Whenever there’s sunlight, single Scandinavians make the most of it by going outdoors and engaging in activities that will benefit their health. Try going ice skating at Kungstradgarden’s ice rink or any of the city’s other skating areas, or go on an ice-skating tour of Stockholm – there’s a possibility that you could meet someone new while you’re on the ice. You can also join yoga, dance or aerobics classes at some of the parks in the city, and make new friends while busting out a move to a Top 40 pop song.

Go to a singles bar or a nightclub Let your hair down and have fun at a Stockholm singles bar or nightclub. Some of the best places that you should check out include Berns, Fasching, Corner Club, and Cafe Opera. If you happen to meet someone at any of these places, ask them out on a date, and then meet up after a few days at a nice restaurant or a cocktail bar, such as Bar Nombre, Icebar, or Pharmarium. During the day, go for a walk in Gamla Stan . Walking through the cobblestone streets of this area feels like going back in time, and there are plenty of shops where you can idly browse together, as well as romantic cafes where you can sit and have a quiet chat.

Stockholm is the dating capital of Europe, and what better way to celebrate your newly-single status than by going on a holiday in this vibrant city? Be adventurous and put yourself out there, and don’t forget to have lots of fun!

Solo Travel Tips: Where To Go If You’re Single In Stockholm is written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Karoline Gore. Karoline is a freelance writer from Stoke on Trent in the UK who left the corporate grind when she started a family and has never looked back. She enjoys contributing to a range of online publications on the topics that are important to her.

All images © Visit Sweden. Feature image (on top) Photo: Liselotte van der Meijs

Sweden Tours & Vacations

Is it possible for a country to be too beautiful?

Because Sweden, if you’re listening, you’ve been awfully greedy. From the remote reaches of the alpine tundra to Stockholm’s scenic streets, beauty pervades every part of this country including, it would seem, the people. But let’s not be too shallow – there’s also the Viking history, the coffee culture, the Northern Lights and a legally protected freedom to roam that sees locals and those on a Sweden tour taking to the coast, to the hills, to the mountains and rivers in search of a little piece of paradise for themselves.

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Sweden at a glance

Capital city.

Stockholm (approximately one million)

Approximately 10.4 million

Swedish krona (SEK)

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Type C (European 2-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)

Learn more about Sweden

Culture and customs.

The Scandinavian countries – Sweden, Norway , Denmark – have had their cultures examined and re-examined over the past few years by disgruntled citizens of the world desperate to improve their lives. Everything from education to work to parenting has come under the spotlight and unfortunately there’s no resounding answer except, perhaps, this: be more Swedish.

Despite the modern world fawning over Sweden’s Swedishness, the Swedes are a humble bunch and don’t take kindly to arrogance and boasting. You won’t seem them going for broke at work either thanks to ‘lagom’, a Swedish word meaning ‘just the right amount’. They do what they need to do and get out, which is perhaps the reason for their enviable work-life balance, not to mention a world-leading amount of parental care on offer to mothers and fathers.

So what are the Swedes doing once they’ve done just the right amount? Probably drinking coffee. Sweden is one of the world’s biggest coffee consumers and the tradition of ‘fika’ is a cornerstone of the country’s culture. ‘Fika’ is a noun, a verb, a concept – a state of mind, even. It essentially translates as a break for coffee and cake, but it’s really an opportunity to catch up and socialize with friends and colleagues.

Like the rest of the Scandinavian countries, Sweden is big on the outdoors. The principle of ‘allemansratten’, or ‘freedom to roam’, is protected by law and this gives all people the right to be free in nature, meaning they can hike, camp, ski tour and forage wherever they like as long as they respect the land and its owners.   

Whether the Swedes are meeting for a hike or having coffee at one of Stockholm’s galleries, you can bet that they won’t be late. Punctuality is key and contributes to the general politeness that pervades society so if you do happen to travel on a Sweden tour, keep an eye on the time.

History and government

Following the last ice age, Germanic tribes from Central Europe moved north into the southern regions of Sweden while the Sami indigenous peoples hunted in the north. These tribes grew over the next thousand years as technology advanced, with the economy coming to rely on fishing, farming and trade.

Scandinavia’s most well-known historical period is the age of the Vikings. The Vikings were fearsome warriors from Norway, Denmark and Sweden, equipped with fast yet sturdy boats that allowed them to raid the Baltic and European coastlines. Sweden had experienced a sudden population boom and needed to import goods to feed the masses and these imports were financed through mercenary activities.

The Vikings went as far as Constantinople and Baghdad, establishing trade with Byzantium, while some went on to establish Russia after conquering the Slavic tribes in the region. The ones that did return to Sweden were rich with gold, silver and slaves.

Christianisation and the Kalmar Union

The Viking age ended with the Christianisation of Sweden over the 12th century. Wars were fought with Denmark and Norway and crusades were led to the unconverted Finnish tribes across the sea, but Sweden would eventually join Denmark and Norway in the Kalmar Union, a response to the increasing power of the Hanseatic League on mainland Europe. This union, at the end of the 14th century, led to riches but it was Denmark that really ruled Scandinavia.

Regionalism increased over the following centuries and separatist parties were formed, which eventually rejected the rule of the Danish king in the 16th century. Sweden was then taken by force and Swedish nobles were executed in Stockholm, leading to a rebellion led by Gustav Vasa, who was named King of Sweden in 1523. Scandinavia was split into the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway and the Kingdom of Sweden.

Age of Freedom

Through the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries Sweden continued to wage wars and lost land in the Baltics as well as economic stability. The death of Charles XII, in 1718, ushered in an era known as the Age of Freedom, as in freedom from the dictatorial king. What the Swedes lost in territory they gained in intellectual progress and the reign of Gustav III, in the late-18th century, was a blessing for the Swedish arts with drama, opera and poetry becoming prominent expressions of Swedish culture.

World Wars and modern Sweden

At the outbreak of WWI Sweden declared itself neutral. This neutrality remained through WWII though much has been made of their decision to let German troops through to take Norway.

Following the war, Sweden introduced child care, unemployment benefits and more socially positive policies. The country went from strength to strength and has become a prosperous nation with strong systems in place to support its population. That said, Sweden’s decision to be a haven for those fleeing persecution has led to a real test of its welfare policies, which is currently coming to a political head.

The government is currently run by the Social Democratic Party, who have dominated the country’s politics for much of the past century, but the Sweden Democrats – a nationalist anti-immigration party – have seen a swift rise, mirroring far-right movements across Europe. As of 2020, they are set to become Sweden’s most popular party, and it remains to be seen what effects this will have on the country.

Eating and drinking

Okay, yes, Sweden is famed for its meatballs thanks to IKEA – an estimated 1.8 million meatballs are eaten daily across their global stores – but there’s more to Swedish cuisine than these glorious balls of bliss. Keep an eye out for these traditional dishes as you’re traveling through the country:

• Kanelbullar These cinnamon buns could be considered Sweden’s national snack and are a perennial favorite for ‘fika’ (coffee break).
• Princess cake This bright green cake became popular in the UK after appearing in the Great British Bake Off. It’s a sponge cake covered with marzipan and is popular at Swedish celebrations. It was created by a woman named Jenny Akerstrom who taught three of the Swedish princesses to cook. They loved it so much that she named the cake in their honor.
• Jansson’s Temptation This creamy potato and anchovy casserole is a stalwart of the Christmas season though the dish can be served at any time of the year. It was named after Pelle Janzon – a food-loving Swedish opera singer.
• Toast Skagen One day, apparently, a Swedish chef was sailing with a disgruntled crew and threw together some leftovers in an attempt to cheer them up. He ended up with prawns, mayonnaise, dill and lemon served on Swedish crisp bread and when they asked the name of the dish he looked across the water to Denmark, saw the town of Skagen, and named it: Toast Skagen.
• Smorgasbord The Swedish buffet has as many rules as it does ingredients. For the Swedes it comes naturally, but for the unsuspecting traveler, things can get confusing. Begin with herring and cheese (a smorgasbord without herring is a travesty), then move to seafood and gravlax. The third course is cold meats, pickles and salads, then the fourth is hot dishes like meatballs. A word of advice: go slow.

Plant-based options

Vegetarian and vegan restaurants are common in all major Swedish cities and most rural restaurants will also offer vegetarian options. Travelers who are heading north and spending time in traditional Sami areas may encounter more difficulty in finding vegan options in particular.

Geography and environment

Located in northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula, Sweden is bordered by Finland to the east and Norway to the west, as well as the Gulf of Bothnia and Baltic Sea. It’s home to pristine rivers, areas of thick woodlands and forest, pure lakes and windswept islands – natural beauty is eminent here. Sweden actually has over 97,000 lakes, with the largest being Lake Vanern (complete with castles on its shores) and the most mysterious being Lake Storsjon, which is supposedly home to a Nessie-like monster.

The majority of the population lives in the south, away from the freezing cold temperatures and unforgiving terrain of the Arctic north. Here you’ll find Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo, Sweden’s three major cities, which are largely built with respect to the natural world and feature dedicated green spaces and waterways. Stockholm is actually built over 14 islands, with the city center essentially on the water, while the land between Stockholm and Gothenburg is the agricultural heartland of the country with low-lying and fertile soils. The northern areas, home to the indigenous Sami population, tend to range from hilly to mountainous.

Given Sweden’s vast length and different latitudes, the weather varies depending on where you’re traveling, but when compared to other Scandinavian countries the rain in Sweden is not particularly abundant. This is thanks to the protection of the Scandinavian Mountains, which run along the Norwegian border, reaching their highest point at 2469 m (8100 ft). The summers tends to be warmer too, though the exceptions are, of course, are the northern areas past the Arctic Circle, which enjoy very low temperatures even in the summertime.

There’s no doubt that Sweden’s greatest gift is the outdoors. Your money is probably best spent getting outside and experiencing as much of nature as possible, or eating your way through some Swedish cuisine, but if you are intent on picking up a souvenir then the following gifts may be just what you’re after:

Hailing from the province of Dalarna, these painted horses have become an unofficial symbol of Sweden. They were traditionally carved by the men at home and then taken to the main workshop in the village to be painted. The traditional color is red, but you can also find blue, black, white or skin-colored horses.

Christmas decorations

The Swedes just know how to do Christmas – the snow’s a little whiter, the lights are a little brighter, and the decorations? They’re just really pretty, so go on and pick up an ornament as the perfect festive monument to your Sweden tour.

Sami handicrafts

The Sami people are the original Swedes, hailing from the northern regions. You can buy hard or soft handicrafts if you’re visiting Swedish Lapland and in other parts of the north. One of the best places is the Jokkmokk winter market, which is held over January and February and has been running for some 400 years. The handicrafts can be either hard or soft, with hard handicrafts like knives and cups traditionally made for men, and soft handicrafts traditionally made for women, like woven bracelets and other jewelry.

Festivals and events

The Swedes make the most of their long-awaited summer with a large number of music and cultural festivals being held all over the country.

National Day of Sweden

Held on June 6 every year, the National Day of Sweden celebrates two events. The first is the election of Gustav Vasa as king in 1523, and the second is the adoption of the new constitution in 1809. Celebrations are held around the country, while children present the royal couple with bouquets of summer flowers during a ceremony at Skansen, Stockholm’s open-air museum.

Midsummer Festival

Midsummer is perhaps the most important holiday in Sweden. It’s held in the middle of June and sees the Swedes take to the outdoors – parks, gardens, wherever – to eat lunch, sing songs, eat herring and drink schnapps. In other words, it’s Swedish people being incredibly Swedish.

Culture festivals

All three of Sweden’s major cities – Malmo, Gothenburg, Stockholm – hold cultural festivals in the summertime celebrating local and national arts and culture. Street parties, theatre, food and live music all feature.

Further reading

For inspiring stories to prepare you for your Sweden adventure, check out these books:

• The 100-year-old Man who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared – Jonas Jonasson
• How to be Swedish – Matthias Kamann
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson

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Sweden travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

When is the best time to visit Sweden?

The best time to visit Sweden is during the summer months from June to August. The temperature tends to drop towards the end of August, while July is the warmest month and June features the longest days. Sights and tourist accommodation will be open, though some businesses will be shut as the locals may be taking holidays.

If you want to visit Sweden in winter, perhaps to see the Northern Lights or to go dog sledding, keep in mind that the longest days occur in February. December and January really are very dark, but they do make for a pretty special holiday. Be sure to book everything in advance as many accommodation facilities will shut down during this period.

Is it safe to visit Sweden?

Yes, it is safe to visit Sweden. Travelers are advised to stay vigilant in cities as petty crime does occur, particularly in touristed areas, and to keep an eye on local news sources for updates on any planned demonstrations.

Given Sweden’s winter extremes, it’s also important to be wary of environmental factors when driving, walking or skiing. Roads and footpaths may be icy, and inexperienced skiers may find conditions challenging.

Do I need a visa to travel to Sweden?

Sweden is a member of the Schengen Convention, which means that if you travel to an EU member country or countries, like Sweden, for a total of less than 90 days, a visa is not required. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, the UK and other member countries of the EU and Schengen area are included under this arrangement.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your country of origin. Check the Essential Trip Information section of your tour itinerary for more information.

Is tipping customary in Sweden?

Though tipping is rare, leaving 10–15 per cent at dinner for good service is customary. Otherwise it’s not expected though it is, of course, appreciated.

What is the internet access like in Sweden?

Internet access in Sweden is generally very good in populated areas. Most hotels, hostels and cafes will have wifi, usually for free, as will most airports and stations.

In more remote areas, like Lapland, internet access may be more difficult to come by and have a relatively slow connection, but who needs it when there’s all that nature to explore?

Can I use my cell phone while in Sweden?

EU residents can use their cell phones in Sweden at no extra cost. Non-EU visitors wanting to use their normal SIM card will need to ensure their global roaming is activated before leaving home. Be sure to check any additional fees that may be incurred by your carrier. 

Local SIM cards can be easily purchased and topped up in cities and towns around Sweden. Cell phone coverage is excellent in the south of Sweden but will be patchy in the remote northern areas.

What are the toilets like in Sweden?

Flushable, Western-style toilets are the norm in Sweden.

What will it cost for a...?

Sweden’s unit of currency is the Swedish krona. Prices here are approximate and shown in US dollars for ease of comparison.

• Meal in a budget-friendly restaurant = USD 8–10
• Meal in a mid-range restaurant = USD 15–30
• Beer at a bar = USD 6
• Museum entry = USD 7–10
• Train ticket in Stockholm = USD 4 (one way), USD 16 (24 hours)

Can I drink the water in Sweden?

Sweden has some of the cleanest drinking water in the world and all tap water is safe to drink unless otherwise marked. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottle water and bring a reusable water bottle instead.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Sweden?

Visa and MasterCard credit cards are widely accepted in Sweden. In fact, you should be able to use card at the vast majority of shops, restaurants and hotels across the country, as well as for trains and ferries. It’s worth having a small amount of Swedish krona on hand just in case.

What is ATM access like in Sweden?

ATMs can be easily found in cities and towns across Sweden. Card payments are very common so even if you’re unable to find an ATM, you should be able to pay by card anyway.

What is the weather like in Sweden?

Sweden’s climate is more continental than that of Norway, meaning colder winters and warmer summers. That said, Sweden’s weather varies greatly depending on where you are, given the length of the country.

During winter, the temperature averages between 0 and -2°C (32 and 29°F) in the south, -10°C (14°F) in the north-central region, and -15°C (5°F) in the far north. Temperatures can drop much lower, however, when the cold air from Siberia moves east.

In the summertime the average temperature is quite similar across the country, usually around 21°C (70°F) in the north and reaching towards 28°C (82°F) in the south. Daytime in the south regularly sees temperatures climb above 30°C (86°F).

What public holidays are celebrated in Sweden?

• 1 Jan – New Year’s Day
• 6 Jan – Epiphany
• Mar/Apr – Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday
• 1 May ­– Labour Day
• May – Ascension Day (39 days after Easter Sunday)
• May/Jun – Whit Sunday
• 6 Jun – National day
• Mid-Jun – Midsummer Day
• 31 Oct – All Saints’ Day
• 25 Dec – Christmas Day
• 26 Dec – Boxing Day

See a current list of public holidays in Sweden , including the movable dates noted above.

Is Sweden safe for LGBTQIA+ travellers?

Sweden has long been known as a liberal and tolerant country. Same-sex married couples have had the same rights as those in heterosexual marriages since 2009. All of Sweden’s larger cities have thriving queer scenes, with Stockholm hosting the five-day Stockholm Pride festival in late July or early August each year. You can pick up the QX Magazine in Stockholm, Malmo and Gothenburg, which contains information on LGBTQIA+ happenings around the country.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting  Equaldex  or  ILGA  before you travel.

If you are traveling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travelers who do not wish to share a room.

Is Sweden accessible for travelers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Sweden is a good destination for travelers with disabilities. Swedish Railways’ trains have lifts and seats for wheelchair users and most street crossings have audible signals for visually impaired pedestrians. Many hotels also have rooms with adapted facilities for those with mobility limitations. The Visit Sweden website contains more information on accessible sights and restaurants, while the Stockholm public transport website has information on traveling around the city by public transport, which is accessible to most people.

What to wear in Sweden

What you need to pack to wear in Sweden will depend on what time of year you are visiting. The winters, and often the shoulder seasons, are freezing, so it’s important to have a warm jacket, thermals, a waterproof jacket and waterproof shoes, as well as something to keep your head warm.

In the summertime the weather is lovely and light clothing or jeans should suffice, though it can still get quite chilly in the evenings.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

Scandinavia Explorer

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Scandinavia Solo Travel Tours

This Scandinavian discovery uncovers the major highlights, with the special experience of travelling during the Scandinavian summer; enjoying sunshine through the day and night, highlight fjord cruising, famous rail journeys, with the blend of both city and regional discoveries.

The Best Scandinavian Tour for Singles

Arrive to Sweden’s capital, and the home of ABBA, Stockholm for two nights before embarking on the overnight ferry crossing to Finland with the comfort of an ocean view cabin. Your tour of Finland starts in the country’s capital, Helsinki before flying to Lapland, with journeys to some of Finland’s smaller towns, getting to know the countryside and local way of life of the Sami people. The journey continues with an overland crossing to scenic Norway, including a highlight experience at Cape Nord, to witness the midnight sun and discovering her northern cities. From the far north of Norway, we take a flight to the land of Fjords, stunning mountains and valleys.  Revel in the beautiful countryside of Bergen renowned for its rugged glacial scenery, with a relaxing two night stay. Take incredibly scenic rail journeys including the Flåm Railway, considered one the world's most beautiful train journeys. You’ll sail through beautiful fjords featuring majestic mountains and wild nature.

Your Norway journeys ends in Oslo, then continuing to Denmark by ferry. It’s an overnight crossing with ocean view cabins, arriving to Copenhagen the next morning. Your local guide will meet the group on arrival at port, then setting off for local sightseeing. This magnificent and scenic discovery, closes with a farewell highlight dinner in Copenhagen and final night of stay.

• Duration: 20 Days
• Status: Booking Out Fast!
• Region: Europe
• Destinations: Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden
• Travel Style: Discovery
• Accommodation: Ship cabins,Quality hotels
• Prices from:
• Transport: Private coach, Train, Cruise, Boat
• Pace: 2 Click for more info about the Pace
• Traveller Reviews: 21 Reviews READ THEM >
• Max Group Size: 20
• Trip Code: CurrentPage.holidayTripCode

'My 6th holiday with Encounter was as great as the previous ones! Fun group of people, amazing tour itinerary & inclusions plus a wonderful tour leader.'

'A great holiday for solo traveler as you can choose to have some alone time but always have the backup of friends and tour guide for companionship and security in an unfamiliar country.'

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

• 17 nights hotel stays
• 2 overnight ferries, with outside cabin
• 19 breakfasts
• 11 dinners including highlight dinners, welcome & farewell dinners
• Welcome drink, arrival day 

SIGHTSEEING & GUIDES

• English-speaking locally based tour directors
• English-speaking locally based guides as indicated by the itinerary
• Entrances for visits included on the itinerary
• One way economy airfare; Helsinki to Rovaniemi, Finland
• One way economy airfare, Tromsø-Bergen
• Fjelleisen cable car, Tromso
• Floibanen funicular ride, Mount Floyen
• Rail travel including Flam Railway
• Fjord cruising as indicated by the itinerary
• 2 overnight ferries

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

• Tips included for tour director, local guides, drivers, welcome and farewell dinners
• Porter service for the overnight ferry
• Not more than 20 travellers

Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for joining this tour and is in addition to the package price.

 Not Included:

• International airfares (unless requested)
• Airport arrival & departure transfers 
• Hotel porter service (must be able to manage own luggage)
• Travel insurance
• Excess baggage
• Visa fees if applicable
• Any tips unless referenced with inclusions
• Meals and beverages not specified on itinerary
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry & medical expenses
• Incidental expenses such as taxi fares, telecommunications

Departure Dates for this tour

Happy to share? Sharing with roommate match same sex AUD $13230

SCANDINAVIA HIGHLIGHTS

• Immerse yourself in Swedish culture with guided sightseeing, including the Viking Vasa Museum and Gamla Stan (old town)
• Visit ABBA museum , a tribute to the world renowned band.
• Change the pace with the overnight ferry cruise, with an exterior cabin to cross from Stockholm to Helsinki
• Get to know Helsinki highlights with a locally guided city tour.
• Gain insights in the rich Sami culture in Lapland.
• Visit a Husky dog camp outside Rovaniemi.
• Visit a working reindeer farm in Lapland
• Experience Nord Kapp (North Cape) with dinner
• A relaxed two night stay in Tromsø, a major hub for the Artic Circle.
• Discover the Fjord country of Norway including a two night stay in Bergen
• Ride the Flåm Railway - in 2014 Lonely Planet named it the world's most beautiful train journey.
• Cruise the Naeroyfjord to Gudvangen ; one of the beautiful fjord landscapes in Norway.
• Explore the Viking Ship Museum, Oslo
• Enjoy some highlight historic hotel stays
• 2 flights included; Helsinki to Rovaniemi, and Tromsø to Bergen to reduce lengthy road travel
• A guided city tour of Copenhagen, Denmark

PRE TOUR STAY Consider arriving a day before the tour start, or enjoy a stopover.  You can relax and refresh after your flight.  The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.

Stockholm, Sweden

Welcome to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. The day is at your leisure. In the evening, meet with fellow travellers and your guide at your hotel for a welcome drink and dinner in house.  

Meals: Welcome Drink, Dinner

Today’s the perfect opportunity to get a feel for Sweden’s capital. Situated at the mouth of Lake Mälaren, the city is spread across 14 islands on the coast, in the south east of Sweden.

With a local guide, we take in the sights of Stockholm, seeing all the main attractions and a stop for a scenic view  point at at Fjaellgatan from where there is a truly spectacular view of the city´s many islands and waters. Touring includes a walk around the beautiful Old Town, and seeing the Royal Palace, Parliament, and a guided tour of the world famous City Hall (site of the yearly Nobel Prize festivities) and Royal Park of Djursgaarden. We take time to visit the Vasa Museum (the 17th century warship which sank on her maiden voyage) and Skansen, the world´s oldest open air museum.

There’s the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, we head for dinner at city restaurant. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stockholm, Sweden / Overnight Ferry

There’s some free time this morning and later this morning we head to ABBA Museum, an impressive tribute to this iconic band of Sweden, and the world.  By mid afternoon it is time to be at the ferry terminal for the overnight cruise to Finland.  Leaving Stockholm in day light hours, relax and watch the scenic coastal view as you make your passage to Finland overnight with the comfort of an outside cabin and dinner onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner  

Helsinki, Finland

Welcome to Helsinki, the capital of Finland.  After arriving in the morning to Helsinki, and disembarking the overnight cruise, we take a city tour with a local guide. We cover the the capitals most important and interesting parts such as the historical centre, Senate Square, Cathedral, City Hall, Presidential Palace, Finlandia Hall and Opera House. Stops at Sibelius Monument and Temppeliaukio church, also known as the Rock church (entrance fee applies). Around mid afternoon, we check into the hotel.  Helsinki is a wonderful city to walk around and explore at leisure and the afternoon is free for making your own discoveries. Meals: Breakfast

Helsinki to Rovaniemi, Finland

An early transfer to Vantaa airport for our flight to Rovaniemi. On arrival to Rovaniemi, we are met and transferred to town for some local touring. We visit the Arctikum Museum, which tells the story of the North and the Arctic, offering a fabulous insight into the history and culture of Finnish Lapland.

In the afternoon visit a Husky Musher’s camp to hear about these beautiful dogs’ lives and training. Later today there’s the option to visit Santa Claus Village with your tour director or take some time out at the hotel. The evening is at your leisure. Tonight dinner in house at your magical hotel. Meals: Breakfast (boxed), Dinner

Rovaniemi to Inari, Finland

This morning, we drive north to Inari/Ivalo region. Along the way we visit a working Amethyst Mine, located in Lapland, in the town of Luosto; dig for your own purple amethyst gemstone of Lapland and learn about the amethyst stone and a geology stories.  In the afternoon we continue to Inari/Ivalo and check into our hotel by early evening. Tonight, a relaxing dinner at our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Inari, Finland

We make the most of our day with morning and afternoon discoveries. There’s a guided tour in the Sami Museum Siida, some free time in the museum and lunch at the museum’s restaurant.  Later, we hop on a boat that takes us for a cruise on Lake Inari. There’s a stop along the way at the small island of Ukonkivi, which in the old days was used as a place for sacrifice by the Sámi people. On the way back the boat will pass an old cemetery island

To mark the end of the day we will visit a working reindeer farm. The Inari reindeer farm is owned by a local family, who are reindeer herders and where you can enjoy some of the warm hospitality and learn about the integral role of reindeer in the lives of the Sami people. This evening back at our hotel, the sauna awaits; very much a way of life in this northern part of our world.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Inari, Finland to Honnigsvåg, Norway

Today we drive to Karasjok, and visit the Sami Park cultural centre with a local guide.  After, we travel to Norway and arrive to Honnigsvåg.  HIGHLIGHT EXPERIENCE Later this evening we make our way to Nord Kapp (North Cape), one of the most northern points of Europe. We’ll also dine in the Gallery .  This is the renowned location of the midnight sun.

Tip: Rug up, it gets chilly at Nord Kapp, even though it’s summer. A hat/beanie and gloves are highly recommended and also a warm jacket is a must. There’s many hours of daylight in the far north, and we head back late to our hotel.

Honnigssvåg to Alta, Norway

We continue our travels in northern Norway today to reach Alta, a town on Norway’s northern coast. Arriving to Alta, we visit the Alta museum. It features exhibits and displays on Sami culture, Finnmark military history, the Alta hydro-electric project and the aurora borealis (northern lights). This evening dinner is included at our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Alta-Tromsø

We make our way to Tromsø today including scenic ferry crossings from Olderdalen to Lynseidet and Svensby to Breivikeidet. From Breivikeidet, driving to Tromsø. This afternoon, making the most of our long days of sunshine we take the cable car ride of Fjellheisen, in Tromsø,  to the top of the mountain. We return to our hotel for dinner.  Tromsø is a lovely city and this evening you may like to head out for a night cap and take in more of the daylight hours.

This afternoon, making the most of our long days of sunshine we take the cable car ride of Fjellheisen, to the top of the mountain.

We check into our hotel after our cable car ride, and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. Tromsø is a fabulous city to head out a find a local restaurant for dinner or enjoy fine dining at your hotel’s restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast

Today in Tromsø, we visit the Arctic Cathedral, known as Tromsdalen Church (also known as Ishavskatedralen), a significant masterpiece as this cathedral is a landmark visible from the Tromsø Sound, the Tromsø Bridge and when landing in Tromsø by aircraft. After the cathedral, we visit Polaria, a museum renowned for its Arctic experience. From mid afternoon the rest of the day is at your leisure. 

This evening there will be an ‘arctic’ experience at the Magic ice bar .

Meals: Breakfast 

Tromsø-Bergen

Heading a long way south, we take a flight between Tromsø to Bergen. Bergen is renowned for its rugged glacial scenery, and the setting amongst seven mountains. It’s a Norwegian port town that dates back to the 1770’s. You have a relaxed afternoon and evening at your leisure to make your own plans. There is plenty to love about this picturesque town and we enjoy a two night stay to make the most of the location. Meals: Breakfast 

After breakfast we get to know Bergen ‘The Heart of the Fjords’ with a local guide. Although Norway’s second largest city, it has the vibe of a small town and packed with charm and urban character.

Discover narrow cobblestone alleys and the UNESCO World Heritage site Bryggen, “The Hanseatic Wharf”, the most obvious remnant from the time Bergen used to be the centre of trade between Norway and the rest of Europe. 

Take the Fløibanen Funicular up Fløyen Mountain for panoramic views. The Fløibanen is a funicular railway in the Norwegian city of Bergen. It connects the city centre with the mountain of Fløyen, with its mountain walks and magnificent views of the city. This afternoon is the perfect opportunity to stroll around town, or you may like to join a Mostraumen fjord tour. A popular option also is a visit to the Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen, once the home of Edvard Grieg, a Norwegian composer and pianist. Dinner is at your leisure; maybe opt for dinner at the Bergen Fish Market located in the heart of the city.

Bergen – Flam – Gudvangen – Stalheim

An earlier start today, to drive to Voss, the starting point for the first of our train journeys today to Myrdal. From Myrdal we travel to Flam on the Flåm Railway, considered to be one of Norway's most important and spectacular tourist attractions. The Flåm Railway is 20 km long with 20 tunnels and took 20 years to build!   In 2014 Lonely Planet named it the world's most beautiful train journey.

In the afternoon, we cruise by ferry from Flam along the Naeroyfjord to arrive to Gudvangen, enjoying the beautiful fjord landscape. You will sail through UNESCO’s World Heritage-listed fjords featuring majestic mountains. Arriving to Gudvangen we then transfer to the small regional village of Stalheim, firstly visiting the open air museum then checking into our hotel with dinner in-house.

Stalheim – Laerdal 

A relaxed morning start, leaving Stalheim for Laerdal today.  Along the way some local discoveries including a visit to Undredal for a local cheese tasting and to the Borgund Stave Church, built around 1180 and it’s exceptionally well preserved. Various other visits today are also possible, including a stop at the Stegastein viewpoint (weather dependent), experience the Laerdal 24km long tunnel and go to the Flam historical brewery in Flamsbrygga. A relaxed evening in house in by the edge of Fjord in Laerdal.

Laerdal - Oslo

This morning we make our way by road to Oslo, one of the longer drives. We set off earlier today, first for Lillehammer, the home of the 1994 winter Olympics. It’s here we visit The Ski museum and take an elevator ride to The Ski Jump Tower ‘Skiforennigen’. From Lillehammer we drive onto Oslo to check into our hotel and have the rest of the day and evening at leisure. 

Oslo, Norway

It’s a fabulous morning discovering Oslo, including a visit to the Viking Ship Museum and Vigeland Park. The afternoon is at leisure. You may like to visit the Kontiki, Fram or Much museums. Or for anyone with an interest in modern architecture the impressive new Oslo Opera House is well worth a visit. Oslo is also home to the National Gallery, housing one of the world’s most recognised artworks ‘The Scream’ painted artist Edvard Munch. Tonight, a wonderful farewell group dinner to mark the end of our Scandinavian exploring. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Your wonderful Norway discoveries come to a close with a morning at leisure in Oslo before the group transfers to the port to embark on an overnight ferry to cruise from Oslo to Copenhagen with the comfort of outside cabins. It’s a large passenger ferry (like a small ship) including dining facilities; a relaxing way to travel to Denmark. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Arrive to Copenhagen’s cruise terminal, disembark and set off for a day of discoveries of the city highlights. You won’t be left short of things to do in Copenhagen. Scandinavia's largest city is a treasure trove of art, history, architecture, and modern design. The city artfully mixes fairy tale settings like palaces, castles and elegant gardens with cutting-edge style and contemporary chic. Today is an extensive tour of 'Wonderful Copenhagen' covering all the major attractrions;  World famous amusement park Tivoli Garden, Town Hall Square, Stroeget, one of the world´s longest pedestrian streets, Ny Carlsberg´s Glyptotek, National Museum, Christiansborg Palace (site of the Danish parliament), Stock Exchange, Holmen Church, National Theatre, Nyhavn ´s canal quarters, Royal Palace (photostop), Little Mermaid (photostop)and Rosenborg Castle (where the Royal crown jewels are kept). In the afternoon, cruise the city’s canal with the Grand Tour from Nyhavn, passing some of Copenhagen’s best sights and attractions showing a perspective of the city from the water.  After we transfer to the hotel to check in. The remainder of the afternoon and the evening is at your leisure to take advantage of a long day of daylight.

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Arrival ‘meet & greet’ at port by your local tour leader, Copenhagen
• A full day of escorted touring
• ‘The Grand Tour’ cruise from Nyhavn
• Entrance to Tivoli Park
• Farewell group dinner  

Copenhagen  

Your visit comes to an end this morning, or you can always opt to extend your stay (highly recommended) Meals: Breakfast 

Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance, we aim to inform you prior to travel.  Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.  

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. Should this occur, a hotel of a similar standard will be provided. Twin share rooms may have single beds and some beds in regional areas may not be double beds.

ABOUT THE HOTEL ROOMS In most cases our travellers choose to take their own room. Where many tour companies only include smaller (single) rooms and may have single beds, we don’t. Rather, we book all our hotels rooms as double rooms for sole use.  This means the rooms we use for one person are no lesser in standard than the rooms we have for two people sharing. In Scandinavia, it is not uncommon that hotels rooms and their bathrooms are a smaller size than our standards in Australia or standards found in the U.S.A. and some beds in regional areas may not be double beds.

Arctic Light, Rovaniemi

HOTEL REISEN, STOCKHOLM

A 5 star hotel set directly on Stockholm's scenic waterfront and uses the historic Old Town as its picturesque and telling backdrop. The building's foundation dates back to 1617.

SCANDIC GRAND MARINA, HELSINKI

The hotel is located in a beautiful warehouse building from the beginning of the 20th century and has an impressive history.

ARCTIC LIGHT HOTEL, ROVANIEMI

A superb hotel, not to be missed with a stay in Rovaniemi, The Arctic Light Hotel is a stand out hotel, with contemporary styling in true Nordic style, in the heart of Lapland-Rovaniemi. The 1950’s building and former City Hall of Rovaniemi has been converted into a stylish hotel and opened its doors during spring 2015. This urban Arctic hideaway offers a unique combination of Lappish heritage and the ultimate in contemporary style.The Arctic Light Hotel is the essence of supreme comfort.

HOTEL IVALO

Hotel Ivalo is surrounded by Northern Lapland´s wilderness and the National Park with its numerous rivers, lakes and fells. Every room has a shower/wc and some also bath tub. All rooms are equipped with TV/radio, phone and hair dryer.

SCANDIC HONNIGSVAG

Scandic Honningsvåg is located in central Honningsvåg next to the Hurtigruten Port and the harbour, and it is just 35 km from the North Cape. This charming village is the most northern in Norway and the world!  

SCANDIC HOTEL, ALTA

A 4 star hotel.  Start your day with a hearty breakfast in Restaurant Alta; a stylish, contemporary restaurant is a combined café and à la carte restaurant. There is also a sauna available on request. As a guest you always have free WiFi in your room and in public areas.

RADISSON BLUE, TROMSO

A city centre location means you'll have easy access to nearby cultural attractions, restaurants and shops, while enjoying stunning scenic views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and fjords.  Rooms are newly renovated with breathtaking views of the city, the Bay of Tromso or the surrounding mountains. Refuel with a breakfast buffet in Charly's Restaurant & Bar and for dinner, head back to sample Northern Norwegian favourites, or stop by Rorbua Pub to enjoy live music and cozy Norwegian décor.

MAGIC HOTEL KLOVERHUSET, BERGEN

The hotel has a unique and central location in what used to be Europe's oldest shopping center - Kløverhuset. Now Bergen's newest design hotel. Kløverhuset is located right by the harbour in the heart of Bergen and with a spectacular view of Bergen's most famous landmark – Bryggen.

A/S STALHEIM HOTEL, STALHEIM

The beautiful view over the Nærøy Valley, from Stalheim Hotel, has for nearly 200 years been one of the highlights in many a traveller's visit to Western Norway. The Stalheim Hotel has 124 comfortable guestrooms, all equipped with bathrooms en-suite.

LINDSTRØM HOTEL, LÆRDAL

Lindstrøm Hotel in Lærdal is idyllically located between beautiful, pastel-coloured wooden buildings in the old quarter of Lærdal - Gamle Lærdalsøyri.  It is a mix of old and new styles. The designs from the 19th century play with newer, Scandinavian designs. Experience beautiful, classic wallpaper in one room and modern design furniture in another. Rooms have a clean, pure style with fine details.

CLARION HOTEL THE HUB, OSLO

With an unbeatable location, just about as central as you can get in Oslo, you'll be within easy reach of the city's best bars, cafés, shops and restaurants. The hotel is just a 2-minute walk from Oslo Central Station, with connections to the tram, subway and the airport express train.

OVERNIGHT FERRY/SHIP, OSLO TO COPENHAGEN

The two large ships operating on the Copenhagen-Oslo route are PEARL SEAWAYS and CROWN SEAWAYS. The ships can accommodate over 1700 passengers. Crown Seaways This large cruise ship has sailed in the Scandinavian waters since 1994. CROWN SEAWAYS has space for 1790 passengers and 450 cars.  Crown Seaways was renovated in March 2014 and boasts redecorated restaurants, bars and conference facilities, plus a new Bubble Zone.

Technical Details:

• Length: 170m |   Width: 28m 
• Cruising speed: 16 Knots 
• Passengers: 1790 |  Cabins: 637    |  Cars: 450
• Engine output: 19,880 kW 
• Year built: 1994 | Renovated: 2005, 2008, 2014

Pearl Seaways PEARL SEAWAYS was built in 1989 and rebuilt in 2001. Upgraded in 2014, the cruise ship boasts several new luxury passenger cabins, a new restaurant and improved conference facilities.

• Length: 178m | Width: 33m
• Cruising speed: 16 Knots
• Passengers: 1989 | Cabins: 702 | Cars: 320
• Engine output: 23,730 kW
• Year built: 1989 | Renovated: 2005, 2014

HOTEL MAYFAIR, COPENHAGEN

Located in the heart of Copenhagen surrounded by historical and fun landmarks such as Tivoli Gardens, The City Hall, Strøget, The Glyptoteket Museum, and more.

Note: Some twin share rooms may have single beds.

Hotel descriptions are taken from the hotel website and edited to suit our page.

If we have confirmation of hotel Wi-Fi inclusion we state it above. However if Wi-Fi is not stated it does not mean that a hotel is without Wi-Fi. Most hotels have Wi-Free;  free or otherwise for a service fee. Our inclusion of free Wi-Fi above is not a guarantee as this can change without notice due to telco service interruptions or changes to hotel policy.

GETTING THERE

HOTEL CHECK IN /CHECK OUT TIMES Consider the hotel check in time on arrival and the hotel check out time on departure.

Check In: 2pm (as a guide but can be as late as 3pm) Check Out: 11am as a guide (can be as early as 10am)

Late check out can be requested but without payment cannot be guaranteed. AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Airport transfers are not included There is the option to book this service in advance as part of your tour package. If another group member is on the same flight as you, it is a shared transfer service. A service fee applies. Public transport options are available.

If you are making your own flight arrangements, we require your flight itinerary no later than 45 days priors to travel (and even if you are not making airport transfer arrangements with us).  Where transfers are part of your arrangement, if your itinerary is not provided to us within the required timeframe, you forfeit the airport transfers or additional fees may be incurred for the service.  

FLIGHT INFORMATION As an Australian travel company we can provide flight assistance for flights originating from Australia. If joining the tour from outside Australia we recommend making your own flight arrangements or to use the service of a travel advisor located within your country of residence for access to best fares.  

Read on for other key trip information that you should know before you decide on joining the group. TRIP AVAILABILITY If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to book early and secure your place with a deposit.  Tour space is limited. Also, many services on this tour must be booked well in advance. To ensure your place, please check trip availability at your earliest convenience. 

FELLOW TRAVELLERS You will enjoy this group experience with a maximum of 20 travellers. This is a Solos Only tour (couple free). You are welcome to join with a friend, but couples do not join this tour.

THE PACE  [2 out of 5] Travellers of 75 years or over will be required to return a Fit to Travel form that is completed by their doctor. 

More Information >  Visit Travel Fitness

The are no overly physically demanding requirements of the tour with the exception of managing your luggage as porter services are not included or not available at many of the hotels. 

Hotel stays are 1 or 3 nights, varying by destination. As a guide, morning hotel departures vary from 8am to 9:30am throughout the itinerary. There are some longer days of travel by coach however through Norway you can expect the scenery to be a highlight.

You will need to be prepared to walk to take in much of the touring detailed by the itinerary, including sometimes walking from the hotel to restaurants included with the itinerary. For some included sightseeing if you have limited mobility there may be some parts of the itinerary where it’s not possible to participate, including but not limited to the Amethyst mine. Porterage at hotels is not included or not available at all hotels , and you must be able to manage to transport your luggage on arrival and departure from hotels, and to/from your hotel room, including some hotels that may not have lifts.

Touring Physical Requirements Touring is exciting and diverse and the best way to enjoy your travels is to be sure that you meet the minimum physical requirements required for touring.

Some tour by foot will be on uneven surfaces such cobble stoned streets, nature paths, needing to climb steep staircases, and/or walk up hills to reach attractions. Also, in some cities tourist transport has limited options for coach drop offs and pick ups and this may mean that travellers are required to walk some distance to reach attractions or hotels.

Touring may not be suitable for travellers with mobility issues and/or low fitness levels.  If unsure about your suitability for the trip please contact us to seek further advice. 

ABOUT THE MEALS    It’s regular that our trips include welcome dinners and farewell dinners for our groups. In addition, we include other group dining experiences to ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefit of travelling and dining as a group.  There’s nothing better than to share a meal with new friends and discuss the day’s adventures.

Typical of the Scandinavian cuisine, fish, salmon is a regular feature on the menu, as is Reindeer in Finland. In Finland beef is uncommon. Chicken also features.

For included lunches and dinners, there is a mix of buffet and set menus.

Are you a flexitarian? If you have dietary requirements, please advise if it is due to allergies or for medical reasons or if it is a personal preference and if you are flexible. Dietary requirements will limit choices. If a dietary requirement is not essential due to medical reasons and you are a flexitarian, then we recommend that you exclude your personal preferences if not necessary to provide more options with the meal choices.

TOUR DIRECTOR The tour includes a tour director that escorts the group for the duration of touring. Also, local guides are included throughout the tour itinerary, for such inclusions as city tours and museum visits.

TRANSPORT The itinerary includes coach touring, overnight ferry (ship) travel, cruising and internal flights. There is also train travel in Norway. A vehicle like a buggy, called a Trolly car is also used as part of Fjord touring. And, there is a cable car and a funicular ride. For road transport, for comfort we aim to provide minimum 2 seats per person; a very small group only 8 - 9 travellers, a 19 seater vehicle, otherwise if 10 or more in the group a full sized coach 49 seater, otherwise a midi coach such as a 33-34 seater.

LUGGAGE INFORMATION AND RESTRICTIONS

Internal Domestic Flight Expect the maximum of 20kg per bag or otherwise, the maximum of 23kg, with a limit of 1 checked bag for internal flights.  These details will be confirmed with your documentation.

Tour Checked Luggage Maximum Weight: While touring, luggage should be kept to a maximum of 20kg per and a maximum of one checked bag.

Tour Hand Luggage Maximum Weight/Information: One piece of carry-on luggage is permitted.

MORE INFORMATION

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• General Information >
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TRAVELLER REVIEWS

'The Scandanavian trip offers many highlights, the big cities are beautiful, the countryside and coastal areas are amazing and the people along the way are great.'

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Spectacular Scandinavia

About this tour.

Watch a Nordic postcard unfold before your eyes and discover the lands where Vikings reigned. Uncover why Copenhagen is dubbed the “gastro capital of Scandinavia.” Join a local expert for an intimate tour of Stockholm, Sweden’s idyllic capital city. Experience Norway’s breathtaking fjord region, taking a cruise on Geirangerfjord. An incredible journey to a land of unparalleled beauty awaits you in Scandinavia, where history and culture intersect with stunning natural wonders.

Your Tour Includes

• 7 Handpicked Accommodations
• 2 Choice on Tour Options

Included Highlights

• Frederiksborg Castle
• IKEA Museum

Your Tour at a Glance

12 Breakfasts

Travel Style

On tour air, customize your tour.

$1,199.00 pp

Activity Level

• Level This Tour

For specific details about this tour's activity level and other info to know before you book your trip, click here.

Extension Style

On tour air included.

• The cost of all internal flights on tour or within an extension are included into the total tour cost on our website and brochures.
• Purchasing internal flights through Collette is now required on tours where applicable.
• This price continues to exclude all round-trip air getting to and from the tour, as well as any additional air segments required to arrive at or depart from an extension.
• The cost displayed is based on availability at the time of booking.

Travel Styles

Highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

• Enjoy a remarkable guided walk along Bergen's harbor front.
• Immerse yourself in Oslo's rich history on a city tour.

Join a local expert for an engaging city tour of Copenhagen.

• Witness scenic wilderness along the Flåm Railway.
• Learn about one of Sweden's best-known exports at the IKEA Museum.

Cultural Experiences:

Visit Frederiksborg Castle, home to the Museum of National History.

See the intricately-designed Borgund Stave Church, erected in 1180.

Cruise through one of the world’s most famous fjords.

Culinary Inclusions:

• Savor Swedish cuisine in Stockholm's old town.

Experience traditional Norwegian cuisine in Bergen.

• Choice on Tour: Vasa Museum or ABBA Museum
• Fram Museum
• Stave Church
• Flåm Railway
• Geirangerfjord Cruise

Book with Confidence

* With Insurance Purchased

• *No Hassle Refunds
• Traveling Well Safety
• No booking fee, *no change fees
• Top Rated Travel Protection

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Getting Prepared

Know before you go, travel tips, enhance your tour.

Pre and Post Tour Extensions

• Choice On Tour

Pre and Post Night Stay

Unique Experience

Cultural Experiences

Enhance Your Trip

• Tour Extensions

Today in Stockholm, you have the choice between two activites. First you may choose to join a guide on a visit to the one-of-a-kind Vasa Ship Museum. Learn about the vessel's shocking maiden voyage, when it sank in a single nautical mile. The ship, commissioned in the 1600s by King Vasa, was raised 334 years later from the bottom of the harbor. Perfectly preserved, the ship offers a rare glimpse into the amazing craftsmanship of the 17th century. Your other option is to Walk in. Dance out. at the ABBA Museum. This interactive museum is the perfect place for ABBA fans to learn about the Swedish pop sensation. The exhibition is full of ABBA memorabilia including stage outfits, instruments, awards and much more. You can even record your own performance and download it for all your friends and family to enjoy.

"Enhance your adventure with a magical stay in Iceland. Set out on a journey full of dramatic contrasts. Discover Iceland, a land and culture forged by fire and ice – a place where steaming lava fields reflect a volcanic nature. Massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords. Travel to the “Golden Circle,” home to many of Iceland’s most renowned natural wonders. Spend time at Thingvellir National Park, the nation’s most historic area. Gaze at the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall – one of the world's most incredible cascades. Enjoy free time on your own to explore independently." Hosted You’re accompanied by a Tour Manager part of the time, for some guided excursions. The rest of the time, you’re at leisure to explore the destination your own way.

• Bergen - Fly to Reykjavík, Iceland
• Discover Iceland, a land and culture forged by fire and ice. Steaming lava fields reflect a volcanic nature. Massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and breathtaking landscapes. After having the day to yourself, gather with your fellow travelers for an included Icelandic dinner at a local restaurant.
• Reykjavík
• This morning, join a local expert for a walking tour of the city’s old section featuring Hallgrimskirkja church, city hall, the harbor, and Reykjavík’s oldest building – home of the Kraum Icelandic design center. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. Perhaps you will choose to relax on a scenic whale watching cruise; venture out on a horseback riding excursion; or travel out to the Reykjanes peninsula to spend quality time relaxing in the geo-thermal waters of the famed Blue Lagoon.
• Reykjavík - Golden Circle - Reykjavík
• Travel the incredible Golden Circle, a route that encompasses many of Iceland's most renowned natural wonders. Marvel at the beauty of the Gullfoss (Golden Falls) waterfall, a stunning 100-foot double cascade. Journey to Thingvellir National Park, the nation’s most historic area. Here, Icelanders gathered in A.D. 930 and established what is considered to be one of the world’s first parliaments. Find yourself standing upon one of the globe’s most geologically significant landscapes, Thingvellir’s rugged rift valley (UNESCO) that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the point where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Return to Reykjavík and have time to explore the city on your own.
• Reykjavík - Tour Ends
• Your tour ends today.

Hotel-Scandic Spectrum

Enjoy a remarkable guided walk along Bergen's harbor front.

Immerse yourself in Oslo's rich history on a city tour.

Witness scenic wilderness along the Flåm Railway.

Learn about one of Sweden's best-known exports at the IKEA Museum.

Savor Swedish cuisine in Stockholm's old town.

Accommodations

Arrive earlier.

Pre Night: Scandic Spectrum From $150 per night

Scandic Spectrum

Pm & vanner hotel, scandic grand central, hotel bristol oslo, fretheim hotel, alexandra hotel.

Nights 9-10

Scandic Ornen

Nights 11-12

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Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords

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14 Day Scandinavian Tour of Denmark, Norway and Sweden

14 days, 3 countries and 14 cities

Accommodation

13 Breakfasts, 8 Dinners

View day-by-day trip itinerary

Your travels will reveal the storybook beauty and colorful history of Scandinavia. On this Scandinavian trip, you'll discover the truth behind the beloved fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, hop aboard one of Europe’s most exciting train journeys and learn about farm life near Bergen.

Looking to book in a group of 9 or more?

Deals, savings and exclusive private touring options available plus if you need a different date or itinerary change we can create a custom trip. Contact us for more details

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Trip map & itinerary

Day by day itinerary

14 days itinerary trip from Copenhagen to Stockholm visiting 3 countries and 14 cities

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About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm with a Local Specialist

Discover Odense, Stavanger, Bergen, Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord, Flåm and Lillehammer

Visit the Stave Church in Lom, Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo and Stockholm's City Hall

View the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen and Haakon's Hall in Bergen

See Hamar Olympic ice arena and Oslo's Royal Palace

Scenic Train Ride through the Norwegian countryside to Flåm

Travel highlights

Specific transfer information can be found here:

Airport Transfers

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

All porterage and restaurant gratuities

All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Train journey on the famous Flåm Railway

Ferry from Denmark to Norway

Ferry across the Boknafjord

Ferry across the Sognefjord

Optional Experiences and free time

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

Find out more

Net-zero by 2050

Travel knowing our 4-point climate action plan will ensure net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Support Local

Your tour directly supports local communities by visiting family-run businesses, UNESCO sites and places of cultural significance.

Sustainable Practices

Every part of our business, from trip design to how we run our offices, aligns to our 5-year sustainability strategy which ensures a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife.

Philanthropic Efforts

Our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, invests in nature-based solutions to address climate change.

You’ll make a positive impact to people, planet and wildlife on this tour

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Nordic / Scandinavia Tours & Trips

Chase the Northern Lights, see the world from the top of Norway’s astounding fjords, visit Stockholm and Gothenburg or try to meet Santa Claus - anything is possible on one of our amazing Scandinavian adventures. Get affordable tour packages and go on an incredible journey.

250+ Nordic / Scandinavia tour packages with 6,003 reviews

• Northern Lights
• Christmas & New Year

4 Day - Northern Lights, Snæfellsnes & Glacier Lagoon

Our first and second days were to tour West Coast and Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Our guide/driver was knowledgeable and took us to see all the points of interest. On the second morning, due to the weather condition we started at midday, he still got us to see every thing on the itinerary. On the first night we stayed late to look for northern lights until past midnight, the guide was with us the whole time checking on the forecast. Because of the not so perfect condition, we didn't see the lights after all. The second part was to the South Coast, Ice Cave, Skaftafell and Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon. We had a different guide/driver. On his first day, we visited waterfalls, etc. and he managed taking us to Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon to see the ice crystals on the beach. He announced that the Ice Cave tour was cancelled due to water in the cave and told us that we should request refund by the company. He said the next day, due to storm coming we had to leave the hotel by 7:30, going back straight to Reykjavik. That night when asked about chance to see northern lights, our tour guide said that he would pay attention to it until 11 before going to bed, but for any questions we could find him in his room before 11. He just pointed out a general direction for us but didn't tell us the exact location we should go to look for the lights. At 10:30 that night, we finally got to see the lights albeit a little late to catch the best part when we heard noise in the hallway and followed people from other tour groups to the right spot. Our impression was that our guide was not interested in helping us to view the northern lights although the northern lights were the main attraction for this particular tour and clearly the occurrence of the lights had been forecasted for the time. We understand that northern lights are natural phenomenon and we may not be able to see it on our tour but when there was forecast for it, our tour guide should really helping us to look for it or give us detailed direction for the exact location to view.

From Copenhagen to Helsinki

Very nice and organized. Very good guides, bus, driver

• In-depth Cultural

Absolute North

Everything we expected to see, we did. Everything on the travelling-index : is followed up. The hotel were finy, some even excellent. Just the first one at Copenhagen, Moxby was sleeping and room oké, but the breakfast was very poor. We need to wait too long to get anything. And the time was running oout on our first day to start..

• Coach / Bus

Highlights of Scandinavia (12 Days)

The tours, scenery, guide and driver were great. An exception, the tour of the recreated village on Obrero was not great…just fair.

Scandinavia Explorer

Good paced tour with a good mix of city and country. An active tour with hiking and cycling.

Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords (14 Days)

Excllent tour, excellent tour director and driver.

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Focus on Scandinavia

Two hotels on our tour were not acceptable. Our hotel in Oslo was near a ski slope far away from town, where we wasted half the day of our one day stop in the Capital.. Our hotel in Stockholm was again far away from town and we spent a lot taking a taxi to town and back.. thank God our hotel in Bergen was downtown.. where we were comfortably independent to walk to the sights. The guide and the driver of our bus were excellent , helpful and capable. On a fast paced tour like this the location of hotels is as important as the quality.

Grand Scandinavia (Classic, 20 Days)

Anne and Adrian Forster has an excellent and memorable trip made even more with the great assistance of Greg well done

Spectacular Scandinavia & its Fjords (Classic, 15 Days)

It was a trip of a lifetime. Tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. Bus driver was excellent too.

Best of Iceland

Very good tour overall. It's probabily better consider 2 weeks for the tour.

Northern Capitals

Well planned, lots of great experience. Iris (tour director) and Janek (driver) were both top-notch! There was a good balance of structured touring and free time.

Capitals of Scandinavia (10 Days)

Great company, guide and driver.

• Sightseeing

A Taste of Scandinavia

Nikolai was FANTASTIC!!!! He was a great tour leader. The tour took us to many places and he educated us well. However, just a few negative comments. The hotels were not satisfactory ....I am used to better hotels when I travel. Carrying my luggage throughout the tour was very burdensome. I am an older person, and although I am in great shape, I did not want to be responsible for carrying my luggage everywhere. There was an 89 year old man on our trip. He had a real hard time catching up. I usually go on escorted tours where my luggage, and everything else, is handled by the guides, not by me. I loved the places that wer went to and overall I would suggest people take Tourradar and Intrepid if they don't mind doing some of the labor involved.

Copenhagen to Helsinki

I was disappointed the coach driver had to take 48 hours off the last two days of my trip because just when I was tired out I had to walk a lot and take public transportation.????

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Scandinavia Highlights – Denmark Norway Sweden Finland

What people love about nordic / scandinavia tours.

Great tour, short but hit all the places that were on the initinery and the pick up from the hotel was very swift and easy. The guides for the 2 trips were friendly. I love how Mahlia (or Maria?) added her personal touch and stories to the pitch on the bus. I had a great trip in Iceland and want to come back again in different seasons.

I was worried about the culturally mixed tour clients due to some negative reviews from previous clients. But I enjoyed the experiences of mixing with participants from Mexico and the Philippines. Yes sometimes bilingual guides’ presentations were not clear, and I had to ask for clarifications. Hotels were better than I had expected from the reviews; except in one-hotel the lightening was so bd

Lovely places to see. Tour experience was great. We had wonderful times.

• Fully Guided (498)
• Family (428)
• Personalized (225)
• Private (161)
• Active (159)
• Northern Lights (115)
• Self-Guided (110)
• In-depth Cultural (107)
• Coach / Bus (71)
• Hiking & Trekking (61)
• Intl. Flights Included (51)
• Self Drive (45)
• Ocean Cruise (42)
• Bicycle (10)
• Food & Culinary (5)

Destinations

• Denmark, Norway and Sweden (90)
• Norway and Sweden (63)
• Finland, Norway and Sweden (36)
• Denmark and Sweden (18)
• Iceland and Norway (13)
• Iceland and Svalbard (5)
• Iceland tours (306)
• Norway tours (162)
• Finland tours (137)
• Sweden tours (54)
• Denmark tours (8)

Travel Styles

• Small Group (222)
• Budget (34)
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• Singles and Solo (477)
• For Couples (246)
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Summer in Scandinavia: five eco-friendly ideas to holiday like a local

The essence of a Nordic summer is to lean into a slower pace of life and embrace nature, from staying in a Swedish summer house to gentle canoe tours in Finland

Oslo: summer in the city

With swimmable harbours in Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki and across Denmark’s cities, not to mention plenty of ways to enjoy the sea, from kayaking to urban fishing, there’s often a seaside air to Nordic cities in summer, and especially in Oslo.

One of the best summer activities is to tour the Oslofjord and its archipelago by boat – pack a picnic and set sail in search of hidden swimming spots and colourful island houses. Brim Explorer is one of the best options: an eco-friendly boat company offering silent tours powered by an electric motor (tours from £44). You can also show your love for the water by joining Mad Goats in their fjord clean-up operations every Sunday; participation gives you access to one of their saunas for free and a free burger at the end.

There’s a growing art scene to discover around the harbour. The National Museum is showing an unmissable exhibition by Sápmi artist Britta Marakatt-Labba focused on the environmental struggle and climate issues seen from an indigenous perspective, until August. Afterwards, stroll around the harbour promenade past the opera house, and visit the Munch Museum . There is a new family-friendly beach, Operastranda, by the Opera House this year; it’s also great to swim at the Sørenga seawater pool . Stay at the eco-conscious Oslo Guldsmeden , a Nordic-Balinese hotel in the Vika district from £100 a night.

Explore Denmark ’s sunniest isle

Bornholm is officially the Danes’ favourite holiday spot (as voted for last year in the Danish Travel Awards). Reachable by bus and ferry or hydrofoil from Copenhagen, it’s known as the country’s sunshine island: Svaneke, a charming harbour town on the west coast, is the sunniest spot in the whole of Denmark.

There’s no need for a car: you can get around relatively easily by bike and bus to explore fishing villages and small towns such as Gudhjem, known for its national cooking competition , and sunny Svaneke, in search of the best ice-cream, smoked herring and locally brewed beer. Bornholm has an artist colony vibe reminiscent of parts of Cornwall and is well known for its ceramics. You can find small workshops and galleries dotted around its villages, and especially in the town of Nexø, where there is a ceramics school. Beaches are wide, sandy and beautiful – especially child-friendly, dune-backed Dueodde, which Lonely Planet recently listed as one of the 20 best beaches in Europe .

New this year, Eco Beach Camp offers glamping from about £150 a night (sleeping two to four) on the beach just steps from the island’s Michelin-starred Kadeau restaurant, known for its focus on hyper-local, sustainable food. Or rent a summer house through firms including Novasol and Dancenter where rates start from about £300 for a week’s stay. It’s expected that you’ll bring basics with you, including bed linen.

Norway’s Arctic hiking route

Culture and nature come together on Norway’s longest hiking route this summer. The 400-mile Nordlandsruta , which runs along the Norwegian-Swedish border, will be joining in the celebrations to mark the Arctic city of Bodø’s year in the spotlight as one of 2024’s European Capitals of Culture. There are a range of artist-led events in cabins along the trail, and activities include poetry and portrait workshops and a mobile perfumery making scents from the herbs that hikers pick along the route.

Evening entertainment includes campfire cooking, improv theatre and Sápmi lassoo throwing. It also plays into another key Nordic travel theme: friluftsliv , a love of the great outdoors. Norwegians love to hike and there is an extensive network of trails, with hiking cabins along them, across the country.

It’s a beautiful hike – whether you’re in the region for the celebrations or not – passing through the Arctic Circle, Laponian Area world heritage site , national parks and Sápmi cities. From meadows filled with wildflowers to snow-capped mountains, reindeer-herding plateaux and raging rivers, it has all the drama you’d expect of this northern landscape. There are 43 unstaffed huts on the route – you’ll need a key from Norwegian trekking organisation DNT to use them.

To walk the whole route would take around six weeks, but it’s broken down into eight smaller stages for those with less time. For ramblers with an eye on reindeer herding and Sápmi husbandry, the 57-mile stretch from Raudlia to Susendalen treks across two valleys and past the hat-shaped Hatten mountain while the 45-mile section from Bolna to Umbukta skirts the sacred Sápmi mountain of Auronasen, silver mines and a glacier. Weekend hikes along the trail are also possible from Narvik and Bodø.

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Finland’s peaceful waterways

If you like lakes, islands and trees, Finland is the place for you – it is the most forested country in Europe and has more bodies of water than any other country in the world . In the Kainuu region in the east of the country, it’s easy to get away from the crowds for pure immersion in Nordic nature.

Nature Travels offers self-guided canoe tours in the region where you can camp wild along the route, fish for your supper and go at your own pace. The pick of the bunch is a remote adventure on the Tar Route (from £154 per person, for three nights/four days, based on two people, including all equipment and transfers to start point), the historic route once used to transport tar to the Baltic Sea. Instead of tar, your cargo will be just yourselves, your tent and enough food for a four to eight-day tour of quiet waterways, short and easily bypassed rapids, and protected islands.

Along the route you might spot moose, foxes, owls or even eagles. Stop to fish for your dinner, cook it on an open fire and retire to a lean-to shelter or tent in the evening. Look out, too, for island saunas, dotted along the route, where you can ease the tension in your back and arms after a hard day’s paddle. Don’t forget to pack insect repellent: Finland’s forests are known for their pesky flies.

This route commonly starts from Kuhmo, accessed by train and bus from Helsinki, while Helsinki itself can be reached by ferry from Stockholm if you prefer not to fly.

Stay in a Swedish summer house

It’s traditional in this part of the world to spend at least part of the summer in a “summer house” (actually more of a simple cabin) in nature. The essence of summer house life is leaning into a slower pace of life: read a book under a tree, bake a cake, a gentle walk. It’s about living in harmony with nature, too, and embracing the joys it offers, including sea swimming, fishing, hiking and boating.

The Stockholm archipelago is one of the most accessible and popular summer house destinations. Access is via one of the many public ferries (one-way trips from the city pier cost up to £14 depending on the location). It’s as easy as taking a bus.

The region is protected by the Archipelago Foundation , which preserves public access to land and water in the area, and has a wide range of characterful accommodation spread all over the islands. They include a 19th-century former customs house on the remote and rocky island of Huvudskär, remade into a rustic youth hostel (room rates from £186 for a four-bed room), as well as summer cottages on the activity-packed southern island of Utö, where two-person cabins start at around £338 for a week in high season.

Summer cottages usually require you to bring bed linen. Depending on which island you choose, you might need to bring all your supplies for the week too. Peak season for Scandinavia is typically July – travel in August for slightly reduced rates.

Copenhagen-based Laura Hall writes the Modern Scandinavian newsletter

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