Best of Nordic Countries in 3 Weeks: Scandinavia Itinerary

Planning a trip to the Nordic countries? We’d be happy to help you craft a perfect Nordic itinerary or Scandinavia itinerary (as some may call it), or Northern Europe itinerary.

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Itinerary for Scandinavian Countries: An Introduction

First off, let me tell you that a trip to Scandinavia will be the best trip of your life. Why? Well, the Nordic countries are consistently listed as the happiest countries. Plus, they are stunningly gorgeous!

Nordic Countries or Nordics or Norden consists of five beautiful Northern European countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland, along with their associated territories of Svalbard, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the Åland Islands.

Why am I telling you this?

Because…

The terms Scandinavia (Scandia) and Nordics are used interchangeably by foreigners (I’ve been a culprit too before I explored the Nordic region), but they aren’t.

Finns and Icelanders are always quick to correct travelers who call them Scandinavians.

What’s the Difference between Scandinavian Countries and Nordic Countries?

The term ‘Scandinavia’ is commonly used ONLY for Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, while the term ‘Nordic countries’ is used for Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, andÅland Islands.

However, the associated territories of Svalbard (Norwegian archipelago) and Greenland are technically neither Scandinavia nor the Nordics.

The Scandinavian Peninsula (not to be confused with the Scandinavian Region) comprises only Norway and Sweden.

To sum up, Northern Europe consists of the Nordics (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland) and the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). Some definitions of Northern Europe also include the United Kingdom and Ireland.

I guess this topic makes for another blog post. Let’s now move to the Nordics itinerary, the sole reason you’re here 🙂

I’ll be using both Scandinavia and Nordics in my post to make it easier for people randomly searching for those terms to find it.

The Nordic region is one of the most beautiful and family-friendly regions in Europe. Also, it’s one of the most expensive regions in Europe. Believe you me, exploring the region is worth every penny.

Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway are part of Europe’s Schengen Region. Read everything you need to know to score a Schengen visa for your Nordics trip.

Scandinavia Itinerary: Summer in Scandinavia

We spent 3 weeks in Scandinavia during the summer. The summer is magical here. It’s the time of the year when the sun refuses to go down and shines through the entire day and night. Seriously.

Summer and winter are, in fact, two extremes in Nordic countries.

If winter in the Nordics brings sub-zero temperatures, dark days, snow-covered landscapes, and Northern Lights, summer brings endless days, nightless nights, vibrant landscapes, and Midnight Sun.

The desire to witness the Aurora Borealis dancing in the night sky is so strong among travelers worldwide that they overlook the region’s beauty during summer.

Witnessing the Midnight Sun in summer is as magical as the Northern Lights in winter.

Having said that, the Nordic region deserves two essential trips – one in summer and one in winter, and some more to drink in its ethereal beauty.

It’s time to plan your Scandinavia travel!

Scandinavia Itinerary 21 Days: An Overview

Our itinerary lets you explore four epic Nordic countries in 3 weeks.

♥ Denmark

♥ Sweden

♥ Finland

♥ Norway

This is what a brief Scandinavia itinerary, 3 weeks, looks like –

Copenhagen (6 nights) – Ystad ( 2 nights) – Molle ( 1 night) – Helsinki ( 3 nights) – Rovaniemi ( 2 nights) – Oslo (2 nights) – Bergen ( 2 nights) – Hardanger (1 night) – Flam ( 1 night) – Oslo ( 1 night)

Day 1: Fly into Copenhagen

Day 2: Explore Copenhagen

Day 3: Explore Copenhagen

Day 4: Explore more of Copenhagen

Day 5: Day Trip to Dragor

Day 6: Day Trip to Helsingor

Day 7: Road Trip to Malmo (Sweden) via Orseund Bridge

Day 8: Explore Ystad

Day 9: Explore Skane County. Drive to Kullaberg (Molle)

Day 10: Kullaberg to Kastrup, Copenhagen. Fly to Helsinki.

Day 11: Explore Helsinki

Day 12: Day Trip to Porvoo

Day 13: Fly to Rovaniemi

Day 14: Explore Rovaniemi

Day 15: Fly to Oslo

Day 16: Explore Oslo

Day 17: Oslo to Bergen train

Day 18: Explore Bergen

Day 19: Hardangerfjord

Day 20: Flam

Day 21: Flam to Oslo

Day 22: Fly back home

Before we elaborate on our Scandinavia itinerary, let’s first discuss the basics of a trip to Scandinavia.

Scandinavia Trip Itinerary: Things to Know Before You Go

Best Time to Visit Scandinavia

It all depends upon your choices. If you’d love to witness the white nights and soak in the Midnight Sun, plan your trip for June, July, or August.

If you dream of sleeping under the Northern Lights, September to March is the best time to go.

The months of May and September see fewer crowds and are thus less expensive for accommodations.

How much does a Trip to Scandinavia cost?

Scandinavia is infamous for being the most expensive region in the world. To some extent, it’s true. Scandinavia can be exorbitant if you’re not watchful about how you spend your money.

There are ways to cut your costs in Scandinavia –

• A little planning goes a long way. You save money when you plan and book well in advance.
• Prefer apartments over hotels.
• Shop at local grocery stores and cook your own food. If cooking isn’t your thing, you can go for pre-made meals from supermarkets. Aldi, Lidl, Kiwi, Rema 1000, Netto, and ICA are some of the budget-friendly supermarkets in Scandinavia. K-Market in Finland and Coop Prix in Norway are good discount stores.
• Food Market Halls like Kauppahallit in Helsinki or Torvehallerne in Copenhagen are another great option for cutting food costs. They are way cheaper than restaurants, yet a great local food experience.
• Take Self-guided city tours and look for free attractions. Almost all major cities in Scandinavia have tons of free and budget-friendly things to do and see.
• Buy City Tourist Cards like Copenhagen Card or Oslo Card that save money on attractions and transport. They work wonders at saving time, money, and hassle. You can buy them online and collect them at the airport.
• Bring an eco-friendly reusable water bottle. It saves money plus the environment. A water bottle in Scandinavia costs about $5.
• The Everyman’s Right (Right to Roam) in Nordic countries, except Denmark, allows easy camping in the wild. You can save a lot of money on accommodation if you’re traveling to Nordic countries during the summer.
• We found Norway the most expensive of the Nordic countries. You can maybe cut your time in Norway and spend more time in other Nordic countries to save some money.

We roughly spent about $2500 per person for 22 days in Scandinavia.

Getting to and from Scandinavia

From Asia, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and the UK, the most convenient way of getting to and from Scandinavia is to fly. If you’re in Europe, you can travel by train, bus, car, or ferry.

From India, only two airlines fly directly to the Scandinavian capitals. Air India flies directly from New Delhi to Copenhagen, while Finnair flies directly from New Delhi to Helsinki. There are no direct flights from New Delhi to Oslo or Stockholm.

A few airlines fly directly to the Nordic capitals from North America. Norwegian Air flies to Oslo, Finnair to Helsinki, and SAS to Stockholm and Copenhagen, all direct from New York.

We use and recommend Skyscanner for the best flight deals.

Getting Around Scandinavia

With a flexible range of transport options, Scandinavia is easy to navigate.

We used a rental car for most of our time in Scandinavia, though we also tried other modes of transportation, such as flights, trains, buses, and ferries, to make our trip more varied and interesting.

Renting a car in Europe has its own set of rules. You can read our detailed guide to renting a car in Europe to get started.

We always use and recommend Discover Cars for our car rental needs wherever we travel in the world.

We traveled by train from Oslo to Bergen, considered one of the world’s most scenic train journeys (you gotta experience it), took a ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki, and boarded flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and from Rovaniemi to Oslo.

I’d recommend taking a night train (Santa Claus Express) from Helsinki to Rovaniemi if you have more time on hand. Also, the Norway in a Nutshell package is a great way to explore the dramatic fjords of Norway.

Make sure to book all your intercountry transportation tickets in advance.

It’s recommended to buy a Scandinavia Pass to get around Scandinavia on a budget.

A Detailed Scandinavia Itinerary: Explore Nordic Countries in 3 weeks

As always, our itinerary is packed with activities, leaving little time to just sit and do nothing. We love to explore, and mini-me, too, loves to be on the move. She’s that restless.

This itinerary is designed to fit all kinds of travelers, whether family, solo, or couple.

You can make slight changes and modify the itinerary as per your needs, such as adding the famous hiking attractions in Norway (Trolltunga and Preikestolen) if hiking appeals to you.

First Destination: Denmark

Days to Spend: 6 Days

You’ll start your exploration of Scandinavia in the world’s most bike-friendly city and Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen.

How to Get to Denmark

There are regular airline connections from the rest of the world to Copenhagen, Denmark. If you have a direct flight, that’s awesome. Book a flight with the fewest layovers.

You’ll fly into Kastrup International Airport in Copenhagen, which is just about 15 minutes away from the city center.

You can rent a car at the airport, or else you can take a train or bus to Kobenhavn H (Central Train Station) from where you can take a subway, bus, or taxi to reach your hotel or apartment in Copenhagen.

If you’re not renting a car, it’s best to book a hotel in the city center for easy access.

Discover the Best Places to Stay in and around Copenhagen City Center, Denmark

Where to Stay in Denmark

Travelers usually base themselves in Copenhagen and make it their primary destination in Denmark. Other cities worth visiting and spending a night or two in Denmark include Aarhus, Aalborg, Skagen, Ribe, and Odense. Dragør, Helsingør, and Roskilde can be visited on a day trip from Copenhagen.

Here are our recommendations for the best places to stay in Danish cities:

• Hotel in Copenhagen: citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen
• Hotel in Aarhus: Villa Provence
• Hotel in Aalborg: Aalborg Hotel Apartments
• Hotel in Skagen: Skagenhus ved Kirken
• Hotel in Ribe: Den Gamle Købmandsgaard Bed & Breakfast
• Hotel in Odense: Hotel Odeon
• Hotel in Dragør: Dragør Hotel & Apartments
• Hotel in Helsingor: Charming and cozy annex
• Hotel in Roskilde: Ann’s cottage

Related Read: 10 Days in Denmark Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Copenhagen

Today, you’ll arrive at the Danish capital, Copenhagen. The day is at leisure.

You can explore the streets of Copenhagen and get familiar with the city, depending on the time you get here, or you can head to your hotel to relax after a tiring flight journey.

Where to dine in Copenhagen on day 1?

Laundromat Cafe is a nice place for a quick bite. Kids will love it.

Where to Stay in Copenhagen: We recommend CopenhagenApartment and citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen.

Read our detailed guide to the best hotels in Copenhagen.

Day 2: Explore Copenhagen

Start early to beat the crowds and make the most of your day.

The attractions you’ll be visiting today include:

• Nyhavn
• Frederik’s Church
• Amalienborg Palace
• Rosenborg Castle
• Statens Naturhistoriske Museum
• Round Tower
• Stroget
• Christiansborg Palace

Where to dine and drink in Copenhagen on day 2?

• Breakfast: Bowl Market Copenhagen
• Lunch: Torvehallerne or Restaurant Amalie
• Coffee and Snacks: Original Coffee ILLUM Rooftop
• Taste traditional Danish pastry at Conditori La Glace, one of Europe’s historic cafes.
• Dinner: Riz Raz

Special Recommendation: A scoop or two of organic ice cream at Hansens Is.

You can visit all the Day 2 attractions on foot. The day-wise itinerary is crafted to require minimal walking.

Transportation and many attractions are free with the Copenhagen Card. It’s such a time- and money-saver!

Day 3: Explore Copenhagen

This day is reserved for kid-friendly attractions. I mean, today you’ll explore the best things to do with kids and kids-at-heart 🙂

The attractions you’ll be visiting today include:

• Copenhagen Zoo
• Frederiksberg Palace
• Assistens Cemetery
• Jægersborggade
• Superkilen Park
• Experimentium

Recommended dining in Copenhagen for day 3:

• Coffee and Cakes: Hart Bageri
• Lunch: The Sixteen Twelve
• Dinner: The South Indian Frederiksberg

Day 4: Explore more of Copenhagen or take a Day-Trip to Roskilde

If you’re done with Copenhagen (which I doubt), you can take a trip to Roskilde.

Or you can explore:

• Freetown Christiana
• Kastellet
• Gefion Fountain
• The Worker’s Museum
• The Copenhagen Lakes
• Tivoli Gardens

Food recommendations in Copenhagen for the 3rd day:

• Breakfast at Reffen
• Lunch: Restaurant Kastellet
• Coffee and Snacks: Mad & Kaffe
• Dinner: Tivoli Food Hall

Read our detailed 3-day itinerary in Copenhagen

Day 5: Day Trip to Dragør from Copenhagen

Head to Dragor, a cute little fishing town on Amager Island in Denmark.

The visit to this beautiful historic village gives you enough time to relax and take a break from the helter-skelter of sightseeing.

Make sure to take your kids to Den Blå Planet (National Aquarium Denmark), the largest aquarium in northern Europe. It’s on the way to Dragor.

If you plan to spend a night in this quaint village, we suggest booking the classic and beautiful Dragør Fort Hotel.

Where to eat in Dragor? Harborfront Dragør Strandhotel, and Restaurant Beghuset. Don’t forget to taste ice cream at Nam Nam Is.

Read our complete guide to Dragør, Denmark

Day 6: Day Trip to Helsingør from Copenhagen

How can you visit Denmark and not visit Helsingor, aka Elsinore, the home of Shakespeare’s Hamlet?

Encircled by Orseund, the Sound, and the expanse of water between Sweden and Denmark, Helsingor is a colorful town with cobbled streets and a rich history.

Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Helsingør, has been a perfect setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The castle hosts Shakespeare’s Festival every summer, where international stars portray Prince Hamlet.

You can also visit the Maritime Museum of Denmark, the Culture Yard by AART, and the Danish Museum of Science and Technology.

Where to eat in Helsingør? Værftets Madmarked and Elsinore Street Food.

Note: You can add Aarhus to your Denmark Itinerary if you have an extra day or two. You’d love the Aros Aarhus Art Museum and the Infinite Bridge.

How to Get Around Copenhagen? For the most part, Copenhagen is very accessible on foot and by public transportation. A rental car is good for day trips, but not suggested for city excursions, of course, for obvious reasons. Guided tours are also a pretty good option to explore the city without any tension.

We love and recommend Discover Cars to rent a car wherever you go.

Second Destination: Sweden

Days to Spend: 3 Days

On the sixth day of your Scandinavia adventure, you’ll say goodbye to Denmark as Sweden welcomes you with a friendly and warm smile.

How to Get to Sweden

Our itinerary requires you to have a rental car, as you’ll be exploring the Swedish countryside, which is otherwise inaccessible by public transportation.

It’s quite easy to get from Denmark to Sweden by air, bus, or train. There are buses and trains from Copenhagen to Gothenburg, Malmö, and Stockholm.

If you are planning to explore the far north of Swedish Lapland, such as Kiruna and Abisko, there are regular flights from Copenhagen with Norwegian Air and SAS.

Where to Stay in Sweden

There are umpteen good stay options all across Sweden. Stockholm, Sweden’s capital and largest city, offers a variety of hotels, apartments, and hostels for all budgets. Gothenburg, Gotland(Visby), Kiruna, and Skane (Ystad, Malmo, Molle, and Helsingborg) are other popular destinations in Sweden.

Malmö can be easily visited on a day trip from Copenhagen.

Here are the hotel recommendations for popular cities in Sweden:

• Hotel in Stockholm: NOFO Hotel; BW Premier Collection
• Hotel in Gothenburg: Hotel Vanilla
• Hotel in Visby: Hotel Villa Borgen
• Hotel in Kiruna: True Nature
• Hotel in Ystad: Charming Townhouse
• Hotel in Mölle: Pensionat Strandgården
• Hotel in Helsingborg: The Vault Hotel

Day 7: Drive from Copenhagen to Malmo | Explore Malmo | Drive from Malmo to Ystad.

Take a beautiful drive from Copenhagen to Malmö via the Öresund Bridge.

Check with your car hire company if your rental agreement allows you to cross international borders. Our car hire company gave us a paper that we showed at the border check.

If you don’t have a rental car, you can take a train (ACP Rail) or a bus (Flixbus, Netbuss, or Gråhundbus) from København H (Copenhagen Central Station).

Whichever mode of transport you choose, it usually takes about 40 minutes to reach Malmö from Copenhagen.

Great coffee with cakes and croissants at Noir Kaffekultur, that’ll be all you need for a great head start.

You’d love to check out Turning Torso, Malmo Castle, and St. Peter’s Church before lunch at Sajvva, a great place in Malmo for vegans and vegetarians like me.

Once you’re done with lunch, fasten your seatbelt for another beautiful drive from Malmö to Ystad.

It’s a real delight to drive through the awe-inspiring Swedish countryside.

We stayed at a lovely holiday cottage in Löderups Strandbad.

That’s all we needed – I mean, a secluded cottage in the middle of the lush forest with a beach nearby, a perfect summer holiday.

Spend the day taking long walks through the forest and soaking in the warmth of the Midnight Sun while sitting at the beach with a glass of wine, while kids cycle, run around, and play with the sand.

It’s always good to add such destinations to your otherwise action-packed itinerary. Isn’t it?

Here, you need to visit the nearest supermarket as you’ll have to cook your own dinner at your cottage.

If the idea of cooking on vacation scares you, check out the best hotels to stay in Ystad, Sweden.

Day 8 – Explore Ystad

Ystad, a gorgeous town located in Skåne county on the southern coast of Sweden, with its cobbled streets lined with medieval, pastel-colored half-timbered houses, white-sand beaches, centuries-old historical sights, and ravishing rolling countryside all around, is well worth a visit.

I instantly fell in love with its beauty.

Henning Mankell’s crime series about Kurt Wallander was set in Ystad. If you’re a Scandi-noir and Wallander fan, you can take one of the Wallander guided tours to see all the locations where the scenes were shot.

Don’t forget to visit Ystad Studios, the largest film studio in Scandinavia.

Where to eat in Ystad? Villa Strandvagen, Maltes Mackor, and Glassmakeriet.

Where to stay in Ystad? We recommend Hotell Bäckagården and Charming Townhouse.

Day 9: Explore More of Skane County | Drive to Kullaberg

There are a whole lot of things to do in and around Skåne County (Scania), but we chose a few of those as we only had a day to explore Skåne.

We started our day with Ales Staner, a ship-shaped henge. It’s located in the tiny and beautiful village of Kåseberga. Legend has it that the ancient stone ship stands on the grave of a mythic king, King Ale.

Forget about history, the site where the stones are erected in the shape of a ship is utterly impressive. As soon as you hike the hill, you can’t help but admire the views overlooking the Baltic Ocean.

Our next stop was Skånes Djurpark in Höör Municipality, Skåne – a must-visit with kids. The zoo has more than a thousand wild and tame Nordic animals – elk, foxes, wolves, lynxes, bears, seals, and many more.

Kids had unlimited fun getting up close with animals, trying horse riding, enjoying the Shaun the Sheep theme park, and climbing the wooden bridges in the trees. Definitely, the best family fun in Skåne.

It was time for us to head to Kullaberg in Mölle, Sweden. It took us about an hour to reach Kullaberg Nature Reserve, a haven for outdoor lovers.

You can take scenic hikes, experience Porpoise Safari, check out the mysterious caves and coves, go fishing, admire the views from vantage points, paddle, swim, and so much more.

We enjoyed the Porpoise Safari in a RIB boat. The tour lasts for about an hour and costs Kr 450 per adult and Kr 300 per child.

We stayed at Pensionat Strandgården in Mölle. Wowzers, it is! Highly recommended.

Where to eat near Kullaberg Nature Reserve? There aren’t many places to eat near the nature reserve. We tried Molle Krukmakeri and Ransvik Havsveranda and found them decent.

PS: And you can’t leave Sweden without experiencing fika, one of the most beautiful coffee traditions in the world.

We wanted to extend the time in Sweden and explore Gothenburg and Stockholm, and then take a ferry to Turku, Finland, or a flight from Stockholm to Helsinki, Finland, but we came back to Copenhagen to catch our flight to Helsinki because car rental companies charge exorbitantly high rates if you pick up your rental in one country and drop it in another. Check out 10 unusual things to do in Stockholm if you’re planning to add Stockholm to your Scandinavian itinerary.

Our car rental charges for 8 days (pickup and drop-off at Copenhagen Airport) were 8,000 INR ($100), and if we had returned the car in Gothenburg, we would have had to pay 65,000 INR ($900).

Third Destination: Finland

Days to Spend: 5 Days

You’d fall for this little country wrapped cozily in the far north. Day 9 of the Scandinavia itinerary takes you to Finland.

How to Get to Finland

There are quite a few regular flights (Sichuan Airlines, Norwegian, SAS, and Finnair) from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Helsinki, Finland. The journey takes about 2 hours.

Where to Stay in Finland

Finland offers awesome, unique stay options. For travelers, Helsinki remains the prime destination in Finland. Summer or winter, you gotta plan a stay in Finnish Lapland to experience the Midnight Sun or the Northern Lights.

Here are our recommendations for Hotels in Finnish cities:

• Hotel in Helsinki: Hotel F6
• Hotel in Turku: Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone
• Hotel in Porvoo: Small historic wooden house in Porvoo’s old town
• Hotels in Rovaniemi: Santa Claus Holiday Village; Glass Resort
• Hotel in Saariselka: Villa Karhunpesä; Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Igloos and Chalets

Day 10: Fly from Copenhagen to Helsinki | Explore Helsinki

Today, you have to drive back to Kastrup Airport (a 2-hour drive) and leave your car at the car rental drop-off to catch a flight to Helsinki.

Take a taxi, train, or bus to your hotel in Helsinki to drop off your bags and spend your day exploring the Finnish capital, Helsinki.

Take a self-guided or guided walking tour starting at Helsinki Central Station to explore the city’s beautiful churches, charming streets, and markets.

Where to dine and drink in Helsinki on day 1?

• Lunch at Zucchini
• Coffee and Snacks at Karl Fazer Cafe
• Dinner at Kauppatori Market Square

Day 11 – Explore Helsinki

On your second day in Helsinki, you can go island-hopping. Take a ferry from Market Square that takes you to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Vallisaari, and Lonna.

Once you’re done with the island-hopping, have a cup of coffee and snacks at Cafe Regatta.

If you’re traveling with kids, take them to Linnanmaki Amusement Park; otherwise, try the famous Finnish Sauna at Löyly, one of the most popular activities in Helsinki.

Where to eat in Helsinki on day 2?

• Lunch at Juuri 
• Coffee and Snacks at Cafe Regatta
• Dinner at Restaurant Savotta

Recommended Reading:
Best things to do in Helsinki, Finland
A First Timer’s Guide to Visiting Helsinki, Finland

Day 12: Day Trip to Porvoo from Helsinki

Want a break from city sightseeing? Hop on a bus and head to the little fairytale town of Porvoo. Less than an hour away from Helsinki, Porvoo makes for a perfect day trip.

What’s so special about it? Well, you’ll know once you’re there 🙂

It’s so pretty that you’d want to just pack it in your bag and take it back home 😉

Stroll the cobbled streets adorned with pretty rows of pastel houses, museums, and cafes, and make sure to taste Runeberg’s Torte and Brunberg’s truffle.

If you have time, you can take a bus from Porvoo to visit Klovharun, fondly known as Moomin Island.

Where to eat in Porvoo? Ani’s Cafe, Zum Beispiel, Sinne, and SicaPelle are some of the best places to dine and drink in Porvoo.

If you plan to stay in Porvoo, please, please book this Small historic wooden house in Porvoo’s old town.

Here’s the ultimate guide to the charming town of Porvoo in Finland

Day 13: Fly from Helsinki to Rovaniemi | Explore Rovaniemi

This day is solely for kids – the most awaited experience for kids. You are off to Rovaniemi – the official hometown of the kids’ beloved Santa Claus.

Norwegian Air and Finnair have regular flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to fly from Helsinki to Rovaniemi.

Santa Express Train is another good option, provided you have enough time on your hands.

Pick up your rental car from Rovaniemi Airport and spend your day exploring Santa Claus Village – Cross the Arctic Circle, meet Santa Claus himself, feed the reindeer, and visit Husky Park.

Take that mandatory pic with the jolly man in the red!

Relax at your hotel and apartment before you start your hike to Ounsvara to witness the most unique and iconic natural phenomenon, the Midnight Sun.

Rovaniemi is one of the best places in northernmost Finland to experience the full Midnight Sun, when the sun stays above the horizon for about 70 days.

You can spot the magical phenomenon from May to August, with June and July being the best months.

Where to eat in Rovaniemi on day 1?

• Lunch at Kotahovi Lapland Restaurant
• Coffee and Snacks at Coffee House
• Dinner at Restaurant Valdemari’s

Where to stay in Rovaniemi? Ukonloma Cottages, Kyyhkynen, Arctic Light Hotel, and Hostel Cafe Koti.

Day 14: Explore Rovaniemi

Today, you’ll take a day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park, home to about 200 Arctic animals like polar bears, foxes, and lynxes.

Where to eat near Ranua Wildlife Park? We found the Wild Arctic restaurant good.

Try Rosso for dinner, and don’t forget to try Nordic’s pure ice cream by Arctic Ice Cream Factory. There are many outlets in Rovaniemi.

Read to know what a trip to Finnish Lapland in summer is like

Fourth Destination: Norway

Days to Spend: 7 Days

Think Norway, think fjords. Majestic Norwegian fjords – there’s no match to them. There are 1000s of them dotting Norway’s coastline. It’s time to explore the sheer and unmatched natural beauty of Norway.

How to Get to Norway

Rovaniemi, Finland, to Oslo, Norway is about 4 hours away by flight with a stopover in Helsinki. There are no direct flights from Rovaniemi. You can come back to Helsinki and spend a day, maybe, before catching a flight to Oslo.

Where to Stay in Norway

Norway’s capital, Oslo, has amazing accommodation options. Other cities of interest in Norway include Bergen, Flåm, Stavanger, Tromsø, Trondheim, the Lofoten Islands, Kristiansund, and Ålesund.

Here are the hotel recommendations for major Norwegian cities:

• Hotels in Oslo: Thon Hotel Storo; Camillas Hus
• Hotel in Bergen: Scandic Flesland Airport
• Hotel in Flåm: Flåm Ferdaminne
• Hotel in Stavanger: Historical apartments in the heart of the old town
• Hotel in Tromsø: Water-View Home
• Hotel in Trondheim: Affordable three-bedroom apartment
• Hotel in Lofoten: Sennesvik Apartments
• Hotel in Kristiansund: Blåbærdalen 20 Luksusvilla
• Hotel in Lyngstad: Ola Bua Near The Atlantic Road
• Hotel in Ålesund: Hotel Brosundet

Day 15: Fly from Rovaniemi to Oslo | Explore Oslo

Your Norway itinerary starts in the capital city of Oslo.

From Rovaniemi, it’s about a 4-hour flight to Oslo, including a short stopover at Helsinki. Take a shuttle train (Flytoget) to the city center and maybe a taxi from there to your hotel, drop off your luggage, and freshen up before you start the sightseeing.

It’s always a good idea to book a hotel in the city center to save time and money on transportation.

On your first day in Oslo, you’ll explore:

• Oslo Opera House
• Frogner Park
• Slottsplassen
• Karl Johans Gate
• Nobel Peace Center
• Oslo City Hall

Where to eat in Oslo on day 1?

• Lunch at Tunco
• Coffee and snacks at Funky Fresh Foods – DogA
• Dinner at Freddy Fuego Burrito Bar Tjuvholmen

There are many awesome places to dine in Oslo, but they are expensive. I’ve suggested the ones we found cheap yet best – the absolute value of money.

Where to stay in Oslo? Mad Architect’s Shared Apt – Sørenga – Homestay, Thon Hotel Storo, and Camillas Hus.

Day 16: Explore Oslo, Norway

The second day in Oslo starts with an Oslofjord cruise, followed by a ferry to the Bygdøy peninsula. The peninsula is brimming with famous Norwegian museums like the Kon-Tiki Museum, Fram Museum, Viking Ship Museum, and the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.

You can’t visit Oslo with kids without visiting one of its amazing museums.

Make sure to grab an Oslo Pass to save on museums and other major attractions.

We recommend visiting the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norwegian Folk Museum), Fram Museum, and Kon-Tiki Museum.

Dining recommendations for your 2nd day in Oslo: Mamma Pizza Osteria, Haralds Vaffel, Habits Coffee, and Oslo Street Food.

Try Statholdergaarden if you want to splurge on food.

Read our guide to the best things to do in Oslo, Norway

Day 17: Oslo to Bergen on Bergen Railway | Explore Bergen

Day 16 of your Nordic Countries tour is beautiful. Today, you’ll ride one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, the Bergen Railway (Bergensbanen) from Oslo to Bergen.

This train journey is a part of the famous Norway in a Nutshell tour, but that requires you to get down at Myrdal to board the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana), another popular scenic train ride from Myrdal to Flam.

Since we didn’t take the package, we traveled to Bergen.

The journey is exhilarating and the best introduction to the Norwegian landscape.

Read all about the scenic train journey from Oslo to Bergen

If you book the Norway in a Nutshell Tour, your transportation is handled by them. If you’re exploring Bergen (Gateway to the fjords) and Norwegian fjords on your own, as we did, the best way is to rent a car.

The car rental services aren’t available at the Bergen Railway Station, which means you’ll have to catch a bus (Flybussen) to reach the Bergen Airport and rent a car.

Once you’ve rented a car, check into your hotel, relax, and spend the evening strolling the colorful lanes and pretty harbor of Bryggen, and check out the Bergen fish market.

Where to dine in Bergen?

• Coffee and snacks at Lovetann Kaffebar
• Dinner at Trekroneren

Where to stay in Bergen? Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Bergen, YM40, Bjørnestrand Fjordside View, Scandic Flesland Airport

Day 18: Explore Bergen

The entire day is dedicated to exploring Bergen. Ride the Fløibanen funicular and/or the Ulriken cable car to get 360-degree panoramic views over the city.

Visit the KODE Art Museums, especially KODE 4, which has Kunstlab where kids can learn about art while playing.

Next, you can visit the Bergen Science Center Vilvite (kid-friendly) or Bergenhus Fortress, depending on the time and your interests.

You can take the cruise along the Osterfjord if you have time and energy. The cruise leaves from the fish market pier. The last cruise leaves at 6 pm during the summer season and 2 pm otherwise.

Dining suggestions for 2nd day in Bergen:

• Lunch at Bare Restaurant
• Coffee and snacks at Godt Brod
• Dinner at the Horn of Africa

With more time, you can take one of many beautiful day trips from Bergen.

PS: We loved Bergen so much that the plan for the second visit is already on my mind. We explored Bergen in the summer and are now keen to experience its magic in winter.

Day 19: Drive to Hardangerfjord from Bergen | Explore Hardanger

The day is finally here when you’ll witness the majestic Norwegian fjord up close. A beautiful drive from Bergen to Hardangerfjord takes less than 2 hours.

The third-longest fjord in the world and second-longest in Norway, Hardangerfjord is wild and stunning.

There are many ways you can revel in the beauty of the fjord – hiking, walking, cruising, kayaking, and many more.

Where to eat in Hardanger? Hardangervidda Hallen Restaurant & Café, Restaurant Fjell & Fjord, and Mabodalen Camping and Hyttesenter.

Where to stay in Hardanger? Hardangerfjord Hotel, Mo Gardsferie, Apartment in Herand, Vik Pensjonat Og Hytter, and Jaunsen Gjestegjevarstad.

Day 20: Drive to Flam | Explore Flam

Today, drive the beautiful stretch from Eidfjord to Flam. There are many beautiful stops along the way to Flam, such as Voss, Gudvangen, and Stalheimskleiva.

Don’t rush, but try to soak in the experiences.

You can opt for a Norled express boat from Bergen to Flam along the Sognefjord if you have enough time. The round-trip takes the entire day, and the single journey takes over 5.5 hours. The boat leaves at 8:00 and makes brief stops at fjord villages along the way before reaching Flam. The return trip starts around 15:00.

Once you reach Flam, take a fjord cruise or fjord safari through UNESCO Nærøyfjord, the most dramatic and wildest arm of the Sognefjord.

The three-hour tour passes through endless waterfalls, mountainside farms, little fjord villages, and colossal mountains.

One of the tours (Heritage Taste Fjord Safari) takes you to the beautiful village of Undredal, famous for its authentic goat cheese.

You can taste different varieties of cheese and jams at Eldhuset.

Once you’re done with the fjord cruise, board the Flamsbana for the most enchanting train journey from Flam to Myrdal and back.

Where to eat in Flam? Fretheim Hotel Restaurant, Flam Marina and Appartement Cafe, Green Norway Flam, and Bakkastova.

Where to stay in Flam? Flåm Marina, Flåm Ferdaminne, and Visit Undredal.

Related Read:
7 Days in Norway Itinerary
2 Weeks in Norway Itinerary

Day 21: Road Trip from Flam to Oslo

Day 21. Sigh! We are almost done with our exploration of the Nordic countries. Wait! The best is yet to come 🙂

Today, you’ll drive one of the loveliest road trips you’ve ever driven in your life. Believe you me.

The road trip from Bergen via Flam to Oslo passes through exciting tunnels, medieval churches, cute towns, mountain passes, national parks, dramatic fjords, and whatnot.

The entire road journey (300+ km) takes around 5 to 6 hours, including the time spent at stopovers.

Here’s a detailed post about the road trip from Bergen to Oslo

You can retire to your hotel or check out the Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Tower in the evening. Climb the observation deck on top of the jump tower to enjoy the panoramic views over Oslo. The evenings are special as they bring beautiful sunsets over Oslofjord.

Day 22: Fly Back Home

Finally, it’s time to say goodbye to the Nordics. I don’t like the endings, especially when it comes to beautiful trips, but as they say, “All good things must come to an end.”

You’ll fly out from Oslo to head home, wherever in the world it is. If you have a flight late afternoon or evening, you can spend some time exploring more of Oslo or maybe shopping for souvenirs. We recommend Way Nor for souvenirs.

Phew! This is an exhaustive guide to Scandinavia, and we hope it helps travelers around the world explore this beautiful region in Northern Europe.

So, it’s basically a Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland itinerary! You can add Iceland to this itinerary to explore the entire Nordic region. I purposely left Iceland as we had planned to visit it sometime soon during the Northern Lights season 🙂

Suggested Scandinavia Itineraries

For all those who don’t have 3 weeks to devote to the trip but still want to explore Scandinavia. Don’t worry, we have got you covered!

Here are suggested itineraries for Scandinavia for 15 days, 14 days, 12 days, 10 days, and 7 days:

Scandinavia Itinerary 15 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark | Explore Copenhagen

Day 2: Explore Copenhagen

Day 3: Take a Day trip to Kronborg Castle from Copenhagen

Day 4: Fly from Copenhagen to Stavanger, Norway | Explore Stavanger

Day 5: Hike Pulpit Rock

Day 6: Fly from Stavanger to Bergen | Explore Bergen

Day 7: Hike Trolltunga

Day 8: Take a Day Trip to Flåm to experience Norwegian Fjord Cruise (Nærøyfjord) and Flåm Railway

Day 9: A Scenic Train Journey or a Road Trip from Bergen to Oslo

Day 10: Explore Oslo

Day 11: Fly from Oslo to Stockholm, Sweden | Explore Stockholm

Day 12: Explore Stockholm

Day 13: Fly from Stockholm to Helsinki, Finland | Explore Helsinki

Day 14: Explore Helsinki

Day 15: Fly Back Home

Scandinavia Itinerary 14 Days (Bonus: Vibrant Estonian Capital of Tallinn)

Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki, Finland | Explore Helsinki

Day 2: Explore Helsinki

Day 3: Take a Ferry to Tallinn, Estonia | Explore Tallinn

Day 4: Explore Tallinn | Overnight Cruise from Tallinn to Stockholm, Sweden

Day 5: Explore Stockholm

Day 6: Fly from Stockholm to Copenhagen | Explore Copenhagen

Day 7: Explore Copenhagen

Day 8: Fly from Copenhagen to Oslo, Norway | Explore Oslo

Day 9: Explore Oslo

Day 10: A Scenic Train Journey or a Road Trip from Oslo to Bergen

Day 11: Explore Bergen

Day 12: Explore Flåm and the Norwegian Fjords

Day 13: Drive or Fly from Bergen to Stavanger | Explore Stavanger

Day 14: Fly Back Home

PS: Alternatively, you can join the Norway in a Nutshell Tour on Day 10, which starts in Oslo, includes the beautiful Flåmsbana train ride and a fjord cruise, and ends in Bergen. In that case, you can trade the day dedicated to Flam for the Trolltunga hike.

Scandinavia Itinerary for 12 Days: An Exciting Scandinavia Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark | Explore Copenhagen

Day 2: Explore Copenhagen

Day 3: Drive to Gothenburg, Sweden | Explore Gothenburg

Day 4: Drive from Gothenburg to Stockholm | Explore Stockholm

Day 5: Explore Stockholm

Day 6: Drive from Stockholm to Oslo

Day 7: Explore Oslo

Day 8: Drive from Oslo to Bergen

Day 9: Explore Bergen

Day 10: Explore Flam and Norwegian Fjords

Day 11: Drive from Bergen to Stavanger | Explore Stavanger

Day 12: Fly Back Home

Scandinavia Itinerary 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark | Explore Copenhagen

Day 2: Explore Copenhagen

Day 3: Fly from Copenhagen to Stockholm, Sweden | Explore Stockholm

Day 4: Explore Stockholm

Day 5: Fly from Stockholm to Oslo, Norway | Explore Oslo

Day 6: Fly from Oslo to Bergen | Explore Bergen

Day 7: Take a Day trip from Bergen to Flåm | Cruise Nærøyfjord | Ride Flåmsbana

Day 8: Fly from Bergen to Helsinki, Finland | Explore Helsinki

Day 9: Explore Helsinki

Day 10: Fly Back Home

Scandinavia Itinerary 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Stockholm, Sweden | Explore Stockholm

Day 2: Fly or Board a Train from Stockholm to Copenhagen, Denmark | Explore Copenhagen

Day 3: Explore Copenhagen | Overnight Cruise from Copenhagen to Oslo, Norway

Day 4: Explore Oslo

Day 5: Fly or Board a Train from Oslo to Stockholm | Explore Stockholm

Day 6: Explore Stockholm

Day 7: Fly Back Home

Scandinavia Trip Itinerary: FAQs

What are the Scandinavian countries?

Denmark, Norway, and Sweden are Scandinavian countries, geographically. However, Finland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, along with Greenland and Åland, are also considered Scandinavian countries, traditionally. Ideally, they are all together called the Nordic countries.

How many days do you need to visit Scandinavia?

You need at least 10 days to explore the best of Scandinavia. 10 days in Scandinavia allows you to tick off the highlights of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland; however, it’d be a bit rushed trip. 2 weeks in Scandinavia are perfect to discover Scandinavia in a relaxed manner, while 3 weeks in the region lets you discover the hidden gems or add some of the lesser-known places.

What are the best months to travel in Scandinavia?

By book, the summer months of June, July, and August are the best time to visit Scandinavia. It’s when the weather is just perfect, the days are endless, and the magic of the midnight sun adds to the experience. However, I feel winter in Scandinavia is extra special too because it brings the otherworldly northern lights and hygge, mysa, and koselig!

Is it expensive in Scandinavia?

Yes, Scandinavia is costly! Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland rank among the most expensive countries in the world to travel to and live in. Yet, there are many ways you can visit Scandinavia on a budget if you choose rental vacation homes over hotels, cook your own food instead of eating out, visit free attractions, use discount passes, and plan well in advance. Also, planning to go during the low season also helps.

Which Scandinavian country to visit first?

It doesn’t matter which Scandinavian country you visit first. You can start in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, or Finland, depending on where there are a good number of direct and cheap flights to and from your home country. Your Scandinavian itinerary mostly starts and ends in different countries.

Which country is better in Scandinavia?

Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland; each Scandinavian country is different and more beautiful than the next. Denmark has world-class design and architecture, Norway has unearthly fjords and wilderness, Sweden has lush woodlands, pristine lakes, and islands, and Finland has stunning lakes, traditional sauna culture, and it is home to Santa Claus.

Is it easy to travel between Scandinavian countries?

Yes, traveling between Scandinavian countries is quite easy and comfortable. With extensive road, rail, air, and sea networks, getting around Scandinavia is a breeze. Express trains, overnight cruises, short ferry rides, long-distance coaches, low-cost flights – options abound. And, not to mention, a road trip around Scandinavia is the way to go if you have time.

What’s Scandinavia known for?

Scandinavia is famous for its Viking heritage, stunning landscape, endless forest cover, pristine lakes, magical fjords, gushing waterfalls, beautiful beaches, remarkable design and architecture, royal palaces, pretty churches, unique culture, mouth-watering cuisine, charming towns, northern lights, midnight sun, and a happy vibe. It’s one hell of a region!

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So, when are you planning your trip to Scandinavia? If you need any further assistance as you plan your trip to Scandinavia, let us know in the comments below. We’ll be more than happy to help!

More Travel Resources to Plan Your Scandinavia Trip

• Renting a Car in Europe
• Schengen Visa for Europe
• How to Plan a Trip to Europe
• Cheap and Free Things to Do in Copenhagen
• 3 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary
• 13+ Incredible Day Trips from Copenhagen
• Best Hotels in Copenhagen for Families
• Dragør in Denmark
• Best Places to Visit in Denmark
• Trip to Finnish Lapland in Summer
• Best Things to do in Helsinki
• A First-Timer’s Guide to Visiting Helsinki
• Porvoo in Finland
• Where to Stay in Rovaniemi
• Best Places to Visit in Norway with Kids
• Oslo with Kids
• Where to Stay in Oslo
• Undredal in Norway
• The Train from Oslo to Bergen
• A Road Trip from Bergen to Oslo
• 7 Days in Norway Itinerary
• 2 Weeks in Norway Itinerary

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