When you think of Scandinavia, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the cold weather. However, this cultural, historical region including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Finland offers so much more than snow and ice. There’s plenty that Scandinavia is famous for and while it’s a popular winter vacation destination, it’s also a great place to put on your travel list for all year around, with many great itineraries available. If you’re considering putting together a travel itinerary for Scandinavia, read on for some of the best places to visit.
Stockholm, Sweden:
The capital of Sweden is an exciting place to visit, combining a rich, historical background with a range of interesting modern attractions. There are two different UNESCO World Heritage sites in this city – the magical Skogskyrkogarden (Woodland Cemetery) and the residence of Swedish royals, the Royal Palace Drottningholm, which attract millions of tourists every single year.
And, the city is amazing to look at – all year round you can enjoy the stunning cobbled streets, amazing architecture, gorgeous canal bridges and beautiful scenery. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Old Town, which offers a wide range of things to see and do including interesting museums, quaint boutiques and delicious traditional dishes.
Roskilde, Denmark:
Having been the Danish capital for hundreds of years, Roskilde is a rich, historical city dating all the way back to the age of the Vikings, when the founder of Denmark, Herald Bluetooth, built a cathedral and a royal palace here. This city is also famous for its Viking Ship Museum, which today is home to five well-preserved historic Viking ships that were unearthed from the Russian fjords around the city. If you’re a fan of music and festivals this city is a must-visit – each year, it hosts Denmark’s biggest party and the biggest music festival in Europe which welcomes over fifty thousand people each summer.
Rovaniemi, Finland:
This region of Lapland is a great choice of city to put on your itinerary if you’re dreaming of a winter wonderland. It’s the northernmost part of Finland and is one of the most perfect spots in Scandinavia to see the Aurora Borealis on two hundred nights of the year. Whether you’re visiting during the summer or the winter, this is certainly a very magical destination. And in the summer, you can enjoy three months of the Midnight Sun with several cultural events, festivals, concerts and more. You can visit here on Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland travel packages by Firebird tours.
Helsinki, Finland:
The largest city and capital of Finland is also definitely worth adding to your Scandinavian travel list. It’s a perfect area to visit at any time of the year and sits facing the Baltic Sea, on a peninsula. It’s definitely a great city to explore on foot or by bicycle, and don’t miss out on popular landmarks like Mannerheimintie, which expands from the Central Railway Station where you can see a statue of the most important man in Finnish history, Marshal Mannerheim. If you’re looking for some fun and adventure, then be sure to check out Linnanmaki Amusement Park.
Jukkasjarvi, Sweden:
Locally known as Jukkas and located 17km north of Kiruna in the region of Lapland, this is a popular tourist destination thanks to the Icehotel, the biggest igloo in the world which is rebuilt every year in October. It is located next to the Tornealven River, and lasts all winter long until the temperatures begin to rise slightly higher in May.
Bergen, Norway:
Bergen is one of the most beautiful areas of Norway. Travel to Norway: choose best private tours and cruises that include this gorgeous area. It’s a gateway to majestic fjords and a European Cultural Center particularly when it comes to the shipping, oil, aquaculture and education industries.
What’s included on your Scandinavian itinerary?