Scandinavia is often thought of as an icy, inhospitable place full of wooden cabins, lutefisk and pickled herring. It’s also the birthplace of ABBA, The Killing, and Danish pastries. So what is Guided Tours Scandinavia really like?
I’ve been traveling in Scandinavia for over 20 years—and in all that time, I’ve only scratched the surface of this region’s rich cultural traditions and diverse landscapes. If you’re planning a trip to Scandinavia soon but don’t know where to start, here are five ideas for exploring:
Grand tour of Norway
If you’re looking to explore Norway, the best way is by car. The country is full of beautiful mountain ranges and fjords—and your car will allow you to get the most out of these stunning sights.
If you don’t have a driver’s license, there are plenty of places where you can rent a car in Norway—but if you want a more unique experience, why not rent an electric car? Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular among eco-conscious travelers because they’re quieter than traditional cars and use less fuel.
Baltic states and St. Petersburg
- The Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
- Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city and an interesting place to see Russian culture.
- The Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art in Riga is worth a visit for its large collection of contemporary Russian art (and its beautiful building).
- For great architecture, take a look at the House of Soviets and House on the Embankment in Moscow or the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow or any number of other impressive buildings throughout Russia.
Finland to Iceland and Greenland
If your dream trip to Scandinavia includes both a visit to Iceland and a train journey through Finland, here’s the perfect itinerary for you. The overnight sleeper train from Helsinki to Reykjavik takes just under 8 hours—and it’s worth every minute of that time spent in transit. Once you arrive in Iceland, you can either head straight for Reykjavik or make your way south along the ring road (Route 1) to explore some of this wonderful country’s other attractions along the way.
This route will take you over stunning volcanic plateaus and through lush valleys full of geysers, waterfalls, and hot springs; it will also pass through beautiful fjords where icebergs float by on their way out into the Atlantic Ocean.
If you’re headed north toward Greenland rather than south toward Reykjavik as part of this itinerary instead of vice versa, then consider making some extra stops along the way so that they fall between other destinations on your list:
For example: If going Westbound towards Iceland via Oslo instead of Eastbound towards Norway via Copenhagen (which means taking the ferry from Kristiansand), stopping at Bergen or Stavanger would make sense before continuing on with your journey toward Oslo—or vice versa if traveling Eastbound rather than Westbound across Scandinavia.
Sweden to Finland by train
A trip from Stockholm to Helsinki by train is a great way to experience the vastness of the Swedish countryside. It takes about five hours, and you can purchase your ticket online for about $50 per person.
While you’re on your journey, check out some of these sights:
- The old town of Vaxholm has been around since 1348 and features a number of beautiful churches and buildings, including an 18th-century fort that sits in the harbour.
- In Helsingborg, you’ll find one of Sweden’s oldest castles, built in 1560. It’s also home to many shops where you can buy souvenirs for yourself or as gifts for others back home!
- Stångån River runs through Lund University’s campus – be sure to stop by if you’re looking for some quiet time away from all that hustle and bustle!
Conclusion
I hope that this article has been useful in helping you plan guided tours Scandinavia. As you can see, there are many different ways to go about it and a lot of places to visit during your stay. In the end, it’s all about finding what works best for you!
