Are you interested in visiting the beautiful and diverse Scandinavia? You’re not alone! Scandinavia is an extremely popular tourist destination due to the immense natural beauty, security, and modern cities. From the stunning Stockholm metro station, which is more of an art gallery than a metro station, through to the incredible sight of Norway’s Fjords, there’s so much to do and see you may leave dreaming of your next trip around Scandinavia. If you’re planning to visit, but not sure where you should put on your list of places to go, check out these top places to visit in Scandinavia:
1. Norway’s Fjords
I’m sure you’ve seen photos of them circulating around the Internet, but the Fjords of Norway feel simply out of this world – they’re that beautiful! Bergen is probably the most popular base for visiting the Fjords and is a lovely city in its own right. Listed as a UNESCO site, Geirangerfjord is one of the most beautiful Fjords in all of Norway. As Norway is somewhat of an expensive destination to visit, one of the most comfortable and affordable ways is by taking a Scandinavia tour which will allow you to visit numerous sites throughout Norway and wider Scandinavia if you like.
2. Stockholm Metro Station, Stockholm, Sweden
You probably wouldn’t expect to see an art exhibition in a metro station, but that’s exactly what you will find in Stockholm’s metro station. Within the stations, you’ll find the ceilings painted in various colors from fiery red to something that reminds me of a rainbow. The idea was to bring art into a public space, but the real result has been one of the most interesting, and beautiful, metro stations in the world.
3. Kirkenes snow hotel in Norway
Have you ever dreamed of staying in an igloo? This may be the closest you ever get. This stunning hotel is made of ice and snow and has sculpted rooms that look like something out of a Disney film. They use ice from the local river, meaning that there’s always a constant supply to repair and build the rooms. Despite their frosty appearance, it’s very cozy and you’re sure to have an extremely memorable stay. There’s even a reindeer to welcome the guests – talk about a true winter wonderland.
4. Lapland, Finland
Perhaps you are like me and one day dream of seeing the Northern lights when the sky seems to dance in rainbow colors of greens and purples? Lapland in Finland is very far north, making it a good destination to watch the Northern Lights. Of course, they don’t happen every night, so it can become a bit of a challenge to trip to book a trip around seeing them. Due to the fact, Lapland is so far North, you have a much higher chance of seeing them here than in other parts of Scandinavia. Lapland has a lot to offer a stand-alone destination by itself: Santa’s house is located in Rovaniemi, making it a really fun destination to visit with children or those who are young at heart. You can also stay in an Igloo here, if you want to get fully immersed in the winter weather!
5. Helsinki, Finland
One of the few cities in the world where you can really ski right in the city! Because Helsinki is surrounded by forests, during the winter when the snow falls they turn into trails, making this a perfect destination for skiiers and snowboarders. If you’re looking for a more family friendly activity, the hills are perfect for sledging – something that all children love. If you feel a little cold during your trip, don’t worry! You can try warming yourself up in a traditiona Finnish sauna, one of those must-do experiences when visiting Finland.
6. Lofoten, Nordland, Norway
Located right on the arctic cicle, Lofoten has a relatively mild climate making it a lovely place to visit. In Lofoten you will find an extremely diverse marine life, a stunning archipelago and plenty of outdoor activities. You can go climbing, hiking, cycling, surfing – whatever you want you can basically find somewhere to do it in this natural gem. During the summer months, this region of the world is blessed with 24 hour daylight, making it perfect for hiking and trekking as you can go at essentially any time and you won’t have to rush back before dark!
7. Copenhagen, Denmark
This trendy city will likely be one of the highlights to your visit to Scandinavia. The city is laced with beautiful buildings that remind me of gingerbread houses. Copenhagen is also a haven for artists, meaning there are numerous lovely galleries scattered across the city. The Danes love for art can be seen in the way they dress, I suggest finding a cute cafe, enjoying a delicious coffee and admiring the quirky and hipster fashion you’ll see around Copenhagen.
No matter where you visit in Scandinavia, I’m sure you’ll find somewhere you love! It’s a really special part of the world that warrants a visit.