WHAT TO SEE ON A ONE-WEEK TOUR OF SCANDINAVIA?
Scandinavia is a region of Europe that covers the kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The ideal holiday is to visit all three together as they all share similar cultural heritage and history. They are also well-connected via flights, modern motorways, railways and waterways.
With one week in Scandinavia, it’s possible to travel to all three capitals – Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm. With comfortable travel by flight and ferry, you can admire Scandinavia’s scenic coast and rural areas, as well as its attractive cities.
Here’s our suggestion for a one-week Scandinavia itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive to Stockholm, Sweden
Fly into Stockholm Arlanda Airport and head to your hotel in the city centre. If you arrive earlier in the day, you can spend some time on the well-known street shopping Drottninggatan and enjoy a fika (a Swedish coffee break). You could also hop on a sightseeing tour to discover more.
Day 2 – Explore the Swedish capital
Take full advantage of your day in Stockholm. Discover the old town, Gamla Stan, where you could visit the 19th-century Royal Palace.
We also recommend heading to Djurgården, a nearby island part of the Stockholm archipelago. Here you’ll find some of the city’s cultural highlights like the Skansen open-air museum, Gröna Lund amusement park and Vasa museum.
Day 3 – Travel to Denmark
Only a short flight or scenic train ride away, today you travel to Denmark. Upon your arrival, take in the beautiful capital, Copenhagen. First stop, the enchanting Nyhavn, a colourful harbour with restaurants and docked boats.
You could spend your evening at the amusement park of Tivoli Gardens. We recommend trying a traditional open-faced sandwich, Smørrebrød.
Day 4 – Explore the colourful Copenhagen
Spend the day discovering more of Copenhagen. The city centre is compact, which means you can easily get around on foot. Top landmarks include the Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace and the Little Mermaid statue. You could also see the cityscape from the water with a cruise.
Day 5 – Sail to Norway
You have the morning to visit a few more of Copenhagen’s hot spots. Walk up the centrally located Round Tower for a great view over the city or visit the regal Rosenborg Castle. Later, board an overnight cruise to head to Oslo. You’ll sail gently up the Kattegat Sund to Norway.
Day 6 – Explore Norway’s capital city
Once the ship docks, you have all day to roam around Oslo. Walk past the imposing city hall to spend some time at the bustling Aker Brygge waterfront or head to the Bygdøy peninsula. Here you could explore a variety of historic museums.
You could also visit one of the many cultural attractions of the city, from the Royal Palace to discovering Gustav Vigeland’s sculptures at Frogner Park.
Day 7 – Departure from Oslo
Today you fly home from your Scandinavian holiday. If you have time, you could visit another of Oslo’s museums or take a stroll to snap a few final photos to make all your friends at home jealous.
What other ideas are there for a one-week Scandinavia itinerary?
There are various other ways you can explore Scandinavia with an itinerary of 1 week. You could focus on one of the countries instead of all three. You also could head up north to visit Lapland or northern Norway.
If you want to slow down the pace and take in more Scandinavian sights, why not extend your tour and stay longer? For example, you could add some day trips or extra days in each capital city.
You could also visit Bergen on the west coast of Norway or take on the iconic Norway in a Nutshell® route. If you want to expand your trip into the Nordic region, you could start your tour with 1 or 2 days in the capital of Finland, Helsinki.
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.
Want to do 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.
By opting for an independent 1 week 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 ferry and train 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 all the Nordic Visitor benefits. These include access to our 24/7 helpline, a detailed personal itinerary, helpful travel guide and daily breakfast.
Want to take a Scandinavia road trip?
On a one-week long Scandinavia driving tour, you’ll have the freedom to pull the car over at any attractions or breathtaking views.
The best part? You won’t have to worry about where you’re going or sleeping, because your Nordic Visitor travel consultant will sort it out for you before you arrive. You’ll also have access to our 24/7 emergency helpline should you need to call us at any point.
Prefer to join a guided tour of Scandinavia?
Our guided small group tours in Scandinavia allow 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 experience is still personal for you.
Scroll down to learn more about Nordic Visitor’s services and how to get to Scandinavia.
