WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO IN SCANDINAVIA IN NOVEMBER?
There are plenty of things to do in Scandinavia in November, from going out to look for the northern lights to visiting the cities’ popular attractions.
Visiting Scandinavia in November means immersing yourself in the Nordic winter. There are fewer daylight hours than in summer and temperatures are dropping. If you’re wondering which are the best places to visit in this region, it really depends on what you want to do.
Make the most of this quiet period by exploring the capital cities of the Scandinavian Triangle, enjoying the best of Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen in one incredible trip. In November these cities are quieter than in the summer, so you’ll have more of them to yourselves.
If you travel to Scandinavia in November, it also means you can soak up the region’s rural attractions and wintry landscapes. Head to Bergen in Norway to witness the stunning fjords, or go further into Northern Norway for a glimpse at the stunning west coast and a chance to catch the northern lights.
Here’s one of our suggestions for a Scandinavia itinerary in November:
Day 1 - Arrive in Stockholm, Sweden
Fly into Stockholm Arlanda Airport and head to your hotel in the city centre. Spend some time walking through Gamla Stan (The Old Town), and enjoy a fika (a Swedish coffee break) with a nice pastry at one of the local cafés in this medieval neighbourhood. Or, why not hop on a city sightseeing tour?
Day 2 - The highlights of Stockholm
Spend a full day in the Swedish capital, discovering the city’s attractions and districts. You could join a sightseeing tour to experience the best of Stockholm in a day, taking you to must-see spots like the City Hall, Royal Palace and trendy Södermalm quarter.
We also recommend taking a short ferry ride to the nearby island Djurgården, a cultural oasis near the city centre. Here you’ll find one of Scandinavia’s most popular attractions, the Vasa Museum. You could also visit the Abba Museum and the Skansen open-air museum.
Day 3 - Travel to Copenhagen, Denmark
Today you’ll board a train or a short flight to Copenhagen, the beautiful capital of Denmark. As a taster, you should walk along the colourful Nyhavn harbour.
We also recommend strolling along the popular shopping street Strøget and checking out the fun and games at the old fashioned Tivoli Gardens amusement park.
Day 4 - Discover Copenhagen
Soak up the charms of Copenhagen today, either on your own or as part of a guided tour. You might want to visit Rosenborg Castle, the Botanical Garden and Torvehallerne food market. We also recommend hopping on a boat tour to see Christiansborg Palace, the Royal Danish Opera House and the colourful Christianshavn Canal from the water.
Day 5 - Overnight cruise to Oslo, Norway
Ahead of tonight's journey to Oslo, Norway’s capital city, spend the day enjoying more of Copenhagen. Why not make like the bicycle-happy Danes and rent a bike? You could also take in the view of the city from the top of the Round Tower?
Later, board an overnight ferry to Oslo. You’ll cruise gently up the Kattegat Sund to Norway.
Day 6 - Explore Norway’s capital city
This morning your ship arrives in Oslo, giving you the day to explore the Norwegian capital. Take a walk to the bustling Aker Brygge waterfront area and visit the Akershus Fortress. Or, head to the Bygdøy peninsula to explore historic museums.
If you love art, make sure to take a walk through the delightful Vigeland Sculpture Park. Don’t miss a visit to Oslo City Hall if you want to see where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held.
Day 7 - Scenic train journey to Flåm
This morning, you’ll board a train from Oslo Central Station to begin the legendary Norway in a Nutshell® experience – one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. This train ride takes you over Norway’s “mountainous rooftop”, through charming villages like Gol and Geilo.
From Myrdal, you’ll embark on the famous Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) for a scenic ride to the beautiful village of Flåm. Enjoy the rest of your day in Flåm.
Day 8 - Norwegian fjord cruise
Prepare to witness breathtaking Norwegian scenery today, as you hop on a cruise that takes you through the fjords. You’ll be able to admire the glittering waters, cascading falls and forested mountains of Sognefjord, passing through Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. Afterwards, it’s an exciting coach and train ride to Bergen.
Day 9 - Discover Bergen
Known as the gateway to the fjords, Bergen is Norway’s charming second city with plenty of its own attractions to uncover. You can visit the medieval houses of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bryggen, and take the funicular up Mount Fløyen for panoramic views over the city and fjords.
There are also plenty of museums, shops and restaurants to check out on your last full day in Scandinavia.
Day 10 - Depart from Bergen, Norway
Fly back home from Bergen-Flesland Airport, having enjoyed 10 days in beautiful Scandinavia.
What other ideas are there for a Scandinavia tour in November?
Travelling to Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden and Denmark) gives you a good excuse to see more of Northern Europe in the same trip. The Nordic countries – that’s Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland – are well connected via plane, train and ferry. That’s why seeing a few of them in one go is a great idea!
You could begin your tour in the capital of Finland, Helsinki. Here in this exciting city, spend your time uncovering attractions like Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, and the Old Market Hall, as well as trying local restaurants for a taste of Finnish cuisine.
Then, step aboard a vessel that whisks you to Stockholm, crossing the Baltic Sea overnight to begin your exploration of the Scandinavian Triangle the following day.
Once you reach Bergen, you could head into northern Norway, admiring the fjords and national parks along the way. The snow-covered landscape up here is perfect to try dog sledding and snowmobiling.
You could also visit Santa Claus in Finnish or Swedish Lapland. Although you may want to visit closer to Christmas to really make the most of it.
Another option is to follow up your Scandinavia tour with a visit to Iceland. Fly from Oslo to Reykjavík and spend some days discovering the country’s awe-inspiring natural scenery, including glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls.
Or, if you’re planning a trip to see the northern lights in November, we recommend you visit northern Norway, Lapland or Iceland. For the optimum chance of spotting the aurora borealis, the best time to visit is in winter (October to March) when the night skies are darker.
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.
How about a self-guided tour of Scandinavia?
If you would like to discover Scandinavia on your own, then an independent tour is the perfect choice. Travel from one place to the next using public transportation, which in Scandinavia is fast, reliable and punctual.
By opting for a train and cruise 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 travel 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 the usual Nordic Visitor benefits. These include access to our 24/7 helpline, a detailed personal itinerary, helpful travel guide and daily breakfast.
Interested in a Scandinavia road trip?
On a self-drive tour in Scandinavia, you’ll have the freedom to pull the car over at any attractions that catch your interest. The best part? You won’t have to worry about where you’re going or sleeping, because your Nordic Visitor travel consultant has already sorted those local arrangements for you. You’ll also have access to our 24/7 emergency helpline should you need to call us at any point.
If you want to take a road trip through Scandinavia, we recommend visiting between May and September for incredible scenery right outside your window, watching how the landscapes shift between Sweden, Denmark and Norway. You could opt for a circular road trip between Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo, flying in and out of the Swedish capital, for example.
Prefer a guided tour of Scandinavia?
To see the region from a local’s point of view and make some new friends along the way, a guided small group tour of the Scandinavian capitals is an excellent option! The best times to visit and join a group are the summer months, May, June, July and August.
A small group tour of Scandinavia offers an enriching experience, allowing you to get the most out of your trip thanks to the expertise of a local tour guide. What’s more, you’ll be travelling alongside 16 people at most, so the trip is still personal for you.
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