See The Best Of Denmark, Sweden, And Norway With This Easy Itinerary

Follow this simple itinerary to see some of the best sights in Denmark, Sweden and Norway!

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Scandinavia is one of my absolute favorite places to travel in the world. I will admit, I may be somewhat biased as I am of Scandinavian descent. I was also lucky enough to travel there many times growing up to visit relatives.

Beyond just the familiarity because of past visits, there is so much I love about Scandinavia! The overall approach to life, and the easy-going nature of the people, really reflect much of what it is like in my home state of Minnesota. That really makes these countries feel like a home away from home.

Loving these places so much is why I want to share my favorite itinerary with you! I want you to travel confidently, see the sights and have a great time.

Yes, I have taken this EXACT trip, so trust me, it is wonderful!

Why You Need To Visit Scandinavia

If you’re wondering why you should add this trip to your “must-do” list, here are just a few reasons why:

Each country varies in their unique history but all share common threads. It is fascinating to consider the stark differences between them as you travel, specifically the the architecture, buildings, and museums.

Copenhagen will amaze you with it’s spectacular buildings and crown jewels. Similarly, Stockholm with it’s Royal Palace and it’s beautifully preserved Old Town with astound you. Of course, when it comes to natural beauty, Norway’s landscape is unparalleled!

Scandinavian countries are also some of the most clean and comfortable places you will ever visit. The people value being environmentally conscious and it shows in how impeccably clean it is pretty much anywhere you visit!

Beyond that, it is just a REALLY EASY place to travel. As an American who doesn’t speak any foreign languages, I count on the local people to be able to communicate with me in English. Otherwise, I have hope they will be patient with me while I use an app to try to ask questions.

People in Scandinavian countries learn English in school from a very young age. That means if you are an english speaker, you’ll be able to communicate with pretty much anyone, anywhere.

Plus, the people as a whole are extremely nice and friendly! Just knowing that you can easily communicate can remove stress to make the whole travel experience a little more enjoyable.

When To Visit Scandinavia

As I will always say, the best time to visit is when you can get there! Of course, you do need to consider the latitude of these Scandinavian Countries. As a result of their location, they tend to have cooler temperatures. That means visiting in the warmer summer months can be ideal in many ways.

If you’re looking to save a little cash and aren’t afraid of cooler temperatures, consider visiting in April/May or September/October. During those months the prices will be slightly less and you may also have less competition when visiting tourist spots. Do keep in mind that if you go in a less busy time of year, some activities may have limited days or hours. Just make sure to plan in advance and book tickets whenever possible!

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Scheduling Activities Into Your Denmark, Sweden and Norway Itinerary

I am all about planning – everything from a food plan to a daily activity itinerary!

That said, my most important advice is: never, ever over schedule yourself on a trip.

I recommend that for each day of travel you have an average of a half day worth of activities pre-booked with tours and excursions. Then I suggest leaving the remainder of the day open for unstructured exploring. That way you can spend it visiting whatever other things may catch your eye along the way.

Planning too many activities is the one way I have found to make a potentially amazing trip, not so great. The last thing you want to do is plan so many things that you are running to get everywhere. One of the joys of traveling is having time to really live in the moment and enjoy your surroundings.

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Planning How To Get Around In Each City For This Itinerary

In general, I prefer to explore on foot whenever possible in foreign countries. Of course, when coming from the airport, I will check first to see if the hotel offers free transportation.

In cities like Oslo and Bergen, the train station is right next to the hotel I recommend (below). To me, this makes them both a convenient option for getting to and from the airport quickly.

Taxis are another simple way to get around town quickly! They can be easy to stop on the street or ask for at the front desk of your hotel.

Hop-on hop off buses are another option for people who are less inclined to enjoy walking between sights. You just meet the bus at one of the stops, get on and can travel around the city! Some even offer audio tours if you choose to listen to them!

You can check out some options for those tours in each city here:

• Copenhagen Hop-on Hop-off Tour
• Stockholm Hop-on Hop-off Tour
• Oslo Hop-on Hop-off Tour
• Bergen Hop-on Hop-Off Tour

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Traveling Between Cities In Denmark, Sweden and Norway

Traveling between each of the cities in Denmark, Sweden and Norway is simple with this itinerary! When you want to make the most of your time in each city, I recommend flying between. This can be a much quicker option than taking the train.

The exceptions I made with this itinerary were the scenic railway and the ferry in Norway. They were amazing experiences to see the landscape, and much more than just a mode of travel.

*Also important to remember – all of these countries are part of the EU. That means you will not have to go through customs when traveling between them!*

Examples of my flight times between cities :

• Copenhagen to Stockholm: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Stockholm to Oslo: 55 minutes
• Bergen to Oslo: 50 minutes

Travel Itinerary To See The Best Of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway:

Denmark

I started my trip in Denmark. I found it to be the easiest place to start so you don’t waste time backtracking with flights. It was also the fastest place to get to which was a big selling point for me as well.

Stay: Copenhagen Marriott Hotel

DAY 1: Arrive in Copenhagen, get settled in the hotel, take the Free Walking Tour and grab something to eat while exploring Nyhavn

DAY 2: Walk over to check out the history at Rosenborg Castle and enjoy the canals on a Canal Boat Tour

DAY 3: Head to The National Museum of Denmark, visit the Reffen Food Market and enjoy Tivoli Gardens

Sweden

The second stop along the trip will be in Stockholm, Sweden. I chose to fly between Denmark and Sweden because it was just a quick hour and ten minute flight. That maximized the time I had to explore the city!

Stay: Sheraton Stockholm Hotel

DAY 4: Fly into Stockholm, get settled in the hotel and take the Free Walking Tour of Stockholm

DAY 5: Explore Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town, see the changing of the guards and take a tour of the Royal Palace

DAY 6: Make a stop at the Vasa Museum and then head down the street to the Skansen Open-Air Museum

DAY 7: Plan a day on the water with an Archipelago Excursion

Want to know more about the best things to do in Stockholm? Check out 5 Amazing Things To Do When Visiting Stockholm, Sweden.

Norway

Norway is the third country on the list. You will notice, the travel in Norway is more varied than the other two countries. That’s because Norway’s incredible natural beauty is something that needs to be experienced in the way you travel.

I chose to fly from Stockholm to Oslo, but when traveling between Oslo and Flam I chose a scenic railway. Between Flam and Bergen taking the ferry highlights the stunning views from the water as you cruise through the fjords. Traveling this way is something that must be experienced at least once in your life!

DAY 8: Arrive in Oslo, check into the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo. Then make your way over to check out Akershus, and learn about Norway’s involvement in World War II at Norway’s Resistance Museum

DAY 9: Enjoy a morning at Vigeland Sculpture Park before heading over to check out Oslo City Hall and finally take an Oslo Fjord Tour

DAY 10: Hop on a ferry to go over to the Viking Ship Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, and the Fram Polar Ship Museum

DAY 11: Leave Oslo – Enjoy the scenic Flam railway and catch the ferry to Balestrand. Stay at the famous and historic Kviknes Hotel

DAY 12: Wake up early to take in the spectacular views of the fjord and see St. Olav’s Church before hopping back on the ferry to Bergen. When you arrive in Bergen, check in to the Grand Hotel Terminus and get settled.

DAY 13: Stretch your legs on a walk through the Bergen Fish Market on your way to take the funicular to the top of Mount Floyen for a jaw dropping view of the city.

DAY 14: Take your time exploring the Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf and visit the many shops and museums along the water.

DAY 15: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out to catch your flight back home!

FYI – From here, I took a flight from Bergen back to Oslo to catch my international flight home. It is possible you might be able to get a direct flight from Bergen as well, depending on your airline.

Conclusion

If you have been considering a trip to Scandinavia, this Denmark, Sweden, and Norway trip itinerary covers some of the best sights and cities. It will give you a taste each country that you wont soon forget. After just one visit, I know you will share my love for these beautiful countries and the enjoyable travel experiences they offer!

Have you visited any of these countries or are you planning your own trip to Denmark, Sweden and Norway with this itinerary? I want to hear from you!

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