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Five Reasons to Visit Scandinavia on Your Next Vacation

21 January 2025

When you think of Scandinavia, the first thing that comes to mind may be sleek Ikea designs, and trust us, there is plenty of modern architecture to match this aesthetic, but this region holds so much more. Comprised of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, Scandinavia is tucked away in the furthest reaches of Northern Europe and is surrounded by water, including the Norwegian, North, and Baltic Seas. This is a land of Viking heritage, where tradition holds firm and seasons shape the culture. There are cities consistently voted as some of the best globally and wild landscapes painted with towering mountains and plunging fjords. If you are looking for travel inspiration, look no further. Here are five reasons to visit Scandinavia for your next vacation. 

Trondheim Norway

1. Each city brings a unique taste of Scandinavia

While common ties knit Scandinavia together, the region's cities could not be more distinct. Take the capitals, for example. Stockholm, Sweden, sits alongside the water and is spread across 14 islands, giving it the nickname the "city between the bridges." Oslo, Norway, shines with its eclectic mixture of ultra-modern and historic architecture, all against a stunning waterside backdrop. Copenhagen, Denmark, once a medieval fishing village, now shines as a leader in the green initiative and is awash in colorful buildings that rarely exceed six stories in height.

Venturing away from the capitals reveals the beating heart of Scandinavia and why it is a favorite 2025 travel destination. Imagine the possibilities, history, and culture at your fingertips in small fishing villages dotted along the shores of the Lofoten Isles and ancient Viking cities like Trondheim. Venturing further north showcases the traditions of those locations in the Arctic Circle, including Jokkmokk in Swedish Lapland and Bodø in northern Norway. Combining these destinations creates the best type of Scandinavian smörgåsbord.

Traditional Danish smørrebrød

2. Scandinavia is an emerging culinary region

In the past, Scandinavian food has not made much of a splash on the culinary map; however, with each passing year, its gastronomy has seen more recognition and begun to creep into the hearts of foodies around the globe. Authentic dishes passed through the centuries and modern spins on Scandinavian classics provide a taste of the countries' heritage in the best possible way.

Traveling to Norway, the unassuming town of Bergen shines as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. This city boasts more than 1,000 years of history and has an incredible location between the mountains and sea, making it a place that has the best of both worlds. Visitors and locals alike have access to eateries selling the freshest seafood, including customary dishes like fish soup, and the summer months bring a bounty of fresh produce. World-class restaurants and old-world meeting places like the Fish Market showcase these elements and offer a taster's course in Norway's culinary prowess.

Sweden, too, boasts a culinary haven - Östersund. This UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy has an inland location alongside Storsjön Lake and is surrounded by pristine wilderness. Its clean air and water create the perfect environment for natural ingredients to thrive, and as such, much of the city's food culture has been built around the hunting and gathering that has taken place for millennia by the Sámi people. Östersund is one of the best places to visit in Scandinavia if you want to try wild berries or proteins like reindeer and moose. Nearby farms and artisan food producers contribute fresh cheeses, bread, and homegrown ingredients.

But these cities are just the tip of the iceberg. From Copenhagen - a gourmet capital of the world - to Trondheim, which has been named a European region of gastronomy, and the small villages of the Arctic that have had to adapt their cuisine based on seasonal availability, Scandinavia is a treasure trove for the adventurous eater.

Northern Lights in Lapland

3. History awaits your discovery at each turn

Visiting Scandinavia is the perfect chance to leap back in time hundreds or even thousands of years. You do not have to be a historian to appreciate the immense history that lies in every city, each small village, and throughout the remote landscapes.

Of course, this region is renowned for its Viking beginnings, and influences of their invasions and rule can be found throughout Sweden and Norway. Take a guided tour of Trondheim, the Viking capital, or choose a tour that features Oslo, a city founded by the Vikings more than 1,000 years ago. Denmark, too, has a rich connection to the famous seafarers, with Copenhagen being a fishing hub for the Vikings. All along the coastlines - and in some locations further inland - the Viking Age shaped the course of history.

Because of their long histories, these northern European countries are rife with colorful old buildings and narrow, winding streets. See palaces and castles that date back centuries and beautiful old cathedrals, such as Nidaros Cathedral, which is noted as Norway's national shrine. The well-preserved fishing villages of the Lofoten Islands, such as Nusfjord, which looks much the same as it did 200 years ago, exude another side of Scandinavian history while heading into Swedish Lapland reveals the timeless practices, such as reindeer handling, of the Indigenous people. Whether visiting for the first time or returning for another look, this corner of the world has myriad stories to tell, and there are endless ways to uncover them.

Lofoten Islands

4. What lies beyond the cityscapes in these countries is truly breathtaking

Maybe your interests lie outside the city limits, and if that is the case, Scandinavian countries shine with their untamed backcountries and rugged coastlines.

Denmark is the flattest of the three nations, with fertile farmlands on the interior and gorgeous, windswept beaches framing its shores. Over 400 small islands are sprinkled along the coastline, adding further intrigue to the views. There is not much in the way of elevation changes, mountains, or land features; however, there is beauty in the simplicity.

Moving north, Norway is where the drama begins. Nature's bounties can be viewed at every turn, starting with the inky water surrounding the nation and extending to the snow-shrouded mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and otherworldly fjords. You can explore Norway's fjords on land, riding scenic railways, or while cruising the calm waters. Expeditions might take you to Aurlandsfjord, Hardangerfjord, or Sognefjord, or around Oslofjord, which surrounds Oslo. There is no place in the world quite like Norway.

And the show does not stop in Norway; crossing into Sweden shows even more Scandinavian beauty. More than half of the country is covered in forests, and there are approximately 100,000 lakes sprinkled amongst the landscape. Combine this around 24,000 islands, frosted mountains in the north, and lush valleys and plains in the south, and you have one complex country that is a joy to discover.

5. Your experience changes with each season

The best time to visit Scandinavia is whenever you can get there - truly! The region's far-north location is one of its most enticing features because it lends itself to incredible seasonal changes, meaning there are few bad times to explore.

Watch the landscapes of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden burst to life in the spring. The frigid weather gives way to pleasant temperatures for exploration. Colorful blooms emerge, and flowering trees spring to life. As the snow and ice begin to melt, waterways thaw and flow once more, waterfalls dot the landscape, and hiking trails start to clear, ready for adventures that only Scandinavia can hold.

You may have heard of the "Land of the Midnight Sun," and this nickname is held by none other than Norway. A Scandinavian summer is brimming with daylight. In Norway's capital, Oslo, travelers can expect nearly 19 hours of sunlight during June and July, while further north locations, such as Bodø, do not see the sun set for months at a time. The weather is ideal for getting out and exploring, rarely exceeding the 70s.

As the long days of summer fade into the backdrop, the brilliant hues of autumn make it the perfect time to indulge in "hygge," the Scandinavian art of soaking up the comforts of good times and good company. This is the perfect time of year to admire fall's fiery hues while riding aboard incredible rail lines, such as the Nordland Railway, the Bergen Railway, or the Flåm Railway, or cozy up in one of the many restaurants or cafés with a coffee or delicious treat.

Of course, the pièce de résistance of the Scandinavian seasons is winter. Nature once again transforms into a frozen paradise and a winter wonderland of epic proportions. While cities along the coast and in the southern portions of Sweden may not see quite as much snow as those further north, wintertime adds a cloak of beauty to already-impressive ancient destinations and cascades over the pristine landscapes in a way that you must see to believe.

The once-illuminated cityscapes now fall under a cloak of darkness, with the sun tucked behind the horizon for up to 24 hours a day in some of the northernmost reaches. Winter may not be the best time to visit Scandinavia if you are looking for sightseeing or city explorations, but it more than makes up for it by setting the stage for night after night of the enchanting Northern Lights.

 

Whether you seek a wintertime adventure under the dancing colors of the Aurora Borealis or a vivid journey under the "Midnight Sun" by rail, Vacations By Rail offers many memorable ways to make Scandinavia your new favorite travel destination.