First, let me quickly cover which countries qualify as ‘Nordic’, it’s Åland Islands, Sweden, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland and Norway. I know what you’re thinking, isn’t that just Scandinavia? Well Scandinavia includes Denmark, Norway and Sweden, but not the rest on that list.
So Nordic really is a geographical area, but it’s also the shared history of these countries, the many cultural similarities that you will notice, plus the political co-operation you’ll find (just watch Eurovision and you’ll see how glued to each other they are, nil points for England).
Read on to find out my best Nordic places to visit, considering factors like crowds, fjords, waterfalls, Northern Lights, forests and hiking routes, restaurants and Viking activities.
Faroe Islands
Unlike others on this list, I’m going to list the Faroe Islands as one, as you can easily get around the island quite quickly, we went along for 5 days and saw so much in that time.
I would say this is the low cost version of Iceland, without all the tourists alongside you. In fact, we were literally the only tourists around when we went! This makes it feel so much more untouched than many others on this list. Plus, they had just launched the Gatwick flights which made it very convenient for us.
One of the biggest attractions is the Mulafossur waterfall, which involves a beautiful drive, or you can take the boat but it was too choppy when we were there. You’ll most likely be staying in Tórshavn, where you’ll find incredible food and some amazing architecture (I seriously love the grass on the rooftops, plus that they use a sheep grazing to cut it shorter).
Another must-do experience while there is a Heimablídni, which translates to ‘home hospitality’, where a local will cook you lunch and talk about their lives. The food was beautiful, we got to see loads of animals up close on their farm and we learned the good and the bad of living on the Faroe Islands.
You should have a read of my list of things to do in the Faroe Islands if you’re considering flying over.
Reykjavik, Iceland
5 years ago, every travel blogger was highlighting Sri Lanka, I feel that destination was the most sought after location, but that has drifted now to Iceland. You do have to be wary of tours costing an arm and a leg, so prepare to save up a lot before booking a flight.
The reason why everyone wants to visit is because of the natural scenery, from volcanoes (a travel blogging friend showed me pictures of one exploding right in front of them) to waterfalls, plus more glaciers than you can count.
The Blue Lagoon is a famous scene you’ll see whenever Iceland is discussed, a geothermal spa between the airport and Reykjavik. The water is so incredibly bright and blue, but this is completely natural (not just local government colouring it for the tourists), the magic of nature!
The cost to visit the Blue Lagoon has exploded over recent years, but it’s certainly something that should be on everyone’s list of things to do before you die.
Copenhagen, Denmark
The capital of Denmark is a beautiful city that feels very clean and natural, with a large number of people cycling to work rather than driving. The buildings along the waterfront are normally in various different bright colours, making for those perfect postcard photos.
This is also a bit of a foodie scene, something that appeals to me as someone who tries to visit as many restaurants as humanly possible (check out our Instagram to see more restaurants if you haven’t already).
If you’re planning on ticking off a few Nordic destinations then you can easily take Stockholm to Copenhagen trains, which are cosy, very fast and clean, something we crave in England.
Nyhavn is such a beautiful place, packed with lively bars and restaurants, as well as wooden ships moored at the side of the river. The little mermaid statue is also a key attraction, but I wouldn’t go out of your way just to see this one, I’d rather see Tivoli Gardens, especially when it’s lit up in the evening.
Bergen, Norway
Norway always had to feature on this list, as the fjords deserve a trip for themselves, one we keep contemplating as a cruise so you can stop off at each location.
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, but despite it’s larger population, it still doesn’t feel too busy, compared to other European cities. You’re surrounded by mountains (as you expect in Norway), making for some great views and hiking routes.
With the waterway cutting into the city, there are a number of boat trips you can take from here, with boat tours to the fjords readily available from here. The Bryggen Wharf is inevitably a key spot to see, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see a number of wooden trading buildings, much like what you find in Torshavn in the Faroe Islands harbour area.
But arguably one of the coolest parts is the mountainside Funicular railway, taking you to the top (ideal if you don’t fancy hiking it or want a higher base), known
Stockholm, Sweden
My little sister first went to Stockholm and sun its praises to me, building my fascination. Of course, her real reason for visiting was her admiration for Abba. There is the ABBA museum, on Djurgarden island, as well as Abba Voyage shows available to book. Another musical icon from this area is Avicii, definitely worth watching the documentary about him on Netflix.
While you can enjoy the Christmas markets in November time, I would recommend visiting in the summer when there are much longer daylight hours.
As with other destinations on this list, you can book online train tickets to easily commute from one city to another without spending a fortune.
There are a number of ‘Fika’s’ popping up in Brighton, which is a Swedish concept around a place where you can enjoy a coffee and a pastry at a relaxed pace, personally I thought that was just a cafe but they insist there is a difference.
Stockholm is really more of a collection of islands which have bridges connecting them all. The Vasa museum is a strong draw for tourists, me included, as I am fascinated with everything around Vikings (you can thank the History channel series for that curiosity).
