WHAT TO SEE ON A 15-DAY TOUR OF SCANDINAVIA?
Scandinavia is a region of Northern Europe covering Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Visiting all three countries in one trip makes perfect sense as they are well-connected via modern motorways, railways and waterways.
One of our bestselling routes is a city-hopping trip around the Scandinavian Triangle, the capitals of Sweden, Denmark and Norway. With 15 days in Scandinavia, you could explore Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo at leisure, with enough time to get to know each city really well.
Additionally, opting for a 15-day tour of Scandinavia means you can spend some days venturing beyond the Scandinavian Triangle too. You might like to visit other Nordic and Northern European destinations such as Helsinki and Tallinn, the capitals of Finland and Estonia respectively.
Or, hop on a flight to Iceland to visit this spectacular country on the same trip. Another option is to see more of Norway, such as the famous fjords, or to drive through southern Sweden and the trendy city of Gothenburg.
- First time in the Nordics? See our 7 amazing Scandinavia tour ideas for first-time visitors
Here’s one of our suggestions for a 15-day Scandinavia itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive in Helsinki, Finland
Fly into Helsinki Airport and head to your hotel in the city centre. Try tasty Finnish cuisine at a local restaurant, and see some of the capital’s top sights such as Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, and the Old Market Hall.
Day 2 - At leisure in Helsinki
Enjoy more downtime in Helsinki to visit attractions like Sibelius Park, Finlandia Hall, the Finnish National Opera House, and Parliament House.
The capital of Finland is known for being a design hub, boasting its very own design district and “design tram route”. It’s also awash with gorgeous green spaces where you can enjoy a spot of people watching.
Day 3 - Ferry to Tallinn
Next up is the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, which is just 2 hours away by ferry from Helsinki. Soak up the medieval architecture and atmospheric streets of this Baltic city today. You could walk from the Upper Town (Toompea), or visit the Orthodox St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and striking Toompea Castle.
Day 4 - Baltic cruise to Sweden
Enjoy another day getting to know lovely Tallinn, with its fascinating mix of Eastern and Western European influences. You might like to explore the Kadriorg district, Kadriorg Palace, or the Estonian Art Museum.
Later in the day, head to the port and embark on your Baltic cruise to the city of Stockholm, an overnight journey with restaurants, shops and cafés on board to keep you entertained.
Day 5 - Arrive in Stockholm, Sweden
In the morning of day 5, enjoy breakfast while watching as the vessel navigates through the Stockholm Archipelago, made up of around 30,000 islands.
After your cruise docks, spend some time walking through Gamla Stan, the centrally located Old Town. Enjoy a fika (a Swedish coffee break) at one of the local cafés in this medieval neighbourhood.
Day 6 - The highlights of Stockholm
Spend a full day in the Swedish capital, discovering the city’s attractions and districts. You could join a walking tour to see the best of Stockholm in a day, taking you to must-see spots like the City Hall, Royal Palace and trendy Södermalm quarter.
Or, a ferry ride will whisk you off to the island of Djurgården, home to the Vasa Museum and Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum. Meanwhile day trips to the Stockholm Archipelago or Drottningholm Palace, on the outskirts of town, are highly recommended.
Day 7 - Fly to Copenhagen, Denmark
Head to Stockholm Airport after breakfast and board a plane to Copenhagen. Once in Denmark’s capital, take a walk down the city’s popular Strøgetstreet for a bite to eat, or go check out the fun and games at the old fashioned Tivoli Gardens amusem*nt park.
- Discover why Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo are 3 of Scandinavia’s top cities you should visit
Day 8 - 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 Fisketorget fish 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 9 - Overnight cruise to Oslo, Norway
Ahead of your journey to Oslo, spend the day enjoying more of Copenhagen. Why not make like the bicycle-happy Danes and rent a bike? You could check out the exquisite Amalienborg Palace, as well as the colourful Nyhavn harbour and the Little Mermaid statue.
Later, head to the port for your cruise to Oslo.
Day 10 - Explore Norway’s capital city
After your ship arrives early in the morning, the whole day is yours to roam Oslo. 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 11 - Scenic train journey to Flåm
This morning, go to Oslo Central Station to begin your Norway in a Nutshell® tour – one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Look out the window to see picturesque landscapes and quaint villages like Gol and Geilo.
Change at Myrdal to board the Flåm Railway for one of the top highlights of the entire trip: a 900-metre (half-mile) descent to the picturesque village of Flåm, where you’ll stay for the night.
Day 12 - Discover Flåm and the fjords
Enjoy a full day soaking up the breathtaking scenery in and around Flåm. Explore the fjords by kayak on an excursion that takes you to Fronneset, a historical site with Viking-era graves.
Another attraction in the area is the Stegastein Viewpoint, teetering 650 metres (2,133 feet) above the fjords and protruding 30 metres (98 feet) from the cliffside. Take your time to enjoy the view, it is truly spectacular!
Day 13 - Norwegian fjord cruise
Prepare to witness breathtaking Norwegian scenery today, as you hop on a cruise that takes you through beautiful 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 14 - 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 a panoramic view of the city and fjords.
There are also plenty of museums, shops and restaurants to check out on your last full day in Scandinavia.
Day 15 - Depart from Bergen, Norway
Fly back home from Bergen-Flesland Airport, having enjoyed 15 days discovering the many delights of Scandinavia.
- Not sure when to go to Scandinavia, or what you want to see? Read our ultimate guide to the best times and places to visit
What other ideas are there for a 15-day Scandinavia itinerary?
There are many other ways you could experience Scandinavia in 15 days. One alternative is to swap Helsinki and Tallinn for a deeper exploration of Norway. This would give you the opportunity to discover towns like Trondheim and Ålesund as well as stunning Norwegian fjords and coastline.
You could also opt to travel further north in Scandinavia to hunt down the aurora borealis. Visit Swedish Lapland, Finnish Lapland or northern Norway in the Arctic Circle in winter, for the optimum chance of catching sight of the magical northern lights.
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 an 15-day 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.
Your 15-day Scandinavia road trip could encompass a convenient circular route, starting and ending in Stockholm, Sweden.
After enjoying the first couple of days of your trip in Stockholm, you would drive south to the charming Swedish towns of Kalmar and Ystad. Stop for 2 nights in each to explore the countryside at leisure.
Afterwards, drive over Öresund Bridge to reach Copenhagen. Two days later take the overnight ferry to Oslo, soaking up the delights of the Norwegian capital before driving east to Örebro in Sweden.
Enjoy the beautiful Swedish countryside, rural villages, and grand castles and manor houses of the region before you return to Stockholm for your final night.
- Day 1 – Arrive at Stockholm Airport.
- Day 2 – Overnight in Stockholm.
- Day 3 – Pick up rental car and drive through southern Sweden. Overnight in Kalmar area of Sweden.
- Day 4 – Overnight in Kalmar.
- Day 5 – Overnight in Ystad.
- Day 6 – Overnight in Ystad.
- Day 7 – Overnight in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Day 8 – Overnight in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Day 9 – Journey by ferry to Oslo.
- Day 10 – Overnight in Oslo.
- Day 11 – Overnight in Oslo.
- Day 12 – Overnight in Örebro area of Sweden.
- Day 13 – Overnight in Örebro area of Sweden.
- Day 14 – Drop off rental car and spend the night in Stockholm.
- Day 15 – Depart from Stockholm Airport.
If you want your Scandinavia road trip to include Helsinki, you could start in the Finnish capital and take a Baltic cruise to Stockholm from there. Or, drive from Oslo to Bergen and spend a few days discovering the world-famous fjords of Norway.
All of Nordic Visitor’s Scandinavia self-drive tour packages can be tailored by our local experts with extra nights at select locations or modified driving routes. If you have any particular attractions in mind, just contact us to ask.
- Travelling on your own? Find out why Scandinavia is perfect for solo travellers
Interested in 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!
You’ll get an enriching experience of Scandinavia on a 15-day small group tour, getting under the skin of Sweden, Denmark and Norway in the company of like-minded visitors.
Our 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.
- Want the company of an expert guide and like-minded travellers? Here are 7 brilliant reasons to go on a European group tour.
Prefer 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. Public transportation in Scandinavia is fast, reliable and punctual, so getting around by train and ferry is a great alternative to driving
By opting for a 15-day 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.
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