From design-led cities to untamed wilderness, Scandinavia offers something for every kind of traveller. Whether it's Norway or elsewhere, here’s how to choose the perfect Nordic destination based on your personal preferences.
You may have landed here because you’re planning a trip to Norway—and if so, welcome! As a country of epic fjords, dramatic landscapes, and cosy culture, Norway certainly offers plenty to explore.
But if you’re considering a longer journey through the region, you might be wondering what the other Nordic countries have to offer—and how they compare.
Scandinavia is often used as a catch-all for the north, but technically refers to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. That said, Finland and Iceland are often grouped in too, thanks to shared cultural threads and proximity, so that's what we're looking at today.
Together, these five Nordic countries offer some of the most unique travel experiences in Europe—yet each has a distinct personality.
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Whether you're drawn to wild nature, sleek design, spa-like wellness, or understated luxury, this guide will help you find the perfect Nordic destination to match your travel style. Spoiler alert: if you’re into the outdoors, Norway might just steal your heart.
Norway—For Nature Lovers
Norway is a country where nature doesn’t just serve as a backdrop—it takes centre stage. It's the kind of place where a simple journey becomes the highlight of your trip.
Whether you’re travelling by car, train, or coastal ferry, the landscapes slowly unfold before you: jagged mountains rising straight from the sea, mist-covered fjords that stretch for miles, and tiny fishing villages nestled in quiet bays.
But Norway’s appeal isn’t just visual—it’s emotional. The combination of wide open spaces, fresh air, and silence invites a kind of calm that’s increasingly hard to find.
Locals have long known the value of this connection to nature. The outdoors-first approach to living known as ‘friluftsliv' is embraced from a young age, and it’s something travellers can share in, too.
If you enjoy being outside without giving up comfort, Norway is a dream. You’ll find boutique hotels in former lighthouses, luxurious lodges deep in the forest, and train rides through national parks where wildlife sightings are part of the itinerary.
Norway Travel Highlight
For a truly unique journey, sail the iconic Norwegian coastal route in winter. Forget what you know about cruise holidays—this is something else entirely.
You’ll travel on a working ferry that delivers post, locals, and supplies to tiny communities that cling to the edge of the country. It’s part transportation, part cultural immersion, and all set against a backdrop of northern lights and snowy fjords.
With comfortable cabins, refined Nordic dining, and a sense of rhythm dictated by the sea, this journey offers both relaxation and authenticity. It’s a reminder that travel doesn’t always have to be fast or flashy—it can be meaningful, slow, and deeply memorable.
Sweden—For Culture Vultures
Sweden is a country where contemporary design, creative thinking, and quiet tradition live side by side.
In Stockholm, this contrast comes to life beautifully. The city feels curated but never artificial, with its waterfront neighbourhoods, minimalist architecture, and cafés that double as design studios.
Art museums and galleries showcase everything from Old Masters to experimental installations, while city parks offer calm corners for reflection—even in the heart of the capital.
But Sweden’s cultural riches aren’t confined to its cities. To truly experience the essence of Swedish life, it pays to venture into the countryside. Here, in forested landscapes and small coastal communities, you’ll find a culture that values connection, simplicity, and the beauty of the everyday.
The concept of ‘fika'—a coffee and cake break shared with friends or colleagues—is more than a pause; it’s a daily ritual that reflects Swedish priorities: time, conversation, and care.
The same ethos carries through to Swedish design, food, and even how homes are decorated—functional yet beautiful, pared-back yet cosy.
Summers are a particularly special time. Long, light-filled evenings stretch on forever, and Swedes head to the coast or their summer houses to soak up the sun.
Sweden Travel Highlight
Catch a ferry from Stockholm and begin exploring the Stockholm archipelago—an astonishing network of over 30,000 islands. Whether you choose a single base or hop between them, you’ll find charming guesthouses, welcoming cafés, and timeless landscapes.
Spend your days kayaking, biking, or simply reading on a dock beside the water. It’s a peaceful, authentic escape that offers a different kind of culture—one lived, not displayed.
Denmark—For Understated Luxury
Denmark redefines luxury—not as opulence, but as ease. Here, indulgence is quiet, purposeful, and woven into everyday life.
In Copenhagen, the capital, that might mean breakfast in a bakery where sourdough is an art form, a visit to a contemporary art museum housed in a historic building, or dinner in a restaurant that blends local ingredients with global creativity—without the fuss.
The Danish aesthetic—clean lines, soft lighting, natural materials—extends to everything from boutique hotels to bike-friendly streets. It’s design that doesn’t demand attention, yet leaves an impression.
And it’s not just a city thing. Across the country, you’ll find coastal retreats, country inns, and restored farmhouses that embody the Danish ideal of ‘hygge': a cosy, contented way of being.
Hygge isn’t something you book—it's something you feel. A candlelit table, a well-cooked meal, a slow morning with a good book and a sea view. In Denmark, these are the markers of a rich travel experience, one that doesn’t shout, but stays with you.
And the beauty of it all? It’s effortless. Travelling in Denmark feels intuitive, relaxed, and refreshingly human-scale. Whether you’re here for the design, the dining, or the atmosphere, it all unfolds at just the right pace.
Denmark Travel Highlight
Base yourself in Copenhagen for a few days of cycling, gallery-hopping, and grazing your way through New Nordic menus.
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Then extend your trip with a stay in a countryside manor or a coastal inn—places where you can walk the beach at sunset, dine on farm-to-table cuisine, and wake to birdsong.
Finland—For Wellness Seekers
Finland is where you go to breathe deeply, unplug, and feel grounded. With more than 180,000 lakes and vast stretches of forest, the natural world is never far away—and it’s not just scenery, but a way of life.
Here, wellness isn’t sold as a service. It’s built into daily routines, cultural values, and even architecture. It's really no surprise that Finland continually dominates the rankings as the world's happiest country.
The Finnish relationship with nature is calm, quiet, and deeply respectful. From forest bathing to icy plunges, the aim isn’t to impress—it’s to reconnect.
The same goes for the sauna, a national institution found everywhere from homes to offices to lakeside huts. With more saunas than cars, it’s fair to say this isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Even Helsinki, the capital, feels different from other European cities. There’s space to breathe, a soft-spoken friendliness, and a modern design ethos that puts wellbeing front and centre.
From floating saunas to forest-inspired spas, the capital city is an easy entry point into the Finnish way of life.
Finland Travel Highlight
Rent a lakeside cabin for a digital detox with real benefits. Enjoy forest walks, wild berry picking in summer, and the meditative routine of sauna and swim in winter. It’s a way to slow down and reconnect with yourself—without the spa robes and background music.
Iceland—For Minimalist Adventurers
Iceland is a land of elemental extremes—but also, paradoxically, one of the easiest places in the world to explore. With its volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and lava fields, the landscape often feels like science fiction.
Yet it’s all accessible by road, and there’s a striking simplicity to travel here: one main highway, one small capital, and a whole lot of space in between.
What sets Iceland apart isn’t just its visual drama—it’s how quiet and meditative that drama can feel. You don’t need to hike for hours to find solitude. You can pull over at a roadside waterfall, sit beside a steaming vent in the middle of nowhere, or soak in a naturally heated pool with nothing but wind and sky for company.
Reykjavík itself is small and stylish, with a thriving food scene and surprisingly good coffee.
But the real magic lies beyond the city limits—on black-sand beaches where waves pound the shore, on moss-covered lava plains, or under the soft glow of the northern lights. The country seems designed for those who want to disconnect, yet still be awed.
Iceland Travel Highlight
Hire a car and drive a stretch of the Ring Road in shoulder season—either late spring or early autumn. You'll avoid the heaviest tourist traffic while still enjoying accessible roads and open attractions.
Stop at hot springs like the Secret Lagoon or Hveravellir, hike to hidden waterfalls, and spend your nights in design-forward guesthouses that blend into the landscape. It’s the kind of trip where you come back changed—not by what you did, but by how it made you feel.
A Word on Budget Travel In Scandinavia
You may notice we haven’t mentioned backpacking or budget party hostels—and that’s no oversight. Travel in the Nordic region tends to be on the pricier side, thanks to high wages and a national focus on quality over quantity.
But if you’re travelling on a budget, don’t despair. Some of Scandinavia’s greatest assets—air, space, light, and landscapes—are free. With a little planning, you can make it work.
Travel outside peak season, use public transport, and book self-catering accommodation. Focus on hiking, swimming, and exploring local life rather than ticking off attractions.
No matter your budget, Scandinavia rewards curiosity and intention. Choose the destination that fits your mood, your style, and your pace. And if Norway’s calling you first—well, we can’t say we’re surprised.
