12 of the best places to stay in Scandinavia
From igloos to castles and lighthouses to cranes, Scandinavia is home to some spectacular, unusual and amazing places to stay….
Seeing the Icehotel on a budget
Visiting the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is one of the absolute highlights of a trip to Swedish Lapland. For many people…
Christmas in Denmark: the ultimate guide
Christmas is a big deal in Denmark and might even be partly responsible for the famous Danish concept of hygge. From…
The best Christmas markets in Scandinavia
Each year dozens of great Christmas markets take place throughout Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Here are some of the best ones!
The best places to visit in Scandinavia
Snowy landscapes, stunning scenery, awe-inspiring fjords, majestic lakes and mountains – yes, Scandinavia offers all these things. But it’s also…
25 cheap and free things to do in Bergen
At the edge of the North Sea and ringed by seven mountains, the port city of Bergen is packed with…
Events in Scandinavia
Popular posts
Dog sledding in Sweden
For generations, people across the Arctic region have been using dog sleds to transport people and supplies over long distances….
Seeing the northern lights in Sweden
If seeing the northern lights is high up on your bucket list, Sweden is a very good place to start….
Stockholm Pass: is it worth buying?
If you’re planning a trip to Stockholm, you might have already seen adverts for the Stockholm Pass. It’s an all-in-one…
Getting from Copenhagen to Malmö
Until a couple of decades ago, crossing the water between Copenhagen and Malmö always involved a flight or ferry ride….
The best places to visit in Sweden
Sweden isn’t just some tiny nation in the northern reaches of Europe. Geographically speaking, it’s huge: the distance between Sweden’s southern tip…
100 cheap and free things to do in Stockholm
The Swedish capital is famously expensive but we’ve still managed to create this epic guide showing 100 cheap and free things to…
Tours in Scandinavia
Aurora photo tour from Abisko (Dec–Mar)
See the northern lights and learn how to capture magical images on this exclusive, small group tour in Abisko, Swedish Lapland.
Christmas tour of Stockholm
Want to see how Swedes celebrate the festive season? Join this Christmas tour of Stockholm’s Old Town, complete will mulled wine and market stalls!
Husky tour to see the northern lights
This sledding tour will take you into the wonderful snow-covered surroundings of Oinakka, in the wilds of Swedish Lapland.
Winter hiking trip near Stockholm
Using snowshoes, this winter hiking tour takes you to see some of the best and most beautiful scenery in the whole Stockholm region!
Northern lights sailing adventure, Tromsø
Seeing the northern lights is an absolute must, and there’s no better way than on this amazing three-hour sailing trip!
Viking history tour from Stockholm (half day)
See Viking history up close during this 5-hour history tour from Stockholm, guided by a knowledgable historian.
Discount passes
The Helsinki Card
This discount pass lets you visit Helsinki’s main sights for free! You’ll also get trips on local buses, ferries and trains.
The Oslo Pass
Save on admission to some of Oslo’s top attractions and enjoy free tours with this handy discount card!
The Stockholm Pass
The Stockholm Pass gives you free access to 60+ top attractions in Stockholm, as well as guided tours and excursions.
Sweden
Dog sledding in Sweden
For generations, people across the Arctic region have been using dog sleds to transport people and supplies over long distances….
Seeing the Icehotel on a budget
Visiting the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is one of the absolute highlights of a trip to Swedish Lapland. For many people…
Seeing the northern lights in Sweden
If seeing the northern lights is high up on your bucket list, Sweden is a very good place to start….
The best hiking trails in Sweden
Sweden has a lot of wide, open spaces, which makes it one of the best countries in Europe for hiking….
Getting from Stockholm to Copenhagen
If you’re planning on travelling from Stockholm to Copenhagen, the first thing to bear in mind is that the two…
Visiting Pilane Sculpture Park in West Sweden
It isn’t the easiest place to reach using public transport but if you fancy an unusual and rewarding day trip…
Denmark
Christmas in Denmark: the ultimate guide
Christmas is a big deal in Denmark and might even be partly responsible for the famous Danish concept of hygge. From…
Budget-friendly weekend: Æro, Denmark
One of Denmark’s most beautiful islands, Ærø is easily visited in a weekend from Copenhagen and is a great place for island-hopping adventures on a budget!
Viking attractions in and around Copenhagen
There are loads of Viking sites within easy reach of downtown Copenhagen. Here are some of our favourites, including ship museums and fortresses!
Discovering the coastal towns of Fyn, Denmark
Denmark’s second-largest island is a beautiful place to explore and the coastline is dotted with atmospheric seaside towns…
Beyond weed: visiting Christiania in Copenhagen
Right in the middle of Copenhagen, in the neighbourhood of Christianshavn, you’ll find the alternative community of Christiania. It might…
When is the best time to visit Denmark?
With less severe conditions than its Scandinavian cousins, Denmark is a great year-round destination. But when’s the best time of year to visit?
Norway
The spectacular train ride from Bergen to Flåm
The scenic rail journey from Bergen to Flåm is one of the highlights of a visit to Norway – and a great way to get a taste of the fjords.
Norway’s best national parks
Norway’s national parks offer some of the most unspoiled areas of natural beauty that you’re ever likely to come across. So which ones are the best?
The 10 best fjords in Norway
Norway is the undisputed king of fjords, with more than 1,100 of the things dotted along its massive coastline. Here are 10 of the best.
City guides
Oslo
Busy city with big adventures nearby
Copenhagen
Cool as a cucumber
Stockholm
Europe’s prettiest capital
Gothenburg
Sweden’s second city
Kiruna
Heaven for aurora spotters
Malmö
The beautiful south
Where to stay in Scandinavia
Rent an Airbnb in Norway
Rent a log cabin or cottage close to some of Norway’s best scenery. Choose from thousands of private hideaways, including options with amazing fjord views!
Rent an Airbnb in Denmark
The summer tends to be busy, but there are some great deals to be had on Danish cottages outside the main holiday season.
Rent an Airbnb in Sweden
Want to stay in a Swedish cottage or a slick Stockholm apartment? Start here!
Cheap places to stay in Tromsø
Tromsø has really experienced a boom in tourism over the last couple of years! Here are some of the best cheap places to stay.
The best hostels in Oslo
Staying at a hotel in Oslo certainly isn’t cheap, so if you want to keep costs down you might want to…
The best hostels in Aarhus
With a combination of cosy cafés and bars, international-class museums and colourful cultural events, plus a forest around almost every…
Planning your trip
How to do Sweden on a budget
When you arrive in Scandinavia, you’ll notice that seemingly small purchases add up quickly, putting a strain on your wallet….
Renting a car in Sweden
Sweden is a great country to drive in, with some of the safest roads in the world. The whole experience…
Driving in Sweden: what you need to know
The statistics show that Sweden is an extremely safe country for motorists, but there are a few dangers to watch out…
Travel insurance for a trip to Sweden
Travel insurance isn’t always a top priority for tourists visiting Sweden, but our advice is simple: you should buy some….
Stockholm prices: what to expect
Surveys rank Stockholm as one of the most expensive cities in the world, and it’s no secret that prices for…
Tips for learning Swedish
Let’s be honest: Swedish isn’t the most useful language to learn. It’s spoken by fewer than 10 million people around…
A new kind of travel guide to Scandinavia
Routes North was started to help people discover all of the amazing stuff that Scandinavia has to offer, regardless of their travel budget. The site covers the whole region, from cool cities like Stockholm, Oslo, Gothenburg and Copenhagen, all the way north to the frozen reaches of Swedish Lapland.
Our travel guides are all researched on the ground by writers who know the area inside-out and speak the local lingo. Apart from money-saving tips and advice on planning a trip, you’ll find independent accommodation reviews, detailed guides to museums and other attractions, plus tips on where to eat and drink. Our travel forum is the place to get your Scandinavia questions answered.
Routes North is the only Scandinavian travel guide that pays its own way. We don’t take freebies or discounts, so you can always trust what you read on the site.