Christmas tours in Scandinavia
Christmas is coming and all our thoughts are turning to a wintry wonderland of snowy landscapes, twinkling lights, ice hotels,…
The best Christmas markets in Scandinavia
Each year dozens of great Christmas markets take place throughout Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Here are some of the best ones!
10 of the coolest, whackiest Airbnbs in Scandinavia
Fancy staying somewhere a bit different this year? Well, Scandinavia has plenty of cool and quirky Airbnbs to choose from….
Copenhagen’s best communal baths and spas
When the weather gets colder, you’d do well to head to one of Copenhagen’s cosy communal bath houses for a long, hot soak!
Which are the cheapest Scandinavian countries to visit?
Everyone knows that Scandinavia is expensive to visit and live in. Coming from pretty much anywhere else in the world,…
Getting from Stockholm to Kiruna
Sweden’s northernmost city, Kiruna is the main tourist hub in Swedish Lapland. Way up in the Arctic Circle, it’s a…
Events in Scandinavia
Popular posts
Seeing the northern lights in Norway
Despite the bone-numbingly cold temperatures, Norway’s far north has become the place to be in winter. This is a beautiful…
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…
110 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 110 cheap and free things to…
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 Stockholm boat tours and cruises
Stockholm stretches across fourteen separate islands, which are separated by twisting canals and open waterways. No matter where you go…
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.
Tours in Scandinavia
Aurora photo tour from Abisko (Oct & Nov)
Join this exclusive, small group tour to see the northern lights during Swedish Lapland’s beautiful autumn season from October to November!
Forest Sauna with Northern Lights in Rovaniemi
Hop into an open air hot tub and relax, enjoy a traditional sauna with Aurora Borealis views. An authentic Finnish experience indeed!
Northern lights photo tour from Kiruna
Experience the northern lights first hand on this three-hour tour near Kiruna, and come away with some amazing photos too!
Northern lights and Sami culture tour in Swedish Lapland
This three-day, small-group tour in Swedish Lapland takes you through some unforgettable Arctic scenery!
Northern lights and wildlife: 5-night tour in Swedish Lapland
This awe-inspiring 5-night tour lets you experience the real Swedish Lapland and meet some of Sweden’s best wildlife.
Northern lights photo adventure in Abisko
Capture the magical northern lights on this one-of-a-kind photography tour in the Abisko National Park in Swedish Lapland. Cameras included!
Discount passes
The Bergen Card: is it worth buying?
If you’re planning a trip to Bergen, you may well have heard about the Bergen Card, which gives free entry…
The Copenhagen Card
Pay for the Copenhagen Card upfront and then save money by getting free access to a whole bunch of attractions across the city.
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.
Sweden
A quick guide to Swedish holidays and traditions
Public holidays in Sweden are called röda dagar, literally ‘red days’, after the colour that’s traditionally used to mark them…
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….
Surströmming: trying Sweden’s stinkiest food
Curious about surströmming (fermented herring)? Check out our guide to trying the world’s stinkiest food!
Free things to do in Uppsala
The university city of Uppsala is an easy train ride from Stockholm and it makes a great place for a…
An insider’s guide to Hisingen, Gothenburg
From the centre of Gothenburg it’s only a short bus or tram ride across the river to Hisingen. Despite this area being just…
Kungsleden: walking the King’s Trail in Sweden
Snowy mountain peaks, gushing rivers, tranquil forests, Arctic landscapes, wild moorland and herds of reindeer – just some of the…
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…
Magical Danish castles and palaces worth visiting
A rich history has left Denmark with a surprisingly large number of well-kept fairytale castles and palaces to visit –…
27 cheap and free things to do in Aarhus
Despite its relatively diminutive size, Aarhus is no cheaper than anywhere else in Scandinavia. If you want to see the…
Unusual things to do in Denmark
Once you’ve ticked off Denmark’s main sights, like taking a selfie with The Little Mermaid or a few days of…
10 of the best small towns to visit in Denmark
Denmark has just four cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants – and that includes the tourist-magnet capital of Copenhagen. But…
Unusual places to stay in Denmark
Denmark has some amazing places to stay, whether you’re on a tight budget or looking to splash out for a…
Norway
Seeing the northern lights in Norway
Despite the bone-numbingly cold temperatures, Norway’s far north has become the place to be in winter. This is a beautiful…
Hiking to Pulpit Rock
Pulpit Rock is one of Norway’s most snapped sights. Here’s all you need to know about climbing it and getting that famous summit selfie!
The 30 best things to do in Norway
From stunning scenery to interesting islands and fantastic fjords, Norway has it all. Start your adventure with the 30 best things to do in Norway!
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.