Free things to do in Turku
Located by the sea and with a vast archipelago on its doorstep, Finland’s former capital Turku is a small, beautiful…
Gothenburg archipelago: five of the best islands to visit
The Gothenburg Archipelago is made up of more than 20 islands, dotting Sweden’s western coastline. Each island has its own…
Surströmming: trying Sweden’s stinkiest food
Curious about surströmming (fermented herring)? Check out our guide to trying the world’s stinkiest food!
Unusual places to stay in Helsinki
Finland’s capital has some great places to stay, from design classics to quirky hidden gems. Here’s our guide to the best of Helsinki’s unusual accommodation!
Moomin shops, sights and attractions in Finland
There is no better window into the Finnish soul than the Moomins, the charming children’s book characters created by Finnish…
Copenhagen: where to try New Nordic food on a budget
Copenhagen’s foodie scene has exploded over the past decade or so, with its culinary focus shifting from traditional hearty warming…
Events in Scandinavia
Popular posts
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…
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…
Stockholm Archipelago: five of the best islands to visit
Even if you’re just in Stockholm for a few days, a trip into the amazing archipelago can be a real highlight. Try these islands first.
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.
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….
Tours in Scandinavia
Kayaking in the Stockholm archipelago (full-day)
Taking you out into the beautiful Stockholm Archipelago, this guided kayaking tour lets you see nature from a different angle.
Guided sailing trip from Stockholm (full day)
There’s no better way to see the islands of Stockholm’s beautiful archipelago than on this guided, full-day sailing trip.
Culinary Experience Tour in Copenhagen
See Copenhagen through the eyes of a foodie with this rich food and culture tour. Have enough for a meal and leave your minds and tastebuds satisfied.
Alternative Tour in Copenhagen
Learn how hippies took over a military base and how a historic working class district transformed into a hip neighborhood of entrepreneurs and artists.
Copenhagen Old Town Walk
Get a comprehensive overview of the old town of Copenhagen. See many of the old town’s most historic sights and neighborhoods.
Copenhagen Inner City Day Trip
See important sites of Copenhagen with a local guide. Visit royal palaces and the seat of the Danish Parliament and sail for 1 hour on a harbor cruise.
Discount passes
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.
The Oslo Pass
Save on admission to some of Oslo’s top attractions and enjoy free tours with this handy discount card!
Sweden
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…
Where to see cherry blossoms in Sweden
After months of cold weather and gloomy skies, spring is the magical time of year when Sweden bursts into life,…
Spa experiences in Swedish Lapland
Let the untouched nature and Arctic fresh air lull you into a wonderful feeling of wellbeing! In Swedish Lapland you’ll…
Denmark
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…
Midsummer in Denmark: Celebrating Sankthansaften
If you smell bonfires on June 23, don’t worry: it’s just Danes celebrating midsummer with some good old hygge!
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…
Visiting Legoland from Copenhagen
Legoland is one of Denmark’s biggest and best attractions, but it’s a bit out of the way! Here’s how to visit from Copenhagen.
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!
Norway
10 tours you have to try in Norway
Norway has no shortage of epic sights, hikes and exciting experiences. From snowshoeing on mountain tops to dog sledding and…
8 great hiking tours in Norway
With 41 national parks, dramatic mountain scenery and miles of forest paths and walking tracks, Norway is one of the…
Camping in Norway: the ultimate guide
Camping in some of the world’s most dramatic terrain is one of the best things about a trip to 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….
Midsummer in Sweden: 2019 guide
Dancing, feasting, drinking and a seemingly endless supply of sunlight: there’s a lot to like about Midsummer in Sweden. With…
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…
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.