10 Unique Destinations to Visit in Scandinavia

Are you bored of the toasty warm beaches of Australia and want a drastic change of scenery? Time to head up north to Scandinavia and enjoy a frosty vacation!  

The Scandinavian peninsulas offer plenty of natural wonders, magical fjords, breathtaking mountains and frozen waterfalls, and endless opportunities to explore the wild. 

Sounds exciting? Check out our shortlist of the coolest (pun intended) places to visit in Scandinavia: 

Save money and time when you book the Eurail Pass! The Scandinavia Eurail Passlets you travel across the region and all over Europe with just one pass! It covers unlimited train travel for 15 days up to 3 months, plus discounted prices on ferries and tickets to museums and 700+ EU attractions. 

Cross off riding a Husky-led sled off your bucket list! The white winter wonderland of Rovaniemi is just the home of Father Christmas and his trusty elves, and you can visit them at the Santa Clause Village by taking the Santa Clause Express—or doing it in style with a Husky-driven sled. You can drop by the Raitola Reindeer and Husky Farm to meet these cute snow critters!  

What’s a trip to Iceland without exploring its wild wonders? Part of the famous Ring Road in Iceland, Reykjavik is the land of fire and ice as volcanoes and glaciers live in harmony. Stop by the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, where you can befriend the colony of adorable puffins, and take a cool trek to see the red hot craters of Fagradalsfjall Volcano. At night, get ready to whip out your best cams to take a shot of the Northern Lights!

Klook Tip: You can see the lights from your bedroom window during bright auroras! Still, if you want to venture farther, the Blue Lagoon is the next best place to chase the Northern Lights in Iceland. 

Hop aboard the Eurostar train and use your Eurail Pass to head to this old Viking town-turned-city. Bergen, in Norway, is the site of North Europe’s oldest port wharf, the Bryggen. Merchants from the Hanseatic League used to trade here in the 14th century, and the quay today, with its rows of traditional wooden buildings, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the island! 

Klook Tip: Other sights to see while in Bergen are St. John’s Church, Modalen Town, and Mount Floyen! You can admire the majestic mountains from afar or climb its summit which comes with gorgeous blue lakes and fresh air.

The weather may be -15°C outside, but Helsinki’s saunas are simmering with heat! After a long day of sleigh rides and snow hiking, the picturesque city of Helsinki, Finland offers a break from wild adventures with its lively pubs, servings of Nordic cuisine, and heaps of luxurious saunas to unwind in. 

Klook Tip: If you want a glimpse of the Northern Lights, you don’t need to stray far to see them. The Observatory Hill will give you a fantastic view—just don’t mind the traffic lights. 

Another unique destination you can visit with your Scandinavia Eurail Passis Tromso. The northern tip of Norway is famous for its icy adventures, from arctic fishing, polar whale watching, and reindeer sledding, to dining inside ice domes! Of course, it’s also one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. Catch the breathtaking sight by booking a tour or taking the Fjellheisen cable car up the mountains!  

Klook Tip: The best time to see the Aurora Borealis is from September to mid-April. 

When planning your Scandinavia itinerary, make sure to add Stockholm in one of your stops. The capital of Sweden boasts some of the most complicated waterways in the world. With 14 islands and over 57 bridges altogether, it’s no wonder this modern city is called the Venice of the North!

Klook Tip: Just like in Venice, you can tour the rivers with a gondola ride from the Stockholm Palace, or better yet, paddle your way over for something new.  

Your Instagram followers will be thanking you for blessing their feed with cool shots of the colourful buildings that line the canal at Nyvhan, the 19th-century amusement park at Tivoli Gardens, the magnificent Danish palace of Amalienborg, and the army of falafel stands at Torvehallerne (one of the best food markets in the city). 

Time to get schooled on Finnish history! The past comes alive in Suomenlinna Fortress as you explore the 18th-century fort, where the Kingdom of Sweden fended off the Russian Empire and where Finnish troops found shelter during World War II. Today, it’s one of the most popular tourist and picnic spots in Finland. 

Klook Tip: To get to the historic fort, you’ll need to ride a ferry from Helsinki, which only takes about 15 minutes. Make sure to check your Scandinavia Eurail Pass for exclusive discounts and perks!

Denmark isn’t only famous for its butter cookies and sweet biscuits, but also for its literature. One of the most well-loved Danish authors of all time, Hans Christian Andersen, hails from the little town of Odense, and you can visit it and relive some of your favourite fairytales at the same time at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum! 

Klook Tip: Other places you need to see while in Odense are the Egeskov Museum that, inside, will transport you to the Renaissance period, and the Funen Open Air Village that’ll let you experience the daily life of a 19th-century farmer. 

If you’re wondering if there are any beaches in the frosty Scandinavian peninsulas, the answer is yes! The lively town of Kristiansand has plenty of fantastic white beaches to warm you up against the cold winter spell. Splash around the frigid waters of Bystranda Beach, and you might even catch friendly seals swimming right next to you! 

Klook Tip: If you visit the city during winter, you’ll see that the beach is completely frozen with the sand turning into snow.