Scandinavian Tours from Copenhagen

Scandinavia is a region of breathtaking waterways, beautiful mountain peaks and colorful towns decorating the most picturesque landscapes. This “Land of the Vikings” offers undisturbed ecosystems, extensive forests, awesome archipelagos waiting to be discovered again and again.

Scandinavia evokes not only the images of endless wilderness, fir forests, unbelievable fjords, but it also is famous for crime fiction and thrillers such as Wallander or The Killing. The regions vastness and awe-inspiring landscapes contribute to the mysterious aura surrounding Scandinavia. Its diversity is infinite. Going to the North, you can reach the Arctic Circle, with the roaming polar bears where summer day lasts 24 hours, and when dark descends in winter, you can marvel the cosmic northern lights. You cannot escape the Nordic feel with vast expanses of lakes and forests with wild bears and Nomadic reindeers inhabiting mountains and forest. The western coasts of Scandinavia are wild and wet with fantastic fjord cliffs defying your sense of scale. In the south, you will find Denmark’s pastoral countryside, with rolling fields and woods. This gentler landscape is ideal for touring by bike.

Scandinavia is also known for its extreme seasons. Winter in the region can be windy, cold but extremely beautiful - a fantastic destination for a city-break tourist. You can find a winter sports heaven here: when ice grips excellent tracts of wilderness you can snowmobile or trek wild trails by husky sled.

During summer days every Scandinavian country starts the celebration of light, music, and culture, enjoying Baltic beaches, lakes and the legendary fishing, especially in Norway during the salmon runs. Summer is the time to explore rugged coasts and mysterious islands by ferry, car or even canoe. It's time to enjoy mountain and trail hikes. It’s also time for frivolous midsummer festivals and the World Wife Carrying Championship in Finland.

Most regional towns and cities in Scandinavia are small, cozy, sometimes sleepy but always colorful and pretty. The capital cities are attractive destinations for their turbulent, vibrant and stylish cultural life.

It's a good chance that you would want to start a Scandinavian tour from Copenhagen as it is easier to get to Copenhagen for most people from overseas. You can do it from any capital you want, though.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is a fantastic place to visit any time of a year. It's a great walking town with numerous historical and cultural monuments and sites of interest. It is also famous for a theme park called Tivoli which is equally enjoyed by children and adults. Tivoli Gardens was founded in 1843, and now it is a national treasure and an international attraction. World famous writer Hans Christian Andersen visited it many times, and Walt Disney found the inspiration to his own Disney World here.

Part of Tivoli Gardens' secret is that there is something for everyone: exotic architecture, historic buildings, and lush gardens. At night, thousands of colored lights create a fairy tale atmosphere that is amazing and unique.

Though most of Copenhagen's most popular attractions and sights are within walking distance, you will need at least three days to explore the capital of Denmark. With a history dating back to 1043, the city is full of historic landmarks, significant buildings, interesting sights, and museums. Besides, Copenhagen has chic sophistication and fine dining. Local chefs, like René Redzepi of Noma in Copenhagen, have transformed the Danish cuisine and the world is now lining up at their kitchen doors.

Stockholm, Sweden

Your further destination on a Scandinavian tour is Stockholm. Stockholm is 521 kilometers from Copenhagen. The capital of Sweden offers grand Venetian charms around its many canals and islands - the city was built on 14 islands with 24,000 islands around it. Besides being 'beauty on the water,' Stockholm has a well-preserved historic core. It's a modern, dynamic and ever-evolving city. Gamla Stan, the city's oldest district is impeccably preserved historic center with the royal palace, gabled buildings, and cobblestone streets. All over the city, you will find world-class museums and galleries housing everything from glittering Viking treasures and an ill-fated warship Vasa to Abba and contemporary art expositions.

Helsinki, Finland

From Stockholm, a ferry takes you to Helsinki overnight saving hotel cost by sleeping on the comfortable ferry bed.

Helsinki is a modern city attracting cruise ships and tourists from all over the world. Helsinki, the capital of Finland, was settled rather late and it doesn't have a medieval old town, but it is attractive for unique architecture churches, modern museums and a beautiful harbor, a favorite of cruisers.

Oslo, Norway

The picturesque Oslo lies on both sides of the Oslofjord and is 417 kilometers from Stockholm. The city is mostly known for handing out the Nobel Peace Prize in City Hall. Being in Olso, you'll want to visit the many Norwegian museums: the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Viking Ship Museum, the Norwegian Maritime Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History and the famous Park of Sculptures.

Bergen, Norway

Oslo to Bergen with a stop in Flam is one of the most scenic ways across Scandinavia. Bergen, a World Heritage City, is a most beautiful coastal town in Norway, and the trek to Flam on the Myrdal to Flam railway offers even more spectacular scenery. The trains that take you to Flam tucked into the Aurlandfjord, are unique in themselves with five different braking systems required for the steepness as the altitude changes from 866 meters at Myrdal to 2 meters at Flam. The Aurlandfjord is a part of Sognefjord, Norway's longest and one of the most spectacular fjord. Most probably you will forget that Bergen is the second largest city in Norway - you have a small-town feel when you are there as everything you need to see, and experience is within walking distance.

Ulvik, Norway

You will find Ulvik between steep, snowclad mountains, at the corner of the deep, glistening Hardangerfjord. Three independent farmers professionally produce apple-cider, and other local farmyards produce here. From Ulvik, you can go waterskiing or kayaking on the fjord as well as exploring the fjord by boat or following several well-marked hiking trails. July 6 th– July 9th enjoy Ulvik Summer Festival. It is the highlight of the year when Ulvik kicks off a massive celebration of the summer!

Voss, Norway

Voss greets you with snowy mountain tops, valleys and forests, rivers, waterfalls, and lakes. The village is located in-between the famous fjords of Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord with the population of around 14,000 inhabitants and can offer outdoor adventures all year round. Here you can find a wide range of activities and festivals for everyone: hiking, mountain biking, skydiving, alpine skiing - from jazz to extreme sports.

Balestrand, Norway

By the Sognefjord lies Balestrand, known as the art village which has inspired artists from many countries. The place is known for its wonderful light and breathtaking nature. Artists have traveled here for inspiration from all over the world. The architecture here is also unique - many villas have traces of both English and German styles as English lords, and the German Emperor Wilhelm II spent a lot of time in Balestrand and the Sognefjord area.

There are several galleries and exhibitions worth visiting throughout the summer months. Besides, the historic Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand houses an extensive collection of paintings by painters that have been inspired by the stunning nature of the area while stayed at the hotel.

From Balestrand, you can take a trip to Fjærland, visit Breemuseet, go kayaking on the fjord, or join a guided tour across the glacier Jostedalsbreen.

Geiranger, Norway

Geirangerfjord is a real jewel among the Norwegian fjords. It is a small tourist village in the western part of Norway with a stunning view of a majestic fjord, snow-covered mountain tops and beautiful waterfalls framed by lush green vegetation. The fjord sightseeing trip with a panoramic view of one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world cannot be compared to anything. It is on UNESCO`s list of World Heritage sites and is one of the most scenically outstanding fjord areas on Earth.

Iceland

From Norway, you can extend your Scandinavian tour to Iceland. Iceland is known for its beautiful unearthly landscapes shaped by ice and fire. All regions of Iceland deserve their reputation. Geysers, lava fields, and lakes with floating icebergs amaze every traveler. This country offers many changes of scenery, and it is worth visiting each of the regions of Iceland as they take you to different worlds. The time spent exploring Iceland is worth it.

Greenland

For the bold travel planner who likes a different kind of beauty that hardly anyone visits, a trip to Greenland might be just the thing.

When to go to Scandinavia

If you are tired of the midsummer heat of the Mediterranean, Scandinavia is your best choice. You can choose from a variety of the Scandinavian tours' itineraries, and you will be sure to find vibrant cities, marvel stunning landscapes, and even spend some time cruising the seas.

From May to August is the summer period when daytime temperatures rise into 20s Celsius, and it is when you can make the most of the “midnight sun.” It’s also the time when the vast majority festivals - of food, culture, and music - happen and nature is abundant in greenery and blossoms.

Spring is a pleasant time to visit Scandinavia. You will enjoy fresh greenery, longer days and crisp air. It will not be warm, but unlike during the summer, there will be fewer tourists around. Some days may be cold and rainy, but you’ll also enjoy glorious days especially in May in Denmark and southern Sweden. In Scandinavia, you have to be prepared for any kind of weather not only in spring, Autumn is an under-appreciated season in Scandinavia. Autumn will charm you with clean air and colorful trees. Knowing that the time of darkness will descend soon, Scandinavians enjoy the season to the fullest. They celebrate the delicious seasonal foods of this time, such as crab in Norway, apples in Denmark, berries, and mushrooms in Sweden and Finland. It usually gets quite chilly by the end of October, but September can offer a late-summer charm that’s made all the better by being bathed in golden autumn light.

Sure, it’s going to be cold in winter. Really cold. But if you are ready for it, winter travel in Scandinavia has some fantastic benefits.

Most importantly, you’ll have the best chances to see the Northern Lights in Norway, Iceland, and Sweden. Between September and March, they can be viewed in many places. However, the best time is winter because of long and dry nights. Besides, in winter you can enjoy such activities as cross-country skiing and ice fishing. In December, Christmas markets and decoration bring a special festive atmosphere to all the Scandinavian countries.

Nordic Saga Tours offers a number of Scandinavian tours conveniently starting from Copenhagen. Depending on the time you want to spend in Scandinavia, your budget and the city you have chosen to end your tour or extend it to Iceland, Baltic countries or Russia you can consider the following tours.

All-inclusive escorted Scandinavian tours from Copenhagen:

1. Discover Scandinavia

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - ULVIK - BERGEN - VOSS - MYRDAL - FLÅM - BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER - OSLO

2. Discover Scandinavia with Stockholm

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - ULVIK - BERGEN - VOSS - MYRDAL - FLÅM - BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER - OSLO - STOCKHOLM

3. Discover Scandinavia with Stockholm and Helsinki

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - ULVIK - BERGEN - VOSS - MYRDAL - FLÅM - BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER - OSLO - STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI - STOCKHOLM

4. Grand Scandinavia

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - ULVIK- BERGEN - VOSS - MYRDAL - FLÅM - BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER - OSLO - STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI

All-inclusive escorted Scandinavian tours from Copenhagen with Russia

1. Grand Scandinavia with St. Petersburg

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - ULVIK - BERGEN - VOSS - MYRDAL - FLÅM - BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER - OSLO - STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG

2. Scandinavia and Russian Treasures

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - EIDFJORD - BERGEN - STALHEIM - FAGERNES - OSLO - STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG - MOSCOW

3. Fabulous Scandinavia and Imperial Russia Tour

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - EIDFJORD - BERGEN - STALHEIM - FLAM - FAGERNES - OSLO - STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG - MOSCOW

4. Scenic North Tour with Moscow

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - LOFTHUS - BERGEN - LOEN - GEIRANGER - STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG - MOSCOW

5. Scenic North Tour

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - LOFTHUS - BERGEN - LOEN - GEIRANGER - STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG

Scandinavia Basics on Budget :

1. Fabulous Scandinavia

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - EIDFJORD - BERGEN - STALHEIM - FLAAM - FAGERNES - OSLO - STOCKHOLM

2. Fabulous Scandinavia and Helsinki

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - EIDFJORD - BERGEN - STALHEIM - FLAAM - FAGERNES - OSLO - STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI

3. Land of the Vikings

COPENHAGEN - OSLO - LOFTHUS - BERGEN

Scandinavia independent travel:

1. Highlights of Scandinavia

COPENHAGEN - GOTHENBURG - STOCKHOLM - OSLO

Whatever Scandinavian tour from Copenhagen you will choose it will take you on an unforgettable journey through the best of Scandinavia.