Best Things To Do In Scandinavia - What To Do on a Southern Scandi Road Trip?
Embarking on a 3-month road trip across Scandinavia was a journey filled with enchanting moments, from close encounters with majestic moose to savouring the delicate layers of Danish pastries. Join us as we recount the highlights of our adventure through Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Unfortunately, we haven't visited Finland... yet but please let us know what you would add to this list.
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Why go on a Scandinavia Road trip?
Scandinavia is one of the most beautiful places in Europe and with the happiest people why not go? You may be worried about budget but we managed to road trip Norway, Denmark and Sweden in a Campervan for not too much more than rent at home! Explore the costs here.
Scandinavia is one of the best places for Van Life as they are so welcoming with lots of free facilities. Most locals own a motorhome or van so they are super friendly and interested when you roll into camp. Scandinavia is also large, 928,057 km² to be precise so there is lots to see and a variety of landscapes from beaches to mountains and glaciers to caves. This makes it perfect for a Road Trip. Scandinavia is a subregion of Northern Europe and is made up of Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
So, which Scandinavian country is the best to visit? Well we will let you decide below, explore our top picks from each country and start planning your journey today. We start with Denmark, the closest Scandinavian country to the UK and therefore most likely your first stop.
Denmark: Pastries, Copenhagen and Cliffs at Møns Klint
Colourful Copenhagen
Exploring the city of Copenhagen gives you an insight into the Scandi culture. Although expensive this city has lots to offer for a weekend break. We enjoyed a boat ride through the cities canal system. They have unique boats that are low enough to glide under the bridges and we fully recommend paying for a tour. we also visited the Little Mermaid statue (which isn't that exciting) and headed up the Round Tower which gives you a great view over the city. There is so much to do here but you will need to consider your budget as it can get expensive.
Danish Pastry Delights
Our taste buds danced with delight as we sampled an array of Danish pastries. From traditional bakeries to hidden gems, Denmark's pastry scene is something that can not be missed. We headed over to Lagoni Kaffebar in Helingsor. This was the perfect café to try the famous Danish pastries as we entered it was pouring with rain and we were greeted with candle lit tables in a cosy setting. Just perfect!
UNESCO World Heritage site Møns Klint
We didn't know these existed until we were there, and perhaps that is what made them so special. We arrived late and were treated to breath-taking views of the Baltic Sea at sunset. The white cliffs overlook black sand beaches and there are multiple trails to follow. You can get down onto the beach but when we arrived the steps had been damaged by a storm This place has been added to our must visit again list and was a highlight of our trip.
Norway: Pulpit Rock Hikes and Snowstorm Adventures
Pulpit Rock and Other Hikes
Norwegian landscapes took our breath away as we hiked to the iconic Pulpit Rock. The panoramic views from the top were a reward well worth the trek. For us this was our favourite hike we did in Norway. Of course Norway has many amazing hikes but if we could only pick one this would be it.
Other Hikes we loved:
Battling the Bjorli Snowstorm:
Now this one is season dependent. But if you have the chance to see Norway in the snow you must take it. Seeing the magestic red cabins with a dusting of snow looked like a scene from Narnia. For us navigating through a snowstorm in Bjorli was an unexpected adventure. The challenges of driving through snow-covered landscapes were met with awe-inspiring scenery. Around 5 inches of snow fell in 30 minutes and we couldn't believe it. Bjorli is a well known ski resort over the winter months and has been used in numerous films.
Driving the Famous Atlantic Ocean Drive
Often named the most beautiful drive in Europe, the Atlantic Ocean Drive is a great place to reach on your road trip. The road takes you over 8 bridges that skim the Atlantic Ocean. There are loads of places to stop and admire the views and you can even drive over the famous Storseisundet Bridge. This isn't the only attraction though as you can visit the fishing bridge which has a platform for you to fish with, visit Orca Norway and swim with seals or stop off in the visitors centre to learn about the construction of the road.
Kayak a Fjord
This was at the top of our list – to kayak a fjord in Norway. There’s few more famous than Geiranger so that’s what we did. We have an inflatable kayak so we inflated it in the carpark and deployed it at the nearby campsite. As we only have an inflatable kayak we made our way just to the corner of the fjord (about 1 hour on the water). If you have a hard-shell kayak you could go further and even make it to the Seven Sisters Waterfall. To explore more to do in Geiranger head over to our blog here.
Tip: This is a busy fjord with cruise ships, ferries and guided tours. Remember to wear life jackets and consider the risks of your trip before you go.
Stay in a Free Cabin in the Woods
In the heart of Norway's rugged wilderness, nestled amidst the tall pines, we embarked to tick off a Norway bucket list adventure. We wanted to find solace in a cabin hidden within the depths of the forest, and all for FREE! We did lots of research and we found a free hiking hut that we share below.
After lots of research we found out about DNT cabins. The DNT is a club that you join, to gain access to keys to unlock many cabins in the Norwegian wilderness. As we knew we were leaving, and we only wanted to do one night we didn’t explore it further. So how do you stay in a cabin in Norway as a tourist? We found Statskog, a Norwegian state-owned group that is responsible for the management of many Norwegian forests. They have a great website that share the location of cabins on their land and some of these are free to stay in, you don’t need to be a member of the DNT. Explore more with our blog here.
Sweden: Moose Encounters and Cave Drawings in Talum
Moose Farm
Our Swedish section commenced at a Moose Farm, where these gentle giants stole our hearts. Witnessing these majestic creatures up close was an experience like no other. A lot of moose farms had bad reviews and we looked around and found Dalsands Moose Ranch. We can highly recommend this place, the moose have plenty of space to roam around and there is even a scandi style cafe on site.
Cave Drawings
Delving into the historical wonders of Talum, we explored ancient cave drawings that spoke volumes about Sweden's rich past. The cave drawings in Talum are an archaeological treasure trove waiting to be discovered. We choose a 5km walk around a variety of cave drawings. We only touched the surface here and there was plenty more to see. On the trail was a abandoned house that had been left, you could see shoes, kitchen appliences, window frames and more. This was super interesting to look around and imagine the native people living in the wild Swedish countryside.
Ice Hockey Match
During our visit to Gothenburg, we decided to spend a night at the ice hockey.
Swedes have a deep love for ice hockey, and catching a game in Sweden is a thrilling experience. Check the schedules of local teams like Frölunda HC in Gothenburg or Malmö Redhawks in Malmö. Immerse yourself in the electric atmosphere of a hockey match, a sport deeply ingrained in Swedish culture. We experienced Frölunda HC and it was like no other sports game I’ve been to!
Wildlife Wonders Across Scandinavia
Our journey was topped-off by encounters with Scandinavia's wildlife. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a sea eagle and playful sea otters on the Atlantic Ocean Road. Here are ten animals you might see on your journey:
Sea Eagle: A magnificent bird of prey, the sea eagle is often spotted along coastal areas and water bodies.
Sea Otters: These playful marine mammals can be observed frolicking in the waters, especially along coastal regions such as the Atlantic Ocean Road.
Seabirds: Various species of seabirds, including gulls, puffins, and cormorants, contribute to the vibrant coastal birdlife.
Reindeer: Inland forests and tundra may host herds of reindeer, displaying their iconic antlers and grazing on vegetation.
Moose: The largest member of the deer family, moose are often found in wooded areas, providing a glimpse of their impressive size and antlers.
Red Fox: These adaptable predators can be encountered in diverse habitats, from forests to urban areas.
European Badger: Nocturnal and elusive, the European badger may be spotted in woodlands and meadows.
Common Seal: Coastal areas may be home to colonies of common seals, basking on rocks or swimming in the sea.
Mink: Not native but can be seen around glacial lakes hunting.
Baltic Grey Seal: Along the coasts, especially in the Baltic Sea, you might come across these seals, known for their distinctive markings.
As our Scandinavian road trip came to a close, we reflected on the diversity of experiences across Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Each country offered its unique charm, leaving us with memories to last a lifetime.
However, one regret —we missed the opportunity to explore Finland. As we dream of Finland, we invite you, our readers, to share your recommendations. Which places in Finland should be on our itinerary for the next journey?
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