A Guide to the Nordic Capitals: Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Reykjavik, Tórshavn, and Mariehamn
Stortorget, Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden (ISO 1000, 24 mm, f/9, 1/1000 s)
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So first thing’s first: What is the difference between the terms Scandinavian and Nordic? The three countries that comprise Scandinavia are Denmark, Sweden, and Norway and all have close cultural, historical, and linguistic ties to one another. In fact, their history is so much engrained within each other because each country owned portions of the others through wars waged over the centuries. The Nordic and Swedish languages are so similar that a Norwegian can talk to a Swede in their own native languages and they will still (more or less) understand each other. When it comes to Danish, they say it sounds like they are talking with food in their mouths, so maybe a bit harder to understand (no offense to Danes!).
When it comes to the Nordic countries, this includes the countries of Scandinavia as well as Iceland and Finland. Furthermore, you can also include Greenland, the Faroe Islands, the Åland islands, and Svalbard which are owned by Denmark, Denmark, Finland, and Norway, respectively. To keep it simple, Nordic countries are essentially all places in the NORTH.
The natural beauty of the Nordic countries is in my opinion, unrivaled. The capitals that reside in these countries are the same. In this guide, I will go over the Nordic capitals of Denmark (Copenhagen), Sweden (Stockholm), Norway (Oslo), Finland (Helsinki), Iceland (Reykjavik), the Faroe Islands (Tórshavn), and the Åland Islands (Mariehamn). Google maps of each city can be found throughout this post for your convenience. Links to all blog posts from each of these destinations are also provided.
Check out my drone video of Sweden below!
Rådhuset, Stockholm, Sweden (ISO 1000, 35 mm, f/11, 25 s)
Stockholm, Sweden
(Blog Post - Why Stockholm is the Best Scandinavian Capital)
The Swedish capital of Stockholm is arguably the best in all of Scandinavia. An archipelago of 14 islands, the city offers great attractions and museums such as Fotografiska, Erik's Gondolen, Monteliusvägen, Gröna Lund, Gamla Stan, Riddarholm Church, Royal Palace, Vasa and ABBA Museums, and the Stockholm Tunnelbana.
Historical Sites: Stortorget, Rådhuset, Stenbock Palaces, The Royal Palace - all great places to see located in the Gamla Stan area
Parks: Kungsträdgården, Djurgården - Wonderful green spaces and good for people watching
Museums: ABBA, Vasa, Fotografiska
Views: Monteliusvägen, Skinnarviksberget, Erik’s Gondolen, Norra Riddarholmenshamn - great for golden hour and sunsets!
Food: Vete-Katten, Kajsas Fisk, Orangeriet, Greasy Spoon, La Neta City, Stampen
Tunnelbana Stations: Solna Centrum, Solna Strand, Universitetet, Stadion, Tekniska Högskolan
Check out my post about the Stockholm Tunnelbana. (The World’s Longest Art Gallery: Riding on the Stockholm Tunnelbana)
Sun Voyager Statue, Reykjavik, Iceland (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/22, 0.8 s)
Reykjavik, Iceland
(Blog Post - Let’s Go To Iceland, What to see in Reykjavik)
You would think that a country of just 350,000 people wouldn't have much to offer, and you would be very wrong in this case. The Icelandic capital of Reykjavik is small, but packs a punch. Book a northern lights tour, go to the Blue Lagoon tourist trap, swim between the tectonic plates at Silfra, see the Golden Circle sights like Gulfoss waterfall and Strokkur geyser and grab coffee at Stofan Cafe.
Hallgrímskirkja church - Gorgeous church in the middle of town. You can go up the tower for a birds eye view of the city.
The Harpa - Convention center with wonderful architecture.
Sun Voyager Statue - Statue by an Icelandic artist, looks like a viking ship.
Þúfa - Small mound with fishing hut on top, an artistic installation.
Perlan - Or ‘the pearl’, is a museum, restaurant, and a planetarium situated in Reykjavik. It boasts an excellent observation deck to see the entire city.
Blue Lagoon - Tourist trap that is worth it. A thermal hot spring outside with a restaurant and hotel attached.
Northern Lights - Come anytime in winter to have a chance to see them!
Food: Cafe Rosenburg, Sandholt
Have more time in Iceland? Rent a car and take a trip on the ring road. Use my summary guide here to help you plan your route! (Road Trip Posts - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6)
Iceland in winter blog post (Why the best beaches have black sand: a journey through Iceland’s southern coast in the Winter)
Fram Museum, Oslo, Norway (ISO 100, 10 mm, f/8, 1/50 s)
Oslo, Norway
(Blog Post - Oslo: A Guide to the Norwegian Capital)
This Scandinavian capital has loads of fascinating sights to see. Start at the Oslo Opera House and also check out Akershus Fortress, the Royal Palace, and Frogner Park. Make sure you don't miss the Kon-Tiki, Fram, and Viking Ship Museums on the Bygdøyfergene Peninsula as well.
Brydøy peninsula
Viking Ship Museum - Museum which contains actual unearthed Viking ships in excellent condition.
Fram Museum - Celebrates the history of Norweigan polar expeditions.
Kon-Tiki Museum - Commemorates the expedition of Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl and his sailing quest to French Polynesia.
Frogner Park - This is the largest park in Oslo, which boasts sculptures throughout the site, and is the perfect place for a summer picnic.
Royal Palace - Official residence of the current Norwegian monarch and located in Palace park.
Akershus Fortress - Castle and modern-day museum that was first constructed a defense for the city.
Oslo Opera house - Home of the Norweigan Opera and ballet. A great example of functional architecture.
Storting Building - Home of the Norweigan Parliament.
Copenhagen, Denmark
(Blog Post - The Perfect Guide to Exploring Copenhagen)
Your comprehensive guide to seeing Denmark's capital of Copenhagen, taking you to sites such as Nyhavn Harbor, Frederik's Church, St. Alban's Church, Kastellet, Danish Royal Library Gardens, Rosenborg Palace, Amalienborg Palace, NY Carlsberg Glyptotek, Tivoli Gardens, Christiansborg Palace, Little Mermaid Statue, and the town of Christiania.
Nyhavn harbor - Famous harbor in the middle of the city, flanked by colorful restaurant facades and cafes.
Round Tower - An excellent viewing point in the center of the city.
Kastellet - One of the most well preserved star forts in the entire region.
Little Mermaid Statue - Small statue paying homage to the book written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.
Christiansborg Palace - Seat of the Danish Parliament, Danish Prime Minister, and Danish Supreme Court.
Danish Royal Library Garden - A very peaceful pond, flanked by busts of famous Danes for their various contributions to the world
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek - Art museum that features works from the collection of Carl Jacobsen.
Frederick’s Church (The Marble Church) - A Lutheran church in Copenhagen with rococo architecture.
Christiania - Alternative neighborhood in which the community has established their own set of rules, in cooperation with the Danish government.
Tivoli Gardens - An amusement park!!
Helsinki, Finland (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/50 s)
Helsinki, Finland
(Blog Post - Welcome to Helsinki - The Finnish Capital)
There is more to Helsinki than it's gorgeous emerald-domed cathedral. This Scandinavia capital is replete with a ton of fantastic cafes that give great views of the capital countryside. The fortress of Suomenlinna is also just a ferry ride away and its solitude and quietness stands in great contrast to the city sounds just across the water.
Helsinki Cathedral - With a stunning white and aqua colored exterior, towering over Senate Square (Senaatintori), it also boasts food, drink, and craft stalls during Christmas.
Ekberg 1852 Ltd - Well known cafe with great treats.
St. John’s Church - Lutheran church constructed in the Gothic revival style.
Finnish Memorial to Seafarers and the Deceased at Sea - A very simple and elegant memorial.
Suomenlinna - A UNESCO World Heritage Site and is built across six islands and still boasts the stone fortifications that were installed centuries ago.
Huvilakatu Street - A street in the town known for its colorful facade of residential homes.
There you have it, a little crash course into these Nordic capitals and what each one has to offer. Given how long you have to spend in Northern Europe, it may certainly be possible to see two or three of these capitals within the same trip. It is incredibly easy to navigate this entire region due to its connectivity by efficient public transport. Furthermore, I would suggest spending around 3 days in each city. All of these cities also offer a multi-day tourist card that gives you discounts and free entry into a multitude of sites, which may save you money in the long run. Last but not least, if you are coming here in the Fall and Winter months, then bring layers!
Tórshavn, Faroe Islands (ISO 200, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 s)
Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
(Blog Post - A Journey to the Faroese Capital of Tórshavn)
The Norse established their parliament on the Tinganes peninsula of Tórshavn in 850 AD, which has since been known as the capital city of the Faroe Islands with a population of 13,083. The city features great attractions like the Svartafoss Waterfall, Vesturkirkjan, Skansin, and the Tórshavn Old Town. All roads lead to Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands and a day is all you need to explore the city.
Mariehamn, Åland Islands (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/8, 1/500 s)
Mariehman, Åland Islands
(Blog Post - Take a trip to Mariehamn and the Åland Islands)
The Åland Islands are an autonomous region of Finland, located in the Baltic Sea. The capital city is Mariehamn and the official language is Swedish. The islands are perfect for hiking, sailing, and other outdoor activities and are easily reachable by ferry from Sweden. Notable places to visit include Kastelhomn Castle, Nåtö and Espholm Nature Reserves, and the city of Mariehamn.
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