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Best of Scandinavia - Norway Cruise and Iceland

(17 days / 16 nights)

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The Charm of the Nordics

Spend 17 days on the ultimate Scandinavian tour that combines the history and culture of capital cities and charming towns, along with the breathtaking nature of the Nordics. Explore these modern, yet historical cities by land and sea as you cruise from Copenhagen to Oslo and explore these enchanting cities by foot. The tour also includes the popular Norway in a Nutshell® train journey over the mountains to Bergen, a relaxing Hurtigruten cruise, along with time in idyllic Iceland, touring the Golden Circle and scenic South Coast.

Looking for the winter version of this tour?

17 days / 16 nights

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Approx 4236 EUR

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— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
  • Tailored tour options
  • Quality & value for your money
  • Trusted local travel experts
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Tour Highlights

  • Explore the colourful capitals of Iceland, Norway, Sweden & Denmark
  • Sail along the Norwegian coast on the famous Hurtigruten cruise
  • Board the Norway in a Nutshell® tour for breathtaking landscapes
  • Visit the dramatic deep fjord of Geiranger and explore the charming village
  • Discover the Golden Circle and black sand beaches in Iceland
  • Stroll through Norway’s grand capital, Oslo and visit charming Bergen
  • Enjoy the charms of Swedish Fika in Gamla Stan (Old Town)
  • See the cascading waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss in Iceland
  • Relax by Copenhagen’s harbour at Nyhavn and visit the Little Mermaid
  • Enjoy exploring the capitals at your own time and joining optional guided tours of the cities

Travel style

Independent Tours i

Interest

Castles and Royalty i, City Break i, Culture and History i, Fjords i, Honeymoon & Romance i, Hurtigruten cruise i

Season

May - Sep

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

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  • Day 1: WELCOME TO SWEDEN

    When you arrive at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, make your way to Stockholm city centre. Many travellers opt to take the express train to Stockholm Central Station, but we also offer direct private transfers. After settling in at your hotel, spend the day exploring the beautiful city. Stroll the well-known street Drottninggatan where you can shop and feel the vibe of the capital city. Go for a walk in the surrounding area of Östermalm, where you will find interesting shops, cafés, and restaurants for a perfect introduction to Scandinavian culture. It could be fun to pick a cafe and experience Swedish „fika“, an afternoon tea or coffee.

    Spend the night in Stockholm.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Optional Extras

  • Day 2: THE CHARMS OF SWEDISH CULTURE

    Today you will explore the heart of scenic Stockholm. We recommend exploring the capital by foot, visiting attractions such as the Old Town (Gamla Stan), where you will find the Royal Palace, the parliament, old churces, beautiful cobble stone streets and medieval houses.

    After some time at Gamla Stan, you can take a short ferry ride to the nearby island Djurgården, a cultural oasis with something for everyone. Here you will find the kitschy Abba Museum, the Nordic Museum, the Gröna Lund amusement park, and the Skansen open-air museum. It is ideal to spend the afternoon here, exploring the grounds and many attractions.

    Spend the night in Stockholm.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Optional Extras

  • Day 3: TRAVEL FROM STOCKHOLM TO LOVELY COPENHAGEN

    Today you will take a short flight to Copenhagen. After settling in at your hotel, go for a walk along the enchanting old harbour area of Nyhavn, where you will see colourful houses and lively restaurants among the docked boats. Walk the narrow side streets, visit some shops and try out the traditional Danish open-faced sandwich, Smørrebrød. In the evening, visit the amusement park Tivoli Gardens, which has something for everyone. It’s a lovely place to admire the architecture and gardens and to enjoy some carnival rides. 

    Spend the night in Copenhagen.

    *For those interested, we offer the option of travelling by train instead of flight between Stockholm and Denmark. For more details click the optional activities.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Optional Extras

  • Day 4: A DAY IN CAPTIVATING COPENHAGEN

    You have the whole day to explore Copenhagen. We recommend seeing the city by foot, visiting landmarks including Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, and the famous Little Mermaid statue. An optional cruise from the harbour is also highly recommended as you can appreciate the architecture and beauty of the city by water. Next, stroll Ströget street for some shopping and grab something to eat at Torvehallerne food hall.

    Spend the night in Copenhagen.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Optional Extras

  • Day 5: SET SAIL FOR NORWAY

    Spend the morning touring Copenhagen. Some interesting attractions include the observatory of The Round Tower, the most famous church in Copenhagen, Church of Our Saviour, as well as the impeccable King’s Garden, and the regal Rosenborg Castle. In the late afternoon, it’s time to board your cruise to Oslo, which sails gently up the Kattegat Sund on its way to Norway’s capital city. You can enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants, check out the entertainment on board or just relax and watch the sunset from the deck.

    Spend the night on the cruise.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Optional Extras

  • Day 6: ENJOY ENCHANTING OSLO

    After the cruise ship docks, get ready to see the best of Oslo. The city is quite walkable and recommend exploring by foot and the convenience of public transport. Notable attractions include the beautiful Vigeland Sculpture Park, Viking Ship Museum, Fram Polar Ship Museum and spending some time along the beautiful harbour area. Other interesting stops include the Munch Museum, Royal Palace, Akershus Fortress, and Oslo City Hall.

    Spend the night in Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Optional Extras

  • Day 7: JOURNEY OVER THE MOUNTAINS

    Head to Oslo Central Station this morning where you will board the Dovrebanen train for a scenic ride over the Dovre mountain plateau through historic towns and nature reserves. As the second highest line after the Bergen Railway, the Dovre Railway includes a great variation in terrain and scenery.

    In Dombås you will change trains for the Raumabanen Railway, often referred as the most spectacular railway line in Norway with endless sights to enjoy, including the "chicken bridge" and the Vermafossen waterfall. On arrival to Åndalsnes you will take a bus for 2 hours to Ålesund.

    Spend the night in Ålesund.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 8: THE GEIRANGER FJORD CRUISE

    Today you will explore Geirangerfjord by boat, taking a 120 km cruise through three fjords revealing spectacular landscapes.  The Geirangerfjord features peaceful waters, majestic mountains and magnificent waterfalls, including the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil. The cruise, which is 3-hours each way, includes a stop in Geiranger village for a few hours.

    In the late afternoon you will take the boat back to Ålesund. We recommend visiting one of the restaurants in town and in the evening and relax until you head for the Hurtigruten harbour where your cruise departs shortly after midnight.

    Spend the night on board the Hurtigruten in a private cabin.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 9: SAIL TO HISTORIC BERGEN

    During the night, the ship calls at Torvik, Maløy, and Florø as the journey weaves through islets and stunning landscapes before coming within view of its final destination—Bergen. Here you will disembark the ship at 14:30 to enjoy some leisure time. Bergen, “The Capital of the Fjords”, has all the charms of a small town. Here you’ll find Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with remarkably preserved old houses, a lively fish and flower market, cable cars offering stunning views, great museums and more. We recommend riding the Fløibanen Funicular to Mount Fløyen to enjoy the panoramic view of the city or a cable car up Mt. Ulriken. Bergen is surrounded by 7 mountains so a good place for hiking.

    Spend the night in Bergen.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Optional Extras

  • Day 10: NORWAY IN A NUTSHELL BY LAND AND SEA

    Today will be an especially scenic day with a lot of travel. From Bergen, the early Bergensbanen train transports you to Voss, where you’ll be transported by bus down Stalheimskleiva, Northern Europe’s steepest stretch of road. After a thrilling ride around 13 hairpin bends, you will continue to Gudvangen.

    There, you will embark on a scenic 2-hour fjord cruise to Flåm, including a trip through Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in all of Europe. This UNESCO World Heritage site is perhaps the most breathtaking part of Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, with its mighty peaks, tumbling waterfalls, and small farms dotting the mountainsides. Finally, the boat sails up Aurlandsfjord to Flåm, a charming village, where you will spend the evening. 

    Spend the night in Flåm.

    We recommend booking luggage transfer for the travel between Bergen and Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Optional Extras

  • Day 11: THE FLÅM RAILWAY EXPERIENCE

    Spend the early part of your day exploring the village of Flåm by following one of the many hiking trails in the mountains around the village. At noon, you’ll get to experience the famous Flåm Railway as it climbs 900 metres over a span of 20 kilometres up the winding track to the Myrdal Station. Here you will switch to the Bergensbanen train that takes you over the mountainous rooftops of Norway. This ride will take you through the charming villages of Geilo and Gol before concluding in Oslo, where you will spend your last night in this amazing country.

    Spend the night in Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 12: BEAUTIFUL OSLO TO IDYLLIC ICELAND

    This morning, enjoy some last-minute shopping, visit one of Oslo’s many museums or relax at a café, before heading to the airport for your flight to Iceland. On arrival to Keflavik International Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore. We recommend strolling the streets of the charming capital city, visiting museums, and exploring landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja and the Sun Voyager.

    Spend the next five nights in Reykjavik.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Optional Extras

  • Day 13: REYKJAVÍK CITY WALK & BLUE LAGOON

    After breakfast, enjoy an exclusive guided small group walking tour in the heart of Reykjavik with a friendly local guide. Over the course of the 3-hour walk, your guide will introduce you to the bustling downtown area including the concert hall Harpa, the old harbour area, the parliament building, and the small city pond.

    In the afternoon, you will be picked up for a bus transfer to the famous Blue Lagoon, where you can bathe in the heated geothermal pool, which is rich with silica and soothing for your skin. You can also enjoy a sauna or steambath and an array of spa services (which must be booked in advance).

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Attractions Attractions

  • Day 14: THE CLASSIC GOLDEN CIRCLE

    Today you will visit some of Iceland’s most famous attractions with a guided small group tour of the classic “Golden Circle” route in South Iceland. One of the many highlights on this journey is Þingvellir National Park, a place of great historical and geological significance that is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other attractions include the beautiful two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall and the spouting hot springs of Geysir. While Geysir lies dormant, its neighbour Strokkur erupts every few minutes, gushing steam and water from the bowels of the earth. A taste of Icelandic food and drink is included on the tour. On return to Reykjavik, you will see the beautiful waterfall Faxi.

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Optional Extras

  • Day 15: THE SCENIC SOUTH COAST

    Enjoy a guided small group tour along the striking south coast of Iceland that includes the picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which is 40-metres high and has a pathway leading behind the waterfall, giving visitors a chance to view the falls from within. Next up is a view of the vast glacier Sólheimajökull before continuing to Reynisfjara, a hauntingly beautiful black sand beach. The last stop before heading back to Reykjavik is the graceful, 60-metre high Skógafoss waterfall to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and pose for the perfect picture.

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Optional Extras

  • Day 16: YOUR ICELANDIC ADVENTURE

    Today you will create your own adventure! You could choose to join an exciting optional activity like snorkelling in the Silfra fissure at Þingvellir National Park, or riding a stocky and adorable Icelandic horse, or even venturing inside a volcano. Other options include enjoying a whale watching tour, riding an ATV on rugged tracks, sightseeing high above in a helicopter and exploring an ice tunnel by going Into the Glacier.

    If you are up for a more leisurely day, you could choose to relax in Reykjavik. Options include visiting a local swimming pool, checking out museums, or strolling the charming streets to see where the day takes you. Keep in mind that your travel consultant can fulfil customised requests like renting a car or booking activities that you enjoy.

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Optional Extras

  • Day 17: DEPARTURE FROM ICELAND

    Your adventure in Scandinavia and Iceland has come to an end. Depart to Keflavik International Airport via a semi-private transfer. If your flight is in the afternoon, you will have time to visit some of Reykjavik´s boutiques or museums. You may also opt to take an exciting optional activity (not included).

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Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.