Whether or not Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo or Helsinki, Reykjavík and Tórshavn – Scandinavia has some cool and relaxed locations to supply: ideas for probably the most stunning metropolis journeys within the north.
Scandinavia is a well-liked journey vacation spot, and the various nature, particularly, attracts many guests to the far north. However the Scandinavian capitals are additionally undoubtedly well worth the journey – and that doesn’t simply apply to the well-known highlights of Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo. Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, is actually just a few on the display, however the distant islands are an actual spotlight. And Reykjavík can also be a vital a part of a visit to Iceland. Not forgetting Finland’s capital, Helsinki, the place you’ll be able to benefit from the sea-view sauna even in summer time.
By the best way, do you know that the Scandinavian peninsula really solely consists of Norway and Sweden, in addition to the northwest of Finland? Culturally, nonetheless, Denmark can also be one in all them – and in a broader sense, additionally Iceland and the Faroe Islands. So right here’s the whole overview of the Scandinavian capitals – with many ideas and additional info.
Stockholm: The Historic
Along with Copenhagen, Stockholm is actually one of the crucial fashionable capitals in Scandinavia, if not in all of Europe. And with round 950,000 inhabitants, it’s undoubtedly the most important metropolis within the far north. Stockholm affords an excellent mixture of royal magnificence and old-town appeal, Swedish nonchalance and Scandinavian design. The guts is the outdated city Gamla Stan with the Stortorget and its colourful homes. The Royal Fort and the Nobel Prize Museum are additionally positioned in Gamla Stan – and the colourful streets with the medieval environment are fantastic for strolling via.
Like all Scandinavian capitals, Stockholm is correct on the water. One of many quite a few boat excursions is an effective option to discover town and, ideally, to go on a visit to the skerries, the offshore islands, instantly afterwards. In Stockholm, you can even stroll within the footsteps of Astrid Lindgren and ABBA or marvel at a centuries-old ship that sank within the harbour on the Vasa Museum. After which there’s the stylish district of Södermalm, the colourful artwork within the subway and the quite a few museums. Once you lastly get bored with sightseeing, it’s finest to search out one of many cool cafés and take a fika, the Swedish espresso break.
Copenhagen: The Cozy One
With simply over 600,000 inhabitants, Copenhagen is considerably smaller than Stockholm – and but or maybe due to this, Denmark’s capital is among the hottest locations in Scandinavia. Copenhagen is pure coziness. Essentially the most well-known Copenhagener is the little mermaid. The Lille Havfrue sits on her rock within the harbor – and even when she’s just a little unassuming, she’s a vital a part of a go to to the Danish capital. Additionally fashionable is Nyhavn, the place you’ll be able to sit on the harbor promenade, particularly in summer time. From there, it’s also not removed from the royal palace Amalienborg and the opera, one of many stylish new buildings in Copenhagen.
The roof of the Amager Bakke waste incineration plant was laid out as a dry ski slope and attracts quite a few guests as CopenHill. In Copenhagen, you can even stroll via one of many largest pedestrian zones in Europe or make a journey to Tivoli, the oldest amusement park on this planet. Foodies also needs to plan a visit to the Torvehallerne market halls and the previous butchers’ quarter “Kødbyen”.
Oslo: The Inexperienced
Even when Oslo glitters in blue in entrance of the opera as town’s trendy landmark, Norway’s capital is de facto inexperienced. Positioned instantly on the fjord, Oslo is surrounded by deep inexperienced forests, a preferred native recreation vacation spot for residents. In Ekelandpark, inexperienced is even mixed with artwork – and additionally, you will discover lots of road artwork and fascinating sculptures within the metropolis. A very powerful sights within the centre are the Royal Fort, the Cathedral, the Parliament Storting and the Metropolis Corridor, the place the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded yearly in December.
With virtually 700,000 inhabitants, Oslo is the second largest metropolis in Scandinavia – and but it doesn’t really feel prefer it. You’ll be able to, for instance, begin instantly from the port district of Aker Brygge to the islands within the Oslofjord and swap off fully. On the Bygdoy peninsula, additionally, you will discover quite a few fascinating museums, such because the Vikingskipshuset or the Kon-Tiki Museum. And issues get various and inventive within the stylish Grünerlokka district and round Oslo’s Mathallen market corridor.
Helsinki: The Youngest
Though Helsinki was based in 1550, it was an insignificant metropolis for a very long time. Solely since 1917 has it been the capital of an unbiased Finland. Immediately, with 635,000 inhabitants, Helsinki is the third largest metropolis in Scandinavia after Stockholm and Oslo. Town is completely relaxed, which may be partly as a result of quite a few saunas, that are merely a part of the lifestyle for Finns.
However Helsinki’s landmark is the cathedral, which rises fully white over town. The Finnish capital has much more church buildings price seeing: from the Russian-Orthodox-style Uspenski Cathedral to the Chapel of Silence to the rock church Temppeliaukio Kirkko. And for foodies, the Vanha Kauppahalli market corridor and the Teurastamo slaughterhouse district are the right locations. The ocean and the islands will not be far in Helsinki both, and so they undoubtedly belong on the to-do record, particularly in summer time.
Reykjavík: The Colourful One
Once you consider Scandinavian capitals, Reykjavík is actually not the very first thing that springs to thoughts. And but the city with its 120,000 inhabitants is price a go to. The northernmost capital on this planet is a mixture of vibrant homes, Scandinavian design and pleasant folks. The residents will not be deterred by the cool temperatures, even in summer time, however slightly meet as much as loosen up in one of many sizzling springs and luxuriate in what appears like endlessly lengthy days.
Along with the Hallgrímskirkja as a landmark and the futuristic Harpa live performance corridor, a stroll via the colourful purchasing road Laugavegur is a should on the to-do record for Reykjavík. You’ll discover some cool road artwork right here and all through town. And for foodies, a detour in the direction of the Alter Hafen and the Grandi district, with its meals corridor and the chocolate manufacturing unit is a should.
Tórshavn: The Hidden One
With simply over 20,000 inhabitants, an important and largest metropolis within the Faroe Islands is among the smallest capitals on this planet. Tórshavn is the financial and cultural heart and is a vital a part of a go to to the archipelago in the course of the North Atlantic. Once you stroll via the small alleys within the historic heart, you rapidly get the sensation that you’ve landed someplace in a village and never within the capital. The little homes with turf roofs, so typical of the islands, are too cute.
On the Tinganes peninsula, proper by the small japanese harbor, you’ll find the Løgting, one of many oldest nonetheless current parliaments on this planet. And proper subsequent door, you’ll be able to ring the Prime Minister’s bell instantly. Along with just a few museums, additionally, you will discover good eating places and cafes within the capital and a small purchasing road. Final however not least, Tórshavn can also be an ideal start line to find these spectacular islands.
Our Last Phrase
Kati and I all the time like to journey to Scandanavia. The folks and the vibe are intoxicating. They only appear to get it. And it exhibits. From nice artwork and museums to unbelievable out of doors actions, Scandanavia has all of it. Out of the highest 7 happiest international locations on this planet, 5 are from Scandanavia and manner outscore international locations just like the USA and Germany. I believe it exhibits that heat climate and decrease tax charges don’t deliver folks happiness slightly caring for each other when it comes to healthcare and wholesome life expectancy together with the liberty to make key life choices make Scandanavia a mannequin of society for the remainder of us.