Whether Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo or Helsinki, Reykjavík and Tórshavn – Scandinavia has some cool and relaxed locations to supply: ideas for probably the most lovely 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. But the Scandinavian capitals are additionally positively 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 definitely just a few on the display screen, however the distant islands are an actual spotlight. And Reykjavík can be a necessary 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 season.
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, nevertheless, Denmark can 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 data.
Stockholm: The Historical
Together with Copenhagen, Stockholm is definitely probably the most standard capitals in Scandinavia, if not in all of Europe. And with round 950,000 inhabitants, it’s positively the biggest metropolis within the far north. Stockholm provides an excellent mixture of royal magnificence and old-town attraction, Swedish nonchalance and Scandinavian design. The coronary heart is the outdated city Gamla Stan with the Stortorget and its colourful homes. The Royal Castle and the Nobel Prize Museum are additionally situated in Gamla Stan – and the colourful streets with the medieval ambiance are fantastic for strolling by way of.
Like all Scandinavian capitals, Stockholm is correct on the water. One of the quite a few boat excursions is an efficient solution to discover the town and, ideally, to go on a visit to the skerries, the offshore islands, instantly afterwards. In Stockholm, you may as well 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. And then there’s the stylish district of Södermalm, the colourful artwork within the subway and the quite a few museums. When you lastly get uninterested in sightseeing, it’s greatest 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 likely one of the hottest locations in Scandinavia. Copenhagen is pure coziness. 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 necessary a part of a go to to the Danish capital. Also standard is Nyhavn, the place you’ll be able to sit on the harbor promenade, particularly in summer season. From there, additionally it is 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 may as well stroll by way of one of many largest pedestrian zones in Europe or make a journey to Tivoli, the oldest amusement park on the planet. Foodies also needs to plan a visit to the Torvehallerne market halls and the previous butchers’ quarter “Kødbyen”.
Oslo: The Green
Even if Oslo glitters in blue in entrance of the opera as the town’s trendy landmark, Norway’s capital is actually inexperienced. Located instantly on the fjord, Oslo is surrounded by deep inexperienced forests, a well-liked native recreation vacation spot for residents. In Ekelandpark, inexperienced is even mixed with artwork – and additionally, you will discover lots of avenue artwork and fascinating sculptures within the metropolis. The most vital sights within the centre are the Royal Castle, the Cathedral, the Parliament Storting and the City Hall, the place the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded yearly in December.
With nearly 700,000 inhabitants, Oslo is the second largest metropolis in Scandinavia – and but it doesn’t really feel prefer it. You can, for instance, begin instantly from the port district of Aker Brygge to the islands within the Oslofjord and change off utterly. 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 different and artistic within the fashionable Grünerlokka district and round Oslo’s Mathallen market corridor.
Helsinki: The Youngest
Although Helsinki was based in 1550, it was an insignificant metropolis for a very long time. Only since 1917 has it been the capital of an unbiased Finland. Today, with 635,000 inhabitants, Helsinki is the third largest metropolis in Scandinavia after Stockholm and Oslo. The metropolis is completely relaxed, which could be partly as a result of quite a few saunas, that are merely a part of the lifestyle for Finns.
But Helsinki’s landmark is the cathedral, which rises utterly white over the 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 sea and the islands aren’t far in Helsinki both, they usually positively belong on the to-do listing, particularly in summer season.
Reykjavík: The Colorful One
When you consider Scandinavian capitals, Reykjavík is definitely 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 the planet is a mixture of vibrant homes, Scandinavian design and pleasant folks. The residents aren’t deterred by the cool temperatures, even in summer season, however relatively meet as much as chill out in one of many scorching springs and luxuriate in what appears like endlessly lengthy days.
In addition to the Hallgrímskirkja as a landmark and the futuristic Harpa live performance corridor, a stroll by way of the colourful purchasing avenue Laugavegur is a should on the to-do listing for Reykjavík. You’ll discover some cool avenue artwork right here and all through the 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 facility is a should.
Tórshavn: The Hidden One
With simply over 20,000 inhabitants, a very powerful and largest metropolis within the Faroe Islands is likely one of the smallest capitals on the planet. Tórshavn is the financial and cultural middle and is a necessary a part of a go to to the archipelago in the course of the North Atlantic. When you stroll by way of the small alleys within the historic middle, you rapidly get the sensation that you’ve got 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 can see the Løgting, one of many oldest nonetheless present parliaments on the planet. And proper subsequent door, you’ll be able to ring the Prime Minister’s bell instantly. In addition to a couple museums, additionally, you will discover good eating places and cafes within the capital and a small purchasing avenue. Last however not least, Tórshavn can be an ideal place to begin to find these spectacular islands.
Our Final Word
Kati and I all the time like to journey to Scandanavia. The folks and the vibe are intoxicating. They simply appear to get it. And it exhibits. From nice artwork and museums to unbelievable outside actions, Scandanavia has all of it. Out of the highest 7 happiest nations on the planet, 5 are from Scandanavia and method outscore nations just like the USA and Germany. I believe it exhibits that heat climate and decrease tax charges don’t carry folks happiness relatively 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.